What is and isn't leather inside my car?

[dyara25]

Hey guys,
I came to this forum seeking some clarification and expert on an issue im having when washing my BMW 120i E88 Auto convertible. The issue that I am having is that I am not completely sure what is, and what isn't leather inside my car. I will now post some photos, if someone could please clarify that would be amazing. Thank you for your time and assistance.

I have created an instagram account whereby I have uploaded photos of what I believe is leather, and what isn't. https://www.instagram.com/dyara25/ What do you think?

PS. Sorry I couldn't upload it within this post. The images were apparently too large to be uploaded.

[dyara25]

I also currently have the Meguiars Cleaner and Conditioner ( http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2268_501042380 ) as well as the Natural Shine Protection ( http://www.productreview.com.au/p/me...rotectant.html ) but am unsure what to apply for each of those parts within my car apart from my seats as I know 100% that they are leather. It is more so the dashboard, for example, that I am unsure about? Thanks

[dyara25]

Anyone?

[motobyrd]

This advice may be 100% incorrect, but I have been going by stitching. If it has stitching I assume it is leather. No stitching = not leather.

[dyara25]

Originally Posted by motobyrd

This advice may be 100% incorrect, but I have been going by stitching. If it has stitching I assume it is leather. No stitching = not leather.

Excellent response, thank you. Upon further research I have found that there is leather (usually contains stitching and is cushy) and leatherette (ie vinyl leather and plastic).

I THINK:
You can use a cleaner/conditioner on both the leather and leatherette
OR
You can only use Natural Shine Protection on the leatherette and a cleaner/conditioner on the leather

[dyara25]

What product would you use on the steering wheel? Here is a photo of it http://s276.photobucket.com/user/gea...ls005.jpg.html
Note: If you look very closely, you will find that the steering wheel contains stitches.

[swagon]

Seats and steering wheel are in leather. The door inserts (the area with stitching, around the door handle) feel like leatherette, as well as the shift, and handbrake boots.

I have never seen an E82/88 armrest with stitching - mine is just from some soft-touch rubber material without any stitching.

The rest (dash, door sills, backseat covers) is just plastic... It is not hard to tell what is what in these cars, lol.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by swagon

...feel like leatherette, as well as the shift, and handbrake boots.

I thought the boots were leatherette, too, until I took them off to replace them with "real" leather boots I bought from Redlinegoods. Turns out mine are real from the factory. ('13 128i M-Sport)

[dyara25]

Originally Posted by swagon

Seats and steering wheel are in leather. The door inserts (the area with stitching, around the door handle) feel like leatherette, as well as the shift, and handbrake boots.

I have never seen an E82/88 armrest with stitching - mine is just from some soft-touch rubber material without any stitching.

The rest (dash, door sills, backseat covers) is just plastic... It is not hard to tell what is what in these cars, lol.

So is the armrest along with the shift and handbrake leather or leatherette? Sorry, im a little confused now.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by dyara25

So is the armrest along with the shift and handbrake leather or leatherette? Sorry, im a little confused now.

You may want to try putting your VIN in a decoder to see what options it has?

Why don't you just use a leather product on everything whether you think it's vinyl or leather? The vinyl sure won't care...

The steering wheel is leather, no matter what option you have.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by dyara25

So is the armrest along with the shift and handbrake leather or leatherette? Sorry, im a little confused now.

The boots can be either leather or leatherette. My car had leatherette and the giveaway was how stiff the boots were. Leather is really smooth and folds nicely (I know that might not be much help)

One way you can tell for sure is to pop off the shift boot (it's REALLY easy, just search a DIY). Look on the inside of the boot, if it has a white fabric like material then you know your shift boot AND e brake boot are vinyl.

[TridenTBoy]

Can anyone give a break down in terms of what is and isn't leather? I've taken pictures of a typical interior for an E88.

View post on imgur.com

I was thinking of going through and highlighting what is an isn't leather using various colors later. It would help me and many others. I just can't tell. Some stuff feels soft to touch and I go, "Maybe leather? Maybe just padded? Maybe just thick material?" Some other stuff is probably not leather. Just doesn't help that they look so damn similar. I really cannot tell visually.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by TridenTBoy

Can anyone give a break down in terms of what is and isn't leather? I've taken pictures of a typical interior for an E88.

View post on imgur.com

I was thinking of going through and highlighting what is an isn't leather using various colors later. It would help me and many others. I just can't tell. Some stuff feels soft to touch and I go, "Maybe leather? Maybe just padded? Maybe just thick material?" Some other stuff is probably not leather. Just doesn't help that they look so damn similar. I really cannot tell visually.

Are you for real???

Just read the posts above. In case you are incapable of reading posts in the same thread you are posting in, feel the seats and then the dash, doors and other stuff.

Do not tell me you could not feel and see any difference. Hell, even the upper and lower dash are not from the same (shitty) materials.

The only difference between E82 and E88 is that the latter has a leather armrest.

M Sport packs have the shift and e-brake boots in leather walknappa, as suprgnat said.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by motobyrd

This advice may be 100% incorrect, but I have been going by stitching. If it has stitching I assume it is leather. No stitching = not leather.

This is accurate. As others have said, it really isn't that hard to tell.