Are the door arm rests leatherette for all cars?

///M1 · 04-06-2009, 01:19 PM

I have the Boston leather option, but it seems to me the arm rests on the doors have a different material, looks like leather from afar but closeup it's not. Not the same feel as the leather insert on the door.

I recon it is leatherette and BMW did it to:

1. reduce costs
2. increase lifespan of a often used item

Anyone know for sure?

new2the3 · 04-06-2009, 04:24 PM

I was wondering this myself, good question...

BForbes · 04-06-2009, 04:45 PM

It could just be different grades of leather. It would make sense to but rougher leather where its more prone to wear.

///M1 · 04-06-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BForbes

It could just be different grades of leather. It would make sense to but rougher leather where its more prone to wear.

Makes sense, but it feels artificial. Generally if it were a more coarse/harder leather it would have a different pattern (bigger grains), but in this case it really looks like pure leatherette.

It also doesn't have the leather smell from what I can tell.

warmtoes · 04-06-2009, 06:08 PM

If you look at your Boston Leather seats you will also see that the smooth parts of the seat on the edges are also Leatherette so the door pieces could very well be 'ette as well.

jeremyc74 · 04-06-2009, 06:10 PM

I think it's leatherette. Same for the armrest in the center.

I don't think the smooth sections on the seats are though. They're not holding up very well on my car.

Red Bread · 04-06-2009, 06:56 PM

Yep, it's leatherette, see part #6:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...44&hg=51&fg=50

Independent of leather seats or not. The leather seats seem to be mostly leatherette too, which is fairly common on 1er and 3er cars.

///M1 · 04-06-2009, 07:53 PM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the door and center arm rests are leatherette, and your graphic shows it.

However, the seats I recon are all leather - part smooth, part Boston. The cars with all leatherette don't have a two-element seat, if indeed parts of the seat on leather equipped cars were leatherette, then why would they not have them on the non-leather cars?

stovesax08 · 04-06-2009, 08:38 PM

Another question-does bmw even make leatherette in lemon, terra, or coral red? Because if they don't then you have an answer to your question.

Mindgame · 04-06-2009, 08:44 PM

I believe the correct answer to the "part of the seats are leatherette" has always been the the bottom sides (don't know the proper name) were leatherette in leather-equipped MY08.

In MY09 the bottom sides are also leather. The pattern matches the rest of the seat and is not smooth.

I am curious while this topic has come up....the "leatherette" arm rest and door panels, can I clean them with the leather cleaner and conditioner I use on my seats?

jeremyc74 · 04-07-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindgame

I am curious while this topic has come up....the "leatherette" arm rest and door panels, can I clean them with the leather cleaner and conditioner I use on my seats?

I hope so, because I just did.

Red Bread · 04-07-2009, 10:59 AM

Ah, I guess I just didn't realize that Boston leather felt so bad. I've gotten used to the leather in my M Coupe, which feels and appears much nicer than even the smooth leather in the 1er.

But yeah, you can detail the leatherette with leather care products, or something like 303, either will work fine. Using the leather product will lead to a more consistent shine on the leatherette and leather, so I'd probably go with that.

Mindgame · 04-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ah, I guess I just didn't realize that Boston leather felt so bad. I've gotten used to the leather in my M coupe

The M coupe leather feels real nice. I believe it's been discussed before and the verdict was that the leather quality comes in tiers with the 1ers Boston leather being the bottom line BMW leather.

KPower · 05-25-2009, 09:54 PM

I saw a 2009 128i Convertible with a leather armrest in black Boston leather at the dealership today. I checked RealOEM.com, and found a leather armrest is available for both the 2009 128i and 135i Convertibles - but not for the Coupes.

I have asked Jen in Parts to check on the availability of the leather armrest for my 135i Coupe. And I will post updates.

Loving my SER1ES 135i,

Bruce
KPower

jeremyc74 · 05-25-2009, 10:00 PM

Strange. Why would the armrests for the Cv be different than the coupe?

warmtoes · 05-25-2009, 10:17 PM

Yeah, not sure why that would be different considering you'd figure that leatherette armrests would be more appropriate for a vehicle that can be exposed to the elements like a vert. Maybe it has to do with the sun reflecting technology.

cagekicker · 05-25-2009, 10:22 PM

leatherette for sure!

RPM90 · 05-26-2009, 01:11 PM

Push the material in with your finger, if it puckers and shows fine small lines down towards where your finger is pushing, then it's leather. If it's simple a dimple with no wrinkles, puckers, or fine lines, then it's leatherette.

If you want to see what I'm talking about, then simply press your finger into a portion of your seat on the butt side, where we know it's leather. Note the way the leather stretches and wrinkles and creates those fine lines. That's what a natural product like leather will do. Now, press the bolsters and the thigh bolsters, do they do it?
Then press the center rest and side panels.

Many car's have gone to "leather seating areas", which mean on where your body actually sits on the seat is leather, meaning the seat bottom and seat back. Thigh bolsters, & side bolsters are very commonly vinyl these days.
My A4 has the same thing, but Audi actually describes it's seats as "leather seating", not "leather seats", which implies that the majority of the seat is leather.

Frankly, I could just as easily have lived with leatherette as the leather I got.
The leatherette is a fine product. But, I got the prem pkg. which includes leather seats.
It would be nice to have a small prem pkg. that does not have leather seats to save some money for those who don't want or need the leather.

