What is 'Boston Leather"?

dorkdog · 06-17-2012, 08:16 PM

I've been able to find a 'Boston Leather Company' but there is no reference to automotive interiors.

What exactly is 'Boston Leather' and how does it compare to other types of leather?

Also, if I have the 'Boston leather" interior, what in the car is actually made of leather and what is not?

dtwyim · 06-17-2012, 08:24 PM

Boston leather = cheapest leather in current BMW line up IMO

Seats and door panel inserts. Look up pics of coral red interior.

HeyMoe53 · 06-17-2012, 09:38 PM

Yes-"Boston" is just a name, nothing more, just like "Dakota" was on the 3-series, I believe. It is the cheapest leather in the BMW lineup, though I don't mind mine. I have taken good care of it, which makes a difference.

Diver · 06-17-2012, 10:23 PM

I would not say cheapest. How about base.

135Pats · 06-17-2012, 10:26 PM

TBH, at least on the 1 and 3s, BMW has always been a bit cheap with the leather. I have the "boston" in my car, and it's nothing to write home about. Merc and Lexus have much nicer grains, particularly Lexus...Though I get Lexus is shooting for a slightly different niche.

HeyMoe53 · 06-17-2012, 10:38 PM

OK--I'll go along with "base." Mine still smells nice, after 35K miles.

ptack · 06-18-2012, 11:04 AM

According to Cliff Clavin - Boston leather reflects the fact that the cows from which the leather comes from are raised in Boston where they actually graze at Fenway stadium between games. They used to have a running of the bulls in Boston , but that was too dangerous so they got rid of the bulls and called it the Boston Marathon. The Green Monster used to the be the back wall of the tannery where the leather was made, but the smell was too strong so now they ship the hides to China for tanning.

PA135i · 06-18-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

According to Cliff Clavin - Boston leather reflects the fact that the cows from which the leather comes from are raised in Boston where they actually graze at Fenway stadium between games. They used to have a running of the bulls in Boston , but that was too dangerous so they got rid of the bulls and called it the Boston Marathon. The Green Monster used to the be the back wall of the tannery where the leather was made, but the smell was too strong so now they ship the hides to China for tanning.

I have a feeling: Norm Peterson would not agree with that. Old Cliffy has gone off the deep end again.

VMRWheels · 06-18-2012, 11:46 AM

x97Melbourne · 06-18-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

I would not say cheapest. How about base.

Thank you. Well put. LOL.

roo97ss · 06-19-2012, 12:40 PM

Boston Leather is some kind of magical leather that feels like vinyl, wears like stainless steel and will probably be an awesome find in 15 years when it finally softens up. Mine is at 36k, has seen lots of lexol and is about as plush as my dads 1956 vinyl seated crown victoria. It does however look just about like new.

The Dakota is an OK balance of wear and comfort, the Nappa was the nicest stuff in any BMW i've owned. The seats in my M3 vert with 45-65k miles on it were the softest, nicest seats of any car I owned that had a great supportive balance, but yet were super comfortable. On the downside they were about as worn out as a 50 yr old crack whore.

f1rst 1 · 06-19-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

According to Cliff Clavin - Boston leather reflects the fact that the cows from which the leather comes from are raised in Boston where they actually graze at Fenway stadium between games. They used to have a running of the bulls in Boston , but that was too dangerous so they got rid of the bulls and called it the Boston Marathon. The Green Monster used to the be the back wall of the tannery where the leather was made, but the smell was too strong so now they ship the hides to China for tanning.

^THIS is awesome.

ThereCanBeOnly1 · 11-29-2014, 12:19 PM

So Boston leather isn't that bonded trash?

JohnnyG_TO · 11-29-2014, 04:43 PM

'Tis marketing gibberish...on par with "rich Corinthian leather"!

Ed P · 11-29-2014, 08:17 PM

All that said, isn't it the highest seat material available on the 1-series?

Motohip · 11-30-2014, 09:59 AM

it has an accent

RoundelM3 · 12-01-2014, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyG_TO

'Tis marketing gibberish...on par with "rich Corinthian leather"!

Ricardo Montalban (lead actor in the "Fantasy Island" show from the 1970s) actually called it "Fine Corinthian Lather", as I recall. He wanted everyone to "look at what they have done to my car", which was the Chysler Cordoba.

DSSG · 12-01-2014, 12:54 PM

The Boston Leather is very good quality probably not up to what's in my Mercedes, but leather in a Merc is twice the price of BMW's.

Anyway, you'll only know the quality 10 years from now. BTW, to have any left you had better care for it!

IEDEI · 12-01-2014, 01:05 PM

FACT: 'higher quality' leathers require more maintenance and wear worse than 'lower quality' leathers. Boston Leather has a very grainy, thick appearance and is definitely a 'lower grade' leather----but to be honest, that's a good thing in a car. It definitely wears well.......

