LCI cloth seats for 2008 135i

[Traverner]

The only thing that I dislike about my new (to me) 135i is the seat material. It's too hot here for vinyl (or even leather) in my opinion. I have heard leather "breathes" but I don't see how it could breath enough to make that much of a difference. Two cars ago I had leather, but they made me sweat like crazy too.

Anyway, looking over the 2012 LCI update thread, I noticed some rust colored seats that looked like they were cloth. I'm wondering if maybe they'll be swappable. I checked bmwusa.com and I didn't see the cloth option with or without M-sport (I'd want the sport seats). Am I right to assume this makes it a non-US option? That can't make a swap any cheaper...

EDIT: Here is the photo I'm referencing.

http://www.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo.../P90069539.jpg

[MAR]

Unfortunately those seats are not available in the US.

[Cuz5150]

Not available in the US. The only way is to buy them from Germany. Start from calling up the salvage yards.

[Traverner]

Bummer. Shipping seats overseas sounds prohibitively expensive, unless the covers can be removed and reinstalled.

[swaite]

Those are so nice! It seems like the US doesn't really get BMW goodies too often.

[New21er]

Wonder if you could just order the seat covers from BMW???

[Traverner]

Originally Posted by New21er

Wonder if you could just order the seat covers from BMW???

I wonder.

[Traverner]

Looks like the driver leatherette cover is $230 ($500 for leather). If I could get the Euro cloth/leather covers for a comparable cost, and simply pay shipping, I'd be happy. Does anyone know of a European parts company that ships to the US and has reasonable prices?

Another possibility would be active seat ventilation. Apparently there are OEM kits for older 5 series and others. I'll have to look into if they are at all compatible, or if a 1-series option is available.

http://www.forum.bimmerfest.com/showthread.php?t=394238

[Dackelone]

I believe the cloth type for the euro seats you are looking is called: Fabric "Network"/cranberry-red


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...88&hg=52&fg=10


You have to look up a euro spec car.

I don't have a picture of the euro seats... but here is a picture of the network fabric in anthracite on Specter88's 120d. I will have to remember to take some pics of Oli's car this weekend at the Wu car show


Dackel

[Traverner]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I believe the cloth type for the euro seats you are looking is called: Fabric "Network"/cranberry-red


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...88&hg=52&fg=10


You have to look up a euro spec car.

I don't have a picture of the euro seats... but here is a picture of the network fabric in anthracite on Specter88's 120d. I will have to remember to take some pics of Oli's car this weekend at the Wu car show


Dackel

In my search, I came upon Real OEM using a Euro spec. They unfortunately do not have prices listed for most of the components, but maybe I'll shoot them an e-mail. Then again, I can't tell if you can actually order parts from them, or it's just a catalog of available parts. In that case, maybe a Canadian dealer can order the Euro parts, if US dealers cannot.

[Dackelone]

^^RealOEM is only an online parts catalog. You can only look part numbers up there. You have to order the parts from a dealer. Can you order eurp parts thru a Canadian dealer?

[Traverner]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

^^RealOEM is only an online parts catalog. You can only look part numbers up there. You have to order the parts from a dealer. Can you order eurp parts thru a Canadian dealer?

I'm not sure. Someone had mentioned the possibility in another post/forum but that doesn't mean much.