Here in Canada, the leater option is a seperate option. ie. not included as part of the Premium Pkg. I ordered the 328xi with sprot pkg, premium audi pkg and premium pkg. Because the leather was an additional $2400, I did not order it because the salesman informed me their leatherette was very good quality and appearance. They had none that they could show me. Does anyone have the leatherette? What is your opinion of it? Any pics of it?

From what I've read the leatherete is really good and requires less maintenace compared to the leather. If you have kids and pets it makes more sense.

Here in Canada, the leater option is a seperate option. ie. not included as part of the Premium Pkg. I ordered the 328xi with sprot pkg, premium audi pkg and premium pkg. Because the leather was an additional $2400, I did not order it because the salesman informed me their leatherette was very good quality and appearance. They had none that they could show me. Does anyone have the leatherette? What is your opinion of it? Any pics of it?

I have leatherette because it holds up better in the long run then leather does. In my opinion you can hardly tell the difference. I saw both leather and leatherette before I went with the leatherette and could barely tell the difference. I have leather in my Passat and its starting to show its age so I did not want to have that weathered look when my BMW is older.

Good to know guys. Makes me feel better about my decision to go with leatherette. Anyone got pictures of the leatherette on sport seats?

Here in Canada, the leater option is a seperate option. ie. not included as part of the Premium Pkg. I ordered the 328xi with sprot pkg, premium audi pkg and premium pkg. Because the leather was an additional $2400, I did not order it because the salesman informed me their leatherette was very good quality and appearance. They had none that they could show me. Does anyone have the leatherette? What is your opinion of it? Any pics of it?

I have leather in my A4, and never once washed/conditioned it. When I sat down in two cars at the BMW stealership, I could not notice any difference. One was leather. The other was pleather. Yea, I was not going to pay $3300 additional for basically, leather. I am hoping the leatherette will be aight. Should be.

Funny that this was posted today. I picked up my car yesterday and got leatherette and I thought they made a mistake and put the leather in. That's how good it is. If you're getting the sports seats it's even better because it's a little "plushier" than the non-sport seats which even makes it seem more like real leather. I confirmed this with my friends non sport leatherette seats side by side with mine (although his leatherette was great too).

If you're going to keep the car for a while I'd go with leatherette... To be honest, most people will probably still think the leatherette is leather. Leather is more comfortable, and probably the better choice if you're constantly in your car for longer periods of time.

I'm planning on doing a 2 year lease, and comfort is a big deal to me. Since I don't have to worry about how it will look 5 years down the road and since I want the most comfortable seats I can get, I'm going with the dakota leather. If I was financing and planned on keeping the car for a long time, I'd go the leatherette route. Another thing to look at is that yout $1500 could be spent on some other premium option or some decent mods..

Funny that this was posted today. I picked up my car yesterday and got leatherette and I thought they made a mistake and put the leather in. That's how good it is. If you're getting the sports seats it's even better because it's a little "plushier" than the non-sport seats which even makes it seem more like real leather. I confirmed this with my friends non sport leatherette seats side by side with mine (although his leatherette was great too).


Thanks....I did order the Sports seats, so that is really reassuring.

Funny that this was posted today. I picked up my car yesterday and got leatherette and I thought they made a mistake and put the leather in. That's how good it is. If you're getting the sports seats it's even better because it's a little "plushier" than the non-sport seats which even makes it seem more like real leather. I confirmed this with my friends non sport leatherette seats side by side with mine (although his leatherette was great too).

I ordered the sport seats in leatherette. So you think these seats are comfortable?

I ordered the sport seats in leatherette. So you think these seats are comfortable?

From what I've read on them, it sounds like they're the best available version of the leatherette... Never actually been in them yet though.

If you're going to keep the car for a while I'd go with leatherette... To be honest, most people will probably still think the leatherette is leather. Leather is more comfortable, and probably the better choice if you're constantly in your car for longer periods of time.

