Probably ordering a car this week. Sensatec vs Vernasca???

[OUGrad05]

I'm posting this in the general discussion because it's more about BMWs Sensatec vs Vernasca leather. I'm likely to order an i4 this week.

My 335i has the Dakota leather, it's been durable and comfortable for the most part but it's black and hot as hell in the Oklahoma summers.
So I'm leaning towards something lighter or perforated at least.

My last two BMW loaners were Sensatec equipped cars and I was blown away at how good it was. I just assumed it was a higher grade leather than my Dakota leather but when I looked at the sticker on the X3 it was Sensatec.

The Sensatec product at some point has gotten quite good, the dealer told me that happened after 2019.

What are people's thoughts on Sensatec vs the Vernasca offered in the i4?

This car is something I'll probably keep awhile. I kept my 3 series 7 years now and by the time I get my i4 it'll be close to 8 years. This car I will likely drive for 4-5 years and then possibly pass to my oldest daughter as her first car, or perhaps the car she takes to college, that's still a ways off so we have some time to sort through that.

Point being, I want something durable, easy to clean and take care of.

[DanG]

I prefer real leather.

[Germanauto]

You're ordering an expensive luxury car, get real leather. Vernasca isn't super high maintenance. Even Merino just needs cleaning/conditioning a couple times a year, Vernasca is even easier.

I can't do the fake stuff, no matter how good an imitation it is (which it isn't).

[itrocks4u]

Uhh since when was leather an option? Aren't G8x just merino leather?

[Tuxedo]

2 opinions

ordering an i4 will take 7-11mo to arrive to your US dealer, you'll have time to change the build until the VIN is assigned 4-9mo away.

the only reason for me to get the leather is the cologne ish smell BMW leather has. Mrs Tux however leather only. I have 4 current BMW's in the driveway 2 w/leather 2 w/sensatec. each trade a few pros and cons you've already mentioned, no wrong answer imo

[chassis]

Vernasca is good. We have enjoyed it for 3 years on my wife’s G01. Low/no maintenance, looks and smells good.

[SteveinArizona]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or in the case of upholstery...also in the butt). I had Dakota previously and didn't like it and went to Nappa in my current DD. I love the Nappa. IMHO Vernasca is a slightly better version of Dakota. Both are so highly treated that they feel like Sensatec.

so...for me...if I had to choose between the two I would save the money and get the sensatec.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or in the case of upholstery...also in the butt). I had Dakota previously and didn't like it and went to Nappa in my current DD. I love the Nappa. IMHO Vernasca is a slightly better version of Dakota. Both are so highly treated that they feel like Sensatec.

so...for me...if I had to choose between the two I would save the money and get the sensatec.

I think my wife's Acura has NAPA and it's super nice. That's not an option on the i4. It's either Vernasca or Sensatec.

[BMWCCA1]

If you go back a few years the only problem you see with deteriorated interior upholstery is with vinyl or Sensatec interiors. Even on our 1-series, the Sensatec will crack in the primary wear points of entry and even the leather interiors after 2011 are only partial leather with the side panels on the seats in Sensatec and that's where the cracking starts first. I've even had Sensatec customer cars in the past where we've had to replace the seat covers during the warranty period for cracking. Now the new Sensatec may be different but, for me, it's still too early to tell, given past performance. In my mind the only reason to not get leather is either color choice (weirdly some BMWs offer colors in Sensatec you can't get in leather) or to save $1400. I always ask: Do you wear plastic shoes? Even perforated Sensatec doesn't really breathe. It does feel softer to the touch simply because it is, by definition, a "plastic" material, especially when it's warm. But then it is hotter to the touch in hot weather and colder to the touch in cold weather. My 20-year-old cars with full leather still look perfect, but maybe leather isn't really "leather" anymore, either, just as Sensatec is nowhere near as durable as BMW Skai Vinyl was back in the Neu Range cars of the '60s and '70s. My 50-year-old "leatherette" on my 1600 convertible is still in great shape. But back then "leatherette" was thicker than today and so was leather.

