Leather/Leatherette?

[imashun3r]

What's the difference between leather and leatherette? Is the texture different? The colors? I'm new to all this stuff and looking into a 2004 325i this year. Thanks!

[BlackChrome]

Leatherette = vinyl that looks like leather

[imashun3r]

Which would last longer and have easier upkeep?

[Jever]

Does leatherette smell like vinyl?

[Kaz]

Leatherette is vinyl, so there is no upkeep other than keeping it clean. The leather in a E46 neither feels nor smells a whole lot like leather, IMO (there's a recent thread about how to tell them apart; it's not plainly obvious) and the leatherette doesn't smell like a vinyl rain slicker, either.

Of course, I chose neither of the two.

[numbersguy]

What's the difference between leather and leatherette? Is the texture different? The colors? I'm new to all this stuff and looking into a 2004 325i this year. Thanks!

I got black vinyl (I think leatherette is a stupid name) on mine. It looks great and wears great. Everybody who looks at it says "nice leather." Then I tell them it's vinyl and they do a double take.

There is one way in which leather is better than vinyl and that is in the feel. You can't slide your butt around on vinyl to get comfy in your seat. It is too grippy for your clothing to slide at all. Most leather I've sat on has some lubricity that permits an occasional butt wiggle to get comfortable or restore circulation in your posterior. I tried using Vinylex on the driver seat to see if it would ease the grippiness of the vinyl and all it did was make the vinyl shiny and cause it to make a loud farting noise if you try to slide around on it. Now I have a full container of Vinylex that I'll never use again.

As for the shortcomings of leather, just look at a leather interior that has a few years on it. If you aren't frightened by what you see then go for it. Leather feels good but after a while it doesn't look so good.

[Jever]

As for the shortcomings of leather, just look at a leather interior that has a few years on it. If you aren't frightened by what you see then go for it. Leather feels good but after a while it doesn't look so good.That's exactly why I want the 'ette. I just don't want the car to smell like a 1978 GMC Hornet.

[ruteger]

That's exactly why I want the 'ette. I just don't want the car to smell like a 1978 GMC Hornet.American Motors Corporation (AMC) made the Hornet (as did Hudson, but I don't know if they had vinyl interiors back then).:)

General Motors Corporation (GMC) is the badge that GM slaps on Chevy trucks along with a different grill. The GMC label has never been used on an automobile (that I'm aware of).

[KevinM]

If the leather is maintained properly, it will age very nicely. When I did the BMW driving school we were driving 330s with leatherette. These were one year old cars, admitted used hard, but the leatherette was very worn and did not look good. I think that leatherette may age better than unmaintained leather but not better than properly maintained leather. Maintained leather develops a beautiful patina over the years that many people find attractive. Now, whether that is worth the extra 1K or not is purely subjective...

[Jever]

American Motors Corporation (AMC) made the Hornet (as did Hudson, but I don't know if they had vinyl interiors back then).:)

General Motors Corporation (GMC) is the badge that GM slaps on Chevy trucks along with a different grill. The GMC label has never been used on an automobile (that I'm aware of).Thank you for the correction. I wasn't sure of the official acronym to use as AMC just sounded odd. My dad had one back in the day (granted, I love that car for some odd reason) but when I order my car, I am worried bout it smelling like, well vinyl. That plastic like smell is horrible to me.

[Patrick330i]

If the leather is maintained properly, it will age very nicely. When I did the BMW driving school we were driving 330s with leatherette. These were one year old cars, admitted used hard, but the leatherette was very worn and did not look good. I think that leatherette may age better than unmaintained leather but not better than properly maintained leather. Maintained leather develops a beautiful patina over the years that many people find attractive. Now, whether that is worth the extra 1K or not is purely subjective...

My 'ette looks a hell of a lot better than the leather on my wife's MDX. My 330i is about 15 months old, hers is 4 months old. I realize this is an apples-to-oranges comparison by bringing in the MDX, but all I am saying is that I am completely satisfied with my 'ette. To be sure, I like it a lot better than the leather on my wife's MDX. When I got my 3er, I was much more interested in drive and performance than I was on the interior, but I did splurge for the moonroof! :thumbup:

[HW]

4+ years old now and the 'ette looks exactly like it was when new. i'm very pleased w/ it.

[The Roadstergal]

My 18-year-old vinyl looks almost new. I saw no cars in the same age range with original leather that looked close to as good.

I like the lack of slide on vinyl - although cloth is better for holding you in the seat.

[ruteger]

I like the lack of slide on vinyl - although cloth is better for holding you in the seat.It's unfortunate that BMWNA has deemed cloth as having too much of a 'down-market' image to offer it as a Regular Production Option (RPO) in the US E46 (except in the M3). An odd thing, considering that cloth is available in virtually every BMW in the rest of the world.

OTOH, the trade-off of not offering cloth may be the very reason BMW makes the quality of the leatherette feel and look so much like the real thing...

[dlloyd1975]

We've got the sand 'ette in the car and I love it. I far prefer it to the BMW leather and actually prefer it to leather in just about any other car I've ever been in. Nice and thick, should wear like iron.

