Leather vs. Leatherette

[ctm78]

Anyone know an easy way to tell if I have leather or leatherette? I'm sure if they were side-by-side I could tell, but alone it's hard. BMW does a pretty good job of faking it.

Any suggestions?

[Cruzin 323is]

i have never heard ot bmw putting leatherette in there cars... i have only heard to vw and audi,

[mankiks323i]

Originally posted by Cruzin 323is@Aug 10 2004, 06:19 PM
i have never heard ot bmw putting leatherette in there cars... i have only heard to vw and audi,

aahh yes they do. vinyl leatherette on my car does not show a lot of wrinkles on the side bolster as does leather. leather will show more and feel a little softer... thats my opinion i have around 68k miles in my interier and still looks good

[white 330ci]

leatherette feels stretchy or spongy to me.

[KillFox]

Possibly the smell?

I am fairly certain i have leatherette, since the seats look almost factory new at 73k miles...

[jefft325i]

Originally posted by ctm78@Aug 10 2004, 06:12 PM
Anyone know an easy way to tell if I have leather or leatherette? I'm sure if they were side-by-side I could tell, but alone it's hard. BMW does a pretty good job of faking it.

Any suggestions?

I asked this question when I got my car as well

Someone told me - double stitching = leather, single stitch = leatherette.

OR

call your local dealer and give them your VIN - they'll tell you exactly which options your car came from the factory with.

[GnarlyCow]

I have leatherette in my car (2001 325Ci). It's a harder surface than regular leather. When I was searching for my 'new' used car in the same year range, the real leather seatsa had more wear showing (cracks, creases, etc.) whereas the leatherette still looked like new. I also liked the feel of the leatherette better than the leather (strangely). Lucky me! A cheaper option that I actually prefer! :P

[woobiee]

jefft325i is right, double stitching is leather and single stitching is leatherette