Leatherette vs. Leather

[NorthernDancer]

for all the reasons stated. The ette seats in my 1989 325 still look new today. Not previously mentioned tho is that BMW had an issue with leatherette seats in about 2007. I noticed 3 used cars in BMW dealer and all had significant damage/cracking on the drivers seat. And this was 1-2 years ago so the cars were only 2-3 years at the time. Note that this was observed in just 3 series cars.

[amancuso]

My car has the boston leather, but I would have preferred the leatherette at is wears better in the long run.

[mblaucoupe135]

I had the leatherette in my last car, a 335i coupe, and 3 years and 30,000 miles, my lease was up so I turned it in and the ette looked like new. The one thing I didn't like about it is that sometimes when I wore shorts and it was hot out, my legs would almost like stick to it.

With my 135i, since the car was a little cheaper to buy than the 335, I decided to go with leather. I have to say that the leather in the 135i is pretty low quality and looks and feels like leatherette. It seems to be wearing fine, but it's not smooth and soft to the touch like I expect out of leather. The only thing I really like better about it is how nice it smelled the first few months I had the car. Leatherette doesn't have that nice leather smell.

Anyway, it will be a tough decision which one I go with in my next car, primarily because the leather in the 1 just isn't that nice. Hopefully, BMW will improve on this with the next version.

[crbalch]

hmm all good info, thinking that leatherette is definitely the proper choice for me, not to mention pocketing that extra 1.5K will be good in the long run

[bimmerfile]

If you're like me and frequently have to haul young 'uns under the age of 4 with dirty shoes or boots, spilling ice cream, chocolate, cereal, vomit, etc, you'll really appreciate the true beauty of pleather and how easily it cleans.

[crbalch]

Ah I wish but I'm 23 and single ...still have to deal with my friends though haha

[mr29]

great thread here thank you i am learning alot

[mike the snake]

When I got my 135, the I asked if the interior was leather, the salesman said "yes", but then when we were signing papers and going over the options, I found it had the leatherette, when I asked, the salesman said "It's Pleather, it's better than leather". I said, "well, since it's better than leather, how 'bout we just downgrade to leather, as I'd rather have leather", the salesman then backed up and said "oh we can't do that".

I actually like the leatherette, the driver's seat is showing some cracking and wear on the left seat bolster from ingress and egress, something i plan to have repaired someday, but otherwise it looks good and holds up just fine.

[cvandenhaute]

Originally Posted by AW128i

The stitching pattern on the leather seats (sport seats or non-sport) and door panels is different from that of the leatherette, so you can tell right away whether it's leather or not if you know what you're looking for. I will agree that one of the huge benefits of BMW's leather interiors are the colors they offer. Leatherette is only available in black and beige (or whatever BMW calls it).

Just a side note about leather car interiors, not all leather is created equally. For one, Japanese and American car manufacturers use a different tanning process than European manufacturers. The European leather interiors are more supple and look 'richer,' for lack of a better term. Because of this, they're also more susceptible to wear and need to be cared for more regularly to keep them looking as best as possible. American and Japanese interiors (unless some special upgraded leather) use a tanning process that essentially creates a plastic-like finish on the top surface. Because of this, they wear very well and don't experience the creases, etc. that European leather interiors are prone to. The downside of this is that they look noticeably 'cheaper' and always look shiny and can even be downright hard.

Not sure whether it is still true, the leather of my wife's CX-9 sand interior looks more soft and higher end than the hard leather of my 128i. I love the terracotta seas of my 128i but I find the ones of my wife's car better looking (and feeling). I have been in a few German cars (Audi Q7) where the leather was looking more like vinyle than the leatherette of a 128i.

That being said, I have a hard time to understand the fuss about maintenance, it takes NOTHING to maintain leather seats (even light color°. I have 2 young kids and both cars have non-back interiors and leather is actually quite easy to maintain in the real world, it takes me about 20 minutes for each car every 4 months plus the occasional accidents made by the kids (not often since I don't allow them to eat in any cars).

[Low Gravity]

Why don't you guys just condition your leather? It is skin after all and needs to be moisturized. Knowing that you have the real deal and not imitation leather does it for me, oh and the fact it is coral red.

[Bob Z.]

Personally, I could not even consider non-leather seats when I ordered my 135i convertible...spending almost $50k for a new car and getting fake leather just did not seem right. And as others have said, it is easy to clean leather seats and they will wear better than the fake ones if both are maintained the same.

[dknl]

leatherette always looks better than leather after a few years. All my cars had leather and they looked terrible after a few years of wear. Leatherette in the beamer looks like new and shows almost no signs of wear. I detail cars by the way and i do take care of my cars.

I've never seen leather that holds up better than ette in any car after a few years.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by Bob Z.

