[Keithwand]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

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?

Actually I prefer flip flops!

[aaaaaaaaaz]

It's just a X5, a slightly nice SUV. Not an exotic, not a ferrari, not even a porsche, so just choose whatever you feel is fine. Sensafin feels a good match to this car to me.

[realdah]

Originally Posted by printemps2001

Amen.

I am bummed that I have to go to Extended Merino from the Full Merino on my last 2 cars. No more leather dash and lower door pockets.

Sensafin is plastic, vinyl, fake. Call it vegan leather if you must, it still ain't leather.

I think most of people here are fully aware of the fact that Sensafin isn't real leather.

From my personal decision making perspective, it's more about which things you value most / care about.
Down to the road, you pay for your own experience, and mostly nobody else will notice these differences other than yourself. : =)

[JMD]

Originally Posted by MattTheCarNut

You cannot compare Sensafin to Merino. I highly doubt anyone could go from Merino to Sensafin and be happy.

That said- I’m content with my Sensafin on my X5 40i. It’s better than Sensatec and Vernasca. But it cannot hold a candle to the luxury, smell and feel of merino.

Do yourself a favor and get Merino- esp bc you’ve had it.

"LiKeD!" ,....once you've experience "Merino" leather,...everything else is a substitute! Facts!!!

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by JMD

"LiKeD!" ,....once you've experience "Merino" leather,...everything else is a substitute! Facts!!!

Had a individual merino leather x5 loaner (idk how one with individual label gets into the loaner fleet) for a couple weeks - didn't like it. Sensafin is a "better" substitute for me

[mardoc]

Originally Posted by Kukushka

Hello, I am about to order 2024 x5/x6 with sensafin leather, I am coming out from merino(X5) Would I feel comfort difference and if I get multi contour seats would they do same "braking in the back" and have so many seating adjustments? still deciding between x 6 red/black combo or x5 coffee. Thank you

Much more experienced BMW owners on this thread but here’s my pitch. I built a 2024 X5 m60i and went with Sensafin. I liked the pattern much more. I don’t like the way the rear seats look in Merino. The Diamond quilting on the Sensafin looks great. Also, I wanted a white/off white to pair with the Tanzanite blue I ordered. The Sensafin in Silverstone looks better than Merino Ivory IMO. As far as comfort goes I sat in both and I would be really surprised if you felt a difference long term. Even if there wasn’t a price difference I would go with Sensafin.

[Kgerry59]

I was shocked to find out after I submitted my build that the Sensafin leather (the build website list it as "leather") was not actually leather but fake leather. I was able to amend my build and pay the difference to get into Merino. I would have been terribly disappointed to find out a vehicle I paid $100K+ for didn't even come with leather seats.

[Mtn2Srf]

Originally Posted by mardoc

Much more experienced BMW owners on this thread but here’s my pitch. I built a 2024 X5 m60i and went with Sensafin. I liked the pattern much more. I don’t like the way the rear seats look in Merino. The Diamond quilting on the Sensafin looks great. Also, I wanted a white/off white to pair with the Tanzanite blue I ordered. The Sensafin in Silverstone looks better than Merino Ivory IMO. As far as comfort goes I sat in both and I would be really surprised if you felt a difference long term. Even if there wasn’t a price difference I would go with Sensafin.

Exactly why I made the same decision on my m60i. And then there is my whirlwind of a 7 year old. Lol.

[0_steve]

Originally Posted by mardoc

Much more experienced BMW owners on this thread but here’s my pitch. I built a 2024 X5 m60i and went with Sensafin. I liked the pattern much more. I don’t like the way the rear seats look in Merino. The Diamond quilting on the Sensafin looks great. Also, I wanted a white/off white to pair with the Tanzanite blue I ordered. The Sensafin in Silverstone looks better than Merino Ivory IMO. As far as comfort goes I sat in both and I would be really surprised if you felt a difference long term. Even if there wasn’t a price difference I would go with Sensafin.

Completely agree. Had merino in my last two cars and never loved the look or feel really. Only read about it being great. Definitely preferred the Vernasca in an older X5. The “fake leather” feels and looks nicer. Just hope it doesn’t smell bad. Lol.

[JMD]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

Had a individual merino leather x5 loaner (idk how one with individual label gets into the loaner fleet) for a couple weeks - didn't like it. Sensafin is a "better" substitute for me

Welp,...that's great! Glad you like it.

[BigEvan1923]

I just wish they extended the sensafin on the silverstone for more contrast in the dash area. Makes a big difference.

[bloozemanAZ]

I unexpectedly found myself in the market with an immediate need for a new X5 to replace the wife's 2017 X5 that the insurance company deemed totalled from an accident she had a month or so back. I've custom ordered my previous BMW purchases (2017 X5 and 2020 M850i) after extensive research and planning along with the info here on Bimmerpost.

For this go around that was impossible to do as needed the replacement ASAP. My CA was out on vacation for a week so I started with viewing their available X5 inventory on the dealer's website. Narrowed it down to 1 of 2 available and the wife liked my pick Manhattan Green with Cognac interior which was a stretch for her as all of her previous cars were white (2017 X5 in mineral white).

