THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications Has anyone ordered the sensatec seats rather than the leather seats?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-30-2014, 03:20 PM   #1
ewohar
Private
United_States
22
Rep
82
Posts

Drives: 335I Dinan Stage II
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Has anyone ordered the sensatec seats rather than the leather seats?

Is is just a fake leather or are there other benefits? I personally would prefer cloth seats but having ordered leather on my last five BMW's I was just wondering how the sensatec seats worked out for you?
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2014, 04:48 PM   #2
overcoil
Major General
3069
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

I ordered Sensatec.

I had MB-Tex (Mercedes vinyl) in a C-230 and the seating surface never showed signs of wear. Now my 12 year old Mercedes C-240 with combination leather and vinyl- both wore very well but the vinyl lack of wear is superior.

Vinyl color retention over the years is noticeable to me. Most people getting into my Mercedes were fooled by the vinyl texture into thinking it was leather.

I'm hoping the BMW vinyl performs similarly to my Mercedes MB-Tex.

Many times I get into my car sweaty from running and the vinyl is so easy to clean with a damp cloth.

From my membership in Mercedes historic cars, Mercedes would state that on fine leather seats, denim jeans act as sandpaper over the course of use of the car. Today's leather is almost plasti-coated, but I'm hoping Sensatec holds up to abuse in a daily-driver better then leather.

Really wanted a black interior in the 235 so color wasn't an issue.

Finally the funds I saved by nixing leather will go into a LSD and M-performance digital steering wheel.

Last edited by overcoil; 07-30-2014 at 06:10 PM..
Appreciate 1
      07-30-2014, 04:49 PM   #3
pinmagic
The Only Sane One Here
pinmagic's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
1,135
Posts

Drives: 135i Convertible
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Arlington, VA

iTrader: (1)

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=109874
__________________
2011 135i VERT SGM/SB/MOONLIGHT - ED - with every single friggin' option they offered.
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2014, 06:05 PM   #4
ska///235i
***** noob
ska///235i's Avatar
United_States
1355
Rep
10,479
Posts

Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
2006 325xi  [0.00]
I sweat alot on fake leather so Real leather is a must...coral red is also a must on a bmw
__________________
2006 325xi (Sold)
2014 M235I (Current)
2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2014, 08:35 PM   #5
MikeG12
First Lieutenant
United_States
65
Rep
326
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3M40, 2000 Z3M, 2017 X1
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

iTrader: (1)

Have sensatec in my 228 and it is fine so far.
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2014, 08:44 PM   #6
horsepower_and_hounds
Brigadier General
1836
Rep
4,204
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (9)

My wife has MB-Tex in her C250 sport and it is quite nice......I like that it is perforated. I ordered leather in the 235 just for he hell of it......and I wanted coral
Appreciate 1
      07-30-2014, 09:20 PM   #7
owen2001
Lieutenant
owen2001's Avatar
United_States
28
Rep
454
Posts

Drives: 2013 135is
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Denver, CO

iTrader: (11)

This came up in a thread on the 1er site about a month ago. I bought my 1er off the lot after they had stopped taking orders. Unfortunately, the one I really wanted had Sensatec, so I took what they had. In hindsight, I'm extremely pleased that it came with it. Here's what I wrote back then:

I absolutely love the leatherette and I wouldn't change it in my car. I really like the stiff, sporty, grippy feel and I haven't noticed it to be any hotter or less-breathable than the leather in my other car.

I've read that it should wear better over time, too. My brother has a 10+ year old M roadster with leather. He takes good care of his car, but his leather is a cracked, mushy mess. Either way, it's simply personal preference, but If I ordered a new BMW tomorrow, I would order the leatherette again.


I've had my car over a year now and still feel the same way. It just feels more stiff, supportive, and sporty, IMO.
__________________
2013 Jet Black 135is | 6MT | Coupe | #381/586

Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 10:39 AM   #8
dreamspeed
Lieutenant Colonel
dreamspeed's Avatar
United_States
260
Rep
1,616
Posts

Drives: 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Sensatec will wear better than leather and personally think BMW leather on anything less than a 5 series is pretty crappy anyways
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 11:41 AM   #9
ewohar
Private
United_States
22
Rep
82
Posts

Drives: 335I Dinan Stage II
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for that link

Quote:
Originally Posted by pinmagic
Still wish they offered cloth seats but seems like the consensus here is that the sensatec is a good option. Thank you
Appreciate 1
      08-02-2014, 12:06 PM   #10
Demetrius Joel
First Lieutenant
United_States
54
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: 2014 BSM/CR M235i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: DC Area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW M235i  [0.00]
Had leatherette in my e90. It was very easy to keep clean and maintain. But I still prefer the leather to the leatherette. The leather in my f22 feels a lil softer than the one in my f30. Wonder why?
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 01:59 PM   #11
ipilcher
Captain
ipilcher's Avatar
385
Rep
900
Posts

Drives: 2024 M3 Compensation
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Texas, USA

iTrader: (0)

Sensatec + Cockpit Premium makes for the easiest seat maintenance I've ever had. I also figure that the $2500 I didn't spend on crap BMW leather would more than cover reupholstering the front seats with actual quality leather.
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 03:17 PM   #12
Demetrius Joel
First Lieutenant
United_States
54
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: 2014 BSM/CR M235i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: DC Area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW M235i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipilcher View Post
Sensatec + Cockpit Premium makes for the easiest seat maintenance I've ever had. I also figure that the $2500 I didn't spend on crap BMW leather would more than cover reupholstering the front seats with actual quality leather.
Would you really reupholster the seats?
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 03:25 PM   #13
ipilcher
Captain
ipilcher's Avatar
385
Rep
900
Posts

Drives: 2024 M3 Compensation
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Texas, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Demetrius Joel View Post
Would you really reupholster the seats?
I have no plans to do so; that's just my contingency plan.

