LEATHER VS LEATHERETTE Qs

[TESLAASTRO]

for those of you who own(ed) a BMW with leatherette, how does it compare with reference to looks, feel, quality, and durability vs Boston Leather?....also, for the 135, will all the colors available in Boston leather be available in leatherette, specifically coral red?....TY

[ducati]

This has been extensively debated in the past, you may wish to view the other threads.

I prefer leatherette for durability.

It will likely only come in black and tan.

[SCA]

I was going to get leatherette in my '06 330i, but it does not breathe as well as leather. The stitching was also more appealing in the leather.

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver

I was going to get leatherette in my '06 330i, but it does not breathe as well as leather.

Neither breathe well. If you want something breather leather or leatherette wont be your best choice.

FWIW, the leatherette in my MINI is unbelievable and I wouldnt trade it for anything. Its durable, comfortable, looks great, and is standard. Cant go wrong, IMO.

[~AJ]

Given a choice between leather and pleather, the cows are going to die. These are pricey cars to inlude a vinyl interior.

A high quality fabric interior should be an option or standard. This I would choose over leather.

[dna550]

Originally Posted by TESLAASTRO

for those of you who own(ed) a BMW with leatherette, how does it compare with reference to looks, feel, quality, and durability vs Boston Leather?....also, for the 135, will all the colors available in Boston leather be available in leatherette, specifically coral red?....TY

The quality of the leather as well as the leatherette will determine my choice. High quality leatherette would be preferable to low quality leather.

My preference, cost excluded, would be the extended perforated Merino leather -- not likely to be offered as an option in North America.

It would be great if the Exclusive Program were accessible to North American 1 Series customers.

[128er]

Leather in BMW's is extremely reliable and soo comfortable. IT AlSO SMELLS AMAZING! My friend has a 2005 530i and his leather still smells new. On the other hand, BMW leatherette is very high quality (like the leather) and is $1,400 cheaper.

[~AJ]

Originally Posted by 128er

IT AlSO SMELLS AMAZING!

I wonder what it is off-gassing to smell like that. Essence of cow?!:iono:

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by AJ~

Given a choice between leather and pleather, the cows are going to die. These are pricey cars to inlude a vinyl interior.

A high quality fabric interior should be an option or standard. This I would choose over leather.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000

but to comment about what we will be able to get the BMW pleather seems as nice as some other company's real leather. but if I was going to keep the factory seats I'd go for the leather. I am very disappointed BMW is not going to offer fabric though:frown:

[SCA]

Originally Posted by MPower

Neither breathe well. If you want something breather leather or leatherette wont be your best choice.

In the Southeast during spring and summer an automobile with vinyl leaves you with a sweaty back.

[TESLAASTRO]

i'm getting leather for sure...coral red!!!!

[emm3tt]

My main reasons for getting leather would be lack of colors in leatherette and resale value...although I would love a nice sporty cloth.

[BForbes]

My dad has the biege leather in his 2004 E46 and it is the most amazing thing. The thing just dosent age! The leather quality is amazing. That said, leather might be my only option on the 135i.

[128er]

Originally Posted by AJ~

I wonder what it is off-gassing to smell like that. Essence of cow?!:iono:

However you put it cow smells good!!!

[ducati]

Originally Posted by TESLAASTRO

i'm getting leather for sure...coral red!!!!

Then why did you start this thread, and this debate, again?

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by ducati

Then why did you start this thread, and this debate, again?

Leather will last a very long time if you take car of it. Most people clean and wash their cars but never take care of their interior. You must clean & condition leather a few times a year with something like Meguiar's Gold Class leather products.

20 years later it will still be supple and welcoming.







-Garrett

[TESLAASTRO]

based on the answers Ducati, I made up my mind, which I posted....also,you mentioned I cant get coral red in leatherette, an immediate deal breaker....thats right, jet black with coral red,.........do i now have your blessing? Not that I need it....afterall, theres no lack of replies to my Q.....maybe you should take some advice, and not read the thread, which I clearly and succinctly marked in the subject header, if you dont like the topic.....For example,I happen to avoid reading any thread topic regarding after-market tuning.....

