How do you tell the difference between leather and leatherette?
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I have just bought a second-hand 530i in the UK and I'm not sure if the interior is genuine leather or leatherette. It looks and feels like leather, but judging from some of the other discussions on this site, the leatherette is pretty convincing. There's no discernable smell, although that may change when the weather warms up! Are there any other simple and foolproof methods for distinguishing between the two materials? I'd like to know so that I use the right cleaning materials on the seats. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Originally Posted by andyb' post='514441' date='Jan 6 2008, 10:10 PM
I have just bought a second-hand 530i in the UK
A petrol in UK, wow!
Pls the location in your profile!
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Ya... thats hard to say... You really need documentation or know how BMW leather feels... for me I can tell that leatherette is a bit harder than std leather... and being second hand it might be hard to tell from the smell.
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My Ride: Sept '06 535d M sport ,Silver ,Black Dakota Leather,HUD ,TV, Media ,Visibility,Heated F+R seats,Comfort Seats, Active seats ,Sun protection glass,Dark Poplar wood, sunroof ,Elec Sunblinds , Folding mirrors, 19" 172s ,Extended lights Package, Debadged
Originally Posted by colejl' post='514457' date='Jan 6 2008, 10:54 PM
I saw a 550i. Once. 
Bet you've never seen a 540i e60. Nobody has. They only exist in the brochures.....
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Back to the original question:
The leatherette has a bit more rubbery feel when you poke at it, and typically conforms very tightly to the seat with no visible wrinkles.
Leather does not stretch as much, and has a looser appearance with some wrinkling at the seams.
Depending on the age of the car, leather will show wear and creases in high-wear areas like the driver's seat bolsters, while leatherette will look brand new for decades.
The leatherette has a bit more rubbery feel when you poke at it, and typically conforms very tightly to the seat with no visible wrinkles.
Leather does not stretch as much, and has a looser appearance with some wrinkling at the seams.
Depending on the age of the car, leather will show wear and creases in high-wear areas like the driver's seat bolsters, while leatherette will look brand new for decades.
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Originally Posted by ressla' post='514459' date='Jan 6 2008, 10:05 PM
Bet you've never seen a 540i e60. Nobody has. They only exist in the brochures.....
I believe they're quite popular down under... (Australia)
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Originally Posted by Member545' post='514715' date='Jan 7 2008, 10:10 AM
Leatherette is much hotter in the summer, feels like a sticky wet suit. I had it on a loaner and was very surprised by how it felt. There are probably 50 threads that discuss this topic.