My point is that if I were to do that I would end up with much nicer leather (on the front seats), probably at a lower cost.
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2014, 03:29 PM   #14
Demetrius Joel
First Lieutenant
United_States
54
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: 2014 BSM/CR M235i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: DC Area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW M235i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipilcher View Post
I have no plans to do so; that's just my contingency plan.

My point is that if I were to do that I would end up with much nicer leather (on the front seats), probably at a lower cost.
I totally get your point. But IMO it seems like a waste of time, money, and effort to do. I'm not sure how much reupholstering with "good" leather will cost, but I don't think it would be that cheap. Then you also run in to the problem of color matching. But to each his own I guess. I happen to like the leather on my f22. But what do I know.
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2014, 09:15 AM   #15
ipilcher
Captain
ipilcher's Avatar
385
Rep
900
Posts

Drives: 2024 M3 Compensation
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Texas, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Demetrius Joel View Post
I totally get your point. But IMO it seems like a waste of time, money, and effort to do. I'm not sure how much reupholstering with "good" leather will cost, but I don't think it would be that cheap. Then you also run in to the problem of color matching. But to each his own I guess. I happen to like the leather on my f22. But what do I know.
Keeping in mind that this is totally hypothetical, because I'm perfectly happy with the Sensatec so far ...

My wife's Toyota Sienna came from the factory with cloth upholstery. We wanted leather, so the dealer arranged to have all 3 rows of seats reupholstered in decent (softer than Dakota) leather for around $1,700. I'm sure they get a great price from the shop, and they probably ate some of the cost, but I still feel pretty confident that the front seats of a 2/3 series could be redone for less than the $2,500 cost of the Dakota leather.

On the subject of color matching, I would probably turn that into an opportunity and get something that wasn't available from BMW, maybe a chocolate brown to match the "old man" burl trim?

Again though, totally hypothetical.

BTW, mone of this is meant to imply that anyone made the wrong choice by choosing leather. Different tastes and needs are why they have options after all.
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2014, 10:24 AM   #16
bimmerbuff
Slightly Less Obsessed
bimmerbuff's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
317
Posts

Drives: Between BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

I have it. Looks and wears fine so far. Everyone thinks it's real leather. I'd order it again for sure.

Would have preferred the cloth seats, but they aren't available in the US.
Appreciate 1
Miata1385.50
      08-04-2014, 02:19 PM   #17
dharo1
Captain
dharo1's Avatar
United_States
215
Rep
661
Posts

Drives: Previous: F22 M235i ; F80 M3 ;
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: El Paso, Texas

iTrader: (1)

Sensatec. I'm in Texas. So far so good.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2014, 09:26 AM   #18
Canaletto
Private First Class
34
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: 4 Wheels
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerbuff View Post
Would have preferred the cloth seats, but they aren't available in the US.
Make sure you drop an email to BMW telling them that. If they get enough, they might actually start offering it.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2014, 10:37 AM   #19
bimmerbuff
Slightly Less Obsessed
bimmerbuff's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
317
Posts

Drives: Between BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canaletto View Post
Make sure you drop an email to BMW telling them that. If they get enough, they might actually start offering it.
Did that a few months ago.
Appreciate 0
      08-09-2014, 09:28 PM   #20
henryyxyu
Captain
No_Country
106
Rep
636
Posts

Drives: YXZ
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CA

iTrader: (1)

Compared to Dakota and Novillo leather, Sensatec is noticeably rougher (ie. not as soft, a material is little thicker) and gets hotter when parked under the sun IMO. But it feels a lot more durable as well, so I don't mind it. I'd imagine maintenance is easier as well. Everyone who has gotten into my car can't tell that it's fake leather, and thinks it's real lol

Sensatec is a good alternative if you're going with black interior and running on a tight budget. Leather would probably be more worth it if you're looking at different color options.
Appreciate 0
      08-09-2014, 09:53 PM   #21
Kafkaesque328
Major
Kafkaesque328's Avatar
United_States
483
Rep
1,267
Posts

Drives: 2016 328i M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: El A

iTrader: (0)

I have the leatherette. It's fine. I'd prob spring for the premium pkg next time which comes w/the leather as it feels a little nicer and breaths better. The leatherette isn't bad though. BMW's leather comes with a disclaimer that much of the seating and trim is 'non leather surfaces'. So if you opt for leather, its not like you are getting primo leather.
__________________
2016 Black Sapphire 328i | M Sport Pkg. | JB+ | Premium Pkg. | Heated Seats | Driver Assist Pkg. | Navigation | Misc. Coding | 35% Ceramic Tint

Past: 2014 Black 320i | Sport Pkg | BMS Stage 1
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2014, 10:32 AM   #22
Daddycat
Private
United_States
1
Rep
71
Posts

Drives: Estoril Blue 228i M
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Las Cruces, NM

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kafkaesque320 View Post
I have the leatherette. It's fine. I'd prob spring for the premium pkg next time which comes w/the leather as it feels a little nicer and breaths better. The leatherette isn't bad though. BMW's leather comes with a disclaimer that much of the seating and trim is 'non leather surfaces'. So if you opt for leather, its not like you are getting primo leather.
Nobody gets premium leather anymore; it's all engineered leather to some degree until you get up into the primo price range. There just aren't enough donor cows out there...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:44 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST