[avi66]

Originally Posted by gphin

I've had my M40 with Oyster Vernasca interior for over a month now and have been paying attention with color transfer especially when wearing jeans. It's a CPO '21 so it's had three years of use and the interior looks new. So far so good. I looked up the product you mentioned and noticed in the description...."Avoid use on white/light colored interiors". I've been using Griots and Lexol leather cleaner on my '19 for the past four years with good results....seats still look new. Just an fyi.

I don’t know if this is the same stuff you mention, but modern automotive leather has an impermeable painted top coat, so I’m also wary when I read penetrating the pores etc. Plus you definitely don’t want to add a leather conditioner to a modern painted automotive leather surface as suggested in the info below.

[gphin]

No, not same stuff. Used something like whats mentioned in below link. I switched to Griots a couple years ago....no particular reason. Just glad the Oyster in my 21 still looks new and I plan to keep it that way. I was lucky vehicle previously owned by single woman who only drove it 17k and garage kept during her three year lease.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/b...oner-for-cars/

[Bimmerforlife]

Does anyone know if the Sensatec seats have more padding than the leather seats?

I was comparing photos and to me the Sensatec seats look like they have more padding especially on the back from the middle up to the top part of the seat. Compare it against the leather that looks less padded and more thin from the middle to the top part of the seat back.

Am I imaging this or is it true the Sensatec are thicker more padded seating?

[Leem40i]

I have the vanasca leather option in my X4 and I am currently in a loaner with the sensatec. There is definitely a difference. The sensatec feels softer but not in a leather kind of way. It's more like a rubbery neoprene feeling. It's also very difficult to adjust or move in the seat because it tends to be very grabby on material. That can be good and bad but I really don't like the feel of it. It feels artificial and in the area where they had to create corners and edges you can tell it's not leather.

[gphin]

Same. I sat in a showroom version with Sensatec during a recent service....exact same thoughts. I've had synthetic leather in other vehicles and while it still looks good after a few years and easy to clean, it just doesn't feel the same. Nothing beats genuine good quality leather and there's a reason why it always costs more.

[LostInSpace]

I have both, in different vehicles. Sensatec looks kind of fake (it may be a mental hang up), but requires no maintenance that I can detect; and Vernasca is nothing special - I'd definitely want it perforated.

I'd probably pay the 1500 or whatever for Vernasca over Sensatec if I did it again.

[Bimmerforlife]

Originally Posted by LostInSpace

I have both, in different vehicles. Sensatec looks kind of fake (it may be a mental hang up), but requires no maintenance that I can detect; and Vernasca is nothing special - I'd definitely want it perforated.

I'd probably pay the 1500 or whatever for Vernasca over Sensatec if I did it again.

Vernasca is not a premium leather, it is just above Dakota but lower quality than Nappa or Merino. Vernasca is a harder leather made to last it is not a luxury high end leather. I don’t think it’s worth the price BMW charges. One car reviewer in Canada said the Vernasca felt like pleather and was hard and stiff.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

Vernasca is not a premium leather, it is just above Dakota but lower quality than Nappa or Merino. Vernasca is a harder leather made to last it is not a luxury high end leather. I don’t think it’s worth the price BMW charges. One car reviewer in Canada said the Vernasca felt like pleather and was hard and stiff.

Thankfully you have the choice. Plastic vinyl, basic leather, or Merino depending on the market. M Sport seats don’t come in plastic either.

Personally, I’m not into plastic vinyl seats, but each to their own.

[gphin]

Seems like the choice of Vernasca or Merino might depend on how the vehicle is used....a single driver, couple, or couple with kids? And how much time and effort you want to spend to keep it looking good. Personally, I have no problem with Vernasca...how it looks and/or how it feels, and would easily pay extra over the synthetic option.

https://favoredleather.com/vernasca-vs-merino-leather/

[Leem40i]

Originally Posted by gphin

Seems like the choice of Vernasca or Merino might depend on how the vehicle is used....a single driver, couple, or couple with kids? And how much time and effort you want to spend to keep it looking good. Personally, I have no problem with Vernasca...how it looks and/or how it feels, and would easily pay extra over the synthetic option.

https://favoredleather.com/vernasca-vs-merino-leather/

I have to agree. I'm in a loaner right now with the synthetic material and I do not like it. It has a rubbery texture that doesn't allow you to slide across it in the seat. When you get in the car as you slide in you can't because your pants grab on it. You literally have to lift yourself up and position yourself before you sit. Quite frankly that's a pain in the ass. I've had several cars would Recaro seats that had material in the center that was more grippy but still would let you slide in and out of a seat. For that reason alone I would not get the synthetic. I have the vernasca and actually like it. Yes it's a bit more firm than a luxurious soft leather but those soft leathers don't last long and start to look bad. They require constant maintenance of conditioning and cleaning. Even after doing all that the leather still breaks down quicker. There has to be a middle ground of leatherfield and durability and I think they're Vanasca and other versions of modern leather in vehicles fit the bill.

[ContactPatch]

When headed out to the twisties, I prefer the grip of the SensaTec, it's like I'm epoxied to the seat and not going anywhere, it really helps when performance driving.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

When headed out to the twisties, I prefer the grip of the SensaTec, it's like I'm epoxied to the seat and not going anywhere, it really helps when performance driving.

M Sports seats do the same

[duegatti]

I wish I had Vernasca in my Porsche. That fake leather is like tissue paper.