Help: Sensatec or Leather

[Harry2007]

Okay, so I can’t decide what type of material and what color interior. I’ve had black for so long - I’d like to try something else.

Im probably getting a white metallic X7 with black rims. Do I need to get black interior? I have a 5 and 3 year old, so I don’t want them destroying the leather by accident. Do you see much cracking with BMW vernasca leather? I like cognac and coffee too. Does anyone have pics of their seats a couple years after they bought their cars, either sensatec or vernasca?

Thank you

[Germanauto]

Don't have kids but I feel Vernasca is pretty strong. Much of my life I've had brown interiors and they hold up very well, they are nothing like cream interiors to maintain. I know you didn't mention it, but maybe avoid Merino leather as it is definitely more delicate and requires more upkeep as far as cleaning/conditioning goes.

Personally not a fan of Sensatec as I hate fake materials. An X7 is an expensive flagship SUV, so proper leather seems befitting such a high-end car. I'm sure Cognac Vernasca would be suitable for your needs. If you are really worried about the color, then Coffee is a darker brown option (although Cognac is more beautiful and sporting in my eyes).

[Papa Popov]

So my '09 128i is a hell of a ways off from an X7, but I absolutely love my black Sensatec interior. Its been almost 14 years and the interior is still pristine (knocking on my wood trim). There's very little maintenance involved compared to real leather and my ass can't tell a difference. Just vacuum it out and give it a wipe down every now and then and its good to go. Granted I'm not hauling execs around, just friends and the occasional co-worker. I do wish I had that genuine leather smell but given that this car is my daily the lack of required upkeep more than makes up for it.

That being said, if I was dropping X7 money I'd be spending the extra $1500 on real leather for my land yacht, kids be damned.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

So my '09 128i is a hell of a ways off from an X7, but I absolutely love my black Sensatec interior. Its been almost 14 years and the interior is still pristine (knocking on my wood trim). There's very little maintenance involved compared to real leather and my ass can't tell a difference. Just vacuum it out and give it a wipe down every now and then and its good to go. Granted I'm not hauling execs around, just friends and the occasional co-worker. I do wish I had that genuine leather smell but given that this car is my daily the lack of required upkeep more than makes up for it.

That being said, if I was dropping X7 money I'd be spending the extra $1500 on real leather for my land yacht, kids be damned.

My 09 E90 had terracotta (brown/orange) Dakota leather. We had the car in the family for 12 years. It held up flawlessly. Versnasca seems similar to Dakota, a little nicer and soter.

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

My 09 E90 had terracotta (brown/orange) Dakota leather. We had the car in the family for 12 years. It held up flawlessly. Versnasca seems similar to Dakota, a little nicer and soter.

Terracotta is gorgeous. I'm still in the Sensatec gang, but if my car wasn't Alpine White a terracotta retrofit would be tempting.

What was the maintenance like for the leather?

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Terracotta is gorgeous. I'm still in the Sensatec gang, but if my car wasn't Alpine White a terracotta retrofit would be tempting.

What was the maintenance like for the leather?

Minimal. Just Lexol cleaner/conditioner a couple times annually. Kept the nice matte finish on the seats and steering wheel. Really only the driver's seat was used.

[chassis]

Both are good. We have mocha Vernasca and like it. Light colored interior with kids doesn’t seem like a good combination.

[gqgambler]

Originally Posted by Harry2007

Okay, so I can’t decide what type of material and what color interior. I’ve had black for so long - I’d like to try something else.

Im probably getting a white metallic X7 with black rims. Do I need to get black interior? I have a 5 and 3 year old, so I don’t want them destroying the leather by accident. Do you see much cracking with BMW vernasca leather? I like cognac and coffee too. Does anyone have pics of their seats a couple years after they bought their cars, either sensatec or vernasca?

Thank you

Cognac and Tartufo are excellent color options.

[wtwo3]

I have merino leather in my X5... and ivory at that. And I have a 4 year old. 2 and a half years later it still looks like new, and merino is the softest of the leathers. So vernasca should be more than fine.

Just get a carseat protector so that the carseat doesn't cause indents into the leather, and also get some kickmats for the front seats.

[RigaTony1982]

I had my car in for service last weekend and they gave me a 2022 X3 loaner with the perforated Sensatec (which I believe was new for this model year). I actually thought it was really comfortable and honestly, if I didn't know it was not real leather I don't think I'd have been able to tell.

I have the Vernasca in my current car but would be fine with the perforated Sensatec going forward.

[ASAP]

Sensatec is not fitting of the price of these cars... it may be strong however it feels and looks awful and cheap.

[TheKandyman]

I had the same mental battle when ordering my 440GC and ended up going with perforated Sensatec. It is not the same cheaper looking Sensatec as in previous generations. With a good stitch pattern and perforations, it actually looks premium. The perforations also help with breathability.
I say get whatever looks good to you and suits your needs regardless the material. The notion that anything premium requires leather (and wood) is just old school mentality.

