Leather vs. Leatherette

pharding · 10-05-2005, 06:44 AM

My son is ordering an e90. His dollars are tight. He is thinking about getting black leatherette. How does this compare to black leather? Is the difference noticeable?

Jason · 10-05-2005, 06:48 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1471

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352

lakerz4sho' · 10-05-2005, 11:11 AM

can anybody post some side by side pix of leather vs. leatherette?

noflash · 10-05-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakerz4sho'

can anybody post some side by side pix of leather vs. leatherette?

You'd be hard-pressed to see the dif -- unless the leather was a few years old (the cracks would give it away).

Leatherette has been fine for me.

ska///235i · 10-05-2005, 11:46 AM

I test drove the 325 with lethrette, not bad...but it looks fake unless you get black color.
Consider Premium Pkg, it comes with leather and other goodies.

Oz · 10-05-2005, 11:47 AM

Many people here do seem to like leatherette but I just can't imagine driving a BMW without leather. With the price that we pay, I expect something luxurious and premium. I don't know how I could explain people if I didn't get leather.

mc68386 · 10-05-2005, 11:50 AM

noflash · 10-05-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

Many people here do seem to like leatherette but I just can't imagine driving a BMW without leather. With the price that we pay, I expect something luxurious and premium. I don't know how I could explain people if I didn't get leather.

Is it worth $1500 so you don't have to explain your lack of leather to passengers who will never notice??

ZenDriver · 10-05-2005, 11:54 AM

I don't know how BMW leather is these days, but my E36 M3 had leather and it looked like complete shit after 4 years, especially on the side bolster area. It was cracked, faded and generally ratty looking. Mind you, I did care for it with Lexol leather products and had the car detailed every 3 months.

My E46 325ci had black leatherett and looked as good on the day I traded it in as the day I picked it up. Nobody who was ever in my car thought the seats were anything but real leather and the fake stuff is far more durable so you don't need to constantly fret about the leather and if your belt/jacket/pants are wearing the leather down. I actually prefer leatherette to real leather.

ZenDriver · 10-05-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Is it worth $1500 so you don't have to explain your lack of leather to passengers who will never notice?

Feel free to pay me $1500 so you DON'T have to explain to your passengers why the BMW leather seat they are about to sit on is faded, cracked and tattered looking after a couple of years...

Oz · 10-05-2005, 12:09 PM

I paid $1500 for the premium package because I like leather and bluetooth technology.

I'm not stating that leatherette is a bad option. If you like, go for it! I see BMW as a luxury car and I just dont see a car like this without it. Thats just my opinion. If you don't like it fine, but there is no reason to insult anyone here

And you know what, I drove a X5 for 3 years and haven't noticed anything wrong with the leather. If you take good care of it, I don't see how it's going to look faded and cracked after couple of years

ZenDriver · 10-05-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

If you don't like it fine, but there is no reason to insult anyone here

Who on earth have I insulted in this thread?

I had an M3 with leather seats, I noted that they looked like hell after 4 years. I will revise to note that that was 4 years of relatively hard use of seats with fairly extreme side bolsters. Who has been insulted?

You know, modern BMW owners have stupidly delicate egos...

pharding · 10-05-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Who on earth have I insulted in this thread?

I did not see any insult. I really appreciate your candor. That is what I was looking for. I need candid, good quality information that ZenDriver provided. I do not wish read a bunch of sugary, vague language. I appreciate ZenDriver's comments a lot.

HRC · 10-05-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Who on earth have I insulted in this thread?...
You know, modern BMW owners have stupidly delicate egos...

nice blanket statement there bud. are you just an angry person in general or just having a bad year?

Danny

ZenDriver · 10-05-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

nice blanket statement there bud. are you just an angry person in general or just having a bad year?

Actually, I am having a perfectly lovely year.

But if I am going to be accused of insulting people, I really should get the joy of actually being insulting.

And it's true- a lot of people on this forum need to grow a god damn spine.

chazmtb · 10-05-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

Many people here do seem to like leatherette but I just can't imagine driving a BMW without leather. With the price that we pay, I expect something luxurious and premium. I don't know how I could explain people if I didn't get leather.

I chose to get black leatherette in my X5 because I haul stuff around and have a kid in the back seat. When I pick up people, they comment on how nice the "leather" was, an there were no cracks, ect. My previous 325ci had black leatherette. The interior looked good when I sold it as it was new. Plus, BMW's leather is not the most "luxurious" in my opinion as compared to other premium brands.

It comes down to what your wants and needs are. I will always trade leather for sport package if I had to chose one or the other. I look at BMW as a performance brand more than a premium brand. I owned a Mercedes, BMW, and a current Audi. Both Mercedes and Audi are heads and shoulders over BMW on Luxury interior feel.

I guess I don't need to explain to anyone why I don't have leather in my BMW. I buy a BMW to enjoy the drive. (That's why I'm selling the Audi)

RICH2005 · 10-05-2005, 02:19 PM

I had leather on my 2002 330xi sport seats. After less than 2 years and only 10,000 miles per year driving the leather started to show significant wear on the side bolsters and the seats. I took care of the leather and treated it every 3 or 4 months with Lexol.

