[Dgjo2022X5MC]

Was building a 40i to possibly replace our 2020 and noted real leather missing?! Only vegan (jeez) available.

It seems only M50i and full X5M have it? We love the b58 straight 6 but it seems they are forcing up to n63 if you want some higher line options.

Do I have that right or is it just something temporary in the configuration tool?

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

Was building a 40i to possibly replace our 2020 and noted real leather missing?! Only vegan (jeez) available.

It seems only M50i and full X5M have it? We love the b58 straight 6 but it seems they are forcing up to n63 if you want some higher line options.

Do I have that right or is it just something temporary in the configuration tool?

Correct you are for the US X5 either two or all wheel drive, any sort of leather seating surface was removed a while back and Sensatec has been replaced with Sensafin. You can still get leather on a 45e, M50i or X5M. Seems there is a movement away from real leather but we don't know if this is permanent or temporary.

[MJBradley1967]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Correct you are for the US X5 either two or all wheel drive, any sort of leather seating surface was removed a while back and Sensatec has been replaced with Sensafin. You can still get leather on a 45e, M50i or X5M. Seems there is a movement away from real leather but we don't know if this is permanent or temporary.

I'd bet if you tell the dealer "leather or I walk", they'd find a way to make it magically happen.

The build process didn't have ventilated seats as a separate option, but one dealer I was visiting said they could do it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by MJBradley1967

I'd bet if you tell the dealer "leather or I walk", they'd find a way to make it magically happen.

The build process didn't have ventilated seats as a separate option, but one dealer I was visiting said they could do it.

Not going to happen. BMWNA expressly said it couldn't in the production constraint announcement. Supposedly it was scheduled to end at the end of September but that off course can change.

[comebackidlci]

Originally Posted by MJBradley1967

I'd bet if you tell the dealer "leather or I walk", they'd find a way to make it magically happen.

The build process didn't have ventilated seats as a separate option, but one dealer I was visiting said they could do it.

Nah this is just BMW we talking here, no way they will pull something like that

[Z3grape]

my '22 may be the last X6 I buy if that is the case. If this is a trend, I may just get a cheaper vehicle. no sense in spending this amount of money without the expected creature features

[Surgx5]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

Was building a 40i to possibly replace our 2020 and noted real leather missing?! Only vegan (jeez) available.

It seems only M50i and full X5M have it? We love the b58 straight 6 but it seems they are forcing up to n63 if you want some higher line options.

Do I have that right or is it just something temporary in the configuration tool?

Not paying BMW prices for anything less than real leather. Just not happening.

[viperdoc]

Originally Posted by Surgx5

Not paying BMW prices for anything less than real leather. Just not happening.

Yea this is ridiculous. I can't believe that the iX can be specced at over $100k and has plastic covered seats

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Z3grape

my '22 may be the last X6 I buy if that is the case. If this is a trend, I may just get a cheaper vehicle. no sense in spending this amount of money without the expected creature features

The X6 is not included in the constraint.

[Germanauto]

I noticed this too. We got Tartufo Merino in ours which really classed up the vehicle. How can they charge $70k+ and not even offer real leather as an option anymore.

"Sensafin" "Sensatec," etc. I don't care what you name it, it's fake and plastic and exists solely for the automaker to cut costs. Greenwashing with marketing it as "vegan" doesn't fool me.

[bubbahead]

Must be a US thing. Still available in Canada for MY23

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by bubbahead

Must be a US thing. Still available in Canada for MY23

Yes, it is just a temporary production constraint for the US for the 40i's.

[diesel3]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I noticed this too. We got Tartufo Merino in ours which really classed up the vehicle. How can they charge $70k+ and not even offer real leather as an option anymore.

"Sensafin" "Sensatec," etc. I don't care what you name it, it's fake and plastic and exists solely for the automaker to cut costs. Greenwashing with marketing it as "vegan" doesn't fool me.

If the experience is the same or better than with real leather, why does it matter? Why is leather a requirement for “luxury”?

[BimmerM33]

Originally Posted by diesel3

If the experience is the same or better than with real leather, why does it matter? Why is leather a requirement for "luxury"?

It does feel different, especially the merino. No doubt about it. Also smells different, simply a fact. If that matters, and it did to us, then current constraints (likely related to availability ) are a problem as it has left some models without the option.

Just an opinion… grab a 45e, deliver by end of year, the tax rebate will pay for both the merino and the executive package (required for merino on 45e) and get better mileage and performance as a bonus. Again, just my opinion. Gotta buy what suits you.

[diesel3]

Originally Posted by BimmerM33

It does feel different, especially the merino. No doubt about it. Also smells different, simply a fact. If that matters, and it did to us, then current constraints (likely related to availability ) are a problem as it has left some models without the option.

Just an opinion… grab a 45e, deliver by end of year, the tax rebate will pay for both the merino and the executive package (required for merino on 45e) and get better mileage and performance as a bonus. Again, just my opinion. Gotta buy what suits you.

I don’t disagree. You cite valid reasons for wanting Merino leather over Sensafin as a personal preference.

The point of my post was to suggest that perhaps those posters (not you) providing an outright and derisive dismissal of Sensafin, are premature given that most of us haven’t actually seen it in person, none of us have spent a significant amount of time with it, and at least some of those that have spent some time with it have compared the look and feel favorably to the leather options. It’s at least worth keeping an open mind and judging on the merits rather than immediate condemnation (again, not you) by association to something used in cars 40 years ago.

[Brigitte]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

Was building a 40i to possibly replace our 2020 and noted real leather missing?! Only vegan (jeez) available.

It seems only M50i and full X5M have it? We love the b58 straight 6 but it seems they are forcing up to n63 if you want some higher line options.

Do I have that right or is it just something temporary in the configuration tool?

X5 45e has the leather option too...

[bubbahead]

How does nappa compare to Merino?

I had nappa in my 7 series and sensatec in my current G05. As supple as nappa was, I don't think sensatec is bad at all. I haven't seen or felt the sensafin but if its above sensatec, i will be ok with it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by bubbahead

How does nappa compare to Merino?

I had nappa in my 7 series and sensatec in my current G05. As supple as nappa was, I don't think sensatec is bad at all. I haven't seen or felt the sensafin but if its above sensatec, i will be ok with it.

Merino is a step above Nappa. Not counting the Alpina leather, it is currently the top leather for BMW.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/12/23/k...ather-options/

[BimmerM33]

Originally Posted by diesel3

I don't disagree. You cite valid reasons for wanting Merino leather over Sensafin as a personal preference.

The point of my post was to suggest that perhaps those posters (not you) providing an outright and derisive dismissal of Sensafin, are premature given that most of us haven't actually seen it in person, none of us have spent a significant amount of time with it, and at least some of those that have spent some time with it have compared the look and feel favorably to the leather options. It's at least worth keeping an open mind and judging on the merits rather than immediate condemnation (again, not you) by association to something used in cars 40 years ago.

All good!