[SteveinArizona]

My order of desire for upholstery:
1) Merino
2) Nappa
3) Sensatec
4) Vernasca
5) Dakota

I also would only get the dash covers if they matched the upholstery. So the leather dash for Merino and Nappa upholstery; Sensatec dash for the rest.

But...opinions are like rearends and everyone has one.

[SpeedyATL]

Originally Posted by TheKandyman

I had the same mental battle when ordering my 440GC and ended up going with perforated Sensatec. It is not the same cheaper looking Sensatec as in previous generations. With a good stitch pattern and perforations, it actually looks premium. The perforations also help with breathability.
I say get whatever looks good to you and suits your needs regardless the material. The notion that anything premium requires leather (and wood) is just old school mentality.

I would agree. The NEW perf sensatec is actually quite nice looking (the perf takes it to another level so if you haven't seen it, I'd suggest withholding comment until you do). I just ordered canberra beige in my 440CV. I expect to leave the top down a fair amount and I was afraid too much sun (or occasional rain) could be an issue with leather.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

My order of desire for upholstery:
1) Merino
2) Nappa
3) Sensatec
4) Vernasca
5) Dakota

I also would only get the dash covers if they matched the upholstery. So the leather dash for Merino and Nappa upholstery; Sensatec dash for the rest.

But...opinions are like rearends and everyone has one.

Really? Sensatec ahead of Dakota or Vernasca?

Beside the look that shows FAKE, sensatec can crack and peel in unnatural ways and is really cold in the winter. Keep in mind that Sensatec has limited stretching properties, hence is not as confortable as leather.

Dakota rules in a long run for any BMW. Is that good.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by TheKandyman

I had the same mental battle when ordering my 440GC and ended up going with perforated Sensatec. It is not the same cheaper looking Sensatec as in previous generations. With a good stitch pattern and perforations, it actually looks premium. The perforations also help with breathability.
I say get whatever looks good to you and suits your needs regardless the material. The notion that anything premium requires leather (and wood) is just old school mentality.

Agreed. My wife has the older Sensatec in her 2019 X1, and the perforated stuff is 100x nicer.

[Teutonic]

For a long run but still a comfortable and luxurious interior, Nevada and Vernasca are very good choices. Dakota is a little bit tougher.

Avoid Nappa and Merino by all means if this is not a toy.

In BMW lineup, the order in quality from best to the lowest I believe that it goes like this:

1 - Lavalina
2 - Merino
3 - Nappa
4 - Nevada / Vernasca
5 - Dakota / Boston
6 - Sensatec / Alcantara

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

For a long run but still a comfortable and luxurious interior, Dakota should be your first choice for leather followed by Vernasca.

Avoid Nappa and Merino by all means if this is not a toy.

In BMW lineup, the order in quality from best to the lowest goes like this:

1 - Lavalina
2 - Merino
3 - Nappa
4 - Vernasca / Dakota
5 - Sensatec

I am guessing that your comment about avoiding Nappa and Merino if the car is not a toy is that you think that they won't wear well. My car, with Nappa leather, is now four years old and the upholstery still looks new.

In my mind there is a huge gap between the first 3 choices above and the last two.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I am guessing that your comment about avoiding Nappa and Merino if the car is not a toy is that you think that they won't wear well. My car, with Nappa leather, is now four years old and the upholstery still looks new.

In my mind there is a huge gap between the first 3 choices above and the last two.

I own a 10 yo in Nevada, a 2021 in Vernasca and a 2021 in Merino.
Nevada is absolutely amazing after 10 years.
Vernasca is similar and resilient as well.
Merino is so fine, but is actually a soft glove leather and is extremely pretentious.

Yes, Nappa is better as it has a protective coat applied to it (like Dakota, Nevada and Vernasca) whereas the Merino has no protective coat.
Merino doesn't do well on high friction environment like inside outside friction for daily chores. Wonderful and luxurious but extremely pretentious.

Nappa is way better for a DD but still very pretentious, while Nevada and Vernasca are excellent.
My point was that a car with Merino and Nappa maybe are not the best choice for a car that is used as a daily family (small kids) hauler.
Merino definitely not.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

For a long run but still a comfortable and luxurious interior, Nevada and Vernasca are very good choices. Dakota is a little bit tougher.

Avoid Nappa and Merino by all means if this is not a toy.

In BMW lineup, the order in quality from best to the lowest I believe that it goes like this:

1 - Lavalina
2 - Merino
3 - Nappa
4 - Nevada / Vernasca
5 - Dakota / Boston
6 - Sensatec / Alcantara

Personally I don't count lavalina since it's not really a bmw option but an Alpina option lol
That being said, you're pretty much spot on in terms of the leathers and their quality rankings. I believe merino is the only one without a protective coating, and Dakota and Verdasco personally almost feel like sensatec to me due to that. It's like a plasticy feel I can't really describe since it's sealed... but then again to each their own.

[stein_325i]

Get leather, BMW's Sansatec feels incredibly cheap even compared to Lexus NuLuxe and MB-Tex.

[Game]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Get leather, BMW's Sansatec feels incredibly cheap even compared to Lexus NuLuxe and MB-Tex.

The new stuff feels and looks good.