[Ss66]

Originally Posted by Rukka

I went with the Merino leather this time for the reasons listed, IE, cheap feeling Rhino hide!

In all honesty, it's wearing better than the Dakota so far. In previous cars, I have found that the drivers bolster creases easily and is marked within as little as a 1000 miles. Not so with the Merino which is more supple.

It's also much nicer to sit on

Happy to hear that, ordered white merino on my next car

[cesare87]

I can't complain about it tbh, I find it much better "leather" found in older bmw's.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by Ss66

Happy to hear that, ordered white merino on my next car

I'm guessing you've seen my posts above..?

[225]

Originally Posted by dopper99

The thing I find disappointing about 1 and 3 series leather is it doesn’t smell of leather at all. The 530d I’m currently driving and the M3 do smell of leather and gives the car a more premium feel IMO.

I agree. First time I sat in a brand new f3x a I thought seats were coated in "pleather" . A premium product it is not but then thats what bmw want so we all go and spec the expensive stuff!

[badgerbrock72]

I have the white merino and am concerned about longevity so I'm interested to hear (Drek) your experience with the dealership. I know from someone in the trade these seats are expensive to re-cover

[Drek]

Originally Posted by badgerbrock72

I have the white merino and am concerned about longevity so I'm interested to hear (Drek) your experience with the dealership. I know from someone in the trade these seats are expensive to re-cover

I spoke to a dealer (not mine) about it and he said that they'd replaced the covers with similar damage under warranty so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The car is less than a year old so as you can appreciate I'm not impressed. I'll undoubtedly have to change the way I get in the car from throwing myself in it to daintily placing my hoop first and then pivoting so I don't hit the bolster so much. A bit like a lady in a short skirt getting out of a car only in reverse and without the skirt, obviously.

Final picture of 3 that I sent to my dealer last week.

[notused]

Originally Posted by dopper99

The thing I find disappointing about 1 and 3 series leather is it doesn’t smell of leather at all. The 530d I’m currently driving and the M3 do smell of leather and gives the car a more premium feel IMO.

Doesn't the 5 also come with dakota as standard?

[notused]

Originally Posted by Drek

Merino after just under 13000 miles, cracking and paint coming off already. Never happened on my old E91 with dakota.

Did you treat the leather to any cream during your 13k miles of use? Not saying you must, just asking. I do every month or so because I read somewhere things like aircon dry out the leather and can result in cracking. Plus it restores the new car/leather smell

[SkyJawa]

Funny this threads popped up having just applied the first coat of L1 to my Coral! Second coat tomorrow.

On my 330d just gone, on the Dakota after 20k miles it was pretty good, tiny bit of wear on the bolster, but really tiny.

[evdok]

Originally Posted by Drek

Merino after just under 13000 miles, cracking and paint coming off already. Never happened on my old E91 with dakota.

That is a warranty claim

[Drek]

Originally Posted by RWDpetrol

Did you treat the leather to any cream during your 13k miles of use? Not saying you must, just asking. I do every month or so because I read somewhere things like aircon dry out the leather and can result in cracking. Plus it restores the new car/leather smell

Not really although lesson learnt and all that. My detailer treated it with Cquartz protector and it's been cleaned twice with Car Pro leather cleaner with the very occasional wet wipe to get rid of coffee drips and melted chocolate bits. Whatever happens I'll be investing in some Furniture Clinic stuff to stay on top of it in the future.

[evdok]

Drek you can have that replaced under warranty.

[badgerbrock72]

Originally Posted by Drek

I spoke to a dealer (not mine) about it and he said that they'd replaced the covers with similar damage under warranty so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The car is less than a year old so as you can appreciate I'm not impressed. I'll undoubtedly have to change the way I get in the car from throwing myself in it to daintily placing my hoop first and then pivoting so I don't hit the bolster so much. A bit like a lady in a short skirt getting out of a car only in reverse and without the skirt, obviously.

Final picture of 3 that I sent to my dealer last week.

Would very much appreciate how you get on with this Drek as my piping for definite looks very similar wear to yours, I don't think I have the bolster cracking but no doubt that's coming next. My car is only occasionally used so may hold out longer than yours however considering this is BMW premium option it really isn't good enough.

Shows up worse on the lighter leather too, those with the black merino may not have such an issue

Cheers

Garry

[evdok]

Mines going in on the 13th for a full refit(drivers seat), took a month to get the parts in.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by evdok

Mines going in on the 13th for a full refit(drivers seat), took a month to get the parts in.

I was just about to ask if you were in a similar position! How old is your car?

[evdok]

Oct 13, 18k miles

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RWDpetrol

Doesn't the 5 also come with dakota as standard?

Yes it does I believe, but the difference is the 5 series does smell of leather and not plastic. Noticeable difference.

In fact the seats are far more supportive in the 5 too, much better than the 3 series. In every 3 series I've been in I've had to use a cushion due to back ache. No cushion needed in the 5. And it has not got lumber either.

[evdok]

Had the passenger base replaced last year under warranty...but that was my fault....shhhh!

[badgerbrock72]

So what does a warranty fix entail? Is it a brand new cover for the base and seat back sections?

[evdok]

Brand new leather cover for the affected area ie, base or backrest.

[evdok]

In my case both

[Drek]

Originally Posted by badgerbrock72

Would very much appreciate how you get on with this Drek as my piping for definite looks very similar wear to yours..

Will do but it looks like it should be a warranty claim judging by evdok 's experience.