Leatherette vs. Leather

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by bsantini

I personally would prefer a fabric/cloth interior choice here in the US, but not alcantara.

Optimum for me is leather on the seating surfaces, and then alcantara on all the bolsters. Comfy, breathability, and will still hold you in when the roads look like a plate of spaghetti. Would have to be a custom job for that though.....

Personally I ordered the Boston leather. Love the feel and smell of real leather. All my furniture at home is nice, supple leather as well.

[FNFZ4]

I am loving my leatherette

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by bsantini

I personally would prefer a fabric/cloth interior choice here in the US, but not alcantara.

After having both leather and leatherette in previous E46s, my favorite BMW seats were from the E36/5, cloth and leather:

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by jkoral

After having both leather and leatherette in previous E46s, my favorite BMW seats were from the E36/5, cloth and leather:

Sure wish BMW would offer cloth again here in the States.

[malicem3]

Chiming in from my experience with leather vs leatherette. The leatherette definitely holds up better over time unless you really avoid the sun, moisture, and condition your leather.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Sure wish BMW would offer cloth again here in the States.

Would love to have these beautiful 2-tone seats with cloth for the 1 series but they were EU only.

Edit: swiped this pic from one of Dackelone's posts. Don't arrest me, forum police!

[Fakemike]

My back gets sweaty so often with the leatherette. Even with AC on. I'm considering talking to an upholstery shop about putting cloth in the middle portion of the seat. Am I crazy?

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

My back gets sweaty so often with the leatherette. Even with AC on. I'm considering talking to an upholstery shop about putting cloth in the middle portion of the seat. Am I crazy?

Same with leather. That shit is bad in summer. I'm never going to buy non-ventilated leather seats again.

You'd better off with some nice M3 cloth or Euro Alcantara seats.

[Fakemike]

I could get some of this fabric put in the middle of my sport seats:





But I would probably get something more subtle.

[champignon]

The absolute worst product out there is "Bonded Leather," which is in reality about 90% plastic and the rest ground up leather scraps. This stuff is sold to the unsuspecting public as if it were real leather, and is a huge scam to be avoided in furniture purchases, at all costs.

I owned a VW with plastic seats and every time I got into the car all I could think was CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. I'm sure that this was all in my head.

Fabric is honest upholstery, as is leather. Plastic made out to look like pseudo-leather is not. It's fake and it looks cheap. My preference is for leather, but I would definitely advise garaging the vehicle, or the leather will go to shit.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

I could get some of this fabric put in the middle of me sport seats:

But I would probably get something more subtle.

M Tech fabric?!

[bm996tt]

The new bonded leather does not hold up well unless really looked after, as mentioned. I went with pleather as I will hardly drive the car and believe it will hold up better over time. Nothing beats the smell of old leather in a Porsche etc but those days are gone. Most leather interiors in newer BMWs etc look like crap at 80k unless really babied.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by champignon

The absolute worst product out there is "Bonded Leather," which is in reality about 90% plastic and the rest ground up leather scraps. This stuff is sold to the unsuspecting public as if it were real leather, and is a huge scam to be avoided in furniture purchases, at all costs.

I owned a VW with plastic seats and every time I got into the car all I could think was CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. I'm sure that this was all in my head.

Fabric is honest upholstery, as is leather. Plastic made out to look like pseudo-leather is not. It's fake and it looks cheap. My preference is for leather, but I would definitely advise garaging the vehicle, or the leather will go to shit.

Don't ever buy a bonded "leather" belt either (read the fine print on the belt near the buckle, the can get away with saying it's a leather belt even if it's only the top layer). The leather on top will soon crack and you're left with seeing some hideous grey matter underneath. I don't understand how any brand has the nerve to charge $50+ for a bonded leather belt, they can go straight to hell.

Anyways. Wish I had real leather, actually, I would rather have cracked leather instead of the leatherette I have now because it's much more plush. That said, it has held up quite well with very few signs of wear

[Gray_Panther]

Mine is holding up like brand new at 36k. But the car is garaged and babied.

[Esteban]

My car is also garaged and at 33K miles, my leather is in very good condition. Being what it is (Boston leather), we all know it's not the softest or the best quality leather out there, but it stands up pretty well. It's aged a little but that's to be expected.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by Esteban

My car is also garaged and at 33K miles, my leather is in very good condition. Being what it is (Boston leather), we all know it's not the softest or the best quality leather out there, but it stands up pretty well. It's aged a little but that's to be expected.

What have you been using to look after it? I've tried tons of other products over the years, but on my DCT 135i I've exclusively used BMW's own leather care kit and I'm quite pleased.

[PDXE82]

I was under the impression that although you may have real leather in your BMW that they apply a "plastic" coating over the surface so leather conditioner doesn't have the effect it does on bare leather. Is this fact or fiction?

[tock172]

Originally Posted by PDXE82

I was under the impression that although you may have real leather in your BMW that they apply a "plastic" coating over the surface so leather conditioner doesn't have the effect it does on bare leather. Is this fact or fiction?

Well yeah, all modern leather is coated, so it's note like we're talking about feeding it hide food. But you can still maintain that coating and keep the surface and material clean.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by tock172

What have you been using to look after it? I've tried tons of other products over the years, but on my DCT 135i I've exclusively used BMW's own leather care kit and I'm quite pleased.

I use 3D Liquid Leather on most of the inside of the car. My detailer recommended it. Plastic, vinyl, leather. It's good for all surfaces. Leaves a nice 'leather' scent and cleans and protects in one step. Quick and easy. Also protects against UV rays. Made with mink oil and is non greasy.

[swagon]

Don't you guys have worn bolsters?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by swagon

Don't you guys have worn bolsters?

The left driver bolster is a little worn from getting in and out, but it's not too bad. Other than that the seats are holding up pretty well.

[bm996tt]

I always sit down and swing away from bolsters , hard to explain but no bolster wear on any of my cars to speak of.