Roadfly Car Forum & Off Topic Forum Community > Car Forum > BMW Forum > Past BMW Models > BMW 3 Series Forum (E46) > Leather vs. leatherette?
I recently test drove a 3 - series and didn't notice much difference between the leather and the leatherette. Does anyone have any thoughts?
<i>: I recently test drove a 3 - series and didn't notice much difference between the leather and the leatherette. Does anyone have any thoughts?<p></i>I have owned three cars with leather and honestly three years later leather looks like crap. And the cleaners like lexol while they are good makes the leather smell over the years. I bought my 323 5 months ago with leatherette. It shows zero wear, cleans easy and most people who have been in my car think it is leather.
I test drove a 323 with leatherette and thought it looked and felt like real leather. The problem was the smell. It had a very strong chemical smell. Was this normal, if so, how long until it goes away?
<i>: I recently test drove a 3 - series and didn't notice much difference between the leather and the leatherette. Does anyone have any thoughts?<p></i>This was one of the concerns I had when I ordered my car--do I get leather or leatherette? I chose black leatherette on my 328i, and wondered if I made the right choice up until I got the car. Well, the leatherette is great. I took some colleagues out to lunch yesterday (2 PhDs) and they were remarking about what great leather I had in my car. I couldn't bear to tell them the truth. My boss has had 4 BMWs, including an L7, all with leather. He said, don't get leather, it doesn't hold up over time, and this is from a person who takes meticulous care of his cars. I haven't noticed much of an irritating chemical smell, but that might just be me. I find the leatherette quite comfortable. It doesn't have the feel or the smell of leather, but spending the extra $ wasn't worth it to me. By the way, my wife has leather on her Lexus and we're starting to have some slight cracking problems with it.
I have the same question. I'm picking up my 323 in a week, and noticed a strong odor from the leatherette. Is there any way to get rid of it??
In fact they keep commenting about how great it looks in their long-term tests.
I don't know if I'm used to it or not. I've had my car 2 months and don't notice the smell anymore. Perhaps cleaning it with a UVprotectant cleaner has an effect on oxidation, which in turn has an effect on odor. Don't know.
Just a few comments from someone that has a 328i (sport) on order and had a 318iC with 'ette. The 'ette looked just fine from the moment I got the car until I sold it. No cracks or abrasions or anything. I did zilch to take care of it.<p>It was sand (new one will be black) and I can understand the people that say the light color is more easily distinguished from the 'er. Maybe the "no color variation" nature of 'ette is harder to tell with black. Makes sense.<p>The 'ette was in a black car and it didn't seem to make much difference in hot or cold weather (we get both here in Minnesota) vs. 'er from other cars I've had. Florida or Texas might be another matter.<p>Also, since I'm getting the sport package, I think you tend to slip less with 'ette than with 'er. May not be true with bimmers since the 'er and 'ette are both textured (vs. real smooth).<p>Finally, from some perspectives it seems like a strange argument. Apart from the wood trim (I actually really dig the aluminum and would have paid extra for it) and the seats, there's not a "natural" material in the whole car. Steel this, aluminum that, plastic, plastic, plastic. Rubber, paint glass and copper. Seems kind of weird that we should want the Ultimate Driving Machine to have bits of tree and cow in it.<p>Now, how about a little Quisp vs Quake?
I just bought a MZ3 I wish they offered leatherette. The leather already seems to show a little age where I drop into the seat on the side bolster. I was going to get a 328i and drove one with the leatherette and loved it. I have to baby my interior to try and delay that cracked look that I will eventually end up with.
Alex, I don't understand your reasoning in saying that you won't get a penny back in resale. Check the link I indicated. You'll find that for a 1996 model E36, leather seats are worth an aditional <b> $575</b). Of course, the original value may have been $1200 or whatever, but you DO get some of it back.
...says something else. You are correct CCP. I just tried the same thing and they do give you more $$$ for leather. However, the little book that the dealers and banks all have does not give you extra $$$ for it. Go figure. <p>Alex<p>PS: I have the 99 KBB book. It was given to me by a friend (dealer).
<i>: I recently test drove a 3 - series and didn't notice much difference between the leather and the leatherette. Does anyone have any thoughts?<p></i><p>I think <B><FONT COLOR=blue>leatherette</FONT></B> is more durable than leather. I had black leather on my 328i(E46), and I had a big scratch on it the second week I owned it, what a pain. I don't think leatherette would have this problem.