leather vs leatherette

[cdotger]

Which is better? Is it work the extra 1450 for the leather. I have heard that the leatherette os more durable.

-Carl

 

[Tom]

Hi Carl,

Normally I would say pay the extra money and get the leather if you plan on selling it within a few years. The resale value would be much better on a car equipped with leather.

On the other hand, if you plan on keeping this for many year, then go for the one that fits your budget. I'm not sure if leatherette is more durable, but I've read that it's much easier to maintain over leather.

 

[codex57]

It's really hard ot tell the difference btw the two. If they're side by side, you can tell. Otherwise, it's pretty much impossible other than by smelling a new car. Personally, I saved the $1450, but I wish the leatherette came in more colors. Oh well. I still don't understand why it costs so much. $1000 is more reasonable, but I still think it should be standard.

 

[///M SPEED]

Is there a way to tell the diff. between leatherette and leather? I have a sand leather looking interior, but I am not sure which it is.

 

[sfbae]

I have leatherette and IMO its good as leather...save the $....get the xenons if u arent already....much better deal

 

[MrElussive]

Personally, I would just definitely go for the Premium Package, which includes Leather seats. You also get auto-dimming mirror, auto-sensing windshield wipers (for 330models), sunroof, and other great features...it's a really great package and makes the leather seats worth it.

 

[snowcrash]

Isn't auto-sensing windshield wipers standard now on all 3 series? Real leather only comes with the premium package on the 330. Still need to pay the extra money for leather on 325.

 

[codex57]

Don't you still have to turn on the autowiping windshield wipers? That sorta defeats the purpose since that makes it not so convenient.

I know the auto headlights are standard now on 04 coupes, but I dunno if that's such a good idea either b/c I believe turning on and off your xenons is supposed to decrease the bulbs' lifespan. That could happen if you go through a tunnel. My g/f's Camry's lights turn on and off really quickly when going through the Bay Bridge.

 

[///M SPEED]

I have he premium package. It is something I wouldn't go without. I guess I must have leather then. MrElussive Leather comes on all premium package option?

 

[mallards]

i have leatherette and i cant tell the difference between that and the real stuff ... go ahead and save the money

its also alot easier to clean up

Ben

 

[snowcrash]

The 2004 330ci includes real leather with the premium package, while on the 2004 325ci, leather is still an additional and separate option from the premium package. Auto-wipers are standard on all 2004 coupes.

 

[mscoins]

I went with leather because gray wasn't a choice for leatherette.

Don't you still have to turn on the autowiping windshield wipers? That sorta defeats the purpose since that makes it not so convenient.

Yes, you have to turn them on initially, but the speed varies automatically depending on the amount of rain - you don't have to manually vary the speed.

 

[BadAssBimmer]

I've had leatherette and when it was new it looked great. But, once I had the car for a while, the drivers seat ripped in some places. And I'm extemely meticulous about cleaning and conditioning. Leatherette doesn't breathe as well, being that is not a natural material like leather so your legs, back and whatnot will be disgustingly sweaty :yuck: Also (it was white), and it started turning yellow and I couldn't treat it like I would leather to restore it's color; without damaging it. This significantly lowered my resale - by about $2000.

 

[BadAssBimmer]

Isn't auto-sensing windshield wipers standard now on all 3 series? Real leather only comes with the premium package on the 330. Still need to pay the extra money for leather on 325.

Leather is standard on the 330, it's an option on the 325. I just ordered my 330cic - no premium package and leather was included. Natural brown mmmm.....

 

[flashinthepan]

Go Leather-

No room for Fake-Faux, you've came this far do it all the way. No offense to the Leatherette crowd.

My opinion is very biased anyways, because I say go 330

 

[MrElussive]

Auto windshield wipers are the best shit ever !!
EVER !!!
Auto headlights are dumb, but auto windshield wipers ALL THE WAY !! I wish my car came with that !!

 

[BEEMIN]

My opinion:

I have the leatherette now, but I just bought a 330i with leather only because I didn't have a choice. My leatherette still looks great after almost 5 years with none of the cracking that you associate with leather. Plus, I live in Arizona where leather dries and cracks due to the sun and heat and the leatherette is a great choice in that climate. Another thing - stains seem to come up really very easily and in my car before that had leather - it was much harder. I really had to work to get any marks out and even then sometimes they just wouldn't budge.

 

[MrElussive]

Good advice, Beemin. But if you properly take care of your leather by applying certain leather conditioner(s) correctly, you can avoid cracking and all that other bad stuff often associated with leather...also, the leather will easily outlast the leatherette...you just need to maintain it a lot more.

 

[BEEMIN]

First of all: you are absolutely right.

Second: all the leather conditioner in the world isn't going to help the leather in a car that's parked outside 9 hours a day in 100+ degrees and bright sunlight. (I did try, I really did!!!) (I'm not a leather abuser!)

So I think it's one of those YMMV things. I don't recommend it for Arizona.

 

[MrElussive]

Beemin, I'll take your word for it, thanks for the advice. It is a shame that leather cannot stand up to the heat.
I guess this is one of those few times where living in NJ (cold winters) is a good thing??? [???1]
I hate cold weather unless I am skiing.