Leather options

[04Enthusiast]

I ordered leatherette because my last BMW with leather did not wear well.

[richsnuc]

Get the leather!

[MerlinMc]

I've had several BMWs with leather and several with 'ette. If both were available in the same color I wanted, I would pick the 'ette over the leather even if the price were the same. It's hard to tell the difference and the 'ette will look better long after the leather is looking worn.

[Add1ct]

I went with leatherette because it's a lease and I wanted to get into a 135 for cheap and just got a set of sport leatherette seats from a member here for $500 for the set new so I am pretty excited about it. as to the leatherette- there are bmw enthusiasts who swear by it and it is definitely nice stuff, far improved over the e46 leatherette- this stuff could pass for leather, and nice leather for that matter, in any domestic car and many japanese ones too. that said my brother has a 128i with the boston black leather and I would say this is the softest leather bmw has put in a car yet, the stuff is just like silk- especially the center portions. I would choose red leather if I could and if it were an option saddle brown, but for you I have a bit of advice:
red leather is red leather is red leather, nothing like red leather.

If you do choose leather, make sure you condition once a month, at the least every 6 weeks and don't rub the bolsters while getting in and out- yes pain in the ass, but non-worn bolsters is a look well worth it

[Chewyjr15]

im trying to stay on the cheap so im going ette just cannot decide between black or toupe for my jet black 135

[imported_Mr D]

Leatherette lasts longer to according to multiple posts at other BMW forums.

[Add1ct]

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

im trying to stay on the cheap so im going ette just cannot decide between black or toupe for my jet black 135

I would go black then because with taupe you have to get the whole interior in that color, unlike savanna where you get the savanna seats and inserts on a black interior which looks really cool, but that's just my personal opinion and it's up to you, I would say that the taupe is probably rarer than the black

[Dick Brown]

I have the leatherette and think it's great. Who wants leather that breaks down over time. Leatherette will look great in 5 years. Also the leather used does not seem great. Certainly does not compare to the leather in the M cars.

[cagekicker]

My 1996(e36) 328is has tan leather and i tried my best to keep it up over the years. the leather subsequently discolored, cracked, hardened and now has a hole which spits out yellow foam periodically when i get in the driver's seat. give leather time, it will eventually dry out or rot due to humidity (even with the best treatments). for longevity and easy maint. go with leatherette. this is my true experience with BMW leather.

[corpsman]

I hack black ette, and all my friends say "Niiiiice, leather seats" They have no clew it's ette.
If you really like the color, go for the CR.

[1Ronnie]

Coral rocks ... but then I might be biased !!

[Zuzu]

Definately Coral on black.. I have it in leather and it looks awesome.

[imported_mega]

coral stains really easy, anyone that says otherwise lies, and I hate them, because I asked and scoured the forum and now have coral

[KathyFG]

Like the OP, I am also trying to decide between black leatherette and coral red leather (in AW 328i coupe). Actually, I thought I was 100% decided on the 'ette until I stopped by a dealer today and saw an AW with coral red. Wish I had not seen that. :-)
But anyhow, I appreciate all the feedback for the OP's question, because it helped me too. I will still prob go with black 'ette mostly because (being honest with myself) I am lazy and will not want to do what I have to do to keep the leather looking good. And, boy, does it look good. Instead, I will have to placate my lazy self with some red/black coco mats (and those cool aluminum pedals) to spice up my black interior. Hoping to order my 128 soon. Anyhow, thanks all for helping.

[Dick Brown]

I have leatherette and prefer it. Also I like the idea of not having to worry about maintaining real leather. In a few years the leatherette will still look new while the real leather will look worn. If the real leather was of the M series quality then I might have made a different choice.

[ModlessG]

I have the ette seats. They are OK but seem cheap. Why doesn't BMW use nice leather for its seats? I have a Jeep the seats are so soft and comfy.

[M3Armand]

Originally Posted by MerlinMc

I've had several BMWs with leather and several with 'ette. If both were available in the same color I wanted, I would pick the 'ette over the leather even if the price were the same. It's hard to tell the difference and the 'ette will look better long after the leather is looking worn.

+ gazillion. I don't recall ever having a car without leather. But after seeing the leatherette difference (which I CAN'T see or feel the appreciable difference), I am going for leatherette. My wife's Audi A4 with 202k miles has BETTER LOOKING seats than our 2008 X5!!! I highly doubt that anyone would be able to tell the difference between the leather and leatherette.

[Schneller!]

...the 'ette! I spend enough time taking care of the tan leather in my wife's car...I just want to drive the 135! I checked out both at the dealer and could not 'feel' $1400 difference...

[trurotim]

have had the black leatherette for 9 mos, and you'd never know the diff. I'd save the money