Nappa leather, like in my old TT, wears pretty terribly...

furthermore, any of these leathers are still far better than those fake vinyl leatherette things....so all is not lost.

06-17-2012, 08:16 PM	#1
dorkdog Big Mouth No Filter 49 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 128i Montego Blue 6MT Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Puyallup WA iTrader: (0)	What is 'Boston Leather"? I've been able to find a 'Boston Leather Company' but there is no reference to automotive interiors. What exactly is 'Boston Leather' and how does it compare to other types of leather? Also, if I have the 'Boston leather" interior, what in the car is actually made of leather and what is not? __________________ We do not inherit the Earth from our parents; we borrow it from our children
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-17-2012, 08:24 PM	#2
dtwyim Captain 52 Rep 874 Posts Drives: BMW no more Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Boston leather = cheapest leather in current BMW line up IMO Seats and door panel inserts. Look up pics of coral red interior.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2012, 09:38 PM	#3
HeyMoe53 Captain 64 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '17 M240 AW/Coral MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	Yes-"Boston" is just a name, nothing more, just like "Dakota" was on the 3-series, I believe. It is the cheapest leather in the BMW lineup, though I don't mind mine. I have taken good care of it, which makes a difference.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2012, 10:23 PM	#4
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I would not say cheapest. How about base. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2012, 10:26 PM	#5
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	TBH, at least on the 1 and 3s, BMW has always been a bit cheap with the leather. I have the "boston" in my car, and it's nothing to write home about. Merc and Lexus have much nicer grains, particularly Lexus...Though I get Lexus is shooting for a slightly different niche. __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2012, 10:38 PM	#6
HeyMoe53 Captain 64 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '17 M240 AW/Coral MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	OK--I'll go along with "base." Mine still smells nice, after 35K miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-18-2012, 11:04 AM	#7
ptack Brigadier General 266 Rep 4,469 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	According to Cliff Clavin - Boston leather reflects the fact that the cows from which the leather comes from are raised in Boston where they actually graze at Fenway stadium between games. They used to have a running of the bulls in Boston , but that was too dangerous so they got rid of the bulls and called it the Boston Marathon. The Green Monster used to the be the back wall of the tannery where the leather was made, but the smell was too strong so now they ship the hides to China for tanning. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-18-2012, 11:46 AM	#9
VMRWheels General 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	__________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2012, 12:40 PM	#11
roo97ss Captain 67 Rep 920 Posts Drives: M4, X6M, Tesla Plaid, MYP, Ram Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Delaware iTrader: (7)	Boston Leather is some kind of magical leather that feels like vinyl, wears like stainless steel and will probably be an awesome find in 15 years when it finally softens up. Mine is at 36k, has seen lots of lexol and is about as plush as my dads 1956 vinyl seated crown victoria. It does however look just about like new. The Dakota is an OK balance of wear and comfort, the Nappa was the nicest stuff in any BMW i've owned. The seats in my M3 vert with 45-65k miles on it were the softest, nicest seats of any car I owned that had a great supportive balance, but yet were super comfortable. On the downside they were about as worn out as a 50 yr old crack whore. __________________ 16 m4 vert, 18 X6M, 22 Tesla MYP, 21 Plaid, 17 Ram
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2014, 12:19 PM	#13
ThereCanBeOnly1 Private First Class 33 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Lame family vehicle Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	So Boston leather isn't that bonded trash?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2014, 04:43 PM	#14
JohnnyG_TO Enlisted Member 14 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 135i - 2011 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	'Tis marketing gibberish...on par with "rich Corinthian leather"!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2014, 08:17 PM	#15
Ed P Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 2016 Z4 Sdrive28i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: St. Petersburg, FL iTrader: (0)	All that said, isn't it the highest seat material available on the 1-series? __________________ 2016 Z4 Sdrive 28i Black Sapphire Metallic over Black Kansas Leather ... gone but never forgotten ... 2013 135i M-Sport Mineral Gray over Oyster Boston Leather
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2014, 09:59 AM	#16
Motohip Lieutenant 37 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Washington iTrader: (5)	it has an accent
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2014, 12:54 PM	#18
DSSG Banned 8 Rep 195 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	The Boston Leather is very good quality probably not up to what's in my Mercedes, but leather in a Merc is twice the price of BMW's. Anyway, you'll only know the quality 10 years from now. BTW, to have any left you had better care for it!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2014, 01:05 PM	#19
IEDEI Banned 1130 Rep 4,686 Posts Drives: L'Orange Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [8.40]	FACT: 'higher quality' leathers require more maintenance and wear worse than 'lower quality' leathers. Boston Leather has a very grainy, thick appearance and is definitely a 'lower grade' leather----but to be honest, that's a good thing in a car. It definitely wears well....... Nappa leather, like in my old TT, wears pretty terribly... furthermore, any of these leathers are still far better than those fake vinyl leatherette things....so all is not lost.
	Appreciate 0 Quote