[GREENPUS]

Fake looks and feels great but makes my ass sweat. Merino doesn't

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by GREENPUS

Fake looks and feels great but makes my ass sweat. Merino doesn't

It’s been said a few times already. But if you have ventilated seats your ass is not even sitting on merino unless you in the back seat getting driven around like a boss!

[GREENPUS]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

It’s been said a few times already. But if you have ventilated seats your ass is not even sitting on merino unless you in the back seat getting driven around like a boss!

All leather, no ventilation and no sweaty ass lol

[eelnoraa]

I have both types of material in my currently own BMW. Both will make your bottom sweat in hot summer days. However, I do think leather is more comfortable, but difference isn't night and day.

Assuming money isn't an issue here, I would choose based on usage. if you have young kids/todler/infant or pets, the ease of maintenance will be my recommendation. If just adults at home, I would choose leather. As for smell, there are lot of vinly and plastics inside the car already, either way you will get some plastic smell. I wouldn't choose based on smell.

[Keyser Soze]

I have the sensafin and it's fine, but note it is not as "slippery" as leather (like the Nappa in my F10, for example) and it's kind of grabby when you slide in.

I have not been in Merino Leather personally, but I assume it's less grabby then the sensafin.

[Caspahn]

Originally Posted by FastMarkA

I currently have Merino and just ordered a 50e with Sensafin.

The Merino leather is fine, but IMHO it's not an upscale luxurious leather package like BMW has offered in the past (which have been a similar price point).

Further, if you want to get heated seats (Climate Comfort Pkg), the car will also have ventilated seats, and when that happens, the perforated parts (mostly the whole seat!) is Vernasca leather, not Merino. Who knows, the perforated sections might even be Sensafin in the 2024s since it seems Vernasca is a thing of the past these days...

Sensafin is a great imitation. Of course it's not leather, but if it's comfortable and durable, it's doing its job.

As for smell, for me that faded away after about 6 months with the Merino (and I'm a regular car washer/non-smoker/keep a microfiber in the car to immediately address any spots/dust).

This isn’t true as far as the perforated seats being anything other than perforated merino leather.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Caspahn

This isn’t true as far as the perforated seats being anything other than perforated merino leather.

No, it is true. The perforated portion of the Merino seats is Vernasca leather unless something changed for the LCI.

[rundeyvoo]

Originally Posted by HDEddie1

Merino is all the folks say it is. On the 7 series I test drove, the Merino feels and looks good, multi-contour seats supple yet supportive, and it smells terrific. On the LCI upgrade, its but a $1950 upgrade. Worth it IMO. On my new 2023, however, I chose Coffee Sensafin. Partly for the $2450 ('24 price increased) savings over Merino, partly for its durability and ease of upkeep (got grandkids), and lastly for the unique quilt pattern and perforated texture. It really feels luxe and yet the seats are supportive enough for me. I don't know about the "back break" you mentioned. Coffee? Try to see it in-person and with the car exterior your choosing. It looks slightly different in sunlight than indoors. I like it overall...here's my '23 X5, indoor shot:

The coffee sensafin actually looks a lot lighter than I thought. If I had known it would be this color / shade then I might've been swayed out of the Turtufo. That being said... I still love the feel of the merino much more than sensafin and absolutely love the Tartufo color!

[Caspahn]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

No, it is true. The perforated portion of the Merino seats is Vernasca leather unless something changed for the LCI.

Can you provide me with something where bmw stated that?

[HDEddie1]

Originally Posted by rundeyvoo

The coffee sensafin actually looks a lot lighter than I thought. If I had known it would be this color / shade then I might've been swayed out of the Turtufo. That being said... I still love the feel of the merino much more than sensafin and absolutely love the Tartufo color!

I've seen it. No question the Tartufo is a lovely color. But my situation was grabbing the last '23 X5 within driving distance of my locality and the closest spec (actually 6 out of 7 must-haves) for me came with Coffee Sensifin. If it were Tartufo Merino, I would have been happy. If you're doing a '24 M50i, Tartufo with Carbon Fibre would rock! My coffee looks different depending on the light. Another indoor shot of my x5:

[charlie fairmont]

Originally Posted by Caspahn

Can you provide me with something where bmw stated that?

Not to step on TB's toes (because I'm sure he's about to hit you with a collection of references), but this is the first place I saw it (credit to amc41, in this post): https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1892900

Since then, I've seen different supporting docs posted here, too. Just do a search.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by charlie fairmont

Not to step on TB's toes (because I'm sure he's about to hit you with a collection of references), but this is the first place I saw it (credit to amc41, in this post): https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1892900

Since then, I've seen different supporting docs posted here, too. Just do a search.

That is where I would start and there are various pictures posted that show the difference in the leather.

[kwickag]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

That is where I would start and there are various pictures posted that show the difference in the leather.

Here are a couple of pictures of my perforated Coffee compared to the non perforated. They look the same to me, so maybe they quit using the Vernasca, at least on the 23's. The grain looks the same to me on all of them. First one is the front seat with both perforated and non and second all non. All of the leather feels the same also.

[Caspahn]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

That is where I would start and there are various pictures posted that show the difference in the leather.

I still find nothing of BMW stating this. I’m reading that it’s “Perforated Merino Leather”. Mine literally looks/feels the same but with holes.

[SwissBeemer]

Originally Posted by Caspahn

I still find nothing of BMW stating this. I’m reading that it’s “Perforated Merino Leather”. Mine literally looks/feels the same but with holes.

It's stated in the German pricing list at least although I do believe that most couldn't tell any difference.

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by 915M

If you get multiple scratches and staining on merino, you might regret.
Also it is always your family or friends who damage leather, not you.

Character of leather

[Keithwand]

I don’t wear vinyl shoes so why would I want vinyl seats in a BMW vehicle.

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by Caspahn

Can you provide me with something where bmw stated that?

Turtle: Hoping you can provide some LCI documentation

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Keithwand

I don’t wear vinyl shoes so why would I want vinyl seats in a BMW vehicle.

Really? Your leather dress shoes are your most comfortable shoes of choice? You lay around your house wearing them? Feragamos or not, I don’t think so…

Do you have a leather robe to go with them?

[Caspahn]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

Turtle: Hoping you can provide some LCI documentation

I did reach out to BMW today and they told me it’s “full Merino leather” regardless of perforation. So idk honestly.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

Turtle: Hoping you can provide some LCI documentation

I don't believe BMWNA has ever released anything on it, only BMW has in the detailed pricing guides.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by kwickag

Here are a couple of pictures of my perforated Coffee compared to the non perforated. They look the same to me, so maybe they quit using the Vernasca, at least on the 23's. The grain looks the same to me on all of them. First one is the front seat with both perforated and non and second all non. All of the leather feels the same also.

Interesting because at least one 23 owner posted that theirs are different leather.

Edit: I blew up your picture and it looks like the leather is different between the two. The peaks and valleys seem to be more defined in the perforated section.