[CalCarNut]

Not to mention the light door panels....just from grabbing the door handle/pull...oyster will show dirt every day I think. Gorgeous color..but higher on the 'high maintenance' scale I think. I had the choice of an Imperial Blue w/ oyster...turned it down and went black/black. No regrets with the interior..but that blue is NICE :-/........

[DeltaFX1942]

I had oyster on a 2012 F30 328i. Actually very easy to keep clean and looks great (especially with the dark pipe lining contrasting).

[DeltaFX1942]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Not to mention the light door panels....just from grabbing the door handle/pull...oyster will show dirt every day I think. Gorgeous color..but higher on the 'high maintenance' scale I think. I had the choice of an Imperial Blue w/ oyster...turned it down and went black/black. No regrets with the interior..but that blue is NICE :-/........

If you wipe it down every few weeks, or even every few months, it goes back to looking like new. Overall, it didn't show dirt that much. I even went and did physical training in 90+ weather and the seats still looked good.

[erichighley]

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

I had a loaner with it and it was filty with only 3,000 miles on the car. Do most care for loaners... Unfortunately not. I cleaned it with 409 and all of the soiling wiped right off.

It looks great but be prepared to keep up on it and keep it conditioned for added protection. It looks very rich with the contrast.

I thought I was the only one who cleaned loaner cars . Why people don't take care of them is beyond me.

[erichighley]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Not to mention the light door panels....just from grabbing the door handle/pull...oyster will show dirt every day I think. Gorgeous color..but higher on the 'high maintenance' scale I think. I had the choice of an Imperial Blue w/ oyster...turned it down and went black/black. No regrets with the interior..but that blue is NICE :-/........

I went with Ivory for just this reason. Ivory uses black accent pieces, instead of the lighter beige in Oyster.

[Technic]

Unless you only take showers once a week I do not see how this "dirt" will show every day...

Again, black leather gets as much "dirt" as Oyster leather. There is no inherent or technical inferiority between the Black and the Oyster Dakota. The difference is that in one you do not see the dirt as apparent as in the other.

So it all depends on how much you care to clean your interior as both require same amount of effort to clean.

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Not to mention the light door panels....just from grabbing the door handle/pull...oyster will show dirt every day I think. Gorgeous color..but higher on the 'high maintenance' scale I think. I had the choice of an Imperial Blue w/ oyster...turned it down and went black/black. No regrets with the interior..but that blue is NICE :-/........

[SpeedKing]

The truth... here is mine before cleaning. I use original BMW cleaner products.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Not to mention the light door panels....just from grabbing the door handle/pull...oyster will show dirt every day I think. Gorgeous color..but higher on the 'high maintenance' scale I think. I had the choice of an Imperial Blue w/ oyster...turned it down and went black/black. No regrets with the interior..but that blue is NICE :-/........

I have Coral Red interior in my Sapphire Black car, which is equally bright and can show the dirt.

However, I clean and conditions the leather at least once per month with the BMW branded stuff. Not one issue. Been using it for years.

My wife has that Tan interior (even the damn carpet!) in her X3. Same stuff has keep it looking new for almost 3 years. Have to admit, car looks very good.

Use the best cleaner and conditioner that you like and have no worries with the interior.

Do need a good carpet cleaner for her though.

[HFW003]

Conditioner has no effect on Dakota "leather" though.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Conditioner has no effect on Dakota "leather" though.

^this. Leather is all sealed. Makes it shine though as it just sits on top of the leather.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

^this. Leather is all sealed. Makes it shine though as it just sits on top of the leather.

You need to use a leather brush with the cleaner/conditioner. Just a rag will not do.

[Bandini3]

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

Was at my dealer today to check out the details and price of a new 340. While there I took a look at an Estoril Blue 428GC on the floor. Gorgeous car that had Oyster leather interior. The combo is stunning, but my male inner voice was telling me that it would probably be tough to keep looking clean. I don't have any problem with regularly cleaning the car, but wondered if anyone had any experience/comments on the Oyster leather and if they have any regrets on buying it? Thanks.

This post prompted several responses concerning upkeep, including my own. I believe the consensus among owners is: yes, Oyster will require more cleaning (versus Black, which hides the dirt), but it doesn't take a lot of effort to keep the leather looking great.

The flip side of that is: what do you get for that bit of effort?
Here's a look at my Oyster/Black interior. I love the look -- it's one of the reasons I chose this vehicle. It's also quite rare. I'd say 90% of the BMWs I see circulating in my area have black interiors.

[Bimmerforlife]

Did the oyster leather color replace the gray Dakota leather? I was trying to build a 2016 and can't find option for gray leather.

[SpenceRx]

I have zero issues with oyster. We've had the car two years and I've cleaned it once. Particularly, if you have an office job I don't see any issue. Get oyster! It's rare and striking.

[atg4]

Just be mindful of denim. I've had oyster in my 6er for 2 years and it still looks pretty good. If you're leasing, do it. If you're buying, stick with safe.

[CHCCubs]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

Did the oyster leather color replace the gray Dakota leather? I was trying to build a 2016 and can't find option for gray leather.

Unfortunately yes. I have the Everest gray leather on my F30 and would love to get it again on my next BMW, but doesn't look like it's available anymore on the F series cars.

In terms of upkeep, I'd guess the Oyster leather wouldn't anymore difficult to keep clean. I do a full interior cleaning 2 or 3 times a year which includes cleaning the leather (using Sonax leather foam) and my Everest gray leather still looks as good as it did when my car was new.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

Was at my dealer today to check out the details and price of a new 340. While there I took a look at an Estoril Blue 428GC on the floor. Gorgeous car that had Oyster leather interior. The combo is stunning, but my male inner voice was telling me that it would probably be tough to keep looking clean. I don't have any problem with regularly cleaning the car, but wondered if anyone had any experience/comments on the Oyster leather and if they have any regrets on buying it? Thanks.

my oyster leather looks like new at 75k miles. its really not a difficult colour to maintain.

in general, I'd recommend window tints especially if you have beige leather. cleans up the look from the outside and looks awesome when you open the door

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Realized I replied to this thread two years ago when car was new. Now with 35k miles, leather looks virtually brand new. I clean/condition once or twice a month and don't wear jeans much. Very easy to maintain.

[GCinFLA]

Anyone that wants to trade a leather Oyster interior with sport seats, I'm game.

[oz555]

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

Was at my dealer today to check out the details and price of a new 340. While there I took a look at an Estoril Blue 428GC on the floor. Gorgeous car that had Oyster leather interior. The combo is stunning, but my male inner voice was telling me that it would probably be tough to keep looking clean. I don't have any problem with regularly cleaning the car, but wondered if anyone had any experience/comments on the Oyster leather and if they have any regrets on buying it? Thanks.

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

Was at my dealer today to check out the details and price of a new 340. While there I took a look at an Estoril Blue 428GC on the floor. Gorgeous car that had Oyster leather interior. The combo is stunning, but my male inner voice was telling me that it would probably be tough to keep looking clean. I don't have any problem with regularly cleaning the car, but wondered if anyone had any experience/comments on the Oyster leather and if they have any regrets on buying it? Thanks.

Don't worry. Buy Chemical Guys leather cleaning set and you will always have "like a new" look.