Drove an hour to another BMW dealership in the next town over, and they had a silver 328i coupe with black leatherette and manual seats.

My vote: I'm absolutely stunned at how good the leatherette looks and feels. The picture I posted of the E90 'ette seats in the earlier thread a) was not actually what the E92 seats looks like, and b) did not come close to showing just how good the seats look.

Here's what I can tell you about the leatherette, based on seeing it:

1) It's every bit as black as the black leather. Didn't look gray at all. I compared the two back to back. If there's any difference in color, it must be extremely subtle.

2) The stitching down the sides of the bolsters is definitely on the leatherette seats, so there's no easy way visually to tell the difference in the E92 car.

3) Texture is similar but a bit finer than the leather. It feels a little tackier to the touch than leather, but doesn't feel at all like the old vinyl seats in my dad's old Datsun. :-)

4) The significant difference is the smell. The leather seats have an unmistakeable aroma, for lack of a better word, that's really nice. The interior of the leatherette E92 had plenty of new car smell, but it was a 'neutral' smell. So both cars have new car smell, but the leather has a smell that I love. Is it worth $1500 for that smell? I'm mulling that over.

The 'ette looked so good that when the sales guy first showed me the car, I saw the lumbar stitching and the way the seats looked, and told him he'd made a mistake -- that he was showing me a car with leather. Even touching the seats initially didn't clear up the confusion. We had to check the specs on the car to re-confirm.

PS: I took some detail shots of the leatherette and will edit this post tomorrow to include them.

David

I whole-heartedly agree. I viewed both back-to-back and could not tell the difference at all.

I agree as well. I just picked mine up on Thursday and the leatherette is perfect. You cant tell the difference and its definitely more durable than the leather.

Drove an hour to another BMW dealership in the next town over, and they had a silver 328i coupe with black leatherette and manual seats.

My vote: I'm absolutely stunned at how good the leatherette looks and feels. The picture I posted of the E90 'ette seats in the earlier thread a) was not actually what the E92 seats looks like, and b) did not come close to showing just how good the seats look.

Here's what I can tell you about the leatherette, based on seeing it:

1) It's every bit as black as the black leather. Didn't look gray at all. I compared the two back to back. If there's any difference in color, it must be extremely subtle.

2) The stitching down the sides of the bolsters is definitely on the leatherette seats, so there's no easy way visually to tell the difference in the E92 car.

3) Texture is similar but a bit finer than the leather. It feels a little tackier to the touch than leather, but doesn't feel at all like the old vinyl seats in my dad's old Datsun. :-)

4) The significant difference is the smell. The leather seats have an unmistakeable aroma, for lack of a better word, that's really nice. The interior of the leatherette E92 had plenty of new car smell, but it was a 'neutral' smell. So both cars have new car smell, but the leather has a smell that I love. Is it worth $1500 for that smell? I'm mulling that over.

The 'ette looked so good that when the sales guy first showed me the car, I saw the lumbar stitching and the way the seats looked, and told him he'd made a mistake -- that he was showing me a car with leather. Even touching the seats initially didn't clear up the confusion. We had to check the specs on the car to re-confirm.

PS: I took some detail shots of the leatherette and will edit this post tomorrow to include them.

David

Hello "pikeNM":

So, you went to Albuquerque? You do know that the Santa Fe and Albuquerque dealers have the same owner. Anyway, as I have previously posted, the 'ette in the wife's X5 is pretty good.

As far as the olfactory satisfaction, get yourself some Zaino "leather in a bottle" and you will be in sinu Abraham.

Hell, the X5 ('ette) smells better than my 335i and the 540i put together. But then again, I am still trying to get that stock smell out of them.

Yeah, I know they share the same owner, and the same set of allocations. Santa Fe has far fewer choices in terms of seeing options/colors in the flesh. No manual trannys on the lot, and no leatherette. ABQ had several manuals to test drive and plenty of colors to peruse.

Yeah, I know they share the same owner, and the same set of allocations. Santa Fe has far fewer choices in terms of seeing options/colors in the flesh. No manual trannys on the lot, and no leatherette. ABQ had several manuals to test drive and plenty of colors to peruse.

