Leather or Leatherette

Vikingus · 04-19-2007, 09:56 AM

Hi all,
Initially the paragraph below was intended to ask for your opinions about the title subject but since that thread is almost dead so I decided to make a new one with a poll.

Originally I chose leather because many people I know said it's easier to maintain, clean and it will last longer, now I hear it's vice versa... I didn't get premium pkg just got leather and the assist. So, what's the real case between leather and leatherette? I still have the time to change my order... I know leather is softer but I'll be using my car mostly for city driving and occasional trips... I also heard that leatherette rather breaks easier and faster, but I have leather in my sebring, it's white and fairly beat up... I'd like to know what are your experiences between those two, especially in BMW cars

I was also thinking about losing leather and take cold weather package instead.
Thanks

TahoeOG · 04-19-2007, 10:00 AM

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Myyyyyyyyyy Gooooooooooodddddd......

SDYANKEE · 04-19-2007, 10:03 AM

I've had a 2001 330 and now a 2007 335, the former with leather, and the latter with "leatherette," also known as vinyl. I like the leatherette better for a few reasons over the leather, and it is mainly with regard to how they look after a given period of time.

The leather does not wear nearly as well; while I like to have the beat up leather look on an arm chair in my house, I'd rather not have it in my car. The "leatherette" just ages better with similar maintainance.

That being said, I've read on these forums that people that take care of their leather with great frequency (not so much differently than I did) experience the 'like new' leather look for years. Whether or not that's actually true is another topic of conversation, as it is just in leather's nature to age and crack, and so on and so forth. For me, I had the choice of either and chose the leatherette for how it ages, but more importantly, because that's how I wanted it . Other people's opinions don't matter when you are ordering your car. Best of luck to you!

SDYANKEE · 04-19-2007, 10:04 AM

That being said, use the

button, man!

flicks28 · 04-19-2007, 10:06 AM

I went with Black leatherette and am glad I did. Having had to clean 3 messes from throw-up from a 3 year old, it cleaned real easy. Also, with the car seat in the back, her feet rest right on top of the regular seat and constantly have dirt on it. I just wipe down the seat and it always looks like new until I put her back in the car. I would imagine I would have some wear marks from her feet by now if I had gone with leather.

I had a loaner car with light colored leather and there was some discoloration in the seats. I would think the loaners are abused a bit more, but it help re-inforce my decision not to go with leather.

flicks28 · 04-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDYANKEE

That being said, use the

button, man!

Yeah, I know there are alot of threads out there on this subject.

ski360 · 04-19-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railgun

I prefer dolphin hide.

That used to be my favorite, but I'm more a fan of baby seal....furry side out.

flicks28 · 04-19-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ski360

That used to be my favorite, but I'm more a fan of baby seal....furry side out.

To the OP, can you please add the additional choices of Dolphin hide and Furry baby seal to the poll?

canucklion · 04-19-2007, 10:16 AM

do you know why it's dead?????
because there are million threads with the same friggin' topic!

leather vs leatherette

Leatherette..shoulda got it instead of leather...

leather or leatherette, which is better?

Leather quality

Normal Wear & Tear of leather and leatherette seats (post pics pls)

leather vs leatherette

leather vs leatherette

k, got tired of CTRL C + V, there are way more out there

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingus

Hi all,
Initially the paragraph below was intended to ask for your opinions about the title subject but since that thread is almost dead so I decided to make a new one with a poll.

Vikingus · 04-19-2007, 10:22 AM

billmister, be careful there's a pole ahead of you, thanks for contributing.

Thanks, guys. I know it will come down to what I want, but I want to make a best choice and don't regret it in the future. Truthfully I was never a big fan of leather in the car. Also the cleaning is a pain sometimes, I don't always have that much time to clean it thoroughly and taking it from the sebring experience it takes a lot of time to clean it nice, especially if it's white.

I guess I answered my own question here, just had to see it in writing

Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Dave_3 · 04-19-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railgun

I prefer dolphin hide.

Aristotle Onassis (Ultra-wealthy shipping magnate for you youngsters) had his bar stools in his private "Yacht" Christina covered in the skin from Sperm Whale's foreskin/scrotums ...

If you like silicon tits that point up at 80, get Plasticette. If you enjoy the natural patina and provenance that comes with a well-lived life get Leather. It is an entirely subjective topic. There is no right answer.

D.

TahoeOG · 04-19-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingus

billmister, be careful there's a pole ahead of you, thanks for contributing.

Thanks, guys. I know it will come down to what I want, but I want to make a best choice and don't regret it in the future. Truthfully I was never a big fan of leather in the car. Also the cleaning is a pain sometimes, I don't always have that much time to clean it thoroughly and taking it from the sebring experience it takes a lot of time to clean it nice, especially if it's white.

