[Zernaff]

I bought my car pre-owned. I wasn't concerned with it having leather or not, because I figured it being 8 years old the Dakota leather would be worn out. But, now that I look at all the features the car has, I'm confused?

It's got power folding mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-front powered seats w/lumbar, compass/garage door openers. BUT, it has leatherette.

I called the dealer, let them have my VIN and got the service records and the spec sheet, and it says the car shipped with Dakota leather. Strange, no?

Anyone have similar experience?

[MassBimmer]

Owner may have swapped interiors with someone to make some cash? Only thing I can think of

[Zernaff]

It was a lease, then bought CPO at 21k
Would be strange for someone buying a 30k car to swap interiors. It was a 45yr old woman at that. Maybe though. Something had to happen.

[ard5040]

What makes you think that it's not leather? The "Dakota" leather that BMW includes as an option is not a full grain leather, despite what they say, and can appear to be a vinyl product. "Dakota" is a split hyde leather. The only way to be positive would be to take your car to a quality upholstery shop and ask them what you've got. I'm betting you've got the leather that the car came with. Good luck in any case.

[Zernaff]

Originally Posted by ard5040

What makes you think that it's not leather? The "Dakota" leather that BMW includes as an option is not a full grain leather, despite what they say, and can appear to be a vinyl product. "Dakota" is a split hyde leather. The only way to be positive would be to take your car to a quality upholstery shop and ask them what you've got. I'm betting you've got the leather that the car came with. Good luck in any case.

Okay, took some pictures, I have the split door panel but my seats aren't that soft and look better than leather would at 150k miles.

[ArcticRik]

Originally Posted by Zernaff

Okay, took some pictures, I have the split door panel but my seats aren't that soft and look better than leather would at 150k miles.

I think that is leather, you can kind of tell by the slight cracking on the right side of the pic

[Zernaff]

I guess since my girlfriends Mercedes' leather is so luxurious I assumed I had the fake stuff in mine. Her seats are 10x softer than mine. But, it having lumbar means it's leather. Took me 2 years to realize.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Zernaff

I bought my car pre-owned. I wasn't concerned with it having leather or not, because I figured it being 8 years old the Dakota leather would be worn out. But, now that I look at all the features the car has, I'm confused?

It's got power folding mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-front powered seats w/lumbar, compass/garage door openers. BUT, it has leatherette.

I called the dealer, let them have my VIN and got the service records and the spec sheet, and it says the car shipped with Dakota leather. Strange, no?

Anyone have similar experience?

Check your VIN: http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Its probably leather. Its not as nice as some other leathers.

[Needbmwpartzz]

It's leather,I have the black Dakota leather here and it's thick and durable,not as plush as some leathers but wow does it stand the test of time....I have seen some three year old cars with worn cracked leather and mine still looks like new and I have only put conditioner on it a handful of times.

[Zernaff]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

It's leather,I have the black Dakota leather here and it's thick and durable,not as plush as some leathers but wow does it stand the test of time....I have seen some three year old cars with worn cracked leather and mine still looks like new and I have only put conditioner on it a handful of times.

Since it's so thick and/or coated, how do I make it look a little nicer?
My mom has a Honda and the leather in it is shiny looking but conditioner makes it look amazing. Mine doesn't respond to that conditioner at all.
Any recommended products?
Also I'd like it to smell nicer. Mercedes leather smells great.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by Zernaff

Since it's so thick and/or coated, how do I make it look a little nicer?
My mom has a Honda and the leather in it is shiny looking but conditioner makes it look amazing. Mine doesn't respond to that conditioner at all.
Any recommended products?
Also I'd like it to smell nicer. Mercedes leather smells great.

I think there is some kinda coating on these if I remember right, conditioner doesn't do anything to em (again, IIRC)

You don't want em looking all shiny and armor all looking anyway.

[Zernaff]

I meant hers is shiny (bad) but the conditioner makes them matte (good)
Mine are half way in between.

[Zernaff]

This is on sale, anyone know about it?

If the picture didn't show up its leather tech by mothers, cleaner and infusion gel.

[MORTON]

Someone may have been murdered in it and they had to re-do the interior more than likely.




Im just joking that's leather its just not worn enough to look it yet.