How's the leatherette folks?

Scarabeo · 07-02-2006, 04:38 PM

KevinC - I happen to be an American my friend and I know all about american hygiene....

"WASHINGTON, D.C., September 14, 2004 – Americans are up to their elbows in grime, and they’re not doing enough about it, according to The Soap and Detergent Association’s (SDA) 2004 Clean Hands Report Card SM. The Report Card gives Americans a “C” for hand hygiene, although many would give themselves a higher grade. But what is said versus what is done often differs."

Here is another little tidbit: A 2003 observational study by the American Society for Microbiology found as many as one-third of public restroom users did not wash their hands.

hmmmm.....

whippersnapper · 07-02-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

Whippersnapper - it is not "fake" leather...anyway, leather absorbs sweat, salt, and I would imagine other "odors"...I certainly would not want somebody else's aged leather (patina) seats on a used car...yak!!!

Of course it is fake leather. It is made to look like leather and is termed "leatherette" for goodness sake. And anyhow we are talking new cars

Scarabeo · 07-02-2006, 04:44 PM

I object to your use of of the term "fake" - it has a negative connotation...why don't we just call it for what it is, a "synthetic material" vice a "fake" dead animal skin....

whippersnapper · 07-02-2006, 05:35 PM

Well I'm using the term in a derogatory sense, hence the word "fake". It is a product for people who would like the world to think they have leather. in the same way that Americans delight in the fake whipped cream from a can

Otherwise the appropriate option is velour or some other fabric.

Don't you think?

monolith · 07-02-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Well I'm using the term in a derogatory sense, hence the word "fake". It is a product for people who would like the world to think they have leather. in the same way that Americans delight in the fake whipped cream from a can

Otherwise the appropriate option is velour or some other fabric.

Don't you think?

I disagree. It's not like one is inherently better than the other like a fake rolex and a real rolex.

Leatherette has some advantages which include durability and maintainence (not counting price).

needashower · 07-02-2006, 05:53 PM

I think leather is a must have although I hear the leatherette is a good product. Its absurd that BMW charges for leather. My dad use to always say...that his best friend had deep pockets and short arms.

jcase33 · 07-02-2006, 06:09 PM

I love the leatherette. I have had many many cars with leather and they are nice, but after time they wrinkle, crease and crack, so I said no more. I had leatherette in my 02 Audi and when I sold it, in the interior looked brand spankin new! I hope the leatherette in the Bimmer is as good.

KevinC · 07-02-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

Here is another little tidbit: A 2003 observational study by the American Society for Microbiology found as many as one-third of public restroom users did not wash their hands.

hmmmm.....

Well dagnabbit, that does it! No more leather for me, I'm getting retrofitted for 'ette IMMEDIATELY!!

Right after I go wash my hands.

bmwexecutive · 07-02-2006, 06:54 PM

Leather

cdheaven · 07-02-2006, 08:22 PM

you guys are being a little silly with this for a few reasons.
1. "for 40k dollars leather should come standard, blah blah". its an option. ANY option is good in life. audi,acura,lexus and more LOST my business because they wouldnt even give an OPTION of anything other than leather. i could give you the option of 100 dollars or 1000000 dollars. we all know which one you would take, but who cares that there is an option. dont think that you are paying EXTRA money. if leather came standard, the car wouldnt get cheaper.... you just happen to save a little money if you choose leatherette.
2. this isnt 1935. dead animal doesnt make you a better person. if you think you are a better person cause you spend more money on having leather, or because youre shoes are made out of snake skin, or your coat is dead wolf, you are wrong. and you are an idiot. dead animal flesh shouldnt be a way to judge someone anymore.
3. leatherette has lots of pros. people dont just get it cause its cheaper. i personally, would have paid 1,2,3 thousand dollars EXTRA to have leatherette. just because its impossible for me to find a car without real leather. from what i have learned so far, correct me if im wrong, you can order any mercedes with MB text, but you have to pay EXTRA. either my next car or the car after that, will be a benz, and i will happily pay a few extra bucks to have the pros of MB Text. and to save a few lives.

