How many of you were faced with this decision: leather vs leatherette in your BMW. I know I was, and it seems like every time I purchase a new BMW, I am still asking myself if I’m making the right choice. Before I will go ahead and present you the advantage or disadvantages of one over the other one, I have to tell you that each time I’ve chosen the leatherette and I will mention why later.
Leatherette
Advantages:
- cheaper
- wears better
- easier to clean and maintain
- if leasing, you don’t have to worry about the resale value
- perfect if you own pets
Disadvantages
- it doesn’t feel as good as leather
- in the heat of summer, it feels somewhat rubbery and sticky
- no resale value
Leather
Advantages
- adds resale value to the car
- it “breathes” better
- it softens over time
- it gives a luxury look
- some people like its smell
- more color options
Disadvantages
- more expensive
- wears out faster
- harder and more expensive to maintain
- not pet friendly
- it feels colder in the winter
Each time I have decided to go with the leatherette for two reasons:
- I have always leased my cars for 2 years, so financially it made sense not to invest the money in leather, and rather get other options, such as BMW Assist
- It feels great to me, and people can’t tell the difference. In my opinion the leatherette in the BMW has a really high quality.
If there are any other advantages or disadvantages that I missed, please feel free to let me know and I will update the article.