In all honestly had no clue that Sensafin was faux leather as I didn't have much time to research vs make a decision. I had Dakota in the 2017 X5 as my wife's not a car person so I figured it would hold up better than Merino plus the $ savings to load it up with all the options desired (HUD, ACC, BSM, 3D view, etc.). For my 2020 M850i I went full Merino as my DD and knew I'd take care of it. Plus had my detailer apply all of Gtechniq's interior protection products on it for the get go plus PPF of course as well as Chrystal Serum Ultra on the exterior. Back then it was indeed full leather everywhere but since the 22's even full leather on the 8-series has an asterisk in the configurator stating some non-seatimg areas are leatherette.

I'm very happy with the Sensafin and it works well here in the blazing summer Phoenix heat weather. For example the rental car the insurance company provided had a faux leather that one's bare arms would stick to in the center console. Not so whatsoever with the Sensafin. I'm not even going to tell the wife it's not real leather and see if she ever determines that but doubt it as like I said she's not a car person.

[KamoiBMW]

Originally Posted by Kukushka

Hello, I am about to order 2024 x5/x6 with sensafin leather, I am coming out from merino(X5) Would I feel comfort difference and if I get multi contour seats would they do same "braking in the back" and have so many seating adjustments? still deciding between x 6 red/black combo or x5 coffee. Thank you

I am ordering a X5 50e. I decided to go with the real leather because if I am spending 85,000 on a car, 1900 more isn't really going to make a difference. I will keep the car for a long time and I don't put many miles on it because I usually don't drive so I think it will increase the resale value when I finally decide to get an all electric car. I'm paying cash, but if you are getting a loan, that small amount will not make a big difference spread out over the course of the loan so get the one you are happy with. That's my opinion.

[RidgeHauler]

My heart wants the Merino leather in a vehicle this expensive. Hands down. However, my mind went with the Sensafin because of how the X5 will be utilized daily and weekends (young adults, dog, outdoor activities, etc). Coming from a nicely appointed Audi interior and now after having the Sensafin for short while, I'm honestly satisfied with the Sensafin. Bonus if it holds up better as billed. We'll see.

[G05_FROZN]

Merino is much more softer and more aesthetic

[BeEmVee]

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:

How is the sticky back heat disspitation of sensafin? Since merino is real leather, it may be more breathable than a synthetic, or less I don’t know! But with ventilated seats not an option for most X5 LCIs now, I have to imagine driving in hot climates will feel different between the two.

[tscharf]

I have had the fake leather (whatever they call it) on my MB for 7 years now and it has held up very well. I had no problem ordering it on the new X5. It is lower maintenance and nobody has ever noticed it wasn't real leather to my knowledge. I thought it was a real downgrade when I bought it because all my previous cars were leather, but it wasn't.

I think this is mostly a European anti-leather environmentalist thing and the US market is different. My impression is European carmakers have put a lot of effort into this.

The synthetic leather does not heat up like old school vinyl melt-your-legs-off did. I live in FL and it has been fine. Everything still gets hot, but I haven't noticed any real differences from previous cars.

[swainbmw]

[QUOTE=MattTheCarNut;30003747]You cannot compare Sensafin to Merino. I highly doubt anyone could go from Merino to Sensafin and be happy.

That said- I’m content with my Sensafin on my X5 40i. It’s better than Sensatec and Vernasca. But it cannot hold a candle to the luxury, smell and feel of merino.

Do yourself a favor and get Merino- esp bc you’ve had it.

The smell alone in the difference between the non-leather versus leather will drive you crazy if you’re sensitive to plastic smells I recently set in one at the dealer I could immediately tell very plasticky, and it throws off a chemical smell and the windows where down

[RM707]

Leather = biggest waste of money. I've had Dakota, Nappa and Merino and sensafin beats them all. Looks great, feels great and $2000 was spent on other options that really make a difference.
But if you really believe that 1mm thick leather is breathable and chemicals it's treated with are very healthy for you then sure, go ahead and do it.

[Boardmember]

My quilted cognac Sensafin is perforated in seat bottom & seat back. I’m in the Deep South and this summer never experienced undue heat retention.

My wife’s last two Lexus GXs had their version of a fake leather that looks great and held/holds up wonderfully. I’ve had “real” leather that didn’t.

I had no concern with Sensafin and think it’s beautiful.

[FastMarkA]

Originally Posted by RM707

Leather = biggest waste of money. I've had Dakota, Nappa and Merino and sensafin beats them all. Looks great, feels great and $2000 was spent on other options that really make a difference.
But if you really believe that 1mm thick leather is breathable and chemicals it's treated with are very healthy for you then sure, go ahead and do it.

Same, I went from a Merino 45e to a Sensafin 50e.

I notice *nothing* different about my experience with the car, and I'm completely satisfied.

After the last couple of hot summer months, the Sensafin was no hotter/stickier than my Merino.

And the "smell" of Merino, at least in the X5 where Full Merino isn't even an option, is probably Sensafin anyway, since there are a few small patches of Merino on the seats and everything else is...Sensafin.

[Bristle Hound]

Looks a different colour in every pic I take



So far, still no regrets ordering sensafin