whippersnapper · 07-02-2006, 08:30 PM

Well you've said it all, now let me get back to my leatherette, I mean leather couch

ScBlacksunshine · 07-02-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdheaven

you guys are being a little silly with this for a few reasons.
1. "for 40k dollars leather should come standard, blah blah". its an option. ANY option is good in life. audi,acura,lexus and more LOST my business because they wouldnt even give an OPTION of anything other than leather. i could give you the option of 100 dollars or 1000000 dollars. we all know which one you would take, but who cares that there is an option. dont think that you are paying EXTRA money. if leather came standard, the car wouldnt get cheaper.... you just happen to save a little money if you choose leatherette.
2. this isnt 1935. dead animal doesnt make you a better person. if you think you are a better person cause you spend more money on having leather, or because youre shoes are made out of snake skin, or your coat is dead wolf, you are wrong. and you are an idiot. dead animal flesh shouldnt be a way to judge someone anymore.
3. leatherette has lots of pros. people dont just get it cause its cheaper. i personally, would have paid 1,2,3 thousand dollars EXTRA to have leatherette. just because its impossible for me to find a car without real leather. from what i have learned so far, correct me if im wrong, you can order any mercedes with MB text, but you have to pay EXTRA. either my next car or the car after that, will be a benz, and i will happily pay a few extra bucks to have the pros of MB Text. and to save a few lives.

Well said

I wouldn't be surprise to catch some of the leather owners looking down at Leatherette just because it isn't leather..if you like the leather, more power to you, but simply getting it just to justify your car to others is stupid..if that's the case, why don't you get one of the kind Fur seats with LV logos all over them to match your bling bling fur coat

DDTAN · 07-03-2006, 12:24 AM

You all have convinced me; I'm getting leatherette for my next car.

Just saved $1400.

Scarabeo · 07-03-2006, 01:04 AM

DDTAN - excellent choice!! It wears much better and is very easy to clean...just a wet towel is all you need...and it will look brand new by the time you sell your car...whippersnapper's car on the other hand will have aged, cracked leather that has accumulated all of his sweat and and excess "gas" - of which he seems to have a lot of......

jcase33 · 07-03-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

DDTAN - excellent choice!! It wears much better and is very easy to clean...just a wet towel is all you need...and it will look brand new by the time you sell your car...whippersnapper's car on the other hand will have aged, cracked leather that has accumulated all of his sweat and and excess "gas" - of which he seems to have a lot......

LOL, right on!

JSpira · 07-03-2006, 03:53 AM

BMW considers leather interior to be premium and upscale. It offers vinyl as a lower cost substitute in the U.S. (instead of cloth which is the entry level material elsewhere) because the U.S. market demands leather or something close to it.

The leather material wears about as much as the vinyl, and given how it it is treated is just as easy to clean.

SteveMD · 07-03-2006, 09:12 AM

I just wiped up the best part of a pot of yoghurt off the back seat thanks to my 9 year old.

Wet cloth, little effort, under a minute.

If I was young and single, I would have probably got leather but with a kid, it's more of a liability. Especially on a leased vehicle.

DDTAN · 07-03-2006, 09:33 AM

The real leather in my 97 is actually in good condition and still looks real good. But, hey, I'm not against saving money

Or maybe we'll spend it on Nav instead.

jakeramovitch · 07-03-2006, 10:44 AM

Hi.
just wondering since black is probably the most popular interior, that most responses on this thread relate to BLACK leatherette, rather than beige. I'm also a bit torn on the leather vs ette thing. No kids now, but perhaps soon and I plan to keep the car more than just a few yrs. I've got to go with light interior so black is not an option.

I've seen the beige 'ette, and in my opinion it looks less like real leather due to the light color while the black ette has a better feel and look-- you can't see that it is not actually stitched. i guess this is just an aesthetics issue, as beige ette should be just as durable as black ette.

anyone have any experiences to share?