Hello "pikeNM":

And from what I hear, you will get a better price in ABQ.

You will be happy with the 'ette. Just make sure you buy the sports package!

I also checked out leatherette, and would have been fine with it. IMO BMW's leather isn't the softest, but I like it that way. Many people who ride in my car think my leather is actually leatherette because it's so firm. So I guess leatherette wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Drove an hour to another BMW dealership in the next town over, and they had a silver 328i coupe with black leatherette and manual seats.

My vote: I'm absolutely stunned at how good the leatherette looks and feels. The picture I posted of the E90 'ette seats in the earlier thread a) was not actually what the E92 seats looks like, and b) did not come close to showing just how good the seats look.

Here's what I can tell you about the leatherette, based on seeing it:

1) It's every bit as black as the black leather. Didn't look gray at all. I compared the two back to back. If there's any difference in color, it must be extremely subtle.

2) The stitching down the sides of the bolsters is definitely on the leatherette seats, so there's no easy way visually to tell the difference in the E92 car.

3) Texture is similar but a bit finer than the leather. It feels a little tackier to the touch than leather, but doesn't feel at all like the old vinyl seats in my dad's old Datsun. :-)

4) The significant difference is the smell. The leather seats have an unmistakeable aroma, for lack of a better word, that's really nice. The interior of the leatherette E92 had plenty of new car smell, but it was a 'neutral' smell. So both cars have new car smell, but the leather has a smell that I love. Is it worth $1500 for that smell? I'm mulling that over.

The 'ette looked so good that when the sales guy first showed me the car, I saw the lumbar stitching and the way the seats looked, and told him he'd made a mistake -- that he was showing me a car with leather. Even touching the seats initially didn't clear up the confusion. We had to check the specs on the car to re-confirm.

PS: I took some detail shots of the leatherette and will edit this post tomorrow to include them.

David

+1

I only got leather because of the color choices. Well, that's not entirely true... I wanted the lumbar support, so that meant that I had to get the premium package, which includes leather.

Odds are when you go in to trade the car, they will just assume that it's leather and not ding you for the 'ette.

3) Texture is similar but a bit finer than the leather. It feels a little tackier to the touch than leather, but doesn't feel at all like the old vinyl seats in my dad's old Datsun. :-)

GIVE IT TIME, IT WILL......

A little off topic, but if the Albuquerque Dealership is giving better deals................then the Santa Fe Dealership must be raping people!!!!!!!!

Yeah, but leatherette doesn't come in saddle...

I love my black leatherette!

I love my black leatherette!
+1, definitely the easiest to maintain. I just use a wet cloth to wipe the occasional salt stains left by the kids damn boots and they come off easy without any side effects (no scratching, fading, etc). Most things don't even show up on it.

A little off topic, but if the Albuquerque Dealership is giving better deals................then the Santa Fe Dealership must be raping people!!!!!!!!

Hello "fseybert":

They have never been accused of not making money. But, when I read the horror stories some tell about their dealer, the SF dealer looks better and better. Always get me scheduled within a day or so. Always have a free loan vehicle even for something like getting the new windshield in the X5 or other non warranty work. Lots of little extras and courtesy. Things like doing a bit of research on your behalf or ordering a part based on your word that you would come get it.

It is pretty much general knowlege that you can pay a grand or so less on a 50K car if you drive to Albuquerque.

But then again, how many sales people would take you aside when you were about to drop a bucket-o-bucks on an M3 and tell you that you "really, really want to try this 335i"? Not that I would have been burned buying the M3, but that saved me around 15-20 large and the 335i absolutely smokes it at this altiude.

They get another chance Friday. I am taking the "new" toy I just bought to them for a full check out.

Hello nm335,

No complaints about the service at either, in Abq, haven't been to Santa Fe dealership. Just interesting to see the so called "deals" others are getting around the country. But then again, most things here in the 'Land of Enchantment' run a little more than more populated areas. No biggie, bought the second car in less than 6 months from them. Yes, the Mrs.'s new 335xi arrived this morning. The exact replacement of the one totaled when a guy ran a red light. Oh well, looking forward to getting back in the Bimmer. Hopefully being delivered this Thursday.........spoiler needs to be painted/installed.

pics?