I agree about the cloth and I think it'd be an excellent choice were we not in the market for something that would be relatively kid-(and kid-produded-fluids)-proof.

[postoak]

Do you get static electricity shocks from leatherette like you get with cloth but DON'T get with leather?

I slid out of my wife's cloth-seated Accord this morning and got quite a jolt! :yikes:

[andy_thomas]

We've got the sand 'ette in the car and I love it. I far prefer it to the BMW leather and actually prefer it to leather in just about any other car I've ever been in. Nice and thick, should wear like iron.

I agree about the cloth and I think it'd be an excellent choice were we not in the market for something that would be relatively kid-(and kid-produded-fluids)-proof.

I have to check out leatherette next time I go to the States - it must be amazing. As it is, I've not heard of any problems with BMW's regular Montana leather, and neither has any dealer I've spoken to - I think our temperate climate probably has something to do with it. Most of them said the best way to look after leather was just keep it clean, don't spill things on it and try not to rip it. Same as leatherette, really :).

The nappa leather, being finer, has a reputation for showing wear after a few years - especially on the driver's side bolster. Just like a good leather jacket I suppose (and in the same vein, probably a bit too fine for use in a car.)

[TD]

I have to check out leatherette next time I go to the States - it must be amazing. As it is, I've not heard of any problems with BMW's regular Montana leather, and neither has any dealer I've spoken to - I think our temperate climate probably has something to do with it. Most of them said the best way to look after leather was just keep it clean, don't spill things on it and try not to rip it. Same as leatherette, really :).

The nappa leather, being finer, has a reputation for showing wear after a few years - especially on the driver's side bolster. Just like a good leather jacket I suppose (and in the same vein, probably a bit too fine for use in a car.)
Paper or plastic?

[postoak]

The difference between Bimmerfest and Roadfly is that HERE you're allowed to ask questions like "leather vs leatherette" without getting razzed. :(

And, I did a search. AFAIK there's been no discussion about whether leatherette allows a static electricity build-up. That would be a big negative against it in my book. I hate those shocks getting in and out of a car.

[Jim Seattle]

4 years with ette, still like new, no stink either... :thumbup:

[drmwvr]

The difference between Bimmerfest and Roadfly is that HERE you're allowed to ask questions like "leather vs leatherette" without getting razzed. :(

And, I did a search. AFAIK there's been no discussion about whether leatherette allows a static electricity build-up. That would be a big negative against it in my book. I hate those shocks getting in and out of a car.

I had leatherette in my A4 for 6 years with no shocks; 1 year so far in my 325 without any either..

[Stuka]

What's the difference between leather and leatherette? Is the texture different? The colors? I'm new to all this stuff and looking into a 2004 325i this year. Thanks!

If you really want leather, spend the extra $$ and bug your sales drones about special ordering the Nappa leather interior for you. That's the same leather as found on the M cars.

The leather that comes in standard 3'ers are worthless, IMHO. :thumbdwn:

You should be able to google it and find the order code for Nappa leather. It's a 4 digit code. For instance, Nappa/alcantara is F2AT.

[Stuka]

The nappa leather, being finer, has a reputation for showing wear after a few years - especially on the driver's side bolster. Just like a good leather jacket I suppose (and in the same vein, probably a bit too fine for use in a car.)

I am not a big fan of leather, but if I must, Nappa is the only way to go. The standard 3'er leather is worse than what comes on the domestic variety crap. :rolleyes: :thumbdwn:

As far as care goes, yes, you have to regularly maintain it, but so do you with fien leather shoes and jackets. :dunno:

[Stuka]

It's unfortunate that BMWNA has deemed cloth as having too much of a 'down-market' image to offer it as a Regular Production Option (RPO) in the US E46 (except in the M3). An odd thing, considering that cloth is available in virtually every BMW in the rest of the world.

OTOH, the trade-off of not offering cloth may be the very reason BMW makes the quality of the leatherette feel and look so much like the real thing...

It is available, you just have to find a sales guy who is not lazy. They'll have to first enter a plain vanilla order, then once it's 111, call the order entry people at the port to have them manually enter the special options with the option codes found in rest of the world.

[Kaz]

Who came up with the idea that sitting on a dead cow is luxurious anyhow? Maybe if it were something exotic like a giraffe or a zebra or something. :dunno:

[BlackChrome]

Who came up with the idea that sitting on a dead cow is luxurious anyhow? Maybe if it were something exotic like a giraffe or a zebra or something. :dunno:
Serious! :thumbup:

That's one of the reasons that I prefer cloth over anything else!

But I have leather on my e46

[postoak]

Well, now that I've had BMW's standard leather for 18 months/30,000 miles, I have to say I think it's pretty good. Why would anyone think it's so bad? If the Nappa wears out sooner then why is it better? :dunno:

[waapples]

can bmw dealer find out whether my bimmer has the leather or leatherette by checking the VIN?

man.... i didn't have choice but if i were the original buyer for this car, i would have gone with leatherette, because i just feel so bad killing cows for my darn interiors..... + the leatherette interior will last longer than the leather.

