[F32Fleet]

especially looking forward to hearing from folks in hot climates.

[LEDZEP]

"The backs of my legs..... stickin' to the pleather...."

Don't know, I have leather - but in a warm climate with shorts on I would think it would be sticky.

[e90driver]

I received the brochure in the mail today for the MB GL-class. MB Tex (plastic with a pretty name) is standard seating surface, along with a manual passenger seat. All this with a base sticker of $55k.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by e90driver

I received the brochure in the mail today for the MB GL-class. MB Tex (plastic with a pretty name) is standard seating surface, along with a manual passenger seat. All this with a base sticker of $55k.

The worst part about MB is that even if you buy a package that has leather or move to a higher model with leather, it's "leather inserts". Only the center panels of the seats are leather and the rest is pleather. To get full leather is a big $$ add-on.

[KurtV]

We got the beige leatherette for our E90. We live in Austin, Texas. The climate is warm, but the AC is very good so it seems just fine. I like to keep my cars a long time (usually 10 year) and the leather doesn't seem to hold up as well even though I treat it regularly with products from Leatherique.

[stressdoc]

Leatherette is awesome. In my other life I play sand volleyball. Normally I throw a beach towel over my seat, but if I don't, no big deal. 'ette is easy to clean and lasts forever. The only material I would prefer is the alcantara+cloth, because that provides such great grip and is super comfy. If leather was free I might get it, but I have better things to spend 1.4k on. I'll take 'ette and a new windsurfer anyday.

[KL2DC]

well, my car is garaged most of the time (both at work and at home). The times I drive around in the sun (and its starting to become really warm here in DC metro), I don't find it anymore uncomfortable than the leather interior in my office Honda. This is for black leatherette. Is or should leather be that much cooler in the summer? I agree the A/C is pretty good in keeping things cool and this is without tints yet.

Easey to maintain, I use 303 aerospace protectant on most interior surfaces...

[qwerty]

it was 80+ degrees in NY past few days. No complaint about my black ette yet.

[sbkim]

I had chance to see leatherette in person yesterday and was pleasantly surprised how nice it looked and felt. I will be saving $1400 and putting the money to GPS on 335 ci

[zz25]

I've got tan leatherette in my Landcruiser and live in a hot climate. No problems here. That's why I ordered black 'ette for my 330i.

[noflash]

Just got back from a 1400 mile road trip in 70-90 degree weather and have no complaints about the 'ette.

[selm]

I do find that the ette breathes less than leather, but I don't think it is materially different. For me, leather is not worth the extra $$$.

[Scarabeo]

Who wants dead animal skin in their car anyway? No complaints - with air conditioning I have never sweated (my back)...easy to clean as well....

[ScBlacksunshine]

Leatherette is great, especially the darker color one, looks more like leather then the beige 'rette. The only thing I miss is the leather smell, but then again, it's good to know I save more on leather and help save a cow

[ed328ci]

Doesn't feel any different than the leather in my former E46.

[nhhiep]

I have e90 leather, and recently got 05 325 loaner with leatherette for a day. Just 10 mins of driving in the sun, I can tell that the back of my legs are sweeting already. and yes, it looks as real as real leather and probably lasts longer too. But to see how leather compare to leatherette, you have to sit in both, do a test driving in the sun for 10-15 mins, you will see.

and yeah, leather is kinda pricy, but driving a BMW or MB with fake leather? that idea bugs me a little everytime I sit on it. you're put 35K for a car, mind as well put another 1.3K for real leather.

[hector]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

To get full leather is a big $$ add-on.

it's a whole lotta money for a whole lotta leather.

[sbkim]

for the smell of leather, i recommend zaino leather in a bottle conditioner. big question is whether leatherette will soak it up?

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by nhhiep

I have e90 leather, and recently got 05 325 loaner with leatherette for a day. Just 10 mins of driving in the sun, I can tell that the back of my legs are sweeting already. and yes, it looks as real as real leather and probably lasts longer too. But to see how leather compare to leatherette, you have to sit in both, do a test driving in the sun for 10-15 mins, you will see.

and yeah, leather is kinda pricy, but driving a BMW or MB with fake leather? that idea bugs me a little everytime I sit on it. you're put 35K for a car, mind as well put another 1.3K for real leather.

You guys don't know what you are missing or some of you do for the sake of what you would spend on gas for a year. You guys spent a wad on the car so might as well spent a few more for the real deal but I respect your decision. I know I had to ask which was real and ette. The real deal is not a problem even here in Hawaii. Aloha!

[noflash]

I know what I'm missing -- not much.

After a hot day in the sun the black leather in my e46 burned my ass the same as my black 'ette in my e90 .

[Juve29]

Like some of the other posters mentioned the A/C is very good. I had leather in my previous car and I use to sweat just as much.

I've been in a E46 with leather I could not tell the difference except maybe for the smell.

[tl_boy]

i have black leather in my acura tl and black leatherette here. both equally as hot. no stickiness for me. i think its fine, and i live in Houston, so its definitely one of the hotter cities in America.