I

04-06-2009, 01:19 PM	#1
///M1 Brigadier General 275 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Are the door arm rests leatherette for all cars? I have the Boston leather option, but it seems to me the arm rests on the doors have a different material, looks like leather from afar but closeup it's not. Not the same feel as the leather insert on the door. I recon it is leatherette and BMW did it to: 1. reduce costs 2. increase lifespan of a often used item Anyone know for sure? __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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04-06-2009, 04:24 PM	#2
new2the3 Colonel 380 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Competition Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I was wondering this myself, good question... __________________ 2020 X3MC 2009 135i: AW/CR Aluminum Trim, 6 speed, M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, Ipod, BMW Performance Pedals, BMW Performance SSK, BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Grills E93 M3 FSB
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04-06-2009, 04:45 PM	#3
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	It could just be different grades of leather. It would make sense to but rougher leather where its more prone to wear. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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04-06-2009, 06:08 PM	#5
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	If you look at your Boston Leather seats you will also see that the smooth parts of the seat on the edges are also Leatherette so the door pieces could very well be 'ette as well. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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04-06-2009, 06:56 PM	#7
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Yep, it's leatherette, see part #6: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...44&hg=51&fg=50 Independent of leather seats or not. The leather seats seem to be mostly leatherette too, which is fairly common on 1er and 3er cars.
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04-06-2009, 06:10 PM	#6
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I think it's leatherette. Same for the armrest in the center. I don't think the smooth sections on the seats are though. They're not holding up very well on my car.
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04-06-2009, 07:53 PM	#8
///M1 Brigadier General 275 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Yeah, I'm pretty sure the door and center arm rests are leatherette, and your graphic shows it. However, the seats I recon are all leather - part smooth, part Boston. The cars with all leatherette don't have a two-element seat, if indeed parts of the seat on leather equipped cars were leatherette, then why would they not have them on the non-leather cars? __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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04-06-2009, 08:38 PM	#9
stovesax08 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 269 Posts Drives: 135i, X5 45e Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Another question-does bmw even make leatherette in lemon, terra, or coral red? Because if they don't then you have an answer to your question. __________________ 135i Coupe-Manual, Montego, Lemon, HG Black, sport, premium, CA, HiFi, Ipod/USB, heated seats
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04-06-2009, 08:44 PM	#10
Mindgame Poke Her Face 27 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 09 135I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McKinney, TX iTrader: (0)	I believe the correct answer to the "part of the seats are leatherette" has always been the the bottom sides (don't know the proper name) were leatherette in leather-equipped MY08. In MY09 the bottom sides are also leather. The pattern matches the rest of the seat and is not smooth. I am curious while this topic has come up....the "leatherette" arm rest and door panels, can I clean them with the leather cleaner and conditioner I use on my seats?
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04-07-2009, 10:59 AM	#12
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Ah, I guess I just didn't realize that Boston leather felt so bad. I've gotten used to the leather in my M Coupe, which feels and appears much nicer than even the smooth leather in the 1er. But yeah, you can detail the leatherette with leather care products, or something like 303, either will work fine. Using the leather product will lead to a more consistent shine on the leatherette and leather, so I'd probably go with that.
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05-25-2009, 09:54 PM	#14
KPower New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 08 135i Coupe M-Pkg Sedona Red Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	I saw a 2009 128i Convertible with a leather armrest in black Boston leather at the dealership today. I checked RealOEM.com, and found a leather armrest is available for both the 2009 128i and 135i Convertibles - but not for the Coupes. I have asked Jen in Parts to check on the availability of the leather armrest for my 135i Coupe. And I will post updates. Loving my SER1ES 135i, Bruce KPower
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05-25-2009, 10:00 PM	#15
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	Strange. Why would the armrests for the Cv be different than the coupe?
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05-25-2009, 10:17 PM	#16
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	Yeah, not sure why that would be different considering you'd figure that leatherette armrests would be more appropriate for a vehicle that can be exposed to the elements like a vert. Maybe it has to do with the sun reflecting technology. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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05-25-2009, 10:22 PM	#17
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	leatherette for sure!
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05-26-2009, 01:11 PM	#18
RPM90 Major General 890 Rep 7,047 Posts Drives: 340i M-sport AT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	Push the material in with your finger, if it puckers and shows fine small lines down towards where your finger is pushing, then it's leather. If it's simple a dimple with no wrinkles, puckers, or fine lines, then it's leatherette. If you want to see what I'm talking about, then simply press your finger into a portion of your seat on the butt side, where we know it's leather. Note the way the leather stretches and wrinkles and creates those fine lines. That's what a natural product like leather will do. Now, press the bolsters and the thigh bolsters, do they do it? Then press the center rest and side panels. Many car's have gone to "leather seating areas", which mean on where your body actually sits on the seat is leather, meaning the seat bottom and seat back. Thigh bolsters, & side bolsters are very commonly vinyl these days. My A4 has the same thing, but Audi actually describes it's seats as "leather seating", not "leather seats", which implies that the majority of the seat is leather. Frankly, I could just as easily have lived with leatherette as the leather I got. The leatherette is a fine product. But, I got the prem pkg. which includes leather seats. It would be nice to have a small prem pkg. that does not have leather seats to save some money for those who don't want or need the leather. I
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