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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Sport seats: leather or Sensatec/alcantara? Pictures?

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      01-21-2019, 04:36 PM   #1
philisme
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Sport seats: leather or Sensatec/alcantara? Pictures?

I'm preparing the purchase of my new 330e G20 M-Sport (Portimao Blue - Shadow line + black kidney grill - black interior - 19" wheels).
But I can't find good pictures of the seats options...

On this video from the factory (https://youtu.be/SSTCNs-vGok?t=5), we can see a Sensatec/alcantara seat being quality-controlled. It's the only "picture" I could find.


They look WAY nicer than the former alcantara seats from the F30 !
The perforated alcantara in the middle is a good idea because the sensatec doesn't "breathe" like real leather, so I get sweaty in the back during a long drive.
Combined with Sensatec dash, I think this can do a nice sport-chic interior !


Compared to the M-Sport leather seats (+/- 2000€)


What do you think ?
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Last edited by philisme; 01-21-2019 at 04:43 PM..
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      01-21-2019, 05:14 PM   #2
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One vote to avoid Alcantara. Not a fan of that highly-marketed synthetic "ultrasuede" fabric trying to look like suede, but actually with notable maintenance requirements, especially for something as heavily used as a seat or a steering wheel. Maybe Alcantara for a non-contact surface like a headliner, but I wouldn't put it anywhere else for a car I'm keeping for a while. I'd take full leather or full Sensatec first for seating.
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      01-21-2019, 06:43 PM   #3
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I agree with you for the steering wheel, it's a bad idea (accepte on a GT3 )
Alcantara is 100% synthetic but very easy to clean.
I owned an Audi A3 8V with S-Line seats with perforated alcantara seats. They were in perfect condition when I sold it with 60.000 km.

Those seats

(picture from internet)
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      01-22-2019, 11:33 AM   #4
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If you're the type to maintain your car well, Alcantara is fine. Even on a steering wheel. The regular cleaning can be annoying though for a high-mileage daily driver.

Alcantara is technically lighter than leather and breathes much better than the cheaper car leathers (like Dakota and Vernasca). It is also much tackier which acts as a natural bolster to prevent sliding in aggressive driving. So it does have substantial benefits for people who really drive their cars.
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      01-22-2019, 11:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
If you're the type to maintain your car well, Alcantara is fine. Even on a steering wheel. The regular cleaning can be annoying though for a high-mileage daily driver.

Alcantara is technically lighter than leather and breathes much better than the cheaper car leathers (like Dakota and Vernasca). It is also much tackier which acts as a natural bolster to prevent sliding in aggressive driving. So it does have substantial benefits for people who really drive their cars.
I'm all for cloth seats in a car, so I guess fake suede works too.
Would like to know what makes Dakota leather cheaper in your opinion?
I hope it's not because it's printed pebble grain vs. unprinted smooth leather. That doesn't make one more or less expensive.
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      01-22-2019, 12:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MT4life View Post
I'm all for cloth seats in a car, so I guess fake suede works too.
Would like to know what makes Dakota leather cheaper in your opinion?
I hope it's not because it's printed pebble grain vs. unprinted smooth leather. That doesn't make one more or less expensive.
Dakota leather is split leather. It's fine for durability but is the cheapest part of the leather. It's embossed with a grain pattern and coated with a plastic layer so it is not breathable. This does make it quite durable and easy to clean though.

Something like Merino leather is a full grain leather with no artificial coating or grain texture. This requires using a much higher quality and blemish free hide. It's more breathable, but will stain much more easily since it's a very natural leather product with minimal processing.
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      01-22-2019, 01:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
Dakota leather is split leather. It's fine for durability but is the cheapest part of the leather. It's embossed with a grain pattern and coated with a plastic layer so it is not breathable. This does make it quite durable and easy to clean though.

Something like Merino leather is a full grain leather with no artificial coating or grain texture. This requires using a much higher quality and blemish free hide. It's more breathable, but will stain much more easily since it's a very natural leather product with minimal processing.
What is the source? Not youwheel, but a BMW official source.
I get that Dakota is printed and possibly corrected vs Merino being smooth and uncorrected, higher grade hide. I doubt Merino is full grain, probably top grain at best just like top grain Dakota. For a car seat that needs durability I would pick Dakota over Merino any time.

here's a upclose picture of Merino. Notice it has no epidermis and hair follicles, it's also still coated with something. Not a full grain.
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Last edited by MT4life; 01-22-2019 at 01:43 PM..
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      01-22-2019, 02:04 PM   #8
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Here, I'll answer my own question so we don't start spreading around rumors.
Pays off knowing German a little
BMW leather is provided by Hans Reinke Handelsgesellschaft MBH
Dakota is part of their Basis Leather:

"Basis for BMW is our most economical choice in automotive leather. It is a corrected, printed top grain hide that has been re-tanned to soften its hand, while maintaining superior durability. Selected from European raw material. This is a fantastic leather with great value."

Nappa is the only Full Grain leather, I don't know if it's available on G20.

Merino is top grain like Dakota but uncorrected and not printed.

Based on my experience buying leather hides, I guarantee you the difference in price between Dakota and Merino is no more than 1.50-2 dollars a sq.ft.

https://de.hans-reinke.com/
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      01-22-2019, 05:08 PM   #9
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No way in hell I'm spending $60k on a car with vinyl seats with glued on terry bear hairs on it.
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      01-22-2019, 05:50 PM   #10
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No way in hell I'm spending $60k on a car with vinyl seats with glued on terry bear hairs on it.
And that too, lol
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      01-23-2019, 01:39 PM   #11
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I'm looking forward to seeing the Alcantara seats in person.
And to all the US guys, I assume you won't get this as an option.
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      01-23-2019, 01:45 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by remmib View Post
I'm looking forward to seeing the Alcantara seats in person.
And to all the US guys, I assume you won't get this as an option.
Doesn't seem to be an option on the 330i. But I think they are the base seats on the m340i
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      01-23-2019, 07:56 PM   #13
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Sensatec is horrible. Looks very cheap. Check it out on any existing bmw at your dealership. Leather is worth the charge
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      01-24-2019, 04:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tqbmw View Post
Sensatec is horrible. Looks very cheap. Check it out on any existing bmw at your dealership. Leather is worth the charge
The new sensatec is MUCH better than the F30 sensatec
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      01-24-2019, 09:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NH_F36 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by tqbmw View Post
Sensatec is horrible. Looks very cheap. Check it out on any existing bmw at your dealership. Leather is worth the charge
The new sensatec is MUCH better than the F30 sensatec
In the new x5 it is horrible still. Leather is worth it in my opinion. Just looks so cheap once to me. I'm assuming the 19 x5 has the same sedate this you are referring too, and still awful in my opinion.
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