I guess I answered my own question here, just had to see it in writing

Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Yeah i'll keep an eye out for the pole

i think i responded a long ass thread to a post about the same topic... you could gain knowledge from my others and not just mine. As stated in my thread it does come down to what your lifestyle is, like cleaning or not?, etc... you've been in leather before, go to the dealership and ask them to show you the leatherette... Plain and simple.. SO many threads about this topic STARTING another is just asking to get these type's of replies. Everyone here is trying to help, but if you don't get these responces you will most likely continue asking simple questions.
It's like what color do i pic posts... In the end YOU will be in the car everyday, and YOU will be making the payment, and YOU will have to live with it, not others. Everyone has different opinions to color, options, etc... One might like leather because of the feel, others to show off, others because it's only right on a 40k+ car, other because family only has leather... but it has to be with what YOU will live with... Good luck choosing, and yeah i will watch out for the pole next time, that's why people make mistakes to learn from them.

TahoeOG · 04-19-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDYANKEE

...because that's how I wanted it . Other people's opinions don't matter when you are ordering your car. Best of luck to you!

Thank you, exactly the point i was trying to get accrooss on my second post to this thread. SDYANKEE is totally right and hit the nail on the head.

LEDZEP · 04-19-2007, 10:58 AM

Dude... you're new, but for crying out loud.... this has been beaten to death countless times. The only outcome will be everyone arguing in favor of the choice they already made (imagine that). Pick one and move on.

Vikingus · 04-19-2007, 11:04 AM

I've been almost a daily guy on those boards for over a month now, just don't post a lot. I haven't seen a good leather thread yet that's why I went ahead a made it. Kinda I'm sorry I did, I guess, but I got few quite good responses that helped me with the decision. You are right though, I should've used the search option
Thanks again...

canucklion thanks for the links, I appreciate it.

TTG · 04-19-2007, 11:05 AM

What is leatherette?

Is it better than leather?

Do you guys think I should get it?

What colors does it come in?

Vikingus · 04-19-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Dude... you're new, but for crying out loud.... this has been beaten to death countless times. The only outcome will be everyone arguing in favor of the choice they already made (imagine that). Pick one and move on.

K don't wanna start an argument but here's a food for thought. If you're getting aggravated with the same posts and threads over and over again maybe it's time to look for a new and fresh board? If you see a thread that is beaten to death move on to the other one, that's what I do on boards that I'm fairly active on.

Peace :rocks:

LEDZEP · 04-19-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingus

I've been almost a daily guy on those boards for over a month now, just don't post a lot. I haven't seen a good leather thread yet that's why I went ahead a made it. Kinda I'm sorry I did, I guess, but I got few quite good responses that helped me with the decision. You are right though, I should've used the search option
Thanks again...

canucklion thanks for the links, I appreciate it.

No harm and no foul... and we welcome you. Many of us have just read these threads a billion times already.

TahoeOG · 04-19-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingus

... I haven't seen a good leather thread yet that's why I went ahead a made it...

TahoeOG · 04-19-2007, 11:23 AM

BTW don't think i'm trying to be an ass posting my posts to you.. I'm really trying to help. Here is a head starts to finding your answers. if people know this thread was talked about to death and didn't answer you would most likly get 0 post replies... and still continue to ask simple already talked about questions "should i get tints?" "post pics of tint levels".... It's all here in the forum bro, I'm not trying to be a dick.. your fairly new no harm in asking, but use the tools, you'll get alot more knowledge!... I posted some simple questions in the begning as well, and i bet most have as well.. Good luck man! Respect

LEDZEP · 04-19-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingus

If you're getting aggravated with the same posts and threads over and over again maybe it's time to look for a new and fresh board?

Quote:

Originally Posted by billmister

if people know this thread was talked about to death and didn't answer you would most likly get 0 post replies... and still continue to ask simple already talked about questions "should i get tints?" "post pics of tint levels"....

Exactly as billmister has said.

