[Max Well]

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As I was at the Dealership thought I would take some photos of the Leather choices BMW offers, since a number of questions about the grade of Vernasca have been raised. They already had some of the new X3 choices available to see and touch.

Although it is tough to get colors exact as lighting varies between shots, these do allow a comparison of the grain and illustrates the contrast stitching. I tried to scale the descriptive lettering of the final photo showing the three types of leather to size so a better feel for the difference in the larger grain (of the Dakota) can be compared to the finer grain (of the Vernasca) and ultimately the near smooth and silky (of the Nappa).

It seems fair to state that Vernasca is an upgrade from Dakota for sure, confirming what has been suspected (a step above Dakota and a step below Nappa).

[ando]

Great post. Definitely looks better than Dakota

[Zirenz2006]

Looks like a finer grain that Dakota. Thanks for posting.

[jjl]

I have the Mocha Napa leather package in my current X5 (it's awesome), but Napa isn't offered in the X3, so why include in this comparison? Just wondering.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by jjl

I have the Mocha Napa leather package in my current X5 (it's awesome), but Napa isn't offered in the X3, so why include in this comparison? Just wondering.

Because Vernasca has been an unknown variant with regards to grade. Search the forums for a number of years, actually, and the question remains. "Is it better than Dakota?" "Is it on par with Nappa?" So as we in the X3 realm are now being offered a leather which is unfamiliar, I hoped to be able to provide at least a visual reference, rather than just saying it seems nicer than Dakota.

[brissim]

Thanks very much for the comparison photos. While I would have preferred at least the option of Nappa, at least this Verasca appears to be an improvement over the Dakota (at least in appearance).

Tony

[jjl]

I would spec the black vernasca with contrast stitching and piping..think it suits the M40i the best.

[sor]

Thanks this helps a lot.

I’m actually just as interested in the feel as the texture. Based on the look I’m assuming it is still a coated and embossed grain leather like Dakota, rather than something that will respond to conditioners like the higher end leathers.

[Max Well]

I placed all of the leather choice interior views together for a quick look at the overall appearance and noticed some variations. Not sure if it is just a website coding issue, but it appears Canberra beige gets a matching seatbelt, and the center storage area and lower dash share same color. All other choices have black seatbelts. Oyster has the lower dash but not the lower center storage as the Canberra does. The headrest fore/aft adjustment on the ventilated seat views match the headrest leather whereas on the non-ventilated views it is black except for the Canberra again.

Hard to tell if this is just coded wrong on the website views or if it will play out in the production models?

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by Max Well

I placed all of the leather choice interior views together for a quick look at the overall appearance and noticed some variations.

Great comparison. I also found the BMW.UK build site a neat place to use to compare interior choices like upholstery and dash trim. It allows you to quickly compare your last two choices by sliding the pane left and right.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/vc/ncc/xhtml/st...4p7i0k1#FABRIC

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Vernasca looks minimally different vs Dakota. Will withhold final judgement till I see/feel it in person.

Why BMW doesn't let goodies like Nappa trickle down to 3 series is just maddening.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

Vernasca looks minimally different vs Dakota. Will withhold final judgement till I see/feel it in person.

Why BMW doesn't let goodies like Nappa trickle down to 3 series is just maddening.

No - it is definitely different in person, but each of us need the chance to see it and obtain the tactile sensation for ourselves (and even these small Dealership samples drawn tight don't really allow for that).

Having had Dakota on many of our BMWs over the years, I get the feeling this should 'break-in' easier and be more amenable to proper conditioning, but it remains to be seen until we all have some experience behind it.

And re: the 'trickle down', I think it is only a matter of time. When one considers where we have come with the X3 from the first gen, even the LCI is leagues better than it was. And I think it is a learning curve for Mnfrs in general as well, as they get a feel where each segment's preferences are leaning as time goes on.

Even on these forums there are some who think that X3 Drivers are only Soccer Moms... But if BMW remains pro-active and actually listens to grass-roots X3 owners to see how we are using our X3s (rather than just relying on Marketing Sample Groups or the perfunctory Surveys), they will understand there is a sub-section who can afford higher-end but really do think the X3 provides the perfect size, functional utility, performance, and luxury they need. I think they do get this, and I have to think they have been following the 'Wish List' and have responded in part to their Enthusiasts' concerns.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

Vernasca looks minimally different vs Dakota.