I'm planning on doing a 2 year lease, and comfort is a big deal to me. Since I don't have to worry about how it will look 5 years down the road and since I want the most comfortable seats I can get, I'm going with the dakota leather. If I was financing and planned on keeping the car for a long time, I'd go the leatherette route. Another thing to look at is that yout $1500 could be spent on some other premium option or some decent mods..


I thought it was better to go with leather if I was planning on keeping for a long time due to durability. I think I'm going to go with a 39 mo lease. In Canada, the leather option is $2400. I still have a hard time with the cost difference between US and Canada with the Canadian $ being worth more but yet we still have to pay more. Lucky you guys!

I thought it was better to go with leather if I was planning on keeping for a long time due to durability. I think I'm going to go with a 39 mo lease. In Canada, the leather option is $2400. I still have a hard time with the cost difference between US and Canada with the Canadian $ being worth more but yet we still have to pay more. Lucky you guys!

From what I've read, it's a tradeoff either way. You get better resale value with the leather, but you also have a lot more maintenance you have to do. The leather will usually start to wear down and show signs of its age, whereas the leatherette still looks the same as when you got it pretty much.

I ordered the sport seats in leatherette. So you think these seats are comfortable?

Definitely. I think they're worth the cost of the sports package alone.

Unless you are picky about colors (I believe you get only 3 choices with leatherette ) then leatherette is great and much easier to maintain (pretty much maintenance free). With kids, I prefer it.

I've had my 328i with sport package and leatherette for 3 months now and love it. This is my first BMW, so I can't comment on the durability of their leather, but we've had many cars with leather and they just don't age that well if you keep your cars for 10+ years like I do. I would really worry that they side bolsters would show age quickly in leather.

I also agree that there is a limited choice with leatherette, but my black interior looks and feels great!

Cheers,

I have to agree on liking the pleather. I have it in my A4 and it still looks new after 8 years and not much cleaning. The newer leather on my S2000 (2003) already shows its age. I plan on going leatherette in my 335xi.

I have to agree on liking the pleather. I have it in my A4 and it still looks new after 8 years and not much cleaning. The newer leather on my S2000 (2003) already shows its age. I plan on going leather in my 335xi.

Why go with leather in your 335 if you feel the pleather holds up better?

Why go with leather in your 335 if you feel the pleather holds up better?

sorry I was walking out the door as I typed that...I plan on going leatherette. Thanks.

lol ray you had me confused there too..

Cubic zirconia or diamonds??? I'll take the real thing any day!

Yesterday I sat in a new 135i with the leather sport seats, I loved them, and the smell is like, YUMMY. I have never sat in leatherette. Every BMW at the dealer by me has leather. I usually sell my cars at about 4 years, so I really need to sit and see leatherette first. I was going to get black leatherette in a new 135i sport, but the leather is SO NICE. Now I don't know what to do? It would be great to save $1450 and get the Premium Hi-Fi and save $$$. QUESTIONS ???

To my eyes (and nose) the difference is noticeable, however I do agree if you anticipate significant wear and tear (kids, pets, car pool) and do not live south of the Mason Dixon line, the leatherette may be a better choice. I say might be, because in the US the premium package includes the auto-dimming mirrors and possibly the lumbar along with leather that's only available with the package. It looks great for leatherette, but it's still leatherette, not leather. At least that was my impression of the beige leatherette in one of the 328's I test drove. Perhaps for black the difference would have been less noticeable. As far as wear and tear, I have found leather in general to be great as long as you condition it on a semi-regular basis.

Until I can actually sit on and feel the leatherette first-hand, it's difficult for me to order it sight unseen, even despite the testimonials of others. It's a personal thing, of course. It would be great to end up loving the 'ette, as it's $1450 that can go to something else. But getting to check out leatherette in person is pretty difficult.

One thing to ask of you E90/E92 'ette owners. Do your sport seats have the extra stitching down the middle of the side and thigh bolsters?

