Leather or Leatherette?

[AZ Ferrari Man]

I had a friend ask me the other day which was better Leather or Leatherette? He wanted to know which, if cared for properly would last longer and retain its look. He is going to be ordering a new BMW and wanted to know which he should get. If properly cared for I would think leatherette- What do y'all think?

Andrew

 

[joyriide1113]

I've ridden in both leather and leatherete. Once when I was test driving my car and the other on my step-brothers X5. Leather is the way to go. Leatherette does not wrinkle as easily and tends to be easier to care for. But also gets sticky in hot weather. When I would drive my brothers X5 for long trips I would sweat from my lower back. I guess the leatherette didn't allow it to breathe.

It feels like rubber if you ask me.

Also, and I only refer to BMW's, unless you plan on black interior, Leatherette is real noticeable.

Plus, Leather wrinkling gives it soul!

If he chooses the premium package it would allow him to save a bit on the elather with the addition of other cool options.

 

[jaybs02]

I would go with genuine leather.
It's a natural material that breathes.

JMHO
"J"

 

[Beemerboy]

Isn't leatherette a fancy name for Naugahyde?

 

[palomino]

Leather isnt THAT hard to care for decently anyways.

Wipe it off regularly, be careful to not rub on the side bolsters when getting in & out, and treat it occasionally and you're good to go.

Although, for some people even that is too much work. it really depends of if the owner cares enough to keep their car in good condition.

The softer leathers require more thoughtfulness than the stiffer leathers. My stepdad was so lazy, the super soft light tan leather in his GS300 was stained by pen ink and there was a 6" rip on the driver's side bolster from a bad button on the back of his pants. You can tell the rip was caused over time, not all at once, because the surrounding leather was thinned out and the coloring had disappeared. Poor GS :bawling:

The leather in my 328 convertible is a lot thicker & harder feeling, and I dont need to watch out for it as much.

 

[Mikeyc]

Isn't leatherette a fancy name for Naugahyde?

I think it's BMW's fancy word for vinyl.

 

[chml17l]

Mikec is correct. Leatherette = plastic leather = vinyl.

I agree that leatherette should outlast leather.

 

[Beemerboy]

Mikec is correct. Leatherette = plastic leather = vinyl.

I agree that leatherette should outlast leather.

I'm working on a 9185 325e that has this leatherette and it is still in great shape....the cushions could use some new stuffing but the seats have no cuts and separations at all, I've cleaned leather that was 10 years old that was in allot worse shape than these