Personally, I could not even consider non-leather seats when I ordered my 135i convertible...spending almost $50k for a new car and getting fake leather just did not seem right. And as others have said, it is easy to clean leather seats and they will wear better than the fake ones if both are maintained the same.

Yeah leatherette lasts much longer and is way easier to maintain. Leather cracks quite easily and even if you are super careful it can always get damaged. I was going with black regardless and the difference between the two is totally unnoticeable...except for a few years down the road when the leather has taken a beating.

[JimD]

I usually drive my convertible with it's leatherette interior up to church for oil change days. People look at it funny but it is a lot easier to clean than my Japanese SUV with cloth interior. I do the work under the cars so I am pretty dirty when the day ends but the interior can be cleaned quickly and throughly as necessary. Leather might clean as well but if that is true, then the top surface is no different than my leatherette.

Jim

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by dknl

leatherette always looks better than leather after a few years. All my cars had leather and they looked terrible after a few years of wear. Leatherette in the beamer looks like new and shows almost no signs of wear. I detail cars by the way and i do take care of my cars.

I've never seen leather that holds up better than ette in any car after a few years.

+1.

I had black leather in my E30 325is and though I treated it with Lexol twice a year, it still faded and showed signs of wear...

[cbaylor2]

I bought leather, but only because the 128 came with it - 2010 CPO- and I wanted the car due to price,miles, etc. I was so sure that it was NOT leather- seemed too cheap- that I had another dealer take a look and verify.

He suggested Maguires for cleaning- any thoughts on how often. No kids, only driver.

[JLL325ci]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Just curious to see what people think about the difference between leatherette and leather seats.

I personally ordered the black leatherette because they don\'t look all that different, and it was hard for me to justify the coat of upgrading to leather.

Thoughts?

I've had both. Coral red leather in my current 128 and taupe and black leatherette. I think the leather looks better when it's new but over time it becomes streched out. The leatherette looks the same as time goes on. I did have a problem with the leathrette splitting on me in the taupe but it was replaced for free. I also find that the leatherette is much easier to clean and that's a big plus in a light colored interior.

[TheSt|G]

I have the leather, I just wish we had the nicer leather found in M cars. Mine is wearing already on the drivers left bolster and I use leatherique 2x a year.

[drcollie]

My business is selling fine leather furniture, and I've sold millions of dollars worth of it over the past 20 years. I do qualify as an expert on it, so maybe I can help clarify...

Leatherette is man-made vinyl, which is a plastic resin material. Its durable, inexpensive to produce and feels like plastic.

Leather is of course from cows. There are two general types, pigmented and aniline, the latter being the high end. Car interiors have the pigmented or finished leathers as pure anilines won't stand up to the sunlight fade, and also stain easier from oils and chemicals.

Leather feels and looks better, though its really not "breathing", and it also smells better!

Hand and body oils and dirt deteriorate leather. The trick is to keep it cleaned and conditioned periodically, and then every chance you get with the skin contact areas down with a damp cloth. That will go a long ways to keeping it looking nice and not darking with use and cracking.

[HeyMoe53]

I have Terra leather in my 128. I've had good success spot cleaning with a mild Woolite and water solution and a microfiber cloth or a sponge.

I use the two-step Leatherique process every spring, as soon as it warms up around here. Leatherique does better with a nice toasty interior.

I do a quick wipedown every so often with Aerospace 303 Protectant.

My driver's seat is still at 90%, after four years, probably because of my fat ass ; ) The rest is still factory-fresh.

Leather takes some time and effort, but if done, there is no reason to avoid it, except if one wants to spend the money elsewhere. The 1-series does have the "bottom-rung" leather, but I still prefer it over 'ette.

And, yes...mine absolutely still smells like leather. I'm 59 YO, it's my first car with leather, and I love the "aroma" every time I climb in.

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by drcollie

Hand and body oils and dirt deteriorate leather. The trick is to keep it cleaned and conditioned periodically, and then every chance you get with the skin contact areas down with a damp cloth. That will go a long ways to keeping it looking nice and not darking with use and cracking.

Thanks for the cleaning tip! Whats the story with furniture stores selling that "bonded leather" crap thats not even real leather?

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

I had a loaner X1 with this fake leather in and was very surprised that BMW would put it in a vehicle, definitely looks & feels fake. I suppose if you need to wipe down seats etc (have kids, pets) it makes sense, but I wasn't a fan.

My loaner 328xi BASE BASE BASE stripped no options leatherette was less than impressive. What was even more disappointing was how flat and benchy the seats were. I got back into my 1er and the seats felt like they hugged me. I missed them for that week i had the loaner. I dont think ill ever own a non-sport seat equipped car after my 135i because they are just so supportive in all the places i want them to be.

For reference, 5'9" 175lbs.