But, yeah, what's the hurry to decide? What false promises is your dealership making on delivery? We're still waiting for cars that were ordered under the first pre-order one-year ago.

[SpeedyATL]

Sensatec all the way for me. I love the look of the new perf'd sensatec.

My wife's X3 has vernasca and it makes the seats too hard for us for more than 60-90 minute drives. Dries out pretty quickly as well.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Sensatec all the way for me. I love the look of the new perf'd sensatec.

My wife's X3 has vernasca and it makes the seats too hard for us for more than 60-90 minute drives. Dries out pretty quickly as well.

I've read in several places to avoid the ventilated seats on the 4 series and X3 and have read that the Sensatec has more cushion. I'm not sure the latter can be verified but the former certainly does seem to be the case. Has me probably not ordering the ventilated seats on this one.

[Jklotz]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

I've read in several places to avoid the ventilated seats on the 4 series and X3 and have read that the Sensatec has more cushion. I'm not sure the latter can be verified but the former certainly does seem to be the case. Has me probably not ordering the ventilated seats on this one.

I would imagine the leather would break in over time though.

[pz619]

Having both sensatec and various bmw leathers, I don’t really see the value in the actual leather products. I do wish they would offer a full palette of the sensatec colors and stitching.

I’d be perfectly happy with sensatec over real leather.

[FloridaM8]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

I'm posting this in the general discussion because it's more about BMWs Sensatec vs Vernasca leather. I'm likely to order an i4 this week.

My 335i has the Dakota leather, it's been durable and comfortable for the most part but it's black and hot as hell in the Oklahoma summers.
So I'm leaning towards something lighter or perforated at least.

My last two BMW loaners were Sensatec equipped cars and I was blown away at how good it was. I just assumed it was a higher grade leather than my Dakota leather but when I looked at the sticker on the X3 it was Sensatec.

The Sensatec product at some point has gotten quite good, the dealer told me that happened after 2019.

What are people's thoughts on Sensatec vs the Vernasca offered in the i4?

This car is something I'll probably keep awhile. I kept my 3 series 7 years now and by the time I get my i4 it'll be close to 8 years. This car I will likely drive for 4-5 years and then possibly pass to my oldest daughter as her first car, or perhaps the car she takes to college, that's still a ways off so we have some time to sort through that.

Point being, I want something durable, easy to clean and take care of.

If you're looking for resale value, obviously the upgrade is worth it. But in my opinion, the Perforated Sensac in my X3 is amazing. I'm very happy with it on the sport seats. Just my .02

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

Uhh since when was leather an option? Aren't G8x just merino leather?

He's considering an i4 (G26) not an M car (G8X).

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

He's considering an i4 (G26) not an M car (G8X).

Originally Posted by Burrcold

He's considering an i4 (G26) not an M car (G8X).

Correct. Ordering an i4.

[Westside Guy]

My wife has Sensatec in her 2021 228i Gran Coupe and I have Vernasca leather in my 2022 Z4 M40i. I would never have considered ordering Sensatec for a car like the Z4.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

You're ordering an expensive luxury car, get real leather. Vernasca isn't super high maintenance. Even Merino just needs cleaning/conditioning a couple times a year, Vernasca is even easier.

I can't do the fake stuff, no matter how good an imitation it is (which it isn't).

Companies like Xpel offer products to protect the leather. I have the Ivory/ White Vernasca leather and used Xpel to protect it.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

My wife has Sensatec in her 2021 228i Gran Coupe and I have Vernasca leather in my 2022 Z4 M40i. I would never have considered ordering Sensatec for a car like the Z4.

Ok but why? Random statements with no rationale don't really help.

Have you had bad experiences with Sensatec? Does it crack and fall apart more easily? Something else?

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

I think my wife's Acura has NAPA and it's super nice. That's not an option on the i4. It's either Vernasca or Sensatec.

I know. That is one of the reasons I am now driving a 5 series.

[ASAP]

Sensatec is garbage.... and doesn't fit such an expensive car. The Vernasca wears very well and is durable... also doesn't feel like rubber.