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      10-17-2017, 04:54 PM   #23
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Where does Merino fit? Is it Nappa > Merino > Vernasca > Dakota?
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      10-17-2017, 05:45 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F32Fleet View Post
Perhaps but it'll last forever
i agree. helps with resale. i remember all the rips and tears the e46 leathers had. with dakota in my e90 and now my f30 it looks like new still.
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      10-17-2017, 05:59 PM   #25
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AWSM comparo. Thank you for putting this together
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      10-17-2017, 06:07 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeKixxon
Where does Merino fit? Is it Nappa > Merino > Vernasca > Dakota?
I have wondered this. Merino vs. Nappa difference?
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      10-17-2017, 06:17 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeKixxon View Post
Where does Merino fit? Is it Nappa > Merino > Vernasca > Dakota?
While we're on this topic, let me also throw Novillo into the equation.
My E46 M3 had Nappa and the E9x M3's Novillo does seem finer & softer by comparison.
When I test drove an E90 M3 way back in 2009-2010, there was an "M-specialist" sent from Germany who explained to me that the leather in the M3 (i.e., Novillo) was of higher quality than the leather in the [contemporary] 7-series (F01), which I assume was a reference to Nappa.
Don't have first-hand experience with Merino, but it is generally understood to be of higher-grade than both Novillo and Nappa from what I've read.

This forum itself seems to have conflicting information about Nappa vs. Novillo though.
One post says: Merino>Nappa>Novillo>[Vernasca]>Dakota
Other one says: Merino>Novillo>Nappa>[Vernasca]>Dakota>[Boston]


So where does everything actually stand?
Merino ≥ Novillo =/≠ Nappa > Vernasca > Dakota ≥ Boston ≥ Nevada
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      10-17-2017, 06:22 PM   #28
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Dakota blows if you are looking for a more luxurious "feel."

On the flip side, that shyt lasts forever without any wear. Super durable, especially when you clean/condition it a 2-3 times per year. My interior looks like new and it's an '09!
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      10-17-2017, 07:15 PM   #29
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I'm pretty sure vernasca is just another type of leather that costs BMW less to procure than nappa. If one thing is clear bmw is (like all major companies) interested in maximizing profits.
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      10-17-2017, 07:54 PM   #30
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Nice write up!
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      10-17-2017, 08:53 PM   #31
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The texture of Vernasca actually looks worse to me than Dakota, and probably rougher to the touch too.

For those wondering, Merino and Novillo are their best grades so far. Extremely soft and luxurious to the touch but the not as durable, with Novillo being even more soft than Merino. By that argument Novillo is higher “grade,” but I feel Merino is the perfect blend of luxury and durability. Napa is next, followed by Dakota/etc.

The softer and more luxurious the leather, the quicker it wears. And vice versa.
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      10-17-2017, 09:16 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midwest 535i View Post
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.
I have Merino in my M3, in my experience its better than Nappa in terms of wear, somehow, and doesnt attract jeans denim as much either. I think it would wear better than the Novillo in the previous M3, but hard to say at current miles.

Its the best leather Ive had so far in a BMW, and that is with an orange interior. In Black it should keep amazingly well.

For all its worth, I expect the X3M to also have Merino leather.
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      10-17-2017, 11:27 PM   #33
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Merino is the best one and wears relatively nicely.

Nappa is nice when new, smooth, but wears horribly in my opinion. The wrinkles and even just little dirt makes it look synthetic and cheap.

Dakota is very strong and durable and my personal preference (but doesn?t feel luxurious)

I have had all three.

Vernesca could be a good middle ground!
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      10-18-2017, 12:40 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwcooper View Post
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.
Nice color combinations, bwcooper - looking forward to your pictures when it arrives.

Apologies when I posted the leather photos initially, as I didn't include a Mocha picture, which I should have considering it is a popular choice. As I was driving past the Dealership again this morning I dropped back in for some more pictures.

You were correct on your initial thoughts - the horizontal color is a mocha shade whereas the vertical thread is definitely a light blue. I'm attaching that picture with a comparison to another Dakota, this time Mocha, to once again show the surface texture difference. Also, it seems that the vertical thread for each of these samples is the contrast stitching used for each leather choice (except for maybe the Oyster which appears like the horizontal one on the website), and I'm including some zoomed website views as illustration.

With regards to the Nappa and Merino question, I also took some views of those samples while there. To the touch I'll be honest that it was hard to tell them apart if I didn't see the labels. There may be a variation in the production dyes/sealers etc but I couldn't sense it on these small, tightly stretched samples. Those that have owned both would be the best judges it would seem, and appreciate everyone contributing to this thread.

