[328_X5_X7]

Resurrecting this thread...Now that sensafin has been out a while, how are people feeling about wear/durability about going with sensafin?

[Kalvis]

I have LCI Skyscraper gray + Silverstone Sensafin since October.
No regrets! Sensafin looks great and fresh comparing to my previous Merino leather 2020 X7.
In Europa when ordering there was no price difference between Sensafin and Merino.
Certainly its not about some entry level lower cost option but about sustainability.

[rjabend]

I intensionally ordered Sensafin because it is cheaper, more durable than leather, and looks great. The only possible advantage to leather is comments I have seen saying it is more supple/comfortable. Can anyone comment on the comfort difference? I haven't compared them.

[Kalvis]

Originally Posted by rjabend

I intensionally ordered Sensafin because it is cheaper, more durable than leather, and looks great. The only possible advantage to leather is comments I have seen saying it is more supple/comfortable. Can anyone comment on the comfort difference? I haven't compared them.

I would say opposite - Sensafin seats are more comfortable.

When ordering there was no difference in price selecting Sensafin of Merino leather.

[BMW5and7]

Non of my german cars have Vegan/fake/synthetic/Sensafin or whatever leathers, however, one of my non-german cars have Vegan leather (the Tesla), and I really really really love how the Vegan leather feels. It's softer, easier to clean, more resistant to wrinkles, does not get shiny/oily, and really better than the Full Merino Leather I have on my German cars.

The only exception that is absolutely better than anything is the Semi-aniline leather in my Benz... that's the only one that I feel I would take over Vegan leather. But, for BMWs, in the future I would certainly be happy to take Vegan leather going forward. It's better and yet cheaper!!!!!!!

Actually I learned a lot recently that with BMW, the most expensive and highest trim is not always the best. I learned to like the 40i (our X5) just as much as I like my V8 on the X7. Same for Vegan leather. Things like these don't really worth the 15-20K USD difference all together. Despite the fact I know I would still spec my X7 the same way with V8 and Full Merino, lol, but deep inside I know it does not matter really. I will probably get Vegan leather next, but still solid on the V8 despite of how much I love the 40i engine.

[tinfoiltuna]

The Sensafin on the '23 40i I traded in was miles softer than the Merino leather I have on my '23 M60i. If I could switch out current seats I would. I think part of the stiffness I feel on the seats is from the massage/ventilation. I think the Merino looks more executive though, mainly because of the sheen it gets.

[BMWMN1971]

I bought a 2023 X7 with coffee Sensafin. It was fine but not leather. I ended up selling that car and had an opportunity to order a new one. The only change I made was to get tartufo Leather. I love it.

[XB7]

My cousin is a vegan, doesn't wear leather etc and he has it and is happy with it. I just don't care for it, in shorts it doesn't feel like leather next to your skin.

[acudaf82]

we are a BMW family - I have had multiple BMW's over the last 15 yrs. our NEW 2023 X5 is the first non leather BMW we have ever had. I am regretting it already. See attached pictures. The truck is only a 6 months old and the color is coming off the seat already. I only clean them with soap and water..and use 303 for protection. I am very versed in proper car detailing and our cars only get the best care. No eating in cars, weekly hand wash, etc.
I will never purchase non leather again. Like many others on this forum, at the price point we pay for these cars, I will always opt for leather moving forward. I am actually thinking of trading this X5 in for a model with leather. The Sensafin is soft...but definitely NOT durable.

[rjabend]

I am probably missing something obvious. Can you place an arrow or two where the degradation is taking place? Sorry for your plight. Thanks.

[keg97]

I just had a X5 rental with 37K on it and it had Sensafin. No wear issues at all so that was impressive. It felt fine, but I knew it wasn't leather and it really impacted my view towards the vehicle. IMO no way should Sensafin be in something like an X5 much less an X7.

[Zer00]

They are fine on seats.. supple and leather like. I'm not sure I like it on the steering wheel. Feels like vinyl. May be they should move to microfiber\carbon fiber steering wheels like AMGs

[acudaf82]

Originally Posted by rjabend

I am probably missing something obvious. Can you place an arrow or two where the degradation is taking place? Sorry for your plight. Thanks.

its right on the left edge where its white.....

[Kalvis]

Originally Posted by Zer00

They are fine on seats.. supple and leather like. I'm not sure I like it on the steering wheel. Feels like vinyl. May be they should move to microfiber\carbon fiber steering wheels like AMGs

On steering wheel currently i believe only leather trim is available.

[Zer00]

Originally Posted by Kalvis

On steering wheel currently i believe only leather trim is available.

I have a non m steering wheel.. definitely doesn't feel like leather.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by acudaf82

Attachment 3396174

its right on the left edge where its white.....

From the wear location, I suspect the problem to be associated with the vehicle not employing automatic lowering to allow easy entry and exit like most air suspension vehicles offer. That causes folks to slide against the seat edge. If I am right, it is yet another BIMMER BUMMER. It may not be a direct Sensafin durability issue.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by Zer00

I have a non m steering wheel.. definitely doesn't feel like leather.

We have a non-M wheel in one of ours and it's definitely leather.

[MystroX5]

Sensafin is made of polyurethane and is a plastic material. There is no getting around that fact. It does not require any keen or specialized skills to differentiate between real organic leather and a leather like pvc/polyurethane substitute.
It doesn’t breath or feel like a true organic material and over time both wear very different with off gassing, UV and abrasion exposure. Plastic can be very durable initially, but doesn’t age nearly as well as an organic leather material. It’s not a realistic comparison between the two.

There has been a social political movement to try and bend its stigma from an entry level product to a luxury material but in the end we are comparing an organic material to a plastic PVC material. These plastic materials are also cheaper to manufacture so if a luxury car brand can convince you to pay the same amount of money between a premium leather and Sensafin polyurethane seats then it’s more profitable to push any social political agenda that also makes them richer.

Getting beyond those facts, the idea of why a natural and organic material is not significantly more sustainable over a PVC plastic product is also another social political bending of truth to push an agenda or mindset way of thinking. That is another off topic.
I have no issues if someone doesn’t want to sit on leather but let’s not confuse what the actual product is.

[Zer00]

Originally Posted by keg97

We have a non-M wheel in one of ours and it's definitely leather.

Interesting.. May be its just me.. but for me the texture feels more vinyl compared to my old f30 or my mercedes napa leather steering wheels. So much so that I've been considering swapping it out for a real leather one. I really love the new flat bottom m wheels on the new 7 and 5 series and been looking into if they are compatible.

[TahoeDust]

I assume you can not get the sensafin with the alcantara headliner, leather dash, and full lower leather?...that would kind of blow up the vegan sentiment. Those options are what really sets off and takes the X7 interior to the nest level imho.

[Kalvis]

Originally Posted by TahoeDust

I assume you can not get the sensafin with the alcantara headliner, leather dash, and full lower leather?...that would kind of blow up the vegan sentiment. Those options are what really sets off and takes the X7 interior to the nest level imho.

With Sensafin seats you can get - leather dash, alcantara headliner (but LCI sunroof cover is not any more alcantara in any case but just some synthetic clothe). Not sure about full leather lower part as my MY24 X7 is without.

[slicer]

I was skeptical about Sensafin but, due to leather supply constraints, in order to get my X7 prior to 2022 year end I needed to go that route. I will say that I have had zero regrets. It looks and feels like leather, it's very durable and I have less worries about it. Additionally with sensafin you still get coverage and stitching on the dash and upper doors. I don't think anyone really knows that it's not real leather. Mine does have the Alcantara headliner as well