[champ306]

Ordered it July 12th, dealer drop last Friday and picked up yesterday. Traded a 2020 M40 Alpine white.
Initial impressions is this is a much better machine. The ride is substantially better, even with 21's over 20's. Interior is Sensatec over Leather in the 20 and is hands down better in every way. Thank you to the dealer manager for pointing out the day we ordered. So much softer and does not feel like you are on a bleacher.
Infotainment is miles better, so much to go thru, the proximity locking and unlocking is great, so much more you can tailor to your liking. We are very happy with it, and impressed with the differences between only 3 years. It is quieter inside as well.

I did upgrade to HK audio and so far seems pretty decent, need to tune it a bit more but better than last, but last car had base radio.

Just a post to maybe help folks that may be wondering if moving up would benefit anything. I believe the answer is a solid yes.

Mineral White is nice, I like both, Alpine and this, but I like most of their colors. Wife's car and she loves white, so nice there is two options.

enjoy.

[ASAP]

Looks amazing... are you saying the sensatec is more comfortable than the leather? I find that a bit hard to believe... my experience with fake material is you tend to stick to it and it just doesn't feel authentic.

[champ306]

Sensatec is MILES better in feel and comfort. granted a day in here on ownership. but dealer pointed out many folks are switching to it as it wears better and is softer, man made vegan leather. I am a believer. It feels way better.

[ASAP]

I don't buy that one bit... it feels fake and you can quickly tell... i rode in an X5 with it and at that price point it didn't feel right... it also felt cheap to the touch almost rubber like.

Again beautiful car but I don't think anyone can convince me of that.

[champ306]

I did not ask you. I do not need to convince you either, it was just my observation. Please buy and drive what you like. I was just posting my car and what I thought of it.

[bcwalks2]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I don't buy that one bit... it feels fake and you can quickly tell... i rode in an X5 with it and at that price point it didn't feel right... it also felt cheap to the touch almost rubber like.

Again beautiful car but I don't think anyone can convince me of that.

I have the leather in my X3 M40, brother has the sensatec in his 30i. I agree with you that it doesn’t feel as good, but I do think his is more comfortable with the sensatec.

[brettl]

Not picking any sides here but it's worthwhile to note that the sensatac in the lci is way different then the pre-lci. Carry on.

[Jen4BMW]

I’ve had Sensatec twice and got leather in my ‘22. One of several upsides to leather is the great smell. My M40i is now 1 year old and I still get that great leather whiff when I first jump in. It’s really nice! Our sense of smell is so powerful. It shouldn’t be underestimated. For this reason alone I slightly prefer leather overall. Leather just smells expensive and it’s more fitting for a BMW.

Leather also stays slightly cooler during the summer. Sensatec can sear your skin easier than leather can. Believe me I’ve learned the hard way. Leather just refuses to reach the same temps.

Another noticeable difference is how the two materials feel. Leather feels smoother and has a more buttery feeling to it- in a good way. On a hot humid day you will also definitely stick more on Sensatec especially when your wearing shorts. It’s not night and day but it’s different. Leather wins on feel.

On the flip side Sensatec has more padding/cushioning. Many notice this, mention this and I 100% agree Sensatec’s more cushiony. It’s not miles and miles more cush but it is softer by 20%-30% according to my butt dyno (I always love that one) no doubt about it. It’s also standard and available in red which is nice.

In conclusion, if on a tight budget go Sensatec, if your just after the best seat overall and can live with the firmness go leather. Is leather worth the $$. You decide!

[jccx3]

I have Sensatec in mine. It looks fine and feels comfortable to me, but I don't know what the real leather seats feel like in the X3. However, living in Texas, I definitely agree with the other posters that Sensatec feels way hotter than the real leather in our other two cars.

When I ordered my X3, I wanted the Cognac color leather with ventilated seats. But that combination was not available to order. I didn't like the other leather colors, so I stepped down to Sensatec for the color. I'm still very happy with the color, but this summer I do wish I had ventilated seats.

[lfdal54]

If I could have got ventilated seats with the Sensatec I would have tried it. Not an option, unfortunately. Not sure how Sensatec wears over time, but well-maintained leather lasts a very long time. Given the way the random lumbar deletes happened, I'm glad I got the ventilated leather and still got driver/passenger lumbar adjustments.

champ306 Did you get power lumbar? Also, did you get the cargo rails in the hatch area?

[cardtables]

Fantastic spec there! Might have pushed me over the edge on getting mineral white

[sbt007]

The perforated Sensatec in the MY22 X3 is apparently quite different from the previous Sensatecs - I have not seen it so cannot say either way but I can believe it is quite good.

[marseille82]

Originally Posted by champ306

Sensatec is MILES better in feel and comfort. granted a day in here on ownership. but dealer pointed out many folks are switching to it as it wears better and is softer, man made vegan leather. I am a believer. It feels way better.