I traded in my 2002 330xi 3 months ago and can only imagine how the leather seats will look after a few more years. My 2006 330i now has leatherette

thd13 · 10-05-2005, 02:22 PM

I honestly couldn't see a huge difference between L'ette and leather. And unless his passengers own an E90 or is told that he has L'ette, they will never know.

HRC · 10-05-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

...And it's true- a lot of people on this forum need to grow a god damn spine.

Another truth, some people on this forum needs to relax.

Danny

noflash · 10-05-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Actually, I am having a perfectly lovely year.

But if I am going to be accused of insulting people, I really should get the joy of actually being insulting.

And it's true- a lot of people on this forum need to grow a god damn spine.

Yeah, ZenDriver is the paradox of the website. He's bitchy and we love him for it!

Barry626 · 10-05-2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Feel free to pay me $1500 so you DON'T have to explain to your passengers why the BMW leather seat they are about to sit on is faded, cracked and tattered looking after a couple of years...

Not if u condition it & take care of it.
I've had Leather im my pass 4 new cars.
Still looks brand new 4 years later it well taken care of?
$1,500.00 gets u lots more than Leather. Bluetooth alone is worth it.

selm · 10-05-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry626

Not if u condition it & take care of it.
I've had Leather im my pass 4 new cars.
Still looks brand new 4 years later it well taken care of?
$1,500.00 gets u lots more than Leather. Bluetooth alone is wirth it.

Leather alone = 1450. Premium Package = 2900. Bluetooth alone = 750.

10-05-2005, 06:44 AM	#1
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Leather vs. Leatherette My son is ordering an e90. His dollars are tight. He is thinking about getting black leatherette. How does this compare to black leather? Is the difference noticeable? __________________ 23 Audi Q4 e-tron; 23 i4 M50 on order 14 X3 Retired: 20 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD; 17 540i x; 14 550i Euro Del; 11 550i Euro Del; 08 550i Euro Del; 06 330i Euro Del; 04 545i Euro Del; 01 530i Euro Del
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10-05-2005, 06:48 AM	#2
Jason Administrator 40959 Rep 21,240 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1471 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352
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10-05-2005, 11:11 AM	#3
lakerz4sho' Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Hopefully a 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The O.C. iTrader: (0)	can anybody post some side by side pix of leather vs. leatherette?
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10-05-2005, 11:46 AM	#5
ska///235i ***** noob 1370 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	I test drove the 325 with lethrette, not bad...but it looks fake unless you get black color. Consider Premium Pkg, it comes with leather and other goodies. __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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10-05-2005, 11:47 AM	#6
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Many people here do seem to like leatherette but I just can't imagine driving a BMW without leather. With the price that we pay, I expect something luxurious and premium. I don't know how I could explain people if I didn't get leather. __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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10-05-2005, 11:50 AM	#7
mc68386 Private First Class 8 Rep 121 Posts Drives: '06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	__________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| 6SP MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| ZCW \| Sirius
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10-05-2005, 11:54 AM	#9
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I don't know how BMW leather is these days, but my E36 M3 had leather and it looked like complete shit after 4 years, especially on the side bolster area. It was cracked, faded and generally ratty looking. Mind you, I did care for it with Lexol leather products and had the car detailed every 3 months. My E46 325ci had black leatherett and looked as good on the day I traded it in as the day I picked it up. Nobody who was ever in my car thought the seats were anything but real leather and the fake stuff is far more durable so you don't need to constantly fret about the leather and if your belt/jacket/pants are wearing the leather down. I actually prefer leatherette to real leather.
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10-05-2005, 12:09 PM	#11
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I paid $1500 for the premium package because I like leather and bluetooth technology. I'm not stating that leatherette is a bad option. If you like, go for it! I see BMW as a luxury car and I just dont see a car like this without it. Thats just my opinion. If you don't like it fine, but there is no reason to insult anyone here And you know what, I drove a X5 for 3 years and haven't noticed anything wrong with the leather. If you take good care of it, I don't see how it's going to look faded and cracked after couple of years __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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10-05-2005, 02:19 PM	#17
RICH2005 Private 1 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: VANCOUVER iTrader: (0)	I had leather on my 2002 330xi sport seats. After less than 2 years and only 10,000 miles per year driving the leather started to show significant wear on the side bolsters and the seats. I took care of the leather and treated it every 3 or 4 months with Lexol. I traded in my 2002 330xi 3 months ago and can only imagine how the leather seats will look after a few more years. My 2006 330i now has leatherette
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10-05-2005, 02:22 PM	#18
thd13 Major 46 Rep 1,445 Posts Drives: A07 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Murrland iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I honestly couldn't see a huge difference between L'ette and leather. And unless his passengers own an E90 or is told that he has L'ette, they will never know. __________________ My other ride is your mom.
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