Sensatec vs. Leather on X5

[tongx051]

I'd like to hear the opinions on people who got sensatec in their X5.

[positiveions]

Enlighten me here, sensatec is the type of leatherette?

[Alan l.]

When i went to my dealer they had 3 X5's in the showroom. Sensatec, Dakota and Nappa leather.

After seeing the Sensatec in person i would NEVER consider it in a BMW. Looks and feels very cheap to me. My wife also agrees. Its fine for a 20K car but not in a 50K+ BMW.

Alan

[tongx051]

Originally Posted by positiveions

Enlighten me here, sensatec is the type of leatherette?

yes. BMW rebrands it as sensatec instead of leatherette

[tongx051]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

When i went to my dealer they had 3 X5's in the showroom. Sensatec, Dakota and Nappa leather.

After seeing the Sensatec in person i would NEVER consider it in a BMW. Looks and feels very cheap to me. My wife also agrees. Its fine for a 20K car but not in a 50K+ BMW.

Alan

I have seen it in person once. I remember it feels softer than Dakota leather.

[dubsesd]

I didn't even know they offered that in an x5. Don't think you can get it in canada

[Blackhawks]

If you're looking to save a couple bucks don't do it with Sensatech. If you're looking for a leather that will be rugged and withstand kids, messy adults, etc go with Dakota. If you're looking for softer and luxurious, go with Nappa (unfortunately there is not a black Nappa option in the x5, which is BS).

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Blackhawks

If you're looking to save a couple bucks don't do it with Sensatech. If you're looking for a leather that will be rugged and withstand kids, messy adults, etc go with Dakota. If you're looking for softer and luxurious, go with Nappa (unfortunately there is not a black Nappa option in the x5, which is BS).

+1

[JonM]

I would choose Sensatec over Dakota leather if the choice was between the 2 of them. It is more durable and it requires no feeding.

However, if it were my money, I would upgrade to one of the nappa leather packages. I don't enjoy the feel or quality of the Dakota leather.

That said, you cannot get 3rd row with Sensatec.

[RR-NYC]

I've had plenty of loaners with sensatec; it feels like nice faux leather. In comparison, Dakota leather is real leather but it feels like the cheapest leather one can buy.

[dubsesd]

Dakota is awesome as a DD. Wears much better and looks new for a substantial amount of time longer

Leatherette or sensatec has a tendency of cracking. Especially in cold climates not to mention it only offered on base models with the basic seats

[Alan l.]

One look at sensatec you knew it wasn't leather. I was actually shocked how it looked in person to be honest.

[tongx051]

One thing that kinda bothers me is that Sensatec only comes in black. So I would spend $2500 on the premium pkg for a Mocha color and some extras.

[patrobX5]

Leather is an option on the X5?? It should be standard at this price point. Definitely would never buy a car with leatherette lol Get the real thing!

[positiveions]

Only MB mastered leatherette. I've seen so many MB with the faux leather that withstood so many elements including the homosapiens.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by positiveions

Only MB mastered leatherette. I've seen so many MB with the faux leather that withstood so many elements including the homosapiens.

MY MB E350 is faux leather - but it is difficult to tell the difference. MB did a superior job and most new E350s are sold that way. We had a choice, but went with MB Tex. On my F15 the Sensatec was sooo fake looking I went for leather.

[Snow-Kidney]

Agreed. Merc's MBtex is better then BMW's Sensatec. I still would have opted for sensatec but was forced into it because comfort access was a must have.

[Alan l.]

I would HIGHLY recommend anyone debating this to see it person. All three choices are VERY noticeably different the instant you lay eyes on it. Its a shame leather isn't standard on a car at this price point.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I would HIGHLY recommend anyone debating this to see it person. All three choices are VERY noticeably different the instant you lay eyes on it. Its a shame leather isn't standard on a car at this price point.

Agreed - I don't think anyone gets out the door for less than 70k on any of these. Some much less costly cars come standard with leather. I went for Dakota, I like the more rugged feel.

[Squirrel79]

Unfortunately I do not like the available colors with X6 therefore I am going for Alcantara/leather combination with full leather dashboard and alcantara roofline... I hope the quality compared to sensatec is much more better.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I would HIGHLY recommend anyone debating this to see it person. All three choices are VERY noticeably different the instant you lay eyes on it. Its a shame leather isn't standard on a car at this price point.

Sensatec, MBtex, etc are widely used by marques which have a high percentage of leases because the material is almost indestructible vs leather and 99% of people never notice that it isn't leather.

Lease returned cars have a big ticket cost for dealers who want to flip them...the largest out of pocket expense is replacing the drivers seat because the leather is worn and cracked. There is so much mis-information about faux leather used in cars and leather-worshipping that the truth is always buried in these types of threads.

Sensatec is many times more durable than leather.

Leather has a great leather smell. The are different levels of quality for leather so you have to consider that as well. "Quality" and durability tend not to be mutually exclusive when leather is concerned. A more expensive leather tends to be less durable than a mid-grade leather. A bottom line leather can be the worst.

Also, read up on how leather goods are made and you'll be surprised on how much plastic vs leather you're really touching.

There is no best material. It depends on your needs and wants.

[Alan l.]

I don't doubt the synthetic stuff is more durable. Nappa is beautiful to touch and look at but there is a lot more maintenance involved to keep it looking that way.

Sensatec in my opinion looked horrible in the X5 I saw. Great for people who need it and dealers trying to make a profit but its not for everyone so my advice is to just make sure you see it before committing.