[BrennanF30]

I think most of us have Dakota leather in our F30/1's , so what is it?

I find the leather itself quite hard and grainy, although the seats in my M Sport are comfortable, I can't complain.

Seems to be made for durability, it's not quite as soft as the leather in my parents VW CC.

Is it genuine leather?

[teaston]

It is genuine leather (which is the lowest grade of real leather, below full grain and top grain leather), but it is coated with vinyl for stain resistance and durability.

[Canary_Yellow]

Although it's not the most luxurious, I value durability over texture.

[BrennanF30]

Originally Posted by teaston

It is genuine leather (which is the lowest grade of real leather, below full grain and top grain leather), but it is coated with vinyl for stain resistance and durability.

Come on, in a £30K+ BMW? I don't expect to have the lowest grain leather.

[creepy coupe]

It feel like a Rhino's arse. Weirdly the leather in our 2011 mini Cooper s is nicer than my 4 series.

[Rukka]

I went with the Merino leather this time for the reasons listed, IE, cheap feeling Rhino hide!

In all honesty, it's wearing better than the Dakota so far. In previous cars, I have found that the drivers bolster creases easily and is marked within as little as a 1000 miles. Not so with the Merino which is more supple.

It's also much nicer to sit on

[Canary_Yellow]

In the long term, you'd expect Dakota to age better, unless you're someone that takes a lot of care over your seats.

If you are, then merino will be great short term and long term, if not then it will become less supple over time and will crease / crack quicker than dakota.

[JLR1969]

As has been said

Used on most model’s base trims. This is a lower grade leather, usually corrected-grain or even created from the split, and coated with a synthetic polymer paint. Its surface is embossed with an artificial grain.

To be honest its better than Mercedes as they have Artico Leather which is another name for vinyl!

I had to spend £800 to upgrade to actual leather and avoid their man made alcantara and vinyl and that's on a £53K car.

Disgusting really.

[Watsey]

I've got Dakota and I'm happy with it. The sports seats are generally supportive and Dakota is maintenance-free in black. My concern with a softer leather would be long-term dimensional stability, i.e. stretching. From experience I know that's not a problem with Dakota so that spec choice doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by BrennanF30

Come on, in a £30K+ BMW? I don't expect to have the lowest grain leather.

If you want top grain leather you can pay for it (Merino individual leather), if you want full grain leather then you need to buy a Rolls Royce or similar!!

As said above Mercedes is worse, their base leather (Artico) has never been anywhere near a Cow, or any other living creature!

[Drek]

Merino after just under 13000 miles, cracking and paint coming off already. Never happened on my old E91 with dakota.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Drek

Merino after just under 13000 miles, cracking and paint coming off already. Never happened on my old E91 with dakota.

I don't see any cracks, just creases!? :

[Drek]

Try this:

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Drek

Try this:

Ah ok, them is cracks!

Kinda glad I didn't get merino now!

[Drek]

Yeah, not a happy bunny to be honest. Pics are with the dealers at the moment, be interesting to see what they have to say.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Drek

Yeah, not a happy bunny to be honest. Pics are with the dealers at the moment, be interesting to see what they have to say.

Interesting that this blog says Merino is better than Nappa leather! I thought it was the other way round, especially looking at your Merino!

http://blogs.youwheel.com/2015/05/03...her-explained/

[teaston]

Could be worse though!!

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=863936

[Postcab]

I have Merino and I think its one of the better value BMW options. It is full grain leather and its not painted - its dyed. Which makes those cracks strange, but not impossible if the leather has totally dried out.

Will be interesting to see what the dealer says.

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by teaston

Could be worse though!!

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=863936

That is terrible!

A problem with Merino is that it is soft, so you can't wear any trousers with studs/ rivets on the back pockets because they will scuff the leather.

The only dye transfer I've had on Cashmere Beige has been from my favourite jeans belt to the lower portion of the back rest. But even that isn't anything like as bad as the pictures from the M5.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by teaston

Could be worse though!!

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=863936

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by teaston

Could be worse though!!

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=863936

My 13 year old Saab with 160,000 miles has better leather than that!

[dopper99]

The thing I find disappointing about 1 and 3 series leather is it doesn’t smell of leather at all. The 530d I’m currently driving and the M3 do smell of leather and gives the car a more premium feel IMO.