Type of leather BMW uses?

SchlauCow · 07-19-2011, 09:18 PM

For, say, black dakota leather interior of an F10. Is it full-grain leather? Might be a dumb question, but I can't find the answer to it...

Thanks.

Jon D · 07-20-2011, 07:09 AM

Dakota leather has a definite grain pattern and feel. I don't know whether it's natural 'full-grain' or artificially created, but it looks, feels and smells really good. It's also very easy to keep clean.

AMP · 07-20-2011, 10:03 AM

Based on the look and feel I'd wager that Dakota leather is corrected grain. The pattern is far too regular and the hide is far too durable to be full grain.

Nappa leather, on the other hand, is typically full grain. In fact I believe that by definition nappa leather is full grain.

Fithian · 09-17-2011, 08:31 AM

When I ordered the F10 535i for my wife, I specified the black nappa leather option for an additional $1000. Very nice. Standard on S-Audis. I don't care for the Dakota, which I had on my E92 335i.

535DMSport · 09-17-2011, 09:42 AM

I have Nappa leather too. Especially on black leather this is very easy to be seen in terms of quality. Dakota Black doesn't look nice to me, but Nappa Black does.

MBrown1003 · 09-17-2011, 03:35 PM

My preference would have been Nappa leather in the cinammon color that I chose, but that wasn't an option. Nappa is only available in oyster or black. So, I went with the cinammon color, figuring I look at it more than I touch it.

I have Nappa (or something very much like it) in my M3, and it's a very nice, soft leather.

BD997 · 09-20-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchlauCow

For, say, black dakota leather interior of an F10. Is it full-grain leather? Might be a dumb question, but I can't find the answer to it...

Thanks.

think the leather comes from cattle, mostly cows :-)

535MSport · 10-23-2011, 01:49 PM

Dakota is not soft and supple. BMW has had this cheaper feel leather for years now.

Fithian · 10-25-2011, 07:52 PM

You can get Merino leather in several colors on the F10 in the UK for an extra $2800 though BMW Individual. Not sure if that is a Nappa or not. Nappa is available in the UK as well for an extra $1000 as it is here.

We might be able to get BMW Individual here, probably for the $2800 extra, or more. I tried BMW Individual to get a different exterior color and was quoted $5000 extra. I passed.

mkossler · 10-26-2011, 06:37 PM

I frankly like the Dakota. It's durable and attractive, and doesn't look cheap at all. In fact, I really don't like the Nappa leather - feels a bit too Japanese car for my taste. Different strokes for different folks, though!

Bmrmeup · 10-29-2011, 11:28 AM

With the extra options I got Nappa leather was not in the budget! It is nice but I too enjoy the Dakota leather.

BimmerUKF10 · 10-31-2011, 03:01 AM

Not sure what you mean by 'full grain'. Nappa has a much finer pattern and is softer. I believe it is also derived from lambs rather than cow's hide.

remmib · 10-31-2011, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerUKF10

Not sure what you mean by 'full grain'. Nappa has a much finer pattern and is softer. I believe it is also derived from lambs rather than cow's hide.

Lambs? I doubts those are big enough to even cover a seat. I thought all leather in cars are from cows.

1HOT BMR · 10-31-2011, 11:47 AM

I prefer the Dakota leather because IMO it looks better, it wears better and it's easier to keep clean. I would have paid extra to have the Dakota instead of Nappa

mkossler · 10-31-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

I prefer the Dakota leather because IMO it looks better, it wears better and it's easier to keep clean. I would have paid extra to have the Dakota instead of Nappa

