View Full Version : nappa vs. montana
Rumor has it some of the m3's built in late '98 had "montana" leather rather than "nappa" leather. This is why some m3's with the sport seats have the ///m stripes on the headrests. Sure enough my was car built in november of '98 and has the stripes on the headrest.
So is "montana" the same leather that they would have used in all the other bmw models (like the normal 3) and "nappa" a better quality leather, or vice versa? kinda bummed that I got the "normal" leather if that is the case...not really that big of a deal I guess
GreenM3
11-09-2002, 11:42 PM
Sounds like you got one of the infamous "332i" cars. Basically it isn't really an M at all. They rebadged and retrofit some 328s in late 98 to keep up with demand. While real M3's are assembled at a separate factory, the "332s" rolled off the generic line.
One sure way to tell is to check your grill under the front bumper. If it is a "332" it will be made of plastic instead of aluminum.
Check it out and let us know.
FiKtIOn
11-09-2002, 11:46 PM
Do the "332's" actually have the 2.8l's in them?
If that was my car and it had the 2.8l i would be HELLA pissed...
Your VIN will tell you where it was put together.
uhhhh....."332i"? I dont get it. What would be the major difference, just the fact it was produced on a different assembly line? All m3's start out as 3 series, right?
I know for a fact it has the S50US b32 engine in it. Are you saying they took a 328, dropped a 3.2 litre in it, rebaged it with the ///m components and sold it as an m3? So it doenst have the full m3 chassis reinforcements, suspension, etc?
Im pretty sure the cross hatch grill under the bumper is plastic. Didnt know it was actually aluminum on other cars.
How can I tell by my VIN where it was built?
jblack
11-10-2002, 12:59 PM
I have never heard of the 332i thing either! If your VIN starts with WBS, it's an M. As far as I know, there was never an M car with a 2.8 liter engine. There were some 325is cars with M body panels in 94 - before the intro of the M3 in North America. The were called 325 M-Technics.
Are you saying that cars left the line with "332" on their tails? I know that's wrong. Some people on the board have done engine swaps and cut up other badges to make 332's, as even with an M engine, these cars are not true "M" cars. This is a good way to do that, rather than putting the M badge on the car.
jblack
11-10-2002, 01:10 PM
And the grill below the bumper? Are you talking about the "mouth"? That should be slats on the M3 with the Lux package and mesh on all the others. That should be plastic either way - slats or mesh
Originally posted by jblack
And the grill below the bumper? Are you talking about the "mouth"? That should be slats on the M3 with the Lux package and mesh on all the others. That should be plastic either way - slats or mesh
No kidding :rolleyes:
Wtf is a 332, lmfao
I think montana leather is equipped by BMW when there was a shortage of nappa leather..
I've also heard something that for those who bought M3 with montana leather they get some sort of "leather credit"
whew....that 332 stuff took me by surprise. So as far as this "leather credit" did that mean they gave you a discount on it, or the option to upgrade it to nappa once they had more in supply? If that is the case, you think its too late to take them up on it ? (j/k) :biglaughb
cielo
11-10-2002, 10:58 PM
nappa leather is supposedly softer and smoother than montana. nappa is used in the e39 m5, whereas montana is used in the rest of the e39 lineup. for reference, an e39 armrest in nappa is $439 while the same in montana is $264.
nicot
11-11-2002, 05:48 AM
Nappa leather is more expensive and is used for all the Individual program cars such as mine. My car got the full Nappa leather option on top which means my whole car is practically leather except dash and a few bits here and there...hell it even had more leather than my 7 series E38. I didnt know this when I bought the car until I saw another 99' M3 coupe and I go to him that he got ripped of with his interior.
Oh yeah even on normal 7's they use montana with optional "extended Nappa Leather" which is on the doors unless u buy the 750.
nicot,
Your sig describes your M3 as an "anniversary edition #67 of 70".
Anniversary of what? What was particularly special or unique about your car?
Got any pics??
nicot
11-11-2002, 07:11 AM
Big Lun- If I'm not mistaken 25 years of ///M division.
Anniverrsarry edition included Full Nappa Leather, Individual Paint and Individual Wood trim. Only 70 were brought out to Australia in ///M3 convertibles in 99' last year of production as a last line as in OZ M3's dont come in convertibles. They brought out 30 Black, 10 each of Techno Violet, Estoril Blue, Silver and 5 each of Imola Red and another colour that I forgot.
jmazz
11-11-2002, 08:23 AM
I'm not buying this 332 story. My car has the stripes on the headrest but according to my VIN it was built at the M factory.
I've got an M332i.
It was built in MY garage about 9 months ago. In fact, it came with OBD1!
Full M3 driveline, brakes, Coilovers, etc...right from my factory.
Don't believe everything you hear. There are still people that think Chevy and GMC Trucks are built in different assembly plants.
Donovanj
11-11-2002, 02:59 PM
I have a lux edition M3 so I don't have ///M stripes anywhere on my seats...
Where can I purchase ///M stripe headrests? I might be interested in buying some good quality used ones (Modena leather) if anyone is interested.
Keith_M3-4
11-11-2002, 06:27 PM
jzM3, my M3 Sedan was built in 3/98 and has the Buffalo/Montana leather.. I thought that only occured between 2/98 to 4/98.. but I can be wrong. I've didn't know it happened again in 11/98.
The leather credit was $500 and listed on the window sticker.
I also have never heard of the "332i" and my VIN doesn't support that story.
Just curious.. how important is the quality of the leather to you when buying a car?
cielo
11-11-2002, 06:42 PM
i've never noticed your site before, keith. i've bookmarked it, nice job.
Keith_M3-4
11-11-2002, 11:02 PM
hey Cielo, Thanks.. haven't been posting too much lately.
Leather quality to me on a car like the m3 means nothing, as a matter of fact I personally like the cloth interiors. I just always thought it was odd my car had the /// stipes on the headrest. I figured there had to be a reason for it and was wondering the difference between the two
Keith_M3-4
11-12-2002, 12:31 PM
I agree... I didn't buy the car for it's interior/leather... but at the same time, it would be strange if the M3's came with a cloth interior.. it's alright in a LTW... but that's about it.
I would love to swap my seats for a set of Recaro cloth SRD's..
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