BMWagain · 07-03-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

I always wondered why leatherette was standard in the US. Can you even get it in other markets? To me a car like this should have leather fullstop.

Hi all nice people!
It comes here in Sweden for 2900 kronor. almost 400$
Black or beige.

KevinC · 07-03-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMD

I just wiped up the best part of a pot of yoghurt off the back seat thanks to my 9 year old.

Why is the kid eating yogurt in your car in the first place??

tkochh · 07-03-2006, 06:14 PM

Even if price wasn't an issue, If I could I would pick (in order):

1. Cloth
2. Leatherette
3. Leather

Since cloth isn't an option in the US, Leatherette it is.

Some reasons for cloth:

* Cooler in the summer
* Warmer in the winter
* Not sitting on the skin of a dead animal (small point)

Some reasons for leatherette:

* Feels/looks reasonable similar to leather - Three salesman (CA) I worked with could tell the difference unless they looked closely at the stiching or touched it
* Performs better than Leather (in the long run)
* Not sitting on the sking of a dead animal (small point)

Some reasons for leather:

* better resale...period (if well cared for)

07-02-2006, 04:38 PM	#67
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	KevinC - I happen to be an American my friend and I know all about american hygiene.... "WASHINGTON, D.C., September 14, 2004 – Americans are up to their elbows in grime, and they’re not doing enough about it, according to The Soap and Detergent Association’s (SDA) 2004 Clean Hands Report Card SM. The Report Card gives Americans a “C” for hand hygiene, although many would give themselves a higher grade. But what is said versus what is done often differs." Here is another little tidbit: A 2003 observational study by the American Society for Microbiology found as many as one-third of public restroom users did not wash their hands. hmmmm..... Last edited by Scarabeo; 07-02-2006 at 05:05 PM..
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07-02-2006, 04:44 PM	#69
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	I object to your use of of the term "fake" - it has a negative connotation...why don't we just call it for what it is, a "synthetic material" vice a "fake" dead animal skin....
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07-02-2006, 05:35 PM	#70
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Well I'm using the term in a derogatory sense, hence the word "fake". It is a product for people who would like the world to think they have leather. in the same way that Americans delight in the fake whipped cream from a can Otherwise the appropriate option is velour or some other fabric. Don't you think? __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
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07-02-2006, 05:53 PM	#72
needashower Private First Class 6 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2003 Saab 9-3 Arc Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I think leather is a must have although I hear the leatherette is a good product. Its absurd that BMW charges for leather. My dad use to always say...that his best friend had deep pockets and short arms. Last edited by needashower; 07-02-2006 at 06:13 PM..
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07-02-2006, 06:09 PM	#73
jcase33 Obsessive 15 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Jordan Utah iTrader: (1)	I love the leatherette. I have had many many cars with leather and they are nice, but after time they wrinkle, crease and crack, so I said no more. I had leatherette in my 02 Audi and when I sold it, in the interior looked brand spankin new! I hope the leatherette in the Bimmer is as good. __________________ ZSP/Xenon/Sat Prep/Heated Powered Seats/Step/Jet black/black/aluminum/BMW Assist
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07-02-2006, 06:54 PM	#75
bmwexecutive Banned 242 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	Leather
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07-02-2006, 08:22 PM	#76
cdheaven I'm Starving , So I Guess You Are What You Eat 235 Rep 943 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl iTrader: (1)	you guys are being a little silly with this for a few reasons. 1. "for 40k dollars leather should come standard, blah blah". its an option. ANY option is good in life. audi,acura,lexus and more LOST my business because they wouldnt even give an OPTION of anything other than leather. i could give you the option of 100 dollars or 1000000 dollars. we all know which one you would take, but who cares that there is an option. dont think that you are paying EXTRA money. if leather came standard, the car wouldnt get cheaper.... you just happen to save a little money if you choose leatherette. 2. this isnt 1935. dead animal doesnt make you a better person. if you think you are a better person cause you spend more money on having leather, or because youre shoes are made out of snake skin, or your coat is dead wolf, you are wrong. and you are an idiot. dead animal flesh shouldnt be a way to judge someone anymore. 3. leatherette has lots of pros. people dont just get it cause its cheaper. i personally, would have paid 1,2,3 thousand dollars EXTRA to have leatherette. just because its impossible for me to find a car without real leather. from what i have learned so far, correct me if im wrong, you can order any mercedes with MB text, but you have to pay EXTRA. either my next car or the car after that, will be a benz, and i will happily pay a few extra bucks to have the pros of MB Text. and to save a few lives. __________________ 2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Metallic-Black Leatherette Navigation-Bmw Assist Automatic-Xenons Carbon Fiber Front Lips-Aluminum Pedals Power/heated Front Seats 5% Tint all around 30% On windshield all the way down