I'd post proper links showing the difference, but my account isn't allowing that yet. So here are some hacked links to images showing what I'm talking about:

E90 'ette sport seats: http://testpoint.com/BMW/pic09.jpg

E92 leather sport seats: http://e90post.com/forums/uploadedimages/335i-e92coupe-4.jpg

I'm not clear if this is just an E90 vs E92 difference, or a Leatherette vs Leather difference.

Until I can actually sit on and feel the leatherette first-hand, it's difficult for me to order it sight unseen, even despite the testimonials of others. It's a personal thing, of course. It would be great to end up loving the 'ette, as it's $1450 that can go to something else. But getting to check out leatherette in person is pretty difficult.

One thing to ask of you E90/E92 'ette owners. Do your sport seats have the extra stitching down the middle of the side and thigh bolsters?

I'd post proper links showing the difference, but my account isn't allowing that yet. So here are some hacked links to images showing what I'm talking about:

E90 'ette sport seats: testpoint.com + /BMW/pic09.jpg

E92 leather sport seats: e90post.com + /forums/uploadedimages/335i-e92coupe-4.jpg

I'm not clear if this is just an E90 vs E92 difference, or a Leatherette vs Leather difference.

Can you copy the clickable links?

Here in Canada, the leater option is a seperate option. ie. not included as part of the Premium Pkg. I ordered the 328xi with sprot pkg, premium audi pkg and premium pkg. Because the leather was an additional $2400, I did not order it because the salesman informed me their leatherette was very good quality and appearance. They had none that they could show me. Does anyone have the leatherette? What is your opinion of it? Any pics of it?

save the $2400 and get the leatherette...to an untrained eye you can hardly tell...

Why Would You Buy Such An Expensive Car And Not Get The Leather?

Why Would You Buy Such An Expensive Car And Not Get The Leather?
Because leather is irrelevant to some and doesn't impact many people's enjoyment/appreciation of the car. If it were free, I bet many would probably get it and a few may still opt for the leatherette (myself included and you'd understand why if you have kids), but for the price BMW charges and the minimal payback at resale I understand why many may opt not to get it or at least not care if it is missing.

P.S. I never subscribe to the logic of if it costs 40K why not pay another 2K, because if you keep applying this logic, 40K soon becomes 60K and unless money grows in one's back yard, that is no pocket change. Just my 2cents

you would have to be blind to not be able to differentiate leather from pleather. my dakota leather sport seats are soft as butter. get the leather

Does it really matter? I would rather save the $3000 for the premium package any day.

My '07 E90 w/leatherette sport seats looks just like your first jpg (no extra stitching down the middle of the side and thigh bolsters).

Cheers,

you would have to be blind to not be able to differentiate leather from pleather. my dakota leather sport seats are soft as butter. get the leather

My leatherette sports seats are pretty darn soft too.

Hey, the leather is great that's not the question, but the leatherette is pretty good in it's own right.

Until I can actually sit on and feel the leatherette first-hand, it's difficult for me to order it sight unseen, even despite the testimonials of others. It's a personal thing, of course. It would be great to end up loving the 'ette, as it's $1450 that can go to something else. But getting to check out leatherette in person is pretty difficult.

One thing to ask of you E90/E92 'ette owners. Do your sport seats have the extra stitching down the middle of the side and thigh bolsters?

I'd post proper links showing the difference, but my account isn't allowing that yet. So here are some hacked links to images showing what I'm talking about:

E90 'ette sport seats: http://testpoint.com/BMW/pic09.jpg

E92 leather sport seats: http://e90post.com/forums/uploadedimages/335i-e92coupe-4.jpg

I'm not clear if this is just an E90 vs E92 difference, or a Leatherette vs Leather difference.


Great pics and very easy to tell the difference. The leather even looks more comfy. I almost regret not ordering the leather now.

In reality, those pics aren't entirely a fair comparison; one is a typical digi-cam shot in washed out light; the other is a professional brochure shot. But at least they give me a sense of what the leatherette might look like.

Still, my butt has the last word. I'd like to sit on the 'ette in person. Working on that... :-)

Great pics and very easy to tell the difference. The leather even looks more comfy. I almost regret not ordering the leather now.

