Leatherette Pics Request

marcus330i · 05-29-2005, 08:54 PM

I had a hard time getting OUT of an E90 with sport seats and 'ette. I was wearing blue jeans and the 'ettte has a rubbery surface that really grabs your jeans. I suppose it's great while driving on the twisties but I remember thinking "help....I'm glued to the seat!!" The big side bolsters on the sport seats didn't help the situation.

E90Newbie · 05-29-2005, 10:39 PM

Let me start by saying that I struggled w/ leather VS leatherette for a long time... until i went in and felt the two... the dakota leather is very unimpressive IMO, and the leatherette is just as unimpressive.

I know you can't compare the two, but nappa leather makes the dakota feel so cheap. on that note, there was no way i was going to pay $1500 for the dakota, especially when the 'ette feels just like the dakota (with a slight rubberish feel as marcus330 mentioned).

Just my two cents.

marcus330i · 05-29-2005, 11:04 PM

My parents had a 1974 BMW Bavaria (actually it was a 3.0S sedan but looked like the Bavaria) It's leather seats smelled so fantastic compared to the leathers used in BMWs today. I'm guessing that the Dakota is heavily treated/coated to protect against abrasion and wear...so much that the leather "feeling/smell" is sealed over. Their car looked amazing after 10 years but then again my Mom treated the leather like it was the Holy Grail.

gabriel14 · 06-04-2005, 05:31 PM

I have been wondering whether I should get leather or leatherette on my soon to be ordered 330i. I came to the conclusion that it would kill me to know that I am driving a $40k+ car that has vinyl seats. What kills me more is that the $40k+ cars does not have standard leather seats. Overall, the leatherette really does not feel that bad, from what I remember.

fusionnv · 06-04-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabriel14

I have been wondering whether I should get leather or leatherette on my soon to be ordered 330i. I came to the conclusion that it would kill me to know that I am driving a $40k+ car that has vinyl seats. What kills me more is that the $40k+ cars does not have standard leather seats. Overall, the leatherette really does not feel that bad, from what I remember.

I think from the loyal following of leatherette, they plan it that way. It seems a lot of people overall prefer leatherette than real leather. I also ordered the leatherette from the advice of others. I tried the leather at the dealership and I didn't really think it was that good. Ok i was being cheap I didn't want to shell out the money for it.

NuovoTech · 04-12-2006, 02:28 PM

I have a question about the color of black leatherette vs black leather...it appears to be a slightly lighter shade of black in the fotos here, that true in reality? My only problem with black interior is that it's so dark it makes the interior appear less spacious than it really is, & the old addage(?) that black interior retains heat in hot weather. Beige is not an option...

If 'ette is a slightly lighter color that would be a plus factor for me along with it's known durability & way lower cost! Any feedback would be appreciated! TIA

SteveMD · 04-12-2006, 02:31 PM

My black 'ette on sports seats:

KL2DC · 04-12-2006, 02:35 PM

Hmmmm for some reason, the black leathrette always look lighter in pics, but no problems irl, not sure why it is maybe coating?? Same case with the poplar wood...I have not been able to capture my black/poplar interior satisfactorily on camera....

BMW0 · 04-13-2006, 06:02 AM

Here's my sensatec.

Bora20 · 05-06-2006, 07:52 PM

I prefer the look of the leatherette after 5 or 6 years of use. Plus, we have a dog and will be having kids soon, so leatherette will look better and last longer, with much less maintenance.

I had to have the leather renew guys come and fix some issues with our leather seats in our E320. The previous owner didn't take care of the leather, and like all leather, if you don't take care of if, it looks like shit.

Plus, the $2400 savings will allow me to get the NAV/IDrive, which is something I would much rather have.

If only they offered leatherette in more colors, how about Terra or Cinnamen (sp?)

gos · 05-06-2006, 11:56 PM

If anyone is really that concerned about the feel of leather vs leatherette, go to your dealership. They have fabric samples for all the vehicles that you can play with.

--gos

tomppa · 05-07-2006, 04:18 PM

I have played with samples but you cannot really tell how will it be irl. Does sensatec feel like real leather in use as well: hot in summer and cold in winter? What about the fabrics choise? Does it make your t-shirt wet in 10 minutes in summer just like leather?

kinglexus · 05-08-2006, 06:21 AM

according the dealer:
Sensatec in summer sticks a little more than real leather
Sensatec in the winter a little less cold than real leather
Black sensatec sticks a little more than the beige sensatec when warm

tomppa · 05-11-2006, 09:57 AM

thanks for a tip. I went to test the real leather today, and it really sticks on your back when it´s hot outside. First I planned to take tissue/leather but then I started to count price for those few pieces of leather and threw that plan into bin...It´ll be all tissue for me.

