Leatherette

belt831 · 11-11-2009, 08:26 PM

what the heck is this????

NiVeDh · 11-11-2009, 09:10 PM

Imitation leather made of vinyl.

jopa489 · 11-11-2009, 09:31 PM

Clean it with water or 303 Aerospace.

jpsum · 11-11-2009, 09:44 PM

leather for girls

328i · 11-11-2009, 10:00 PM

It's vinyl, it may not feel as nice as leather, but if you plan on keeping the car long you won't be disappointed with leatherette.

Bora20 · 11-12-2009, 12:08 AM

Mine is lasting well and it is basically pet and kid proof if you have them. It still looks like it just came out of the package and no rippling like leather.

Damn hot in the summer though.

Noc57 · 11-12-2009, 12:35 AM

I think it looks like shit, but that's me.

Our X3 has it, that thing takes a ton of abuse.

.....and it's not holding up well, at all.

328i · 11-12-2009, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bora20

Mine is lasting well and it is basically pet and kid proof if you have them. It still looks like it just came out of the package and no rippling like leather.

Damn hot in the summer though.

Leather gets hot too, but I do agree that the leatherette doesn't seem to breathe as well if that makes any sense.

Just by looking at used e46's you can see how well leatherette stands up vs leather. When I tell most people that the seats aren't leather they're usually surprised, I just wish I had the leather smell.

Bora20 · 11-12-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

Leather gets hot too, but I do agree that the leatherette doesn't seem to breathe as well if that makes any sense.

Just by looking at used e46's you can see how well leatherette stands up vs leather. When I tell most people that the seats aren't leather they're usually surprised, I just wish I had the leather smell.

Yes, that is what I meant. They don't seem to breathe well, but the 3-series leather isn't perforated either (I think) so it wouldn't be much better.

Old BMW and Mercs with leatherette always look like they have brand new seats vs the cracked and rippled leather seats.

You have to remember that almost all owners will never condition their leather seats...ever.

belt831 · 11-12-2009, 10:03 AM

how can u tell the difference if not noted on the sticker?

Alexander · 11-12-2009, 01:04 PM

It fells like rubber. It's really grippy and isn't as smooth as leather. Trust me you can feel the difference.

twinturboa51 · 11-12-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

I just wish I had the leather smell.

It will if you clean it with PB Leather Stuff!!!!!!!!!

melo fan · 11-12-2009, 06:14 PM

i have it, the only difference i notice is they seem a lot stiffer than leather, but they are a lot easier to clean and supposedly last longer... btw to twinturboa51, i think im gna try that leather stuff, looks cool.... but mine actually smelt like new leather for the first like 3 weeks

am_ver · 11-12-2009, 06:18 PM

you can use that Klasse interior cleaner.. in a red bottle. Works great for inside trim.

wasup1357 · 11-12-2009, 07:35 PM

how do i tell which one i have (i serached and someone tell me about hte stitches on the seats) I think i have leather but my leather is pretty rough (are yours like that??) or do i have leathere i bought my car used (maybe previous owner lied about having leather )

shawshank772 · 11-12-2009, 09:21 PM

I LOVE my PLEATHER.. Easy to maintain and no one could tell the difference....EXCEPT for those of us who know our cars. I have had too many leather seats in the past and no matter how well I took care of them they would eventually show wear. And trust me I took care of them WELL. Probably conditioned them 1 time a month. Thats why I chose PLEATHER this time around.

PINeely · 11-12-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasup1357

how do i tell which one i have (i serached and someone tell me about hte stitches on the seats) I think i have leather but my leather is pretty rough (are yours like that??) or do i have leathere i bought my car used (maybe previous owner lied about having leather )

Leather in BMWs is rougher to the touch than the Leatherette, mine feels kinda like suede almost. The easiest way to tell is the slickness. Leatherette feels more plasticized than the real deal, and it tends to look a little glossier too while leather has a more matte finish. If you still can't tell just ask your dealer when you go in for service. And if that doesn't work just take a look in 5 years and you should be able to tell, haha.

