[BimmerGuyFL]

The BMW Dakota Leather that comes in most BMW's doesn't feel soft. It has a lot of texture to it and feels very thick and sorta cheap feeling. My question is, what grade of leather is Dakota leather and is it 100% real or a combination process of leather bonded to a plastic?

Been wondering this for a long time. Those that have real answers please respond.

Thank you.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

The BMW Dakota Leather that comes in most BMW's doesn't feel soft. It has a lot of texture to it and feels very thick and sorta cheap feeling. My question is, what grade of leather is Dakota leather and is it 100% real or a combination process of leather bonded to a plastic?

Been wondering this for a long time. Those that have real answers please respond.

Thank you.

It is real leather that has been highly processed and it is by no stretch top quality leather but it is quite durable and breathes.

CA

[electro-house]

Yeah it's whatever, not the nicest leather out there, but it isn't too bad. The leatherette BMW makes is nice too, but isn't as durable as the leather.

[Potty_Pants]

thin & soft leather tends to crack very easy. the bmw dakota leather is quite durable at the cost of being thick and rough.


ppp

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by Potty_Pants

thin & soft leather tends to crack very easy. the bmw dakota leather is quite durable at the cost of being thick and rough.


ppp

I really like the feel of my dakota leather. I use Leatherique, so that my soften it up, but mine is fairly soft. I like the weight of it - feels very durable; like it will hold up for the long-haul. In some previous leathers I've had, the driver's seat, while not cracking, has gotten kind of hard and shiney. No sign of that at all with the dakota. Time will tell I guess...

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

The BMW Dakota Leather that comes in most BMW's doesn't feel soft. It has a lot of texture to it and feels very thick and sorta cheap feeling. My question is, what grade of leather is Dakota leather and is it 100% real or a combination process of leather bonded to a plastic?

Been wondering this for a long time. Those that have real answers please respond.

Thank you.

Leather is made out of animal skin... now what kinda skin is used matters a lot and determines leather quality.

so cow/donkey/buffalo leather=cheap quality, super grainy and is super durable. On the other hand, sheep leather is soft, expensive and probably not as durable.

i think we all know what kinda leather BMW uses

[Potty_Pants]

fwiw, my G35 had leather seats and i treated it frequently with leather cleaner/conditioner... and within 1-2 years it was cracking and i keep my car in the garage 1/2 of a day.

now my bmw with dakota leather... i've almost never cleaned it nor conditioned it and its still holding up after 5 years no cracks no problems.

ppp

[Q4P]

Originally Posted by WhiteFlood

Yeah it's whatever, not the nicest leather out there, but it isn't too bad. The leatherette BMW makes is nice too, but isn't as durable as the leather.

Highly debatable... I hated myself for choosing leatherette over leather... it doesn't retain any sort of great leather smell, it feels like rubber nor does it look nearly as good. Never will I make that mistake again. It is however more durable than the leather, that's a guarantee.

[NiVeDh]

It's durable but too bad it looks and feels like rhinoceros skin.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

Leather is made out of animal skin... now what kinda skin is used matters a lot and determines leather quality.

so cow/donkey/buffalo leather=cheap quality, super grainy and is super durable. On the other hand, sheep leather is soft, expensive and probably not as durable.

i think we all know what kinda leather BMW uses

Traditionally very high end cars (Rolls Royce, etc.) used Connolly Leather. Connolly leather was made from cow hides and was very high quality.

"Connolly Leather have ceased trading after more than 125 years of supplying quality finished leather to customers such as the British Royal Family, Rolls Royce & Bentley, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus to name few. Many contracts used their leather over the years such as The House of Commons, The House of Lords, The British Museum, QE2 as well as many prestigious hotels & buildings around the World."



CA

[doubleIN]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

Leather is made out of animal skin... now what kinda skin is used matters a lot and determines leather quality.

so cow/donkey/buffalo leather=cheap quality, super grainy and is super durable. On the other hand, sheep leather is soft, expensive and probably not as durable.

i think we all know what kinda leather BMW uses

im hoping its donkey

[sy2767]

Originally Posted by doubleIN

im hoping its donkey

HMMMMMM....

[SilverII]

my sisters lexus leather feels nicer.

[Brentis]

It is pretty basic. Better than US cars, but nowhere near Nappa that they put in 7 series. Wish the steering wheel leather was better quality for sure..

[hammick]

My wife and I were putting leather conditioner on the Dakota leather of my new 335d. We both commented on how thick and nice the leather is.

[Coolieman1220]

M3 nappa is superb!

[sunny]

it is much better quality than my old 2006 accord v6 leather.

[John 070]

Where did they even get the name, "Dakota?" Sounds like something you'd order at Texas Roadhouse. I guess even though it's not great leather, BMW goes as far as putting it on the door trim, unlike most cars.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by lawgone

It is made of the finest iguana leather available. BMW maintains their own iguana farm in South Africa. The climate there allows them to raise the hundreds of thousands they need (it's been said that it can take up to 11 adult iguanas per seat.) Farm hands massage each reptile daily to make the leather as supple as possilbe. They lead a very pampered life.

One of the BMW Iguanas lounging by the pool:

^

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

M3 nappa is superb!

The E9x M3s use Novillo leather. It is much smoother and softer than Dakota.

[djjasper]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

It's durable but too bad it looks and feels like rhinoceros skin.

Perfect description!

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by WhiteFlood

The leatherette BMW makes is nice too, but isn't as durable as the leather.

While leatherette does not have the feel of leather, after a few years it does still look as good as new. Leather seems to distort and crack, especially around the wear points like the bolster on the driver side. Conditioning only delays this.

I have kids that abuse my back seat, I spray it with simple green, let soak then scrub with a brush and wipe off with a towel, like new....