leather or leatherette?!

crosvs · #1 02-12-2007, 11:37 AM

So here's a funny thing:

I got in someone's car the other day -- it's a 10 year old 528i -- and the first thing I noticed was that familiar "old BMW" smell. Come on, you've smelled it before ... that delicious scent of worn leather that, on a warm day, wafts out of the car when you open the door.

And then it hit me:

"Don't tell me you've got real leather and i've got that fake leatherette stuff?!?!" I asked him.

He said he had no idea ... which brings me here now: my 5 year old X5 with -- presumably -- leather interior(!) and 115,000 mile does NOT have that "worn leather" scent when you first get in the car.

Do i have leatherette?!?! How can i check to be certain?!

Thanks

Hm. I think i should start a poll too while I'm at it....

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B&DCalgary · #2 02-12-2007, 11:57 AM

You definitely lose the leather smell over time. The only way to maintain it is to periodically clean and condition the leather. Some products even have a leather scent added to them, including some of the products designed for cleaning and conditioning vinyl and plastic.

Coffeeman · #3 02-12-2007, 12:06 PM

The leather that was used in 1980's, early '90's BMW vehicles was much thicker than the "Dakota" leather used today. IMHO, it was also a much higher quality than what we find in BMW's today...More similar to the leather currently used in "M" cars. Maybe that is the difference that you detect.

jpm4.8is · #4 02-12-2007, 01:33 PM

Leather has a softer feel than leatherette...

xnsf · #5 02-12-2007, 01:34 PM

do you have a BC button on the radio? if you do chances are you have leather. Also, leatherette looks more plasticky...

xnsf · #6 02-12-2007, 01:36 PM

what would help is if you posted pictures of your seats

xnsf · #7 02-12-2007, 01:40 PM

this is leatherette...i'll go find one of leather...this model comes without premium package, with no BC button on the radio, and black exterior door handles

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...QQcmdZViewItem

xnsf · #8 02-12-2007, 01:44 PM

i just noticed you have a 4.4i...you have leather...

crosvs · #9 02-12-2007, 03:38 PM

haha ok cool, good to know -- and yes, the quality of the leather in his 528 DEFINITELY seemed much nicer

*sigh*

dkl · #10 02-12-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnsf

this is leatherette...i'll go find one of leather...this model comes without premium package, with no BC button on the radio, and black exterior door handles

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...QQcmdZViewItem

This car does have the premium package (auto climate, moonroof and wood trim are the give-away), thus it has leather. Early models does not necessarily come with the BC button.

I found that leatherette have more of a spongy feel to it than leather.

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