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      09-12-2014, 09:08 PM   #1
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Alcantara seats in US models

Just came across this video on youtube showing a 2014 Euro version F32 with Alcantara seats. Why BMW...Why can't we get these in the US cars?

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      09-12-2014, 11:18 PM   #2
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I believe it has something to do with the airbag regulations in the US-spec cars! I love those seats and pick them all day over the Dakota leather in my f30
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      09-13-2014, 06:25 AM   #3
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Two years ago I read that Alcantara and other fabrics weren't available in the U.S. because the vast majority of BMWs here start off as leased vehicles and are then resold. Vinyl and Leather seats are easier to clean for resale than fabric seats are. I don't know if that's true, but it's plausible.
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      09-13-2014, 08:44 AM   #4
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I happen to like them to, and would have ordered them as well.
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      09-13-2014, 08:54 AM   #5
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      09-14-2014, 11:16 PM   #6
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My uncle in Japan has a 328 M sport and had these nice cloth material seats that had a lot more aggressive bolsters with the sides coming up higher like a true bucket seat. I wish my US spec m sport had those
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      09-15-2014, 08:15 AM   #7
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By and large, luxury car buyers want "leather". It's like "granite countertops" in houses.
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      09-15-2014, 08:45 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb
By and large, luxury car buyers want "leather". It's like "granite countertops" in houses.
I suspect it's this ^ more so than the leasing angle. You can order a stripped down car to lease and they won't stop you, despite that not being a very attractive Preowned car for them after the lease. But if they think something won't sell here, they won't offer it.. Doesn't mean they're always right about what we want.. but remember, the people on this forum are the minority of buyers, not the majority.
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      09-15-2014, 04:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb View Post
By and large, luxury car buyers want "leather". It's like "granite countertops" in houses.
Maybe, but there are people like me that don't buy these cars because of the luxury, but because of the performance. I would have chosen those seats any day; I hate leather and BMW has one of the worst.
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      09-15-2014, 04:45 PM   #10
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I would take cloth anytime over leather, even in a 7-series. It's so . much . more comfortable.
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      09-15-2014, 05:07 PM   #11
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I managed to get alcantara on my F31 in the UK and it's not offered here. BMW AG agreed to do it as a "one off" so I don't know how successful other people will be, but I love it!
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      09-16-2014, 08:06 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassthe1st View Post
Maybe, but there are people like that don't buy these cars because of the luxury, but because of the performance. I would have chosen those seats any day; I hate leather and BMW has one of the worst.
I'm totally on-board with that sentiment. Just a reminder, however, that enthusiasts are not the main (or even secondary, tertiary) market segment for BMW in the US any longer.
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      09-16-2014, 10:39 AM   #13
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Oh. Hell. Yes. I will beg/demand/plead for them to give me that in a 435. Oyster is now my second choice of seats for the interior - I want THAT one in the OP, with a few extra CF trim bits.
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      09-16-2014, 10:46 AM   #14
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had them on my S4 recaro's...

downgrade on the 335 seats.
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      09-16-2014, 12:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjpeaks View Post
had them on my S4 recaro's...

downgrade on the 335 seats.
The 335 seats were a downgrade? Or are you saying the alcantara would be a downgrade from what you have in the 335?
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      09-16-2014, 12:54 PM   #16
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my 335 seats are a downgrade from my alcantra recaro's.

my old S4 was a special order - CF trim and alcantra. plus avant

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      09-16-2014, 04:49 PM   #17
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I just love my Alcantara seats

Only problem are the blue stitches, if BMW would offer here different colors it would be perfect.
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      09-16-2014, 04:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete View Post
Oh. Hell. Yes. I will beg/demand/plead for them to give me that in a 435. Oyster is now my second choice of seats for the interior - I want THAT one in the OP, with a few extra CF trim bits.
Don't get your hopes up. Due to the cost of complying with DOT airbag testing regulations it won't happen here. The UK difference was probably common EU regulations. This topic has been cussed and discussed in great detail on the 'fest.
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      09-16-2014, 05:07 PM   #19
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I don't see how seat upholstery affects airbag deployment...link to the thread on 'fest?

Oh, and I actually really like the blue stitching.
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      09-17-2014, 10:13 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturedraider View Post
Don't get your hopes up. Due to DOT airbag testing regulations it won't happen here. The UK difference was probably common EU regulations. This topic has been cussed and discussed in great detail on the 'fest.
Wondering what's the difference between cloth and alcantara when it comes to regulations? I mean one interferes with the airbag and the other doesn't? Doesn't make sense in my lil' brain.
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      09-17-2014, 11:01 AM   #21
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No one besides a handful of internet buyers actually want "cloth" seats in a $30-50,000 car. It's the same reason we don't have low end diesels, manual transmission wagons, etc.

Blame the rest of the people who go out and buy 10,000 base line 328 xi automatics each month - but the reality is most people in the US buy BMW as a luxury marque and luxury cars don't have cloth interiors.
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      09-17-2014, 11:20 AM   #22
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It's not that they can't certify cloth, but it would cost enough that it isn't economically feasible. Similar to how every drivetrain combination must be separately certified, the seat materials must be individually certified as well. This (mostly) means different airbag sensors and crash testing. The take rate of cloth would be so low that BMW would never recoup its initial investment.

BMW can afford to certify additional options like cloth on cars such as the M3/4 because they are so much more expensive they can recoup the investment despite the lower volume (the existence of 6MT for the M3/4 and M5/6 is also evidence of this). This is also why they offer the Individual program only on some cars and still charge a boatload for it.
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