Black Leather Interior: Harder to Keep Clean?

PeterNYC · #1 06-07-2006, 10:36 AM

I am about to take delivery on an '06 x3...Silver Gray with the black leather interior....We went with black over the tan b/c we figured tan would show dark marks, dog hair (we have a chocolate lab), scuffs, etc (our current 325i is tan and it's really faded, though it's 12 years old).

But then I've been reading posts here (and on Bimmerfest) were people think the black is really hard to keep clean....

I think even the tans have a black dash, and the dash is usually the spot that gets dustiest.

Do any black vs. tan owners have thoughts? I have a bottle of leather cleaner and trim spray i'll keep in the car...i'm happy to wipe it down in between washes if that's what it takes

But maybe my thinking re black was off base?

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Rick in Prescott · #2 06-07-2006, 10:51 AM

Yep, everything shows on black. If it didn't look so good when it's clean I wouldn't have it. The carpets are always dirty and the seats show everything if you are up close. If the tan seats in the X3 would be the same color tan as the X5 has, we would of went with it. I'm not a fan of the X3 tan or Terracotta and we had an e46 with Gray interior for 6 years. We were ready for a change. I use Murphy's oil soap in a little warm water to keep the seats, dash and door panels clean. I don't like the products that make everything shiny and worse, attract dust.
Speaking of dust, catch the weather channel today. They have been talking about the dust storm that hit the Phoenix valley yesterday. We got stuck right in the middle of it yesterday afternoon. We drove down from Prescott to do a business presentation at 4:00pm. It was absolutly nuts. This was the second one we've been on.

bozo · #3 06-07-2006, 10:59 AM

YES YES YES!! Black is a PITA!! I had black on my e46, black in my Accord, and now Black in my X5. I hate it so much, and I keep telling myself I will never do it again, but like Rick says, it looks so good when it IS clean, that I end up going with it again...Its the same exact thing on the exterior..Nothing looks quite like a shiny black car, but its getting it there thats the problem!!!

PeterNYC · #4 06-07-2006, 11:07 AM

damn...

Well, shame on me...I guess i should have asked this BEFORE i ordered the damned thing. Oh well.

I still believe that tan, over times, shows more in terms of scuff marks and wear and tear (not dust but like black scuffs from shoes, skis, dogs, etc)

I guess I'll have to live and learn on this one

xx3 · #5 06-07-2006, 11:09 AM

Really? The tan seats on the 04's especially are a ***** to clean. It is a pretty common problem that materials like jeans will rub off and create markings on to the leather. The tan floor carpet will age extremely fast too if you live in a rainy area where you'll be treading water into the car.

PeterNYC · #6 06-07-2006, 11:14 AM

well, so i guess they are all hard to clean

that is what i thought XX3....that at least with black, darker things like mud on teh floor and rainwater, etc., wouldn't show up as easily.

rayxi · #7 06-07-2006, 11:27 AM

I have black leather interior. I don't find it particularly harder to keep clean mostly because my expectations are lower - I have two young kids.

bozo · #8 06-07-2006, 11:40 AM

I think it is important to point out that black ages much better than tan anyday..And youre right about the scuffs, etc...The problem with black is that it is EASy to see every tiny peice of dirt, etc...With tan, minor debris is somewhat subdued...

I really dont have the right to discuss this as I have already had two MickeyD milkshakes spill on my backseats..

Dont even ask...

cmyX6go · #9 06-07-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterNYC

damn...

Well, shame on me...I guess i should have asked this BEFORE i ordered the damned thing. Oh well.

I still believe that tan, over times, shows more in terms of scuff marks and wear and tear (not dust but like black scuffs from shoes, skis, dogs, etc)

I guess I'll have to live and learn on this one

I'd take black any day. I have black now and love it. Does it get dusty, yes, especially since I always have my windows open. As someone else said, the lighter color interiors are a b*tch. I had light gray on my '01 and hated it. New black pants, new jeans really discolored the seats.

I personally don't like the contrast between the light interior and the black dash. Harsh contrast, especially on the tan.

PeterNYC · #10 06-07-2006, 12:19 PM

ok, well, i have what i have...I'll live with and be just fine....Maybe my idea re black is right after all

As with a lot of things, i get it's a matter of personal preference, though i do agree re the black dash/tan leather contrast...with black at least it's more uniform.

I think she comes into port this weekend and i take delivery next week...I'll post some pics when I get her home and street legal, so to speak

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