[TDS1]

I am thinking of getting the ventilated seat package, not because I will use it much, but because I much prefer the look of the perforated leather. I plan on keeping the car a long time - how will the perforated leather hold up in comparison to the regular leather? Is it more likely to tear?

Also the brochure shows the back seats are perforated as well. Can anyone confirm this is the case with this package?

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

I can't speak from BMW experience, but rather from another vehicle with almost glove leather soft perforated seats exposed to the rigors of young kids. 4 years later, they look new. They get a leather treatment 2x per year, that's it. I have perforated seats coming in my BMW on order. I have no worries about durability.

Yes seatbacks have perfs.

[alex_c]

If toilet paper is any indicator, the seats will rip anywhere but along the perforations...

+1 rear seats are also perforated.

[TDS1]

Originally Posted by Soon ExAudi Guy

I can't speak from BMW experience, but rather from another vehicle with almost glove leather soft perforated seats exposed to the rigors of young kids. 4 years later, they look new. They get a leather treatment 2x per year, that's it. I have perforated seats coming in my BMW on order. I have no worries about durability.

Yes seatbacks have perfs.

Thanks for the info. Just curious, what was your reason for ordering the ventilated seat package?

[alex_c]

Originally Posted by TDS1

Thanks for the info. Just curious, what was your reason for ordering the ventilated seat package?

Just like you, I thought they look awesome. It's one thing that I always envied from the 7 series. But of course, in Houston, with 100+ F temperatures, they are a fantastic option.

[TDS1]

Originally Posted by alex_c

Just like you, I thought they look awesome. It's one thing that I always envied from the 7 series. But of course, in Houston, with 100+ F temperatures, they are a fantastic option.

Agree. It's a relatively small premium to pay to get a much better looking and unique interior. By the way, awesome car you built!

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

Originally Posted by TDS1

Thanks for the info. Just curious, what was your reason for ordering the ventilated seat package?

1. Practical: I will have a black interior in a black sapphire 535 and I prefer not to tint this one if I can (I hate the distortion tint film yields on the rear window as seen at night when the light reflects offvof the defrost wires)

2. I think that the perforated seats look great.

3. I suspect that the perforated seats (just based on experience to date) might even age better as the leather/seats will breathe.

But fundamentally, #'s 1 and 2 were the main reasons.

[Mr. Magic]

CA showed me an older car - maybe 7 years old - Perforated/ventilated seats started to wear in some spots, and looked premature. Don't get them if you don't need them was the message I took away.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

CA showed me an older car - maybe 7 years old - Perforated/ventilated seats started to wear in some spots, and looked premature. Don't get them if you don't need them was the message I took away.

There are so many variables involved, the owner, maintenance, habits, climate, where he parks the car, etc, etc. I have seen 2-3 year old CPO's where the seats were trashed, and others that look like they rolled off the assembly. This M3 only has 9k miles on it and the seats are looking pretty bad. Granted it's from a long term test car for Edmunds so I'm sure they abused it, but still seems premature:
2009 BMW M3: Seat Wear Already

[Grizzles]

same with my e 92 with sport seats, evertime i get in/out it rubs the side bolster and has wear, i will condition it and see what happens. that is the only wear except for the steering wheel volume button area.

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

I agree with the comment about care, use, etc. That said, I suspect that the quality of the overall leather is a key factor. The Nappa leather I am told will wrinkle and crease more than Dakota leather. Will perforated Dakota have a shorter life than non-perforated leather? I can't see why. Another factor likely is the weight of the principal driver (the assumption being that the driver's seat ages more quickly than the others). A much heavier person will likely cause the leather to stretch more than a lightweight.

Likely earlier post says, my other vehicle has 4 years of what I would consider harsher than average use, by kids, on very soft leather and it looks like new.

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

There are so many variables involved, the owner, maintenance, habits, climate, where he parks the car, etc, etc. I have seen 2-3 year old CPO's where the seats were trashed, and others that look like they rolled off the assembly. This M3 only has 9k miles on it and the seats are looking pretty bad. Granted it's from a long term test car for Edmunds so I'm sure they abused it, but still seems premature:
2009 BMW M3: Seat Wear Already

Is that premature wear or just the character of leather as it is broken in? Creasing is all part of leather. I think, however, that lighter color leather shows its age a bit more than dark leather...just my opinion!

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Soon ExAudi Guy

Is that premature wear or just the character of leather as it is broken in? Creasing is all part of leather. I think, however, that lighter color leather shows its age a bit more than dark leather...just my opinion!

That is wear that I have seen on a lot of BMW's with sport seats and/or adjustable side bolsters. The repeated ingress and egress of driver rubs up against the side bolster closest to the drive door. It's true, weight will have some affect on the leather but how much versus any of the dozens of other variables is debatable. If you clean and condition leather properly, it can look new for a very, very long time.

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

That is wear that I have seen on a lot of BMW's with sport seats and/or adjustable side bolsters. The repeated ingress and egress of driver rubs up against the side bolster closest to the drive door. It's true, weight will have some affect on the leather but how much versus any of the dozens of other variables is debatable. If you clean and condition leather properly, it can look new for a very, very long time.

I totally agree with you.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Soon ExAudi Guy

Likely earlier post says, my other vehicle has 4 years of what I would consider harsher than average use, by kids, on very soft leather and it looks like new.

It's like anything in life. If you do a little here and there to maintain, it will be all good. It's negligence that gets you in trouble.

[Molos 2003]

The Fox Red pics from that Edmonds M3 is exactly why I say...Always go with Dakota. The Nappa and Nobillo in the case of that M3 are soft. Those soft leathers wear really bad. I seen far too many on the used car lot with low mileage but, the interior appears to be 7 years old.

Dakota in any color FTW

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

It's like anything in life. If you do a little here and there to maintain, it will be all good. It's negligence that gets you in trouble.

And Edmunds trashes their cars.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Molos 2003

The Fox Red pics from that Edmonds M3 is exactly why I say...Always go with Dakota. The Nappa and Nobillo in the case of that M3 are soft. Those soft leathers wear really bad. I seen far too many on the used car lot with low mileage but, the interior appears to be 7 years old.

Dakota in any color FTW

I had Gobi Sand soft leather in my Volvo V70. I treated it well, used Lexol and Leatherique on a not-so frequent basis. When I sold the car with 105k miles, the seats looked almost brand new, despite years of hard use. The only things that were worn were the bolster (wrinkles showing some dirt, but better than some cars with 1/2 the mileage) and where my belt rubbed the seat (couldn't get that out, will keep after it better on the new car).

Bottom line, as gatorman says, treat 'em well and they will treat you well.

[infimax99]

I guess we might be over looking the fact that the ventilated seats have small holes that might get blocked with the leather cleaning compound. What then...?

[BMWrules7]

I always worry about my kids getting sick in a car with perforated seats. Or worse, someone spills milk. Not that I would allow milk in the car.

Plus, all that perforated seats seem to do is blow your farts back into your face. I say no to perforated leather!

Originally Posted by infimax99

I guess we might be over looking the fact that the ventilated seats have small holes that might get blocked with the leather cleaning compound. What then...?

[infimax99]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

I always worry about my kids getting sick in a car with perforated seats. Or worse, someone spills milk. Not that I would allow milk in the car.

Plus, all that perforated seats seem to do is blow your farts back into your face. I say no to perforated leather!

Lol..." farts blowing back.." ...now thats some I def over looked