I have a 22 with sensatec and also drive a company car that is a 22 with leather. I totally agree with your assessment. Sensatec in the LCI model is different from previous year.

[bocabimmer]

Congratulations on your purchase!

I accidentally bought a Mineral White F30 a year ago and totally fell in love with the color. I prefer AW if you're going for the black/white look, but the metallic adds so much dimension and depth.

Also had Sensatec in the F30. Was a very different (non)animal than the stuff in my G01. I'd take either over leather. While I like the look and feel of leather goods, for some reason the more durable nature of Sensatec makes me prefer it in a car that I'm sliding in and out of for the next ten years. I can replace my Coach wallet much easier than a seat.

[Spacecoast]

Originally Posted by champ306

Sensatec is MILES better in feel and comfort. granted a day in here on ownership. but dealer pointed out many folks are switching to it as it wears better and is softer, man made vegan leather. I am a believer. It feels way better.

"man made vegan leather"? Did those clever Germans figured out how to make leather from the skins of plants? Interesting. I thought Sensatec was just BMW's fancy name for plastic.

[Rottweiler]

I'm just thrilled to read a post on this forum where someone is genuinely happy with their 2023 :~}

[BillsGirlGina]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

I'm just thrilled to read a post on this forum where someone is genuinely happy with their 2023 :~}

Same! I want to know what's going on, but at the same time I'm not excited for my car to arrive now. It should be arriving in California tomorrow & I imagine I'll be able to pick it up by early next week. I really have enjoyed this community but lately all this news has left me feeling a little disappointed.

[bimmeroy]

Originally Posted by BillsGirlGina

Same! I want to know what's going on, but at the same time I'm not excited for my car to arrive now. It should be arriving in California tomorrow & I imagine I'll be able to pick it up by early next week. I really have enjoyed this community but lately all this news has left me feeling a little disappointed.

Shared feelings here. When you pick up the car, do let your dealer know you expect a retrofit at no cost, or a compensation equal to the cost of retrofitting yourself, with the way BMW handled communication around it, and if possible try to get it in written. Thats what I will be doing. Only if dealers know they are on hook for retrofit will they make any effort to escalate the concern.

And to the OP, its a beautiful color and beautiful car. Congratulations!

[BillsGirlGina]

Originally Posted by bimmeroy

Shared feelings here. When you pick up the car, do let your dealer know you expect a retrofit at no cost, or a compensation equal to the cost of retrofitting yourself, with the way BMW handled communication around it, and if possible try to get it in written. Thats what I will be doing. Only if dealers know they are on hook for retrofit will they make any effort to escalate the concern.

And to the OP, its a beautiful color and beautiful car. Congratulations!

Yes! OP…so sorry. Beautiful car! I have a Alpine White X3 M40i arriving in a few days.

Thank you, I will be doing that as well bimmeroy

[champ306]

No Rails in the back area, did not really matter to us. I toss in a weathertech mat in any event. Have other cars to haul things.
Sensatec, hands down winner. Night and day better than leather, and I am a leather fan. It feels like leather, looks like leather, is way softer, its how you wish actual leather was, soft, nice feeling and looks.
Keep forgetting to check lumbar, not really a big deal for us.
I guess the small things like that does not worry us, the look, feel and experience is much better than the 2020. My wife did like the kick for tail gate, but have to rely on the old paws to touch the button, man, 1st world problems.
Hopefully you out there getting a new one are just as happy, that was the intent of the post. To share our experience and happiness with the car. As being only a few years different, I was on the fence of what could of really changed. So overall I am pleased that the new one is very nice, nicer than the 2020 in each way that I have experienced so far. I can live without lumbar, rails and tailgate lift, I do not hold it against BMW, times are crazy in car business now, be glad we can buy cars like these for many reasons....

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by champ306

..... Have other cars to haul things.
....

I'm very glad you're happy, nice to see. Must be nice to have a back that can get by w/o lumber, sure wish I could as it would open up a number of other options. Would also mean my back didn't hurt so much

My problem is I don't have anything else to haul stuff, which leaves me in my current conundrum.

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

Congratulations on your purchase!

I accidentally bought a Mineral White F30 a year ago and totally fell in love with the color. I prefer AW if you're going for the black/white look, but the metallic adds so much dimension and depth.

Also had Sensatec in the F30. Was a very different (non)animal than the stuff in my G01. I'd take either over leather. While I like the look and feel of leather goods, for some reason the more durable nature of Sensatec makes me prefer it in a car that I'm sliding in and out of for the next ten years. I can replace my Coach wallet much easier than a seat.

How did you "accidentally" buy a car? Were you in a drunken state or something? It's not like getting a tattoo or waking up next to a stranger after a long night of drinking