Carbon leather.. Actual leather?

W Cole · 08-23-2011, 09:47 PM

I hope I don't make the top ten dumbest m3 questions with this one but I searched and did not find a definitive answer. I can't imagine they embossed leather with this pattern but then again I don't think BMW would falsely advertise either..

GregW / Oregon · 08-23-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

I hope I don't make the top ten dumbest m3 questions with this one but I searched and did not find a definitive answer. I can't imagine they embossed leather with this pattern but then again I don't think BMW would falsely advertise either..

AFAIK, yes, it is real embossed leather. You are right that they would not get away with calling it leather if it weren't.

4sevens.com · 08-23-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

I hope I don't make the top ten dumbest m3 questions with this one but I searched and did not find a definitive answer. I can't imagine they embossed leather with this pattern but then again I don't think BMW would falsely advertise either..

But neither is it "carbon"

GregW / Oregon · 08-23-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

But neither is it "carbon"

True, "faux" carbon.

geneatals · 08-23-2011, 10:57 PM

it's leather

Benjjman007 · 08-24-2011, 12:15 AM

I believe it is actual leather that is stamped. It tears and wears like leather.

Nelrock · 08-24-2011, 06:56 AM

It's leather. Stamped in a carbon weave pattern.
Have it in mine...I like it...it looks good.

Gkap · 08-24-2011, 09:59 AM

real leather and looks incredible.

mdosu · 08-24-2011, 10:44 AM

not a dumb question, I couldn't figure it out myself either as it didn't make sense the way it's stated. So I went to a dealership, I found a M3 with the trim, touched it, and it was leather as everyone said. Interesting CF weave pattern on it.

It's by far the best trim for the M3, with the aluminum trim coming in a close 2nd. It beats the cheap plastic CF trim found in cheaper models, and looks cooler than real CF.

FVM3 · 08-24-2011, 11:08 AM

leather but cant understand why call it carbon

jphughan · 08-24-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

leather but cant understand why call it carbon

Because it has a dark carbon color and a carbon fiber style weave. "Carbon fiber leather" probably didn't sound as good.

Titanium Silver · 08-24-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

But neither is it "carbon"

+1

lol

GregW / Oregon · 08-24-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

But neither is it "carbon"

Being animal of origin, it does contain carbon.

4sevens.com · 08-24-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Being animal of origin, it does contain carbon.

And lots of fiber

Rich@GTBPerformance · 08-24-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Being animal of origin, it does contain carbon.

Nominated for post of the day.

Locksmythe · 08-24-2011, 07:08 PM

actually there are two materials sewn together. the face is unpolymered carbonfiber and if you look at the top edge on the dash piece, you will see leather sewn to it for the horizontal bit at the top. On the doors there is a leather strip below the CF. I can see fibers shedding like hair at an angle.

W Cole · 08-28-2011, 04:40 PM

Hey guys if you have an E92 with carbon leather could you please go look at the trim surrounding the rear vents/ash tray and ash tray cover and tell me what color it is?

I just swapped my titan shadow trim for carbon leather and realized I didnt switch this piece and mine is still titan shadow. Is it wrapped in carbon leather on your cars or is it just black? Thanks in advance.

PhillyNate · 08-28-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

I don't think BMW would falsely advertise either..

IDK, BMW states that ZCP wheels are forged when everyone on this board swears they are cast. I'm just sayin'...

rye m3 · 08-28-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locksmythe

actually there are two materials sewn together. the face is unpolymered carbonfiber and if you look at the top edge on the dash piece, you will see leather sewn to it for the horizontal bit at the top. On the doors there is a leather strip below the CF. I can see fibers shedding like hair at an angle.

Thanks for posting the right answer! I can't believe how many people just write some crap! Indeed the name is because it is two materials. Most of the other responses obviously don't even have the stuff in their cars!

Legion5 · 08-28-2011, 06:48 PM

Actually the material is definitly NOT leather. The reason I know is because I sourced it from BMW's source and got my hands on the material itself.

The material is a two part sanwitch between vinyl stamped with a carbon fiber pattern and a backing material, used for many types of leatherette material. It does NOT have carbon fibers in it and it is NOT leather. The top portion is leather, and is actually some of the most expensive leather material on the market. With that said BMW developed their own pattern for the vinyl so it's actually a very expensive vinyl.

Carbon leather means that it is a combination of carbon fiber look vinyl and leather.

If anyone wants some carbon fiber trim made with real carbon fibers I actually figured out a way to make it:

Real carbon fiber has much much more texture and looks completely different than the BMW carbon vinyl, which is about the thickness of a shopping bag, and again just a stamped pattern.

Hope that clears things up.

GregW / Oregon · 08-28-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

Hey guys if you have an E92 with carbon leather could you please go look at the trim surrounding the rear vents/ash tray and ash tray cover and tell me what color it is?

I just swapped my titan shadow trim for carbon leather and realized I didnt switch this piece and mine is still titan shadow. Is it wrapped in carbon leather on your cars or is it just black? Thanks in advance.

