Leatherette interior

[Bill97Z]

I saw an 06 at a dealer last night that did not have premium package so had the leatherette seats. I didn't know that the X3 leatherette seats were a combination of the leatherette material on the seating surface surrounded by a thin nylon like material on the outside of the seats. Much different than the 3 series leatherette interior...

Anyhow, I noticed some small rips and tears in the nylon material on the edges of the drivers seat. Can this be repaired? Material doesn't seem to be too durable, anyone else have this issue? I am leaning towards passing and going for one with leather.

[UncleJ]

B. One solution is to make the dealer repair the seat as a condition of sale. I have the leatherette in my '06 and after 34K miles have found it very durable, and I am hard on seat coverings. I wanted the leatherette for ease of clean up and it has not disappointed me. It all boiils down to what you like. if you don't like the seating surface. don't get that car. There are plenty of others out there for you to choose from. If the dealer will not repair the seat, then you can have it done yourself at a quality auto uhpolstery shop. It will most likely cost about half of what the dealer will charge and you will not be able to tell the difference between the panels replaced and the originals. Good luck!

[New Motors]

Bill97Z: I just had the same thing on a 05 X3. I work at a dealership and after talking to service Mgr. he informed me we could put it under warranty to have it fixed. It is still under the mileage and time. Check to see if that would be the same case for your situation. Good luck.

[PimoX3]

Anyhow, I noticed some small rips and tears in the nylon material on the edges of the drivers seat. Can this be repaired? Material doesn't seem to be too durable, anyone else have this issue? I am leaning towards passing and going for one with leather.

I had this issue on my '06, and the seat bottom was replaced (under warranty) with a new one that no longer has the "nylon" material on the sides - which I believe was changed for all '07 models. This was not an uncommon issue according to the dealer, although that might be just up here where the winters are nasty.

[Bill97Z]

Thanks for your responses. I don't dislike the look of it, it's just that the nylon material on the edges does appear to be thin, and from the responses, doesn't seem to hold up that well (don't hear of seat tears often). Dealer agreed to fix it for free, just concerned that it will be a recurring problem. Thanks again for your comments.

[Andrew*Debbie]

We have Leatherette on our '07 X3. With the face lift they are much more like the 3 series 'ette. No more funky fabric like seating surface.

[Supercourse]

No nicks or tears in our Beige Sensatec after 4 years, even with a Lab/Collie-X pup clambering over all the seats. Although maintenance is virtually worry-free compared to leather, general grime build-up does not always respond to just a damp cloth, but at least you can use things like Windex. Not sure how some have picked up rips - we treat possessions well but are not ultra careful.

[Fragnade]

General use on the 04 got us a few tears in the nylon. Getting it fixed soon though. Still under warranty through 2010 so theres time.

[Evlengr]

If I recall they changed the leatherette in the newer models (not sure when though). One of the things I really liked about my last X3 was that the leatherette was near bullet proof. Juice boxes, freezee pops, sick little girl yurping, fruit snacks, etccc...... you name it. Nothing damaged this stuff and a quick spritz of "Simple Green" cleaner and it cleaned right up.

I now have the famous tobacco leather since she is now older, a little more careful, and I just wanted the cool color,Lol.

If it looks in good condition don't let the leatherette stop you from buying the one you want. Just make sure the vehicle is priced accordingly.

[UncleJ]

"vehice is priced accordingly" I doubt on the early X3's there will be one whit of difference in price between an X3 with leather and one without. The price will depend on the overall condition of the car and the miles clocked, if it has a stick or automatic, and probably even sport and non sport, nav or non nav. The stick by the way will probably be cheaper because (in spite of the views to the contrary) they are hard to move because few people want them. As the cars get older there will be even less of a difference in pricing, until it reaches the point of diminishing returns when no option matters, just the car's condition and mileage. I wanted the leatherette for ease of clean up and my perception of its durability over leather in german cars throughout the years.

[Bill97Z]

From what I have seen, the cars with leather have higher asking prices and move faster, at least for the 06's which I have been researching. Sport package seem pretty rare, have not found many with that or xenon's. Not many manual tranny's out there either. I'm torn, don't know what to do. I found a silver gray, black leatherette that we really like, but am still concerned about the material. I can get a black with tan leather for about the same price with same miles.....UGH, but BLACK?

[AzNMpower32]

If you're willing to drive a bit, see if anything here (http://www.vobbmw.com/BMW-Pre-Owned-Inventory.aspx#sortdirection=True&makeid=null&currentpage=1&totalrecords=20&cultureinfostyle=null&vehicletype=null&ajax_t=1219359859405&page=bmw-pre-owned-inventory&modelyearid=null&modelid=X3-Series&sortitem=1&model=X3-Series&make=null&pagesize=25&hyperlinkargument=page&virtualpageindex=0&modelyear=null&numberofvisiblepages=10) works out for you. The '06 Alpine White one has black lthrette, others have xenons.

If you, or anyone else here wants to be unique, here's a diesel in DC. :yikes: You could go around bragging your SUV gets 45 miles to the gallon.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2-0D-2006-EUROPEAN-MODEL-Diesel_W0QQitemZ180278999682QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Tru cksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180278999682&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A-2|240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

[Bill97Z]

thanks for the leads