[BillsGirlGina]

Hi,

I'm picking up my new 440i GC Monday or Tuesday woohoo!!! (Been waiting since August!) We ordered it with Ivory & Black Dakota leather. I have searched on the forum & have seen great things about Dr. leather. I sent an email & inquired but they don't sell in the USA

So my question is for a recommendation for a good leather protector & cleaner from people in the USA
Being that I am not able to purchase Dr. Leather.

Thank you so much!

[jgoens]

I have used a few--have the Meguier's cleaner and that is ok. Went to Zaino leather in a bottle and it smells pretty good but is expensive. I picked up some Griots at Autozone and it smells pretty good too. You know, unless you spill something or wear dirty clothes in the car, the leather does not get real dirty that easy...my coral red looks almost the same after a cleaning which I do once a month or three weeks. So, for me currently, I do a wipe down with the Meguier's and then a wipe of Griots after.

[MachinesWithSouls]

I've used AMMO cleaners with great success, and Larry's tutorials are very helpful.

AMMO Nyc.com

[alohasurftoad]

Lexol cleaner followed by conditioner. doesn't get shiny. keeps it looking new and supple.

[kpeng]

Lexol or if you're willing to spend some money, Leatherique.

[DDD31]

Never been a fan of Lexol, I always felt that Lexol left the leather with a greasy feel.

I use Leatherique Prestine Clean which leaves the leather in its natural state with a nice matte finish and no greasy feel. If the leather is really dirty, use Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil followed by Prestine Clean.

[Whatsnext]

Agree with Lexol leaving the seats feel greasy. Leatherique is good if you have damaged leather. I currently use Zaino cleaner and conditioner and it is pricey but use monthly and leaves the car smelling like new. Great for regular maint.

[BillsGirlGina]

Thanks for all the feedback! Keep it coming!
What about a protector to put on right away? To help with fabric transfer. Anyone know know a good one?

[440xiGCMsport]

you will need leather master products to keep ivory white if you wear jeans. I would recommend use BMW leather cleaner but if that doesn't work in keeping dye off the leather than go to leather master site to buy the dye transfer cleaner.
http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Leat...r-p/lmldtc.htm
you can also use dye transfer preventer like the following product.
http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Leat...ier-p/lmlb.htm

[zerreissen]

I use Zaino Z-9 and Z-10. It was $30 shipped for both of them. I use them once a month and they've lasted over a year so far. I don't think that's expensive at all, and I love the way they work. I use a brush with the cleaner.

[tsbrown]

I just got Swissvax leather care kit. The spray leather cleaner and brush worked great on my 6 year old M3 Fox Red novillo leather...removed the dirt and the shiny appearance. Added the leather milk conditioner and the seats look nearly new again. Highly recommended but be warned it's not inexpensive.

[paul e]

I thought the leather on the 340 was sealed? Can the $$ leather cleaners penetrate?

[440xiGCMsport]

Originally Posted by paul e

I thought the leather on the 340 was sealed? Can the $$ leather cleaners penetrate?

no that is why leather master has cleaner for different types of cleaner and it would state either. aniline or protected or both.

[spuntyb]

In this order, I've used:

Lexol
Leather Master
Chemical Guys
Swissvax (current)

They were all good, but each one, to me, worked a little better than the previous one for whatever small reasons I had, but as with any detailing project, technique >>>>>>> products.

If you clean it regularly, a MF towel and whatever cleaner you like the smell of will work just fine. If you do it less frequently, and it gets dirty pretty quickly (dogs, children, hauling junk, etc.), then a thorough vacuuming, followed by a cleaner with a scrub brush (the Swissvax brush is the tits, btw), and MF towel will work well, followed by some type of cream or conditioner (most also have UV protectant).
If you only do it like once a year, and it gets rather dirty, a steam clean or powered polishing tool, along with cleaner and conditioner, will do the trick. Honestly if this last scenario were me, I would just pay a good detailer to do it, rather than keep all the cleaning supplies/tools on hand, but ymmv.

I honestly do it once a month because it's my zen time. I use the Swissvax leather care kit, and the process is basically a thorough vacuuming, then the cleaner with the scrub brush, then the conditioner with a MF towel, and then the Elephant fat. But that's just me.

Start simple and go from there. Try the Lexol and a MF towel twice a month and see what you think. Again, check out deatailersdomain or AMMO on YouTube for some good advice on technique, since that's more important than whatever product you use.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by paul e

I thought the leather on the 340 was sealed? Can the $$ leather cleaners penetrate?

Technically, no, they won't penetrate since our leather is protected/coated. That's why a lot of folks just use a damp MF towel and call it a day. I use Adam's VRT for my interior plastic, headliner and such, and you could probably just use that on the leather too, quite honestly.

I think the real trick is just using a product and technique combo that will lift the dirt and allow you to wipe it away. Another tip is a lot of people don't realize how much fine dirt and dust gets into the crevices and joints of the seats (like where the bench meets the side bolster). Getting in there and really digging that dirt out makes a difference in the long run.

[John in VA]

This topic has been discussed many times in the Cosmetic Maintenance section of the site. Check it out - http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/for...ysprune=&f=427

[anotheran]

I lightly wipe down with a wet cloth then apply Leather Master leather protection cream.

I probably bought it based on this thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=582734

It's very subtle with no gloss finish

[wrickem]

I've had creme beige on two cars and ivory on one and am really fussy about stains. I also wear denim jeans 90% of the time. Zymol Z507 Leather Cleaner has worked really well for me to easily spot clean a couple of times a week. It even pulls the blue out of the stitching.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Danman5666]

Zaino. Swear by it. Best cleaner and conditioner ever.

[vanbmw]

The key is to apply it often! I am convinced it doesn't really matter which product you use...any of the proper leather care products from any major company will do...but make sure you apply it once or twice a month. This is key in my opinion!

I have tried a few but find good old Lexol works fine. I clean the leaher twice a year and spray the seats quickly once or twice a month. When I vacuum the car I give the seats a quick spray.

I had even tried those quick leather wipes from Mequires. worked okay but very convenient.

[ZuerstBMW]

Zaino the the only thing I use.

[SMiGGs]

I went to autozone the other day, and they have this stuff called griots garage 3 in 1, it has an amazing smell, and leaves leather feeling really nice. Its a good price as well, i was really surprised, since i was coming from zaino and chemical guys leather cleaner/conditioner.