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      10-18-2018, 06:34 AM   #1
Dargo72
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Vernasca Leather vs. Extended Merino Leather

I have ordered an X5 with coffee Vernasca leather. I am now wondering if is worth the 1K to upgrade to the extended Merino leather.

I like the styling of the Merino leather better, but would love opinions as to whether it's noticeably better than the Vernasca.

I will probably go back to the dealer to look at some examples as well.

Thoughts are appreciated.
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      10-18-2018, 07:20 AM   #2
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Full Disclosure: I am a BMW sales advisor after driving the brand for 25+ years...

Yes IMO the Merino is a significant upgrade over Vernasca (and I like Vernasca more than Dakota).
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      10-18-2018, 07:52 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Midwest 535i View Post
Full Disclosure: I am a BMW sales advisor after driving the brand for 25+ years...

Yes IMO the Merino is a significant upgrade over Vernasca (and I like Vernasca more than Dakota).
Thank you. I am leaning towards the upgrade.
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      10-18-2018, 07:53 AM   #4
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We had a F15 for 4 years and a E70 for 4 years before that. We had just Dakota in our E70 and we went with the mocha design pkg on our F15 which gave us nappa. The leather and stitching on the door panels and dash was very nice. On our G05 order my wife just wanted Vernasca, but after sitting on the vernasca I changed our order to Merino. I will say this, the Nappa held up better than the Dakota. The Nappa was softer and smoother and held the dye very well. After 4 years the Nappa seats looked like new where the Dakota lost some dye on the corners of some of the cushions. I'm sure the merino will wear like the nappa and the vernasca will wear like the Dakota. The ext merino doesn't bring higher resale or anything, it's purely for you the owner as far as comfort, esthetics, and durability. It ends up being $2200 more for the leather dash and ext merino, but the interior looks so much better. Just my .02.

Good luck!
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      10-18-2018, 08:51 AM   #5
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I have Nappa in my 535 now and it is soft, smooth and very comfortable. I first added extended Merino to my X5 order, until I sat in a new X5 at the dealer training. I was pleasantly surprised at how soft and beautiful it was and much less busy looking without the diamond pattern. It is far better than an X5 loaner I had which I am guessing had Vernasca.
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      10-18-2018, 10:41 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midwest 535i View Post
Full Disclosure: I am a BMW sales advisor after driving the brand for 25+ years...

Yes IMO the Merino is a significant upgrade over Vernasca (and I like Vernasca more than Dakota).
Could you provide specifications of the "Extended" part of the upgrade? Thanks!
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      10-18-2018, 12:16 PM   #7
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Was able to change my order to the Extended Merino Leather
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      10-18-2018, 01:37 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paul45 View Post
Could you provide specifications of the "Extended" part of the upgrade? Thanks!
I believe the only additional leather you get with the "Entended" Merino is the rest of the center console is covered. Without the Extended there still appears to be leather on the center console, but just a piece along the very top of it. Extended appears to cover the lower 2/3 of the center console in leather.

I haven't been able to see any other differences besides that. Its possible that with Vernasca the seat side/backs and parts of the door panels are Sensatec and not actually leather...and Merino changes those all to actual leather. But again, I can't confirm that.
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      10-18-2018, 06:42 PM   #9
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I would love to get merino but it would cost me 11k not 1k because of crazy pricing and taxes designed to discourage custom orders.
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      01-29-2019, 06:27 PM   #10
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Merino vs Venasca leather.

My question is this. I looking to buy the X5 but I would like to know which of this leather Merino or venasca is the sturdier one? I plan to keep this car for a long time, and i would not like any problems. Any thoughts?
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      01-29-2019, 06:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plina View Post
My question is this. I looking to buy the X5 but I would like to know which of this leather Merino or venasca is the sturdier one? I plan to keep this car for a long time, and i would not like any problems. Any thoughts?
Veransca is likely sturdier but feels nowhere near as nice
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      01-29-2019, 06:38 PM   #12
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I have black vernasca with the luxury seating package. The seats are much softer than the dakota leather in my previous f15. You won't be disappointed with them.
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      01-29-2019, 06:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xfive View Post
I have black vernasca with the luxury seating package. The seats are much softer than the dakota leather in my previous f15. You won't be disappointed with them.
Anything is better than Dakota, Merino is really worth the money though
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      01-29-2019, 07:46 PM   #14
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Going back to the dealer to feel the leather is the best way to go. Your idea of quality leather might be different than others. Or if you're comparing the leather to a prior vehicle you'll get a better sense of the difference. I went with the Vernasca for the durability but to me it definitely isn't soft. I once owned a Passat with a leatherette (i.e. sensatec) and it felt very similar to the Vernasca. Again, go touch and feel.
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      01-29-2019, 07:54 PM   #15
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Google Merino leather and you will see it’s the top of the line in grade of leather and how it is dyed.
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      01-29-2019, 08:14 PM   #16
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I can't comment on Merino but I can say two things. First, the Vernasca is WAY softer than the Dakota in my 340. Second, coffee is a great color for the G05 interior!
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      01-29-2019, 08:16 PM   #17
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Get the Merino. You will thank me.
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      01-29-2019, 08:20 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gofast182 View Post
I can't comment on Merino but I can say two things. First, the Vernasca is WAY softer than the Dakota in my 340. Second, coffee is a great color for the G05 interior!
I ordered Coffee Vernasca. I liked the Nappa in my F10 but Vernasca seemed a better fit for an X5. To each their own.
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      01-29-2019, 09:25 PM   #19
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Tartufo Merino Extended

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      01-29-2019, 10:45 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dargo72 View Post
Was able to change my order to the Extended Merino Leather
You won't regret
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      01-30-2019, 12:41 PM   #21
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Wrinkled leather on rear seats!!!
ouch I thought this was a vernasca leather issue....
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      01-30-2019, 01:01 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by bavaria22 View Post
Wrinkled leather on rear seats!!!
ouch