^ +1

07-19-2011, 09:18 PM	#1
SchlauCow ****** 137 Rep 337 Posts Drives: Honda M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Radiance iTrader: (4)	Type of leather BMW uses? For, say, black dakota leather interior of an F10. Is it full-grain leather? Might be a dumb question, but I can't find the answer to it... Thanks. __________________ You will never be as complex as the strand of hair sitting on top of your head.
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07-20-2011, 07:09 AM	#2
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Dakota leather has a definite grain pattern and feel. I don't know whether it's natural 'full-grain' or artificially created, but it looks, feels and smells really good. It's also very easy to keep clean.
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07-20-2011, 10:03 AM	#3
AMP Private First Class 14 Rep 162 Posts Drives: E34, E39, & E60 M5; E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Based on the look and feel I'd wager that Dakota leather is corrected grain. The pattern is far too regular and the hide is far too durable to be full grain. Nappa leather, on the other hand, is typically full grain. In fact I believe that by definition nappa leather is full grain. __________________ '12 Alpina B7 Alpina Blue/Black '11 1M Coupe Alpine White '11 M3 Coupe Silverstone/Black (sold) '08 M6 Coupe Stratus/Black '03 M5 Sedan Imola Red/Black (sold)
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09-17-2011, 08:31 AM	#4
Fithian BMWCCA Member 7 Rep 71 Posts Drives: BMW F10 535i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern PA iTrader: (0)	Nappa When I ordered the F10 535i for my wife, I specified the black nappa leather option for an additional $1000. Very nice. Standard on S-Audis. I don't care for the Dakota, which I had on my E92 335i. __________________ Eph 2007 E92 335i 6M PP SP HS 45k miles (sold) 2008 A3 2T DSG 37k miles 2011 F10 535i 8A PP SP 27k miles 2013 S5 6M PP SP 7k miles 7/24/12
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09-17-2011, 09:42 AM	#5
535DMSport Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 277 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I have Nappa leather too. Especially on black leather this is very easy to be seen in terms of quality. Dakota Black doesn't look nice to me, but Nappa Black does.
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09-17-2011, 03:35 PM	#6
MBrown1003 Eight Bimmers and counting 35 Rep 761 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	My preference would have been Nappa leather in the cinammon color that I chose, but that wasn't an option. Nappa is only available in oyster or black. So, I went with the cinammon color, figuring I look at it more than I touch it. I have Nappa (or something very much like it) in my M3, and it's a very nice, soft leather. __________________ 2014 F10 M5 Previously... Threes: '08 E90 M3, '07 E92 335i, Fives: '11 F10 550i, '02 E39 M5, '00 E39 540i/6, '97 E39 528i, '92 E34 525i Others: VW, MBz, Peugeot, Toyota, Olds
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10-23-2011, 01:49 PM	#8
535MSport Private 18 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2013 MSport 535- on the way Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	Dakota is not soft and supple. BMW has had this cheaper feel leather for years now.
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10-25-2011, 07:52 PM	#9
Fithian BMWCCA Member 7 Rep 71 Posts Drives: BMW F10 535i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern PA iTrader: (0)	Merino You can get Merino leather in several colors on the F10 in the UK for an extra $2800 though BMW Individual. Not sure if that is a Nappa or not. Nappa is available in the UK as well for an extra $1000 as it is here. We might be able to get BMW Individual here, probably for the $2800 extra, or more. I tried BMW Individual to get a different exterior color and was quoted $5000 extra. I passed. __________________ Eph 2007 E92 335i 6M PP SP HS 45k miles (sold) 2008 A3 2T DSG 37k miles 2011 F10 535i 8A PP SP 27k miles 2013 S5 6M PP SP 7k miles 7/24/12
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10-26-2011, 06:37 PM	#10
mkossler Matty K. 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 535i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I frankly like the Dakota. It's durable and attractive, and doesn't look cheap at all. In fact, I really don't like the Nappa leather - feels a bit too Japanese car for my taste. Different strokes for different folks, though! __________________ 2011 535i (8/2011 build) Jet Black, Black Dakota leather, Dark Wood, Convenience, Premium 1 & 2, SmartPhone, BMW Apps
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10-29-2011, 11:28 AM	#11
Bmrmeup Private First Class 20 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi, Graphite Grey Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 535xi [0.00]	With the extra options I got Nappa leather was not in the budget! It is nice but I too enjoy the Dakota leather.
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10-31-2011, 03:01 AM	#12
BimmerUKF10 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 36 Posts Drives: F10 535d Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Not sure what you mean by 'full grain'. Nappa has a much finer pattern and is softer. I believe it is also derived from lambs rather than cow's hide.
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10-31-2011, 11:47 AM	#14
1HOT BMR First Lieutenant 17 Rep 351 Posts Drives: Car-less and shopping +'12 35d Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I prefer the Dakota leather because IMO it looks better, it wears better and it's easier to keep clean. I would have paid extra to have the Dakota instead of Nappa
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