So, just to be sure I have this right... you're new to the forum, and rather than take a few minutes to use the search tool, or read the newbies instruction post from the admins, or ask a question that begins with "I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for with a search...", your suggestion is that if the veteran members don't like it we should just go elsewhere.

lvwirelessguy · 04-19-2007, 11:35 AM

This is awesome, always love to see people get worked up when a new leather vs. leatherette thread is started

04-19-2007, 09:56 AM	#1
Vikingus Nothing to see here folks 8 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	Leather or Leatherette Hi all, Initially the paragraph below was intended to ask for your opinions about the title subject but since that thread is almost dead so I decided to make a new one with a poll. Originally I chose leather because many people I know said it's easier to maintain, clean and it will last longer, now I hear it's vice versa... I didn't get premium pkg just got leather and the assist. So, what's the real case between leather and leatherette? I still have the time to change my order... I know leather is softer but I'll be using my car mostly for city driving and occasional trips... I also heard that leatherette rather breaks easier and faster, but I have leather in my sebring, it's white and fairly beat up... I'd like to know what are your experiences between those two, especially in BMW cars I was also thinking about losing leather and take cold weather package instead. Thanks __________________
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04-19-2007, 10:00 AM	#2
TahoeOG Major 83 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Ohhhhhhhhhhh Myyyyyyyyyy Gooooooooooodddddd...... __________________ Selling my winter setup, Hit me UP!
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04-19-2007, 10:03 AM	#3
SDYANKEE Private First Class 11 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	I've had a 2001 330 and now a 2007 335, the former with leather, and the latter with "leatherette," also known as vinyl. I like the leatherette better for a few reasons over the leather, and it is mainly with regard to how they look after a given period of time. The leather does not wear nearly as well; while I like to have the beat up leather look on an arm chair in my house, I'd rather not have it in my car. The "leatherette" just ages better with similar maintainance. That being said, I've read on these forums that people that take care of their leather with great frequency (not so much differently than I did) experience the 'like new' leather look for years. Whether or not that's actually true is another topic of conversation, as it is just in leather's nature to age and crack, and so on and so forth. For me, I had the choice of either and chose the leatherette for how it ages, but more importantly, because that's how I wanted it . Other people's opinions don't matter when you are ordering your car. Best of luck to you! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2007, 10:04 AM	#4
SDYANKEE Private First Class 11 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	That being said, use the button, man! __________________
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04-19-2007, 10:06 AM	#5
flicks28 Private First Class 6 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2007 335i; 2006 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I went with Black leatherette and am glad I did. Having had to clean 3 messes from throw-up from a 3 year old, it cleaned real easy. Also, with the car seat in the back, her feet rest right on top of the regular seat and constantly have dirt on it. I just wipe down the seat and it always looks like new until I put her back in the car. I would imagine I would have some wear marks from her feet by now if I had gone with leather. I had a loaner car with light colored leather and there was some discoloration in the seats. I would think the loaners are abused a bit more, but it help re-inforce my decision not to go with leather.
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View Poll Results: Leather or Leatherette
Leather	40	52.63%
Leatherette	36	47.37%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

04-19-2007, 10:22 AM	#10
Vikingus Nothing to see here folks 8 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	billmister, be careful there's a pole ahead of you, thanks for contributing. Thanks, guys. I know it will come down to what I want, but I want to make a best choice and don't regret it in the future. Truthfully I was never a big fan of leather in the car. Also the cleaning is a pain sometimes, I don't always have that much time to clean it thoroughly and taking it from the sebring experience it takes a lot of time to clean it nice, especially if it's white. I guess I answered my own question here, just had to see it in writing Thanks for clearing it up for me. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2007, 10:58 AM	#14
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Dude... you're new, but for crying out loud.... this has been beaten to death countless times. The only outcome will be everyone arguing in favor of the choice they already made (imagine that). Pick one and move on. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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04-19-2007, 11:04 AM	#15
Vikingus Nothing to see here folks 8 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	I've been almost a daily guy on those boards for over a month now, just don't post a lot. I haven't seen a good leather thread yet that's why I went ahead a made it. Kinda I'm sorry I did, I guess, but I got few quite good responses that helped me with the decision. You are right though, I should've used the search option Thanks again... canucklion thanks for the links, I appreciate it. __________________
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04-19-2007, 11:05 AM	#16
TTG ... 936 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	What is leatherette? Is it better than leather? Do you guys think I should get it? What colors does it come in? __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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04-19-2007, 11:23 AM	#20
TahoeOG Major 83 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	BTW don't think i'm trying to be an ass posting my posts to you.. I'm really trying to help. Here is a head starts to finding your answers. if people know this thread was talked about to death and didn't answer you would most likly get 0 post replies... and still continue to ask simple already talked about questions "should i get tints?" "post pics of tint levels".... It's all here in the forum bro, I'm not trying to be a dick.. your fairly new no harm in asking, but use the tools, you'll get alot more knowledge!... I posted some simple questions in the begning as well, and i bet most have as well.. Good luck man! Respect __________________ Selling my winter setup, Hit me UP!
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04-19-2007, 11:35 AM	#22
lvwirelessguy Captain 30 Rep 955 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2012 Golf TDI Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 702 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2005 M3 [0.00]	This is awesome, always love to see people get worked up when a new leather vs. leatherette thread is started
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