328i · 11-12-2009, 11:51 PM

Easiest way to tell is the stitching if you have sports seats. Leather has stiching in the middle of the bolsters:

Also leatherette only comes in black and tan, so any other color will be leather.

wasup1357 · 11-12-2009, 11:55 PM

i have black non sport

haha

PINeely · 11-12-2009, 11:56 PM

Premium package? That comes with leather.

Bora20 · 11-12-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINeely

Premium package? That comes with leather.

Not in Canada in 2006.

jopa489 · 11-13-2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasup1357

i have black non sport

haha

Can you take a picture for us? Should be able to tell easily.

11-11-2009, 08:26 PM	#1
belt831 New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 09 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Leatherette what the heck is this????
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11-11-2009, 09:10 PM	#2
NiVeDh Major General 429 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	Imitation leather made of vinyl.
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11-11-2009, 09:31 PM	#3
jopa489 Major General 127 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Clean it with water or 303 Aerospace. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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11-11-2009, 09:44 PM	#4
jpsum Major 300 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	leather for girls
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11-11-2009, 10:00 PM	#5
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,934 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	It's vinyl, it may not feel as nice as leather, but if you plan on keeping the car long you won't be disappointed with leatherette.
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11-12-2009, 12:08 AM	#6
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	Mine is lasting well and it is basically pet and kid proof if you have them. It still looks like it just came out of the package and no rippling like leather. Damn hot in the summer though. __________________ 2007 BMW X3 3.0si Titanium SilverBlack LeatherAutoPremiumM SportComfortActivityAssist & Bluetooth*
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11-12-2009, 12:35 AM	#7
Noc57 Lieutenant Colonel 77 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I think it looks like shit, but that's me. Our X3 has it, that thing takes a ton of abuse. .....and it's not holding up well, at all. __________________
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11-12-2009, 10:03 AM	#10
belt831 New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 09 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	how can u tell the difference if not noted on the sticker?
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11-12-2009, 01:04 PM	#11
Alexander Mad tyte EuR0 style boooi <--- Joke 252 Rep 2,472 Posts Drives: E30, E85, MKVI Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Deal's Gap iTrader: (0)	It fells like rubber. It's really grippy and isn't as smooth as leather. Trust me you can feel the difference.
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11-12-2009, 06:14 PM	#13
melo fan Private 5 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Every Where iTrader: (0)	i have it, the only difference i notice is they seem a lot stiffer than leather, but they are a lot easier to clean and supposedly last longer... btw to twinturboa51, i think im gna try that leather stuff, looks cool.... but mine actually smelt like new leather for the first like 3 weeks
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11-12-2009, 06:18 PM	#14
am_ver Lieutenant 40 Rep 587 Posts Drives: Audi A6 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area (Woodside) iTrader: (2)	you can use that Klasse interior cleaner.. in a red bottle. Works great for inside trim. __________________ 2006 A6 3.2 Quattro 2008 e93 335i, 6sp MT, Montego Blue, Saddle, Burl, ZSP, Bluetooth, iDrive, PDC, V1+CD 2007 e92 335i coupe, 6sp MT, Montego, Beige, ZPP, iDrive, PDC 2006 e90 325i, ZPP, iDrive, Arctic, Xenon
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11-12-2009, 07:35 PM	#15
wasup1357 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 391 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9)	how do i tell which one i have (i serached and someone tell me about hte stitches on the seats) I think i have leather but my leather is pretty rough (are yours like that??) or do i have leathere i bought my car used (maybe previous owner lied about having leather )
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11-12-2009, 09:21 PM	#16
shawshank772 Major 123 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 08 135i and 16 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	I LOVE my PLEATHER.. Easy to maintain and no one could tell the difference....EXCEPT for those of us who know our cars. I have had too many leather seats in the past and no matter how well I took care of them they would eventually show wear. And trust me I took care of them WELL. Probably conditioned them 1 time a month. Thats why I chose PLEATHER this time around.
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11-12-2009, 11:51 PM	#18
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,934 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	Easiest way to tell is the stitching if you have sports seats. Leather has stiching in the middle of the bolsters: Also leatherette only comes in black and tan, so any other color will be leather.
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11-12-2009, 11:55 PM	#19
wasup1357 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 391 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9)	i have black non sport haha
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11-12-2009, 11:56 PM	#20
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1089 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	Premium package? That comes with leather.
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