Apologies for not sharing a better virtual view of the differences, Midwest, which I should have provided. Here is a final image trying to provide spatial reference between the two. Had I known these samples would have been available when I dropped by I could have had ruler in hand.

The embossed 'grain' is clearly finer, but as has been pointed out, whether that translates to pliability and ease of conditioning and overall leather quality will have to be determined. As we have not been provided with specs by BMW, I am still going on the assumption that this is an attempt to make the interior higher quality to match the top-end competition.

[ando]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Apologies for not sharing a better virtual view of the differences, Midwest, which I should have provided. Here is a final image trying to provide spatial reference between the two. Had I known these samples would have been available when I dropped by I could have had ruler in hand.

The embossed 'grain' is clearly finer, but as has been pointed out, whether that translates to pliability and ease of conditioning and overall leather quality will have to be determined. As we have not been provided with specs by BMW, I am still going on the assumption that this is an attempt to make the interior higher quality to match the top-end competition.

Appreciate the updated photo. Looks a lot better than Dakota.

[bwcooper]

My dealer has the color samples for the 2018 X3's now. Here are the samples of the ones I had chosen: Phytonic Blue, Mocha seats, and Dark Oak trim. Funny, but the vertical vs horizontal stitching on the leather actually looked like two different colors when examined by eye. But photo shows they are actually the same, consistent with what dealer said car would have.

I also held the Phytonic Blue sample up against a car on their lot that was Med Blue. The color was a lot closer than what most say they really are--again must have been the bright sunlight. The Med Blue just gets real dark when not directly reflecting back at you and pictures of the Phytonic Blue on the web don't seem to get that midnight blue look.

[JSY]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Apologies for not sharing a better virtual view of the differences, Midwest, which I should have provided. Here is a final image trying to provide spatial reference between the two. Had I known these samples would have been available when I dropped by I could have had ruler in hand.

The embossed 'grain' is clearly finer, but as has been pointed out, whether that translates to pliability and ease of conditioning and overall leather quality will have to be determined. As we have not been provided with specs by BMW, I am still going on the assumption that this is an attempt to make the interior higher quality to match the top-end competition.

Wow, thanks so much for these photos. The updated photo makes it quite clear as I too thought that it didn't seem that different. I'll be moving from the Dakota Black to the Vernasca Black and am pleased with what you showed above.

[KAP8]

Originally Posted by bwcooper

My dealer has the color samples for the 2018 X3's now. Here are the samples of the ones I had chosen: Phytonic Blue, Mocha seats, and Dark Oak trim. Funny, but the vertical vs horizontal stitching on the leather actually looked like two different colors when examined by eye. But photo shows they are actually the same, consistent with what dealer said car would have.

I also held the Phytonic Blue sample up against a car on their lot that was Med Blue. The color was a lot closer than what most say they really are--again must have been the bright sunlight. The Med Blue just gets real dark when not directly reflecting back at you and pictures of the Phytonic Blue on the web don't seem to get that midnight blue look.

I ordered Mocha too. What is the "contrast" of the stitching? It looks to be Mocha. Is it darker than the Mocha?

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by KAP8

I ordered Mocha too. What is the "contrast" of the stitching? It looks to be Mocha. Is it darker than the Mocha?

Threads seem like they have more than a single color. When I first looked at it, one of the stitches almost seemed blue while another seemed black. When I later looked at the photo they both looked much closer to one another--kind of a grayish dark brown. So I think they change appearance a little based on how the light is hitting them. Overall, it looked good (though I wish they still had the orange stitching!!)

[KAP8]

Originally Posted by bwcooper

Threads seem like they have more than a single color. When I first looked at it, one of the stitches almost seemed blue while another seemed black. When I later looked at the photo they both looked much closer to one another--kind of a grayish dark brown. So I think they change appearance a little based on how the light is hitting them. Overall, it looked good (though I wish they still had the orange stitching!!)

OK, thanks. Yes, I was hoping for orange stitching as well.

[stvding]

Dakota is sh1t, period. Leatherette like

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by stvding

Dakota is sh1t, period. Leatherette like

Perhaps but it'll last forever

[LemonOne]

I've always had Nappa leather on all of my BMWs and yes they are high quality compare to the regular series leather ones.