Dakota Schwartz leather vs Sensatic Leatherette Armrest?

starbai · 11-23-2012, 06:11 PM

Hey folks. Dont know if anyone has any experience with this but I figured I'd post the question to get some opinions.

my e90 lci came with Black Dakota Schwartz Leather interior... I'm really liking the idea of the split armrest cover due primarily to the fact that the driver's side slides forward.

But, I'm being cheap... beacuse I'd rather reserve mod money for other items of interest.

So the question is, since the Sensatic Leatherette arm rests are significantly cheaper than the Dakota leather ones, will I notice much of a difference?

I mean I know that one may feel nicer than the other, but especially on color, will there big a noticeable difference between the leather seats which sit right next to the armrests?

Just trying to get opinions.

I feel the overwhelming majority will tell me not to be cheap and just get the matching leather or nothing at all. And I tend to agree, but just wondering if I'll be surprised with folks with experience with the two saying I'd never be able to tell the difference other than in slightly less soft feel...

Hasek9339 · 11-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Just get the leather!!!
I think the "print on the leather" wont match leatherette

starbai · 11-23-2012, 07:58 PM

That print, is what I was concerned about as well... can anyone else confirm that?

1QuikWS6 · 11-24-2012, 05:59 PM

The 'print' as you call it. is the Grain - and yes, the grain on the Dakota Leather is different than the leatherette material, it's a finer grain.

It also doesn't 'feel' like leather - both things prolly only you would know (or someone that really knows BMW's). Since it's a seperate part from the seats it will probably go unoticed, personally, I would just buy the leather (and did), but if you're looking to save $$ and don't care about the subtle differences - go for it...

starbai · 11-24-2012, 06:28 PM

thanks for the opinion there...

I'm probably too OCD to be okay with the leatherette for long if there really is a noticeable if not subtle difference.

Therefore I'll probably just put it off for a while and save it till after I've done some of the more pertinent mods on my list.

11-23-2012, 06:11 PM	#1
starbai PPRSWCE 663 Rep 1,856 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Dakota Schwartz leather vs Sensatic Leatherette Armrest? Hey folks. Dont know if anyone has any experience with this but I figured I'd post the question to get some opinions. my e90 lci came with Black Dakota Schwartz Leather interior... I'm really liking the idea of the split armrest cover due primarily to the fact that the driver's side slides forward. But, I'm being cheap... beacuse I'd rather reserve mod money for other items of interest. So the question is, since the Sensatic Leatherette arm rests are significantly cheaper than the Dakota leather ones, will I notice much of a difference? I mean I know that one may feel nicer than the other, but especially on color, will there big a noticeable difference between the leather seats which sit right next to the armrests? Just trying to get opinions. I feel the overwhelming majority will tell me not to be cheap and just get the matching leather or nothing at all. And I tend to agree, but just wondering if I'll be surprised with folks with experience with the two saying I'd never be able to tell the difference other than in slightly less soft feel...
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11-23-2012, 07:02 PM	#2
Hasek9339 Lieutenant 51 Rep 569 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Montego Blue Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buffalo NY iTrader: (2)	Just get the leather!!! I think the "print on the leather" wont match leatherette
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11-23-2012, 07:58 PM	#3
starbai PPRSWCE 663 Rep 1,856 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	That print, is what I was concerned about as well... can anyone else confirm that?
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11-24-2012, 05:59 PM	#4
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1645 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	The 'print' as you call it. is the Grain - and yes, the grain on the Dakota Leather is different than the leatherette material, it's a finer grain. It also doesn't 'feel' like leather - both things prolly only you would know (or someone that really knows BMW's). Since it's a seperate part from the seats it will probably go unoticed, personally, I would just buy the leather (and did), but if you're looking to save $$ and don't care about the subtle differences - go for it... __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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11-24-2012, 06:28 PM	#5
starbai PPRSWCE 663 Rep 1,856 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	thanks for the opinion there... I'm probably too OCD to be okay with the leatherette for long if there really is a noticeable if not subtle difference. Therefore I'll probably just put it off for a while and save it till after I've done some of the more pertinent mods on my list.
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