[MeinBMW]

Can anyone tell from this pic if it's leather or not? This is a 2008 335i Sedan w/ Sport Package

I know there is no Premium Package, but the car is listed as having leather



Thanks!

[evoi19]

no premium..no leather

your pic looks like leatherette too.

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by evo119

no premium..no leather

your pic looks like leatherette too.

You can get leather without the premium .. just like Bluetooth .. if that really is letherette though I'm gonna be bummed

[iheartsole]

yup that doesnt look like leather more like leatherette. can u take a more clea picture of the interior

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by iheartsole

yup that doesnt look like leather more like leatherette. can u take a more clea picture of the interior

That's the only pic I have .. haven't seen/bought the car yet .. one kinda pisses me off though is it is marked in the ad that it has leather .. and after thinking about it/looking at it it really doesn't look like leather

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by MeinBMW

That's the only pic I have .. haven't seen/bought the car yet .. one kinda pisses me off though is it is marked in the ad that it has leather .. and after thinking about it/looking at it it really doesn't look like leather

How the heck can you tell? I can't from just looking at the picture. It's not like BMW has perforated leather or anything like that. Just go check it out for yourself.

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by methodtim

How the heck can you tell? I can't from just looking at the picture. It's not like BMW has perforated leather or anything like that. Just go check it out for yourself.

Aster some searching .. it is leatherette .. the leather seats have an extra line of stiching that runs in the middle of the bottom side bolster .. the leatherette doesn't ...

thanks for the help folks

[wj4]

Originally Posted by MeinBMW

Aster some searching .. it is leatherette .. the leather seats have an extra line of stiching that runs in the middle of the bottom side bolster .. the leatherette doesn't ...

thanks for the help folks

+1. I was going to mention that. Leatherette for sure.

[openwheelracing]

yep, extra stitching would indicate leather. Extra stitching on the door panel too.

I have both ette and leather (two bimmers).

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by MeinBMW

Aster some searching .. it is leatherette .. the leather seats have an extra line of stiching that runs in the middle of the bottom side bolster .. the leatherette doesn't ...

thanks for the help folks

Ah, my untrained eyes. Good work.

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

yep, extra stitching would indicate leather. Extra stitching on the door panel too.

I have both ette and leather (two bimmers).

Since you have both maybe you can answer this for me .. are the leather seats noticably softer? The last BMW I had with leathette was a '95 318is .. I remember it being a bit harder than my '94 325is that had leather

I'm not concerned with wear, as I will only be keeping the car a couple years, but as much time as I spend driving the seats have to be comfortable

[openwheelracing]

smell: definitely different, and the leather does smell stronger and better. The ette smell fades quickly and it smells pretty good too.

comfort: Both very comfy. The leather does breathe better and it's noticeable on hot days. Both are nicely cushioned. However, both can cause sweat.

softness: the ette is not "harder", it just has a "stronger" texture. It's almost too perfect. If you push down with your gloved fingers in a blind test, you can't tell. You can, however, tell a difference if you run your un-gloved fingers across the surface.

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

smell: definitely different, and the leather does smell stronger and better. The ette smell fades quickly and it smells pretty good too.

comfort: Both very comfy. The leather does breathe better and it's noticeable on hot days. Both are nicely cushioned. However, both can cause sweat.

softness: the ette is not "harder", it just has a "stronger" texture. It's almost too perfect. If you push down with your gloved fingers in a blind test, you can't tell. You can, however, tell a difference if you run your un-gloved fingers across the surface.

Thank you very much!

As far as touch, I'm not too concerned (how often do you really sit naked in your car?) .. but the comfort is what matters .. normally I would hold out for leather, but I got a pretty good deal on this one without and just want to make sure I'll be happy with it for the next couple years ...

Thanks again!

[John 070]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Just go check it out for yourself.

LOL now that's an idea. Sometimes I think it's a function of technology. People have been trained to do everything remotely. Why learn to play an instrument when a video game makes everybody a guitar hero? I hear the Wii even has a rock star game where you get the girls too and destroy hotels, all from the couch in your living room.

[MeinBMW]

Originally Posted by John 070

LOL now that's an idea. Sometimes I think it's a function of technology. People have been trained to do everything remotely. Why learn to play an instrument when a video game makes everybody a guitar hero? I hear the Wii even has a rock star game where you get the girls too and destroy hotels, all from the couch in your living room.

Why would I drive almost 3 hours to find out if it's leather or leathette when I can tell by looking at a picture (with the assistance of some helpful members here)

Yes .. if it was around the corner, sure I'd just go look, but would you drive 3 hours to answer a question that can be easily answered online?

[anerbe]

if you're unsure about leather vs. leatherette, why don't you visit the local dealership to see the differences. i'm sure the car you want to buy doesn't have a different surface than the cars at the dealership.

[slipperman]

Originally Posted by MeinBMW

Why would I drive almost 3 hours to find out if it's leather or leathette when I can tell by looking at a picture (with the assistance of some helpful members here)

Yes .. if it was around the corner, sure I'd just go look, but would you drive 3 hours to answer a question that can be easily answered online?

+1 even if it WAS around the corner what's wrong with asking here... isn't this the whole point of having e90post..

[BK]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

yep, extra stitching would indicate leather. Extra stitching on the door panel too.

I have both ette and leather (two bimmers).

+1 Stitching on the door trim is always easiest for me to spot.

We have 89,000,000 leather versus leatherette threads here for the OP's reading pleasure. In photos, I have to look for the extra stitching because they look the same.

As for feel -- FWIW, when I test drove, I couldn't tell the difference spending 5 minutes with each. After a couple of years in an E90 with leather, though, when I get in one with leatherette, I can tell the difference immediately. IMO leather feels better, but YMMV.

[mr.bob]

The easiest way to tell (leather or not) is to look at the sides and top of the seats. If you see stitching, then its not leather. The leatherette has a stitch around the whole seat. The leather does not

[MeinBMW]

The no leather was a deal breaker for me .. nothing against those who like the leatherette, but I can tell the difference and don't care to go back .. so it's off to search for another one .. I may have found something though .. so hopefully there is still a 335 in my future