Durability: Speed Cloth vs. Leather

[DonM3]

Yep. Approx £500 someone told me. I'll be getting it because the standard trims offered suck big time....

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

It's available as an Individual option--fairly spendy, though.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

It's available as an Individual option--fairly spendy, though.

i figured someone would reply with that....

guess i should have said, "too bad its not a standard option." before you pay 500 pounds for that i'd ask the dealer how much it would cost to do it after purchase. it might be cheaper.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by redmtclimber

i figured someone would reply with that....

guess i should have said, "too bad its not a standard option." before you pay 500 pounds for that i'd ask the dealer how much it would cost to do it after purchase. it might be cheaper.

The part numbers are posted in the E90post frorum, FYI...

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by redmtclimber

i figured someone would reply with that....

guess i should have said, "too bad its not a standard option." before you pay 500 pounds for that i'd ask the dealer how much it would cost to do it after purchase. it might be cheaper.

I doubt very much it would be less expensive. When I did the Matte Chrome in my E46 back in 2001, I think the parts alone were around US$500. And if you do the swap yourself, which then leaves you open to no warranty on rattles.

Of course, for US folks, after purchase replacement is our only option.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by alpineweissM3

Would you mind elaborating a bit on why you prefer the cloth? I don't mind cold seats in the winter or hot seats in the summer. I'm more concerned about comfort and durability than aesthetics.

I'm really on the fence and need some good food for thought!

I found the cloth to be sportier, easier to maintain (..obviously), and less affected by the weather (..i.e...heat in the summer...and the subsequent sweat, cold in the winter, etc.). I also found that I didn't worry as much about messing up/tearing/scraping the surface of the seat (...rivets of jeans, belts, etc.), or more accurately.....my passengers messing up my seat (..you know how women can be w/ all of their accessories that snag on shit).

Lastly.....

....the cloth/leather combo just really appealed to me aesthetically.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I found the cloth to be sportier, easier to maintain (..obviously), and less affected by the weather (..i.e...heat in the summer...and the subsequent sweat, cold in the winter, etc.). I also found that I didn't worry as much about messing up/tearing/scraping the surface of the seat (...rivets of jeans, belts, etc.), or more accurately.....my passengers messing up my seat (..you know how women can be w/ all of their accessories that snag on shit).

Lastly.....

....the cloth/leather combo just really appealed to me aesthetically.

If I go with Alpine White exterior, I'll seriously considering the Speed Cloth. If I don't get the Premium Package, though, is the UGDO available as an accessory? I know Assist/bluetooth and the trims are standalone options, and I don't care that much about the folding mirrors or compass.

[ruff]

As far as I am concerned, the thought of BMW offering Speed Cloth in the States is a major plus for the M3. Cloth is not nearly as effected as leather by temperature or wear and never gets slick. Leather is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. My Accord has 200 k and almost 17 years on it's cloth seats and they look like new with no real detectable wear. There is a reason why you don't see many leather seated cars at the track. Leather does have that wonderful smell however.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ruff

As far as I am concerned, the thought of BMW offering Speed Cloth in the States is a major plus for the M3. Cloth is not nearly as effected as leather by temperature or wear and never gets slick. Leather is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. My Accord has 200 k and almost 17 years on it's cloth seats and they look like new with no real detectable wear. There is a reason why you don't see many leather seated cars at the track. Leather does have that wonderful smell however.

Well, with the M3 cloth seats you still have the leather outer bolsters and trim, so there should be some leather aroma.

[sdiver68]

If you treat your seats with Lexol every few months, you will have leather and it will hold up very well.

[Lil. Lucas]

The durability argument goes out the window for me because the high wear areas are still leather..

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Well, with the M3 cloth seats you still have the leather outer bolsters and trim, so there should be some leather aroma.

The leather aroma is still there, but not as prevalent.