[emPoWaH]

can bmw dealer find out whether my bimmer has the leather or leatherette by checking the VIN?

man.... i didn't have choice but if i were the original buyer for this car, i would have gone with leatherette, because i just feel so bad killing cows for my darn interiors..... + the leatherette interior will last longer than the leather.

Given that you have a 528i, it should be easy to determine whether you have leather or leatherette. Do you have wood trim? Do you have folding seats? IMO, it's easy to tell the difference between the E39 leather and leatherette, but not E46.

It is available, you just have to find a sales guy who is not lazy. They'll have to first enter a plain vanilla order, then once it's 111, call the order entry people at the port to have them manually enter the special options with the option codes found in rest of the world.

I wish I knew about this. Any word on how it affects pricing? I've done a search but cannot find any specific information. Any links? Anyone try it before? I wonder if the same can be applied to wheel choice...

[Kaz]

I wish I knew about this. Any word on how it affects pricing? I've done a search but cannot find any specific information. Any links? Anyone try it before? I wonder if the same can be applied to wheel choice...

Obviously you didn't search hard enough. I just did a search and there are plenty of threads with specific info. There is no cost increase for standard cloth over leatherette.

[emPoWaH]

Obviously you didn't search hard enough. I just did a search and there are plenty of threads with specific info. There is no cost increase for standard cloth over leatherette.

:cry:

I searched for forty minutes and still couldn't find it. What did you use for your keyword? This closest I found was a very cool Orinoco ZHP. Still I learned a lot - ED = no special order.

[waapples]

can bmw dealer find out whether my bimmer has the leather or leatherette by checking the VIN?

man.... i didn't have choice but if i were the original buyer for this car, i would have gone with leatherette, because i just feel so bad killing cows for my darn interiors..... + the leatherette interior will last longer than the leather.
Given that you have a 528i, it should be easy to determine whether you have leather or leatherette. Do you have wood trim? Do you have folding seats? IMO, it's easy to tell the difference between the E39 leather and leatherette, but not E46.



well i have the wood trim, but don't have the folding seats.

[emPoWaH]

well i have the wood trim, but don't have the folding seats.

Wood trim comes with Premium Package, which requires leather. Unless you somehow special ordered that I don't know of...

[andy_thomas]

Well, now that I've had BMW's standard leather for 18 months/30,000 miles, I have to say I think it's pretty good. Why would anyone think it's so bad? If the Nappa wears out sooner then why is it better? :dunno:

There's a slight difference in approach here. The nappa leather interior is probably for people who don't worry about the cars looking factory-fresh in 10 years' time; they understand that leather wears over time, and acquires a patina (even if plenty of care is taken). It's also a finer surface to sit on, and even if it "wears" that doesn't mean it disintegrates.

If longevity and toughness is of primary importance, well that's why BMW makes leatherette available. And, of course, if you don't condone animal slaughter in any form (and are, accordingly, a strict vegetarian) then you can also choose leatherette.

[andy_thomas]

The difference between Bimmerfest and Roadfly is that HERE you're allowed to ask questions like "leather vs leatherette" without getting razzed. :(


Leather gets panned every time. I don't know, it may well be due - as well as this amazing leatherette that BMW has developed for the NA markets (to the point where people can't easily tell and aren't being tongue-in-cheek) a few have suggested that US domestic vehicles have leather quality which makes BMW's Montana stuff look low-rent. As Audi's, Mercedes's and even Subaru's leather (in its compact exec range) is not significantly better than BMW's, that's a terrific achievement given that small European sedans - and their Japanese counterparts - are often lauded by the US motoring press for having high-quality interiors. Plainly, for seat coving excellence, they should be looking closer to home.

[postoak]

Well, I've recently seen, and sat in, Miata, Camry, and Accord leather and none of them impressed. Yeah, Lexus leather is nice, but just about everything in a Lexus interior is nicer than a BMW interior. The WOOD in the new 5-series is actually worse than the wood in a Camry, IMO. :(

[Bavarian]

Well, I've recently seen, and sat in, Miata, Camry, and Accord leather and none of them impressed. Yeah, Lexus leather is nice, but just about everything in a Lexus interior is nicer than a BMW interior. The WOOD in the new 5-series is actually worse than the wood in a Camry, IMO. :(

Hahaha lol some truth in that. Except for one thing...people laugh at the HK systems BMW installs...but those Mark Levinson systems in the Lexuses are even worse!

[jordanLINY]

As someone who has an 11 year old BMW, I can say that it's unpleasant to have to maintain the leather. Granted, it may not be nappa or whatever, but it's still a bother. Trust me, at least I don't have holes in the leather like I've seen on some Japanese luxury cars.

I will admit that the vinyl does not feel as "plush" but whatever, I like the easy cleaning on my Dad's car (e46).

Changing the subject: I've used lexol for years to clean leather. What do you suggest? The best preservative is Connolly's Hide Food, no doubt.

Jordan