Wouldnt worry about it. I have tried the pleather with sports seats. And the leather with sport seats. To me it is un noticable, and the pleather is as comfortable.

Does anyone have any pics of the black leatherett on the sport seats?

Does anyone have any pics of the black leatherett on the sport seats?
The one posted above is.

The one posted above is.


OK, thought it was grey.

OK, thought it was grey.
No just a bad picture, due to over exposure. But the leatherette is not as black as the leather. It is a lighter shade of black.

I like both light black and dark black........

Anyway, on a related note....what do people here use to care for their ette? Do you use the same cleaners as leather or something more specific? Do you need to use anything at all to maintain it's condition?

I just got an 06' 325i used with the premium package, navi, etc. How can i tell if i have leather? I'm second guessing myself. Is their a label?

I think leather smells better and breaths better. I wish mine had leather, but I don't think a single person who sat in my car noticed it wasn't leather.

I just got an 06' 325i used with the premium package, navi, etc. How can i tell if i have leather? I'm second guessing myself. Is their a label?

Leather comes with the Premium Pkg.

Leather comes with the Premium Pkg.


Here in Canada it does not come with the premium pkg. You can get it as a separate option.

I doubt I'll ever get a non-leather interior, but BMW makes a nice leatherette (except for the X3 and Z4). If you take the fake route, make sure you get it in black; tan leatherette seats like to pick up blue dye from jeans.

I doubt I'll ever get a non-leather interior, but BMW makes a nice leatherette (except for the X3 and Z4). If you take the fake route, make sure you get it in black; tan leatherette seats like to pick up blue dye from jeans.

DOH!!!

Why Would You Buy Such An Expensive Car And Not Get The Leather?

The same question could be asked about any option. The new 3 series lease actually makes it a cheap car so why load up?

I doubt I'll ever get a non-leather interior, but BMW makes a nice leatherette (except for the X3 and Z4). If you take the fake route, make sure you get it in black; tan leatherette seats like to pick up blue dye from jeans.

I think any light colored leather picks up dyes. We have a VW with a lighter grey interior and depending on the jean quality (you buy cheap jeans but expensive cars :) ) you can see marks from pants.

I think any light colored leather picks up dyes. We have a VW with a lighter grey interior and depending on the jean quality (you buy cheap jeans but expensive cars :) ) you can see marks from pants.
wash those jeans for everyone's sake ;).

I thought long and hard about this issue before making my decision. I also sat in cars with leather and leatherette. Plus, I've owned a 3 with leatherette and a 5 with leather.

On one hand, as others have said, the leatherette looks great, it's more durable and you don't have to worry about it. If you have kids or animals, frequently eat or drink in your car, are rough on cars or won't take care of leather, you are probably better off with leatherette.

On the other hand, if you'll take care of the leather and you love the smell or the softer touch of leather or live in a hot climate (leather is supposed to breath better), AND you are willing to pay the extra $$$, you are probably better off with leather. Most people don't take care of their leather and it starts to look bad after a few years.

There is no right decision for everybody. Each one comes with its pros and cons. I went with leather.

If you are a person who is concerned about status, or what people think, the leather is probably for you.

If you have practical concerns like pets, kids or whatever, the leatherette is very good. I have the sport seats with beige in my E92 and it is great. The seats are very comfortable and there is no wear at all. Very easy to clean as well. No, you don't get that leather smell, but that was not very important to me.
One thing I like a lot more about the leatherette is that it seems to grip your body a little more (less slippery?) than leather, so hard driving on curvy roads I seem to stay planted a lot better in the seat.

If you are a person who is concerned about status, or what people think, the leather is probably for you.

If you have practical concerns like pets, kids or whatever, the leatherette is very good. I have the sport seats with beige in my E92 and it is great. The seats are very comfortable and there is no wear at all. Very easy to clean as well. No, you don't get that leather smell, but that was not very important to me.
One thing I like a lot more about the leatherette is that it seems to grip your body a little more (less slippery?) than leather, so hard driving on curvy roads I seem to stay planted a lot better in the seat.