Garrett, I like to use Lexol leathercare products in my G.....I find them to be excellent.....I'll take your word on 20 years...this 135 will be lovingly and meticulously cared for by me for 4 years prior to giving it to my son when he turns 16.....

[~AJ]

Originally Posted by TESLAASTRO

...this 135 will be lovingly and meticulously cared for by me for 4 years prior to giving it to my son when he turns 16.....

Wow, he's gonna be a happy kid. My first car was a beater 1982 Honda Accord (70hp baby!!!) hatchback I bought myself. Crashed it a few times, got it stuck in the desert twice, seats had various fluid stains, stuffed mountain bikes in the back, took it camping, slid into a snow bank in Big Bear, etc. A girlfriend eventually killed it.

Good memories of that car.

If I had a well maintained twin turbo BMW at 16, I would not be here today. Consider this: many young guys will crash their first car. And this: girlfriends are bad for a guy's first ride!:biggrin:

-AJ

[TESLAASTRO]

I know , I know......it's alot of car for a 16 year old...I didnt have my first car until I was 21, and my father would never let me use his cars prior.....I think I'm having a second childhood through giving my son everything I didnt have when I was a kid.....I dont mind though as long as his grades are As and Bs.....this is our quid pro quo....

While I have a BF relationship with my son, he also knows that when I set boundaries, he better adhere to them(he respects my temper)....he'll be admonished that 1 accident that is determined to be his fault due to excessive speed, or any speeding ticket on a local road, and it's goodbye 135...

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by TESLAASTRO

I know , I know......it's alot of car for a 16 year old...I didnt have my first car until I was 21, and my father would never let me use his cars prior.....I think I'm having a second childhood through giving my son everything I didnt have when I was a kid.....I dont mind though as long as his grades are As and Bs.....this is our quid pro quo....

I'm sure he wouldnt mind :biggrin: I got my s2000 at 18(which dosent seem like a great idea.) My first car at 16 was a 2002 jetta. The reason they trusted me was because my parents made me drive them EVERYWHERE when I was learning to drive. In fact if we still go out I still drive them around. They always had a diff. Merc or BMW for the past decade so they trusted me with their cars. So when it was time for me to borrow the cars for whatever reason it was no big deal. Groom em young.

[TESLAASTRO]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

The reason they trusted me was because my parents made me drive them EVERYWHERE

they certainly had the right idea oneshot.....a secondary benefit I enjoy is that when I'm home my son waits on me hand and foot.....I am so not ashamed to admit it.....

I get a special thrill from giving my sons nice things...albeit they have to earn it by being good boys, and doing exceptionally well at what I taught them is their job....school.....while many kids do not realize the intrinsic value of good grades at 10, 11, 12 and older as being tantamount to opening doors, i feel that a reward gives them motivation(many kids are not forward thinking enough to know what good grades can do for their future,and feel you can't buy anything at the mall with them)

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by TESLAASTRO

they certainly had the right idea oneshot.....a secondary benefit I enjoy is that when I'm home my son waits on me hand and foot.....I am so not ashamed to admit it.....

I get a special thrill from giving my sons nice things...albeit they have to earn it by being good boys, and doing exceptionally well at what I taught them is their job....school.....while many kids do not realize the intrinsic value of good grades at 10, 11, 12 and older as being paramount to opening doors, i feel that a reward gives them motivation(many kids are not forward thinking enough to know what good grades can do for their future,and feel you can't buy anything at the mall with them)

WoW, you guys were lucky. I was never given a car, but I had enough money saved to put a down payment on a brand new 1990 Volkswagen Corrado. No cosigner and I was a happy 19 year old.:biggrin:

My dad always said, if you want it, go get it.




-Garrett