I know the alcantra. I've seen it on steering wheels not on seats though. I am actually thinking of a high grade cloth like on some 4.8's

yeah...the 'cloth' on the 4.8's seats is alcantara :thumbup:

I can't imagine we are describing the same material. Maybe alcantara and cloth are both options? The cloth I have seen has a pattern, various colors. and weave to it, it is also used on the door inserts

now i'm unsure...:confused:

i thought they were alcantara inserts...or maybe i'm thinking about another car...

hmm...I rememeber vaguely sitting in a 4.6 at the 2002 Autoshow, and I knew for sure it was alcantara....maybe Europe has different options, because some vehicles, like the MB E, are standard with cloth/fabric there....:dunno:

Although Alcantara feels almost exactly like suede, it is actually a high quality synthetic material.

www.alcantara.com

"In the Automotive sector, Alcantara® fully satisfies those who look for functionality in the beauty and the extraordinary in everyday life. Able to make more beautiful and distinctive the interiors of the avant-garde models and of the most futuristic concept cars, without losing a sporty grip that makes driving an absolute pleasure, Alcantara® is the only material beautiful to live every day, that gives an invaluable sensation of comfort."
Alcantara® is a choice of style, shared by the most prestigious car makers.

Um for a 50k vehicle, it's pathetic to not have leather, I mean friggin Camrys have leather!

talk about a thread from the past! anyway i would go with leather, whenever I have a loaner from enterprise (328i with standard equipment, including leatherette) i always notice the distinct smell of the leatherette.. however that may just be the air freshener they throw in those cars!

either way, the leatherette doesn't actually FEEL that bad and you can tell it is pretty good quality stuff, I personally just prefer the real thing

If I could get the sport seats in leatherette then I'd be all for it. It just lasts so damn long!

Leather's for baseball gloves! :)
 

I have a 96 318i with the leather and one morning it was about -30 degrees and I put my hand on the drivers seat to reach for something in the passenger seat and the heel of my hand went through the leather! Now there's a tear about 4 inches long in the seat. I know this won't happen with the leatherette as I tried it last winter. It's just more durable and the leatherette never had any kind of smell. The only options I got on my new 06 were the xenons and the aero pkg but I've got power seats etc. Everyone that has ever ridden in my X doesn't know it's not real leather!