Plain black plastic on mine.

SamS · 08-29-2011, 08:42 AM

Very interesting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legion5

It does NOT have carbon fibers in it and it is NOT leather. The top portion is leather, and is actually some of the most expensive leather material on the market.

Wait, you say it is not leather, but then the top portion is leather.

Can you clarify "top portion"?

With all of this in mind, what have we decided is the most appropriate product to clean/condition this material?

08-23-2011, 09:47 PM	#1
W Cole First Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 306 iTrader: (3)	Carbon leather.. Actual leather? I hope I don't make the top ten dumbest m3 questions with this one but I searched and did not find a definitive answer. I can't imagine they embossed leather with this pattern but then again I don't think BMW would falsely advertise either..
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08-23-2011, 10:57 PM	#5
geneatals Ninja Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) Posts: 2,961 iTrader: (2)	it's leather __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 AW l Black Novillo Leather \| Carbon Fiber Leather Trim \| ZCP \| ZP2 \| M-DCT \| Navigation \| Moonroof \| 6FL l Pics/Mods Retired: 2008 535i l AW l Black Dakota Leather l Bamboo Anthracite l ZPP l ZSP l 6FL

08-24-2011, 12:15 AM	#6
Benjjman007 Lieutenant Drives: 2013 Frozen Grey E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 418 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW E90 M3 [4.00]	I believe it is actual leather that is stamped. It tears and wears like leather. __________________ NOW: 2013 E92 M3 Frozen Grey/Black Extended with Estroil Blue Contrasting Stitching, Competition, Premium, Heated Seats, Premium Sound, Satellite, BMW Apps. SOLD: 2011.75 E90 M3 Alpine White/Fox Red/Black/Black, Competition, Premium 2, Convenience, Heated Seats, Folding Seats, Moonroof, Premium Sound, Satellite, BMW Apps.

08-24-2011, 06:56 AM	#7
Nelrock Lieutenant Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	It's leather. Stamped in a carbon weave pattern. Have it in mine...I like it...it looks good. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| Melbourne Red \| Black Novillo w/Carbon Leather Trim \| M-DCT \| Competition Package \| Premium Package 2 \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Heated Front Seats 2004 E46 M3 \| Silver Grey \| - Retired

08-24-2011, 10:44 AM	#9
mdosu Help! Can't decide btw MW & AW, 1st world problems Drives: 2008.99989 SSII E90 "Civic" Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,946 iTrader: (4)	not a dumb question, I couldn't figure it out myself either as it didn't make sense the way it's stated. So I went to a dealership, I found a M3 with the trim, touched it, and it was leather as everyone said. Interesting CF weave pattern on it. It's by far the best trim for the M3, with the aluminum trim coming in a close 2nd. It beats the cheap plastic CF trim found in cheaper models, and looks cooler than real CF. __________________ Yes, that's a xmas tree in my trunk

08-24-2011, 09:59 AM	#8
Gkap BMF Movement Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA Posts: 2,660 iTrader: (1)	real leather and looks incredible.

08-24-2011, 11:08 AM	#10
FVM3 Brigadier General Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,839 iTrader: (2)	leather but cant understand why call it carbon __________________ 2011 E93 DCT

08-24-2011, 07:08 PM	#16
Locksmythe Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 e92 M3 AW/FR Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 201 iTrader: (0)	actually there are two materials sewn together. the face is unpolymered carbonfiber and if you look at the top edge on the dash piece, you will see leather sewn to it for the horizontal bit at the top. On the doors there is a leather strip below the CF. I can see fibers shedding like hair at an angle. Last edited by Locksmythe; 08-24-2011 at 07:52 PM.

08-28-2011, 04:40 PM	#17
W Cole First Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 306 iTrader: (3)	Hey guys if you have an E92 with carbon leather could you please go look at the trim surrounding the rear vents/ash tray and ash tray cover and tell me what color it is? I just swapped my titan shadow trim for carbon leather and realized I didnt switch this piece and mine is still titan shadow. Is it wrapped in carbon leather on your cars or is it just black? Thanks in advance.

08-28-2011, 06:48 PM	#20
Legion5 Major Drives: e92 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mid Atlantic Posts: 1,284 iTrader: (11)	Actually the material is definitly NOT leather. The reason I know is because I sourced it from BMW's source and got my hands on the material itself. The material is a two part sanwitch between vinyl stamped with a carbon fiber pattern and a backing material, used for many types of leatherette material. It does NOT have carbon fibers in it and it is NOT leather. The top portion is leather, and is actually some of the most expensive leather material on the market. With that said BMW developed their own pattern for the vinyl so it's actually a very expensive vinyl. Carbon leather means that it is a combination of carbon fiber look vinyl and leather. If anyone wants some carbon fiber trim made with real carbon fibers I actually figured out a way to make it: Real carbon fiber has much much more texture and looks completely different than the BMW carbon vinyl, which is about the thickness of a shopping bag, and again just a stamped pattern. Hope that clears things up. __________________ A clean car is a happy car! CANON PHOTOGRAPHER

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