I also saw samples of the Nevada which also looked almost identical in texture and embossed grain to the Dakota per my eyes and touch. So it seems reasonable to possibly consider Nappa, Merino (and Novillo) to be in an upper echelon, Dakota and Nevada in a lower echelon, and now Vernasca possibly filling a mid-range slot as a compromise between comfort and durability perhaps?

There are a lot of websites devoted to general leather production (not BMW-specific), but I found this one seemed to provide a good summary - http://www.fowfurniture.com/blog/tip...line-leathers/ .
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      10-18-2017, 12:45 PM   #35
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I don't understand using light blue stitching with the Mocha.
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      10-18-2017, 03:19 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KAP8 View Post
I don't understand using light blue stitching with the Mocha.
The vertical stitches definitely looked bluish (like Maxwell's photo) when I held the sample. Maxwell likely used a better camera than I did--just had my smart phone with me. But the stitching may really be a light grey that takes a bluish tint in contrast to the reddish brown Mocha color of the leather. We were standing outside on a bright sunny day when he brought out the sample.
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      10-19-2017, 02:14 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farns2345 View Post
I'm pretty sure vernasca is just another type of leather that costs BMW less to procure than nappa. If one thing is clear bmw is (like all major companies) interested in maximizing profits.
No offense but isn't that the goal of every business and every working person, to maximize earnings. If you think another company offers you better value for your money you're free to purchase from them.
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      10-19-2017, 04:30 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BGT3 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by farns2345 View Post
I'm pretty sure vernasca is just another type of leather that costs BMW less to procure than nappa. If one thing is clear bmw is (like all major companies) interested in maximizing profits.
No offense but isn't that the goal of every business and every working person, to maximize earnings. If you think another company offers you better value for your money you're free to purchase from them.
I did say all major companies do it. I was just stating the obvious.
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      10-19-2017, 05:23 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adc View Post
I have Merino in my M3, in my experience its better than Nappa in terms of wear, somehow, and doesnt attract jeans denim as much either. I think it would wear better than the Novillo in the previous M3, but hard to say at current miles.

Its the best leather Ive had so far in a BMW, and that is with an orange interior. In Black it should keep amazingly well.

For all its worth, I expect the X3M to also have Merino leather.
I have ordered my X3M with Merino leather - available as of December production. I chose the Tartuffo - Truffle colour. They had a large sample at the dealership - about 1 metre sq. so I was able to compare and feel the texture. As you said it should wear better than Novillo (in my M3) but it does not feel quite as soft. It does have a nicer feel than Dakota, but that leather is exceptional for its wear.
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      10-19-2017, 06:09 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slalom View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by adc View Post
I have Merino in my M3, in my experience its better than Nappa in terms of wear, somehow, and doesnt attract jeans denim as much either. I think it would wear better than the Novillo in the previous M3, but hard to say at current miles.

Its the best leather Ive had so far in a BMW, and that is with an orange interior. In Black it should keep amazingly well.

For all its worth, I expect the X3M to also have Merino leather.
I have ordered my X3M with Merino leather - available as of December production. I chose the Tartuffo - Truffle colour. They had a large sample at the dealership - about 1 metre sq. so I was able to compare and feel the texture. As you said it should wear better than Novillo (in my M3) but it does not feel quite as soft. It does have a nicer feel than Dakota, but that leather is exceptional for its wear.
Congrats on the individual interior order. Merino is a very nice leather
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      10-20-2017, 06:07 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slalom View Post
I have ordered my X3M with Merino leather - available as of December production. I chose the Tartuffo - Truffle colour. They had a large sample at the dealership - about 1 metre sq. so I was able to compare and feel the texture. As you said it should wear better than Novillo (in my M3) but it does not feel quite as soft. It does have a nicer feel than Dakota, but that leather is exceptional for its wear.
Excellent, Slalom - should be an amazing look. As we're not able to even see the X3 Individual options on the US site yet, I made some screen captures of your Canadian site and thought I might as well place them here so we have a compilation of all leather possibilities in one location. Definitely that step up in 'fit and finish' as many have awaited in the X3 series.
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      10-20-2017, 07:28 AM   #42
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Just another example of the USA being short changed. I'd give a kidney for Fiona Red leather.
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      10-20-2017, 08:31 PM   #43
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definitely looks better than Dakota.
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      10-26-2017, 07:53 PM   #44
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Can US buyers spec the Fiona Red?
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