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07-02-2006, 08:30 PM	#77
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Well you've said it all, now let me get back to my leatherette, I mean leather couch __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
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07-03-2006, 12:24 AM	#79
DDTAN Private First Class 2 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 07 335i E90 ZSP Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gig Harbor iTrader: (0)	You all have convinced me; I'm getting leatherette for my next car. Just saved $1400.
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07-03-2006, 01:04 AM	#80
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	DDTAN - excellent choice!! It wears much better and is very easy to clean...just a wet towel is all you need...and it will look brand new by the time you sell your car...whippersnapper's car on the other hand will have aged, cracked leather that has accumulated all of his sweat and and excess "gas" - of which he seems to have a lot of...... Last edited by Scarabeo; 07-03-2006 at 01:55 AM..
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07-03-2006, 03:53 AM	#82
JSpira Freude am Fahren 339 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	BMW considers leather interior to be premium and upscale. It offers vinyl as a lower cost substitute in the U.S. (instead of cloth which is the entry level material elsewhere) because the U.S. market demands leather or something close to it. The leather material wears about as much as the vinyl, and given how it it is treated is just as easy to clean. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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07-03-2006, 09:12 AM	#83
SteveMD Colonel 198 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	I just wiped up the best part of a pot of yoghurt off the back seat thanks to my 9 year old. Wet cloth, little effort, under a minute. If I was young and single, I would have probably got leather but with a kid, it's more of a liability. Especially on a leased vehicle. __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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07-03-2006, 09:33 AM	#84
DDTAN Private First Class 2 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 07 335i E90 ZSP Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gig Harbor iTrader: (0)	The real leather in my 97 is actually in good condition and still looks real good. But, hey, I'm not against saving money Or maybe we'll spend it on Nav instead.
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07-03-2006, 10:44 AM	#85
jakeramovitch New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: mercedes e320 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	is beige 'ette as nice as black 'ette? Hi. just wondering since black is probably the most popular interior, that most responses on this thread relate to BLACK leatherette, rather than beige. I'm also a bit torn on the leather vs ette thing. No kids now, but perhaps soon and I plan to keep the car more than just a few yrs. I've got to go with light interior so black is not an option. I've seen the beige 'ette, and in my opinion it looks less like real leather due to the light color while the black ette has a better feel and look-- you can't see that it is not actually stitched. i guess this is just an aesthetics issue, as beige ette should be just as durable as black ette. anyone have any experiences to share?
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07-03-2006, 06:14 PM	#88
tkochh Private 5 Rep 81 Posts Drives: Alpine White E90 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Even if price wasn't an issue, If I could I would pick (in order): 1. Cloth 2. Leatherette 3. Leather Since cloth isn't an option in the US, Leatherette it is. Some reasons for cloth: * Cooler in the summer * Warmer in the winter * Not sitting on the skin of a dead animal (small point) Some reasons for leatherette: * Feels/looks reasonable similar to leather - Three salesman (CA) I worked with could tell the difference unless they looked closely at the stiching or touched it * Performs better than Leather (in the long run) * Not sitting on the sking of a dead animal (small point) Some reasons for leather: * better resale...period (if well cared for)
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