05-29-2005, 08:54 PM	#23
marcus330i Lieutenant 42 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6spd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Point Loma, California iTrader: (0)	I had a hard time getting OUT of an E90 with sport seats and 'ette. I was wearing blue jeans and the 'ettte has a rubbery surface that really grabs your jeans. I suppose it's great while driving on the twisties but I remember thinking "help....I'm glued to the seat!!" The big side bolsters on the sport seats didn't help the situation. __________________ Realtor Mobile: 6spd / Sport / Prem / Navi / ED 3-30-06 73 3.0s/84 528e/90 525i/97 M3 4dr/99 M3 Conv/2001 330i/2004 545i ED/2006 330i ED June 05 You're in control...is there anywhere you want to go ? -------------------------
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05-29-2005, 10:39 PM	#24
E90Newbie Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 330i ZSP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Let me start by saying that I struggled w/ leather VS leatherette for a long time... until i went in and felt the two... the dakota leather is very unimpressive IMO, and the leatherette is just as unimpressive. I know you can't compare the two, but nappa leather makes the dakota feel so cheap. on that note, there was no way i was going to pay $1500 for the dakota, especially when the 'ette feels just like the dakota (with a slight rubberish feel as marcus330 mentioned). Just my two cents. __________________ /* '06 330i \| ZSP \| Blk Sapphire/Blk 'ette/Alum \| 6MT \| 35% tint / / RAYS Lexion 105 19x8.5 (F) 19x10 (R) wrapped in General Exclaim UHP 235/35/19 (F) 265/30/19 (R) / Contemplating*: Blacklines, H&R sport springs, M3 steering wheel, M-sport shift knob + e-brake handle, CDV delete
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05-29-2005, 11:04 PM	#25
marcus330i Lieutenant 42 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6spd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Point Loma, California iTrader: (0)	My parents had a 1974 BMW Bavaria (actually it was a 3.0S sedan but looked like the Bavaria) It's leather seats smelled so fantastic compared to the leathers used in BMWs today. I'm guessing that the Dakota is heavily treated/coated to protect against abrasion and wear...so much that the leather "feeling/smell" is sealed over. Their car looked amazing after 10 years but then again my Mom treated the leather like it was the Holy Grail. __________________ Realtor Mobile: 6spd / Sport / Prem / Navi / ED 3-30-06 73 3.0s/84 528e/90 525i/97 M3 4dr/99 M3 Conv/2001 330i/2004 545i ED/2006 330i ED June 05 You're in control...is there anywhere you want to go ? -------------------------
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06-04-2005, 05:31 PM	#26
gabriel14 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2005 iTrader: (0)	I have been wondering whether I should get leather or leatherette on my soon to be ordered 330i. I came to the conclusion that it would kill me to know that I am driving a $40k+ car that has vinyl seats. What kills me more is that the $40k+ cars does not have standard leather seats. Overall, the leatherette really does not feel that bad, from what I remember.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2006, 02:28 PM	#28
NuovoTech Private First Class 1 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 1996 318ti Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I have a question about the color of black leatherette vs black leather...it appears to be a slightly lighter shade of black in the fotos here, that true in reality? My only problem with black interior is that it's so dark it makes the interior appear less spacious than it really is, & the old addage(?) that black interior retains heat in hot weather. Beige is not an option... If 'ette is a slightly lighter color that would be a plus factor for me along with it's known durability & way lower cost! Any feedback would be appreciated! TIA
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04-12-2006, 02:31 PM	#29
SteveMD Colonel 195 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	My black 'ette on sports seats: __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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04-12-2006, 02:35 PM	#30
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Hmmmm for some reason, the black leathrette always look lighter in pics, but no problems irl, not sure why it is maybe coating?? Same case with the poplar wood...I have not been able to capture my black/poplar interior satisfactorily on camera.... __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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04-13-2006, 06:02 AM	#31
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Here's my sensatec. Attached Images __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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05-06-2006, 07:52 PM	#32
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	I prefer the look of the leatherette after 5 or 6 years of use. Plus, we have a dog and will be having kids soon, so leatherette will look better and last longer, with much less maintenance. I had to have the leather renew guys come and fix some issues with our leather seats in our E320. The previous owner didn't take care of the leather, and like all leather, if you don't take care of if, it looks like shit. Plus, the $2400 savings will allow me to get the NAV/IDrive, which is something I would much rather have. If only they offered leatherette in more colors, how about Terra or Cinnamen (sp?)
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05-06-2006, 11:56 PM	#33
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	If anyone is really that concerned about the feel of leather vs leatherette, go to your dealership. They have fabric samples for all the vehicles that you can play with. --gos __________________ -- 330xi SG/Terra/Burl -- ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, CA, Sirius, PDC
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05-07-2006, 04:18 PM	#34
tomppa Private First Class 12 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 6 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Belgium, Bxl iTrader: (1)	I have played with samples but you cannot really tell how will it be irl. Does sensatec feel like real leather in use as well: hot in summer and cold in winter? What about the fabrics choise? Does it make your t-shirt wet in 10 minutes in summer just like leather?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2006, 06:21 AM	#35
kinglexus Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: new e90 mSport Wagon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	according the dealer: Sensatec in summer sticks a little more than real leather Sensatec in the winter a little less cold than real leather Black sensatec sticks a little more than the beige sensatec when warm
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05-11-2006, 09:57 AM	#36
tomppa Private First Class 12 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 6 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Belgium, Bxl iTrader: (1)	thanks for a tip. I went to test the real leather today, and it really sticks on your back when it´s hot outside. First I planned to take tissue/leather but then I started to count price for those few pieces of leather and threw that plan into bin...It´ll be all tissue for me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote