[Blue87]

I had 4 sensafin optioned X5/6 loaners over the last year, 2 during warm months, and 2 in the winter and always noticed the vinyl/plastic smell regardless of the temperature. It wasn't repulsive, just made me think of an older car back when vinyl was popular. The seats were comfy and felt tighter than the multicontour seats I have, albeit the adjustment. A suggestion would be to use some kind of scent module or even a scented vinyl cleaner. It didn't bother me enough to attempt to neutralize the smell, but did make me miss my ext Merino seats.

[kapsjt]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Ugh, i'm just finally putting an order in now for a 50e and flip flopping on the Sensafin versus leather. I was all set on Sensafin and reading this has me second guessing my decision again.

I do tend to agree with you that the leather design does seem a bit dated. Thats why also i was gravitating towards the Sensafin. But also like it from the sustainability point of view.

I have had the silverstone sensafin for two months in a 50e. Could not be happier with it. It looks and feels great. It's been out in 90 degree heat many days with no offensive odor to speak of.

[DaveDBD]

So all I’m saying is $2k on a $80k plus car is not worth skimping on. The leather is well known to smell nice. Your nose may or may not like sensafin. As a vinyl fabric it is very nice Me, I will always go leather from now on.

[hmbmd116]

I got Merino leather because tartufo is only available in leather and that is a great color.

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

So all I’m saying is $2k on a $80k plus car is not worth skimping on. The leather is well known to smell nice. Your nose may or may not like sensafin. As a vinyl fabric it is very nice Me, I will always go leather from now on.

It is not about skimping for everyone. I always order my cars with top leather (paid $5k for “club leather” on my Cayenne) but on the LCI, I cannot live with that grandpa chair style leather stitching pattern and lack of perforation on the rear seats with merino option.

[DaveDBD]

Originally Posted by mattsrs

It is not about skimping for everyone. I always order my cars with top leather (paid $5k for “club leather” on my Cayenne) but on the LCI, I cannot live with that grandpa chair style leather stitching pattern and lack of perforation on the rear seats with merino option.

Sorry, I am not saying it is skimping if you choose Sensafin. But if you think sensafin is equal to leather with a nice smell and thus can save $2k, all I am saying is it isn’t.

But I don’t understand how the leather stitch pattern is grandpa chair style. Looks modern to me.

And with leather, perforations aren’t needed as the leather breathes. The sensafin vinyl doesn’t and thus is perforated. If you don’t get ventilated front seats, aren’t they unperforated?

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

And with leather, perforations aren’t needed as the leather breathes. The sensafin vinyl doesn’t and thus is perforated. If you don’t get ventilated front seats, aren’t they unperforated?

Automotive leather is painted, treated, and doesn't breathe any more than the metal on the body does.

Cloth seats, that's the way to go!

[roamio]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

And with leather, perforations aren’t needed as the leather breathes. The sensafin vinyl doesn’t and thus is perforated. If you don’t get ventilated front seats, aren’t they unperforated?

Respectfully disagree. It's relatively thick leather (thin will not survive) and and doesn't breath at all.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by LDT

On the X5 the Merino is a $1950 option. On a Cayenne it's $4180 and there's not much difference in the amount of leather. BMW's Dravit Grey is $1950 and Arctic Grey is $3150 on the Cayenne. Two of the many reasons I chose the X5 M60i over the Cayenne S

For one, there’s no comparison the cayenne Porsche looks like a jellybean the X5 is truly better looking

[roamio]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

For one, there’s no comparison the cayenne Porsche looks like a jellybean the X5 is truly better looking

Perfect definition - jellybean

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

For one, there’s no comparison the cayenne Porsche looks like a jellybean the X5 is truly better looking

agree! their trademark front end doesn’t transfer to SUV. never did. beautiful on the 911, though

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

agree! their trademark front end doesn’t transfer to SUV. never did. beautiful on the 911, though

Absolutely, does not work

[LDT]

One thing the Cayenne has over the X5 is that there are far fewer Cayennes on the road than X5's.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by mattsrs

It is not about skimping for everyone. I always order my cars with top leather (paid $5k for “club leather” on my Cayenne) but on the LCI, I cannot live with that grandpa chair style leather stitching pattern and lack of perforation on the rear seats with merino option.

You are so right. I'm on the fence between Sensafin and Merino but after looking at both today I will stick with Sensafin because the seat pattern on the Merino seat looks old and something like you might sit in if you were 100 years old. Its just not for me ....

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by apw2607

You are so right. I'm on the fence between Sensafin and Merino but after looking at both today I will stick with Sensafin because the seat pattern on the Merino seat looks old and something like you might sit in if you were 100 years old. Its just not for me ....

I think the stitch pattern in the sensafin material just looks cheap. The larger patches between the stich lines are a giveaway to the cheaper material.

[Jlewisinsyr]

Top, Sensafin, Bottom, Merino. No doubt the Sensafin is a much more modern and sporty look, the Merino I just cannot get over the mix match of patterns and the old school, wire heating element look.

[mattsrs]

Attachment 3223980

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I think the stitch pattern in the sensafin material just looks cheap. The larger patches between the stich lines are a giveaway to the cheaper material.

There’s no such thing as larger patches being indicative of cheaper material. Here’s photo of my 7 series with full Merino leather which I am sure not a cheap material and you can see the modern stitching pattern compared to what Merino gets on the X5

[Giggler]

I really like the new car smell with the Sensafin, but my wife got a headache from it… she is sensitive to strong smells in general. So windows down when driving the family around until it dies down.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by Giggler

I really like the new car smell with the Sensafin, but my wife got a headache from it… she is sensitive to strong smells in general. So windows down when driving the family around until it dies down.

It will smell like that till the day you trade it .

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by Jlewisinsyr

Top, Sensafin, Bottom, Merino. No doubt the Sensafin is a much more modern and sporty look, the Merino I just cannot get over the mix match of patterns and the old school, wire heating element look.

Disagree. I think the first pic looks dated

[roamio]

Originally Posted by Giggler

I really like the new car smell with the Sensafin, but my wife got a headache from it… she is sensitive to strong smells in general. So windows down when driving the family around until it dies down.

Similar story here - when my 2018 M550 was 2-3 weeks old I had to drive my relative somewhere and trip was 1.5 hours. When we got there she was complaining about strong smell that gave her headache. Interesting that my car had upgraded napa leather (was it dakota that was standard???). I'm sure it was not napa leather but that "new car" bouquet of chemical gasses that really caused her headache. Maybe just coincidence?

[eelnoraa]

Vinyl will absolutely release chemical and grease like fume in cabin. No way around it. Wait a year and wipe inside of wind shield or rear glass, you will see the greasy deposite. I have one more than a few years old bmw with vinyl seats. While I am not bother by it, it smell different. The long it exposed to strong sun light, the more obvious it will be.