[Ryan9095]

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for real life pictures of black leatherette. For those of you who have it how is it compared to actual leather? (look/feel/etc.)

Thanks!

[Jamesons Viggen]

I love the leatherette.

When compared to my other cars Nappa, yeah it feels cheap but it sure is durable, also does not smell that great.

But compared to F30 and E90 Dakota leather, it really is not far apart though Dakota smells better. When I have had leather loaners my wife has not been able to tell it apart from out leatherette.

It is great for the dog too, I don't even bother putting towels/sheets down.

[Pauleebe]

If I had a few thousand to throw I would have opted for leather. But I had the leatherette in my E46 and it held up really well, and I don't care for the difference. Seems like leatherette always ages better too.

[Who?]

Does leatherette seat base strech like dakoda leather? If not my next car might be leatherette.. hate how easily bmw leather streches..

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

Does leatherette seat base strech like dakoda leather? If not my next car might be leatherette.. hate how easily bmw leather streches..

No, it synthetic, it does not bunch up/stretch the way I have seen in leather equipped F30s.

[Ryan9095]

Thanks for the responses --- it seems it may be more durable so as long as it looks good I'm highly interested. Can someone post a picture of the black leatherette?

[Jamesons Viggen]

I would but my photo bucket account is being a dick this week lol.

[Infamouz627]

Yeah I can vouch for all the positive things about the leatherette. This is my first BMW so I can't speculate on the difference between the leather and leatherette within the BMW family. On my previous A4 however, I had leather and lets just say I'd much prefer the leatherette in the F30 over the leather in the A4 because of it's durability and resemblance to actual leather without the stretching and cracking in due time.

[Demetrius Joel]

i cant disagree more with what everyone is saying. i had leatherette in my e90 an hated it. compared to the leather in my f30 now, i wouldnt even bother comparing the two...there is no comparison. the leatherette was easy to maintain, thats the only positive.

[DmitryF30]

Originally Posted by Ryan9095

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for real life pictures of black leatherette. For those of you who have it how is it compared to actual leather? (look/feel/etc.)

Thanks!

The car is June 1, 2012 production date with 13,000 miles on the odometer. Leatherette doesn't' have any signs of wear whatsoever. It is a bit rubbery to touch and didn't smell too good when it was new. Now the smell wore off. It will not fool anybody as far as being real leather, but it doesn't look too bad.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by Demetrius Joel

i cant disagree more with what everyone is saying. i had leatherette in my e90 an hated it. compared to the leather in my f30 now, i wouldnt even bother comparing the two...there is no comparison. the leatherette was easy to maintain, thats the only positive.

The "feel" of the two materials is certainly subjective. Leather also gets really hot or really cold depending on the temperature.

But for which material ages better, leatherette wins objectively.

[RJK993]

i have black leatherette in my car. don't have any pictures handy but it looks good and has held up well.

i'm a construction manager/architect so i'm on job sites all day long and need something durable. It looks new.

i've put my dog on it, spilled protein shake on it, and put several 40lb concrete cylinders on it and it's held up fine.

will post pictures later on

[R12ax7]

I'll second pretty much everything others have said here. My last two cars, both e90s, had Terra leather and Chestnut leather respectively and I was really hesitant to order it. With no good brown options on the Msport it seemed stupid to plunk down the extra coin for black leather. I have to say I am glad I made the choice. It does feel a bit "grippier" than the leather, but frankly, the leather wears way too quick in my opinion. I wish i took pictures of my chestnut interior before i turned it in, its kind of a disgrace how it look after only 2 years of not all that intense wear.

I guess its also a buy versus lease question. The leatherette clearly holds up better over time and heavier wear. I dont know how it would impact resale value though. And with a lease, I guess who cares if it looks worn after 3 years, but then again why spend the money on leather if you want black anyway.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

Does leatherette seat base strech like dakoda leather? If not my next car might be leatherette.. hate how easily bmw leather streches..

In most regards, leatherette is superior to genuine leather in car interiors. The problem with leatherette remains the smell. It's not very pleasant.


BUT ...


Looks and feels almost identical to genuine leather, ages better over the years, stretches less, cost less to make, grabs your clothes better so you don't slide around in hard corners, all while being more environmentally friendly. Aside from the bad smell, the only down side with leatherette is that small void it leaves in your ego. It is not "special".

[tdizzle]

From those pictures, I sure can't tell the difference. If i had to do it over again, I probably would opt out of the leather, not sure it's worth it. Maybe if it was a higher quality leather...

[Ryan9095]

Originally Posted by RJK993

i have black leatherette in my car. don't have any pictures handy but it looks good and has held up well.

i'm a construction manager/architect so i'm on job sites all day long and need something durable. It looks new.

i've put my dog on it, spilled protein shake on it, and put several 40lb concrete cylinders on it and it's held up fine.

will post pictures later on

I'm also in the construction industry so I'm constantly at work sites, loading heavy/dirty materials in the car, etc. I don't want to have to worry about it destroying my coral red leather so I want something that looks new and holds up well! I'm planning on trading in my current 3 sport line early for a 428i convertible so I'm thinking about leasing a stripped 320i with the black leatherette for work...great dealer special running right now.

Thanks for all the helpful responses and DmitryF30 for posting pictures. I surely can't tell the difference!

[Jbrock22]

I have had both. The fake stuff does hold up well. But you are sitting on plastic, no comparison.
Buy leather. If leatherette was the only seat available I would possibly pass on the car.

[Neph]

I've leatherette in my only BMW.

Am I the only one who kind of likes the smell??

[henryeeex]

Am I the only one who cant smell the difference between the two? <3 Leatherette.

[Who?]

Originally Posted by DmitryF30

The car is June 1, 2012 production date with 13,000 miles on the odometer. Leatherette doesn't' have any signs of wear whatsoever. It is a bit rubbery to touch and didn't smell too good when it was new. Now the smell wore off. It will not fool anybody as far as being real leather, but it doesn't look too bad.

i thought leaherette doesnt have the line of stitching on the door panel? you sure yours isnt leather?

regardless, it looks the same as mine (dakoda)

when i first bought my car, i though i was 99% sure mine wasnt leather, i actually had to ask my dealer and give them my VIN to confirm it was leather, really cant tell

[Infamouz627]

Originally Posted by HenryX

Am I the only one who cant smell the difference between the two? <3 Leatherette.

^nope...I honestly didn't know there was even a smell. Unless you're putting your nose right up to the fabric and taking a good whiff.

[Teemo Panda]

I Love Leatherette as they are durable and ez maintenance, i really wish they would come in different colors as like their Leather color selection~