[Schweitzer]

How often does everyone maintain their seats and with what?

I haven't tried Zano 9 or 10, but my tried and true brand or choice is Lexol. About every three or four weeks I generously apply lexol to the leather, then wipe it with a clean cloth. The leather LOVES it. It will definitely keep your leather supple and conditioned. I have black leather, and when brand new, the leather looked somewhat ashy. After an application of Lexol, I noticed an amazing difference in the feel and appearance of the leather.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by JBM

I've noticed in some members pics of their 3 series, and in other forums on the internet that the driver's side seat in leather cars shows some wrinkling.

Maybe their leather was obtained not from those poor big eyed cows, but from this little rascal...

[Squawks]

My buddy's '99 Audi A4 has leather and it doesn't appear to be wrinkling or worn whatsoever. I highly suspect it depends on both the manufacturer and the model of the car. In fact, I actually like Audi's leather more than BMW as it's more "tight" whereas BMW seems to have their leather loosely fitted so as to permit wrinkling.

I'm going to invent a leather-smelling air freshener for the car. Apparently quite a lot of people like that smell...what? It's already invented/patented? Damn.

[cdheaven]

my little brother has an 99.5 audi a4 and the car is in GREAT condition. whoever he bought it from did a good job keeping the car clean. but the drivers seat is falling apart. its badddd.
im pretty sure that leatherette was an option on the a4's back then. maybe he is leatherette. if he bought the car "used" its possible he could have gotten the leatherette and never would have known the difference

[espo]

Just noticed the same thing on my seats today (I've had the car for 1 1/2 months). I'm going to try some z-9 and Z-10 (since I have it) and see what it does

[db17k]

Originally Posted by Xens

Mine's wrinkled in the exact same spots!

That's due to the size and shape of your ass

[drednik]

Just wondering. You guys saw the pic of my seat. Is it excessively wrinkled/worn compared to yours? I've had my car for half a year now. I bought Z9 and Z10 a long time ago, but just put it off one weekend after the next. Haha. What can I say? Poor car...

[HRC]

My Z story.


Danny

[DiscoBMW]

Anyone used 9 or 10 on leatherette? If I remember right it says you can use it on vinyl. What results have people with the 'ette had?
Thanks

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

when will people learn. not just you guys, but 99% of the world.
man made materials = Hold their form longer, Clean Easier, Cost Less, and are sturdier. If you think that you are a "better" person, or a "richer" person because you have real leather, you are being a little silly.
There is no longer ANY upside to having real leather.
O. Unless you like mass slaughter of cute cows. then that would be a big plus

Othat than not leaving a hugh sweat spot on your back unlike leathette, you are correct.

[Mauricio]

I have the leatherette and sport seats and I don't have wrinkling of the material. The bottom side bolster does show signs of deforming though. It is a little wavy and collapsed. I do way 250lbs though and I can't say I'm too careful when I get in the car. So it's not a material problem, just more of the interior foam/padding problem for me. Or some would say, no problem at all.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

when will people learn. not just you guys, but 99% of the world.
man made materials = Hold their form longer, Clean Easier, Cost Less, and are sturdier. If you think that you are a "better" person, or a "richer" person because you have real leather, you are being a little silly.
There is no longer ANY upside to having real leather.
O. Unless you like mass slaughter of cute cows. then that would be a big plus

You need help.

I agree with Tierfreund - I like the fact that the leather ages, with wrinkles and all. Leather definately requires a certain amount of upkeep in the lon-run so that over time it does not crack.

I love its smell and feel, which synthetics cannot replace. Hving said that, the leatherette on my old car cracked after 12 months, stained as easily as the leather and there was nothing I could do about it since there are noe plastic protection products out there that are safe for leatherette and that restore it.

As for the cow killing - it is no better in my book than the mass degrassification required to keep the legions of veggans happy (not to speak of the after-market pill industry required to keep those unbalanced diets on track for vitamins and proteins).

Hence, to each his/her own.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

You need help.
Hence, to each his/her own.

Agreed, cow-huggers...

Danny

[RICH2005]

I learned my lesson. My 2002 330xi sport seats had leather seats and my 2006 330i has leatherette Way more durable and easy to maintain with no ugly wear on the side bolsters that started showing up on my 2002 330xi at only 15,000 miles.......

[Brian]

I love leather, but am not sure I want it in my car. The leatherette (to me) seems to be a good compromise for dealing with the elements in a car, so I would lean that way. It's just too much work to keep a daily driver with good leather in great shape.

Now, the chair in my living room is a different story. I firmly believe that every man should be required to have a nice leather chair in their home.

[Frozenfolk]

When I picked up my wagon in October, the driver's seat leather was badly creased/wrinkled. The service manager was not happy with it and ordered a new seat cover for me. It will be put on my car tomorrow.

[Schweitzer]

It's just too much work to keep a daily driver with good leather in great shape.

I've never had that experience, at least not with black leather anyway. Exercising reasonable caution to avoid punctures and scratches, just like you would with l'ette, and a monthly application of Lexol, have always kept my leather interiors looking great. The only time I felt my daily driver with leather was too much work was when I had very light beige/cream colored leather, which was a mistake to get in the first place.
I am very happy with the E90 black leather interior and recommend it.

[tiga901]

If you have time...try leatherique. It's a bit more expensive than Lexol or Zaino, takes a little longer(about 1 day) but the results are great! Did it on my 330i, treated the leather great!

[Fastfred92]

I wonder if they slaughtered German cows or some other cows for my car ??? Wonder where the meat goes......

Slaughter on for great seats and great eats

[dude007]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

American cars are known for the lower grade leathers

I think it's unfair approach to American cars. I don't think they are the best and they need to improve long term reliability, performance and dealer service, but people taking it too far - like they are complete junk. I have 11 year old Buick Riviera and leather doesn't have any cracks. However, I have applied leather care products at least twice per year and kept it clean. Also, be careful with heated seats - it dries leather very quickly.

[chris]

Originally Posted by HRC

My Z story.


Danny

Thanks to you, I am picking up Z9, Z10 as we speak.

[Squawks]

My g/f loves leather (she has baby cow skin on her LV bag and wallet) so I'm coerced to get leather. However, I don't mind saving the $1,000+ dismissing leather for leatherette but apparently there isn't such an option if I demand the premium package at the same time. The dimming mirrors cannot be forfeited.

The issue of leather, I'm sure, depends on the care. I've seen decade-old Lexuses with ripped/cracked/torn leather while I've seen 2 decade-old MB's with pristine leather.

Can't leatherette also suffer the same maladies of cracking/ripping as leather?