+1. Or just plain dont feel like spending 1200 for stand alone leather, or 3000 for premium pckge!

Is your car deep green metallic?

No, you don't get that leather smell, but that was not very important to me.
Can't you get products for fake leather smell too? ;)

Can't you get products for fake leather smell too? ;)

Hello "mryakan":

Absolutely!

Try Zaino's "leather in a botle". Does a great job of cleaning and treating the fake stuff also. Smells so good that you will want to sleep in the car.

Just picked up a 540i because I was bored this morning. Same basic age and options as the old lady's X5. She has the fake stuff. The 540i has the real dead cow. So far, it appears that the fake stuff stood up a bit better than the dead animal. Not a great difference, but one data point. I will be trying to get my "new" toy looking better in the next few days.

Hello "mryakan":

Absolutely!

Try Zaino's "leather in a botle". Does a great job of cleaning and treating the fake stuff also. Smells so good that you will want to sleep in the car.

Just picked up a 540i because I was bored this morning. Same basic age and options as the old lady's X5. She has the fake stuff.
I hope you are referring to car seats not the wife ;). So now you got the 540 and 335? cool, can't wait till I am your age :stickoutt.

P.S. Is the Zaino stuff found in stores or just online?

I hope you are referring to car seats not the wife ;). So now you got the 540 and 335? cool, can't wait till I am your age :stickoutt.

P.S. Is the Zaino stuff found in stores or just online?

Hello "mryakan":

Available on-line. I like all their products. The car seats are actually comfortable....not like the wife.

Yup. 335i, 540i, and X5. And the month is young.

Hello "mryakan":

Available on-line. I like all their products. The car seats are actually comfortable....not like the wife.

Yup. 335i, 540i, and X5. And the month is young.
I guess the LHS in your family is like Meg in the Family Guy. :) Congrats

Hey you said you were buying my magazine!!! Instead you get a car? Should you be making a flux-capacitor right now?

Cool, might have to give that ZAino stuff a shot.

I have trouble believing that a new car with leatherette will not smell like "a new car" I have read that people only think that the car equipped with leather has that "new car smell" Regardless of leather or leatherette isnt a new car smell still a new car smell?

Hey you said you were buying my magazine!!! Instead you get a car? Should you be making a flux-capacitor right now?

Hello "Beer Goggles":

Seemed like the thing to do this morning. Real cute metallic gray 540i sedan.

Saw your "beer" magazine up north during an unexpected board of directors meeting.

As far as that capacitor goes, I started with the basic:

epsilon0*episononR*area/D

But got lost trying to extend the basic energy equation relating the triple intrgral of E and D (give or take an epsilon) to the circuit equations.

Not to mention the problem with inhomogeneous di-electric media.

Cool, might have to give that ZAino stuff a shot.

I have trouble believing that a new car with leatherette will not smell like "a new car" I have read that people only think that the car equipped with leather has that "new car smell" Regardless of leather or leatherette isnt a new car smell still a new car smell?

Hello "GreenThree":

Get the Zaino treatment and then ask me. I had the same question when a friend told me about it. You will not be disappointed.

I guess the LHS in your family is like Meg in the Family Guy. :) Congrats

Hello "mryakan":

Sort of, but without the Yarmulke. Don't even bring up the "special" glue that they needed to use when they replaced the windshield on the X5 last week!

Cool, might have to give that ZAino stuff a shot.

I have trouble believing that a new car with leatherette will not smell like "a new car" I have read that people only think that the car equipped with leather has that "new car smell" Regardless of leather or leatherette isnt a new car smell still a new car smell?
YES and it lasted for almost a month. My garage had the smell too.

No question about it, leatherette is the way to go, especially if you order it in black. Last year, we ordered a E92 with black leatherette and we're so pleased with it we ordered an 08 E85 with it.

As many of know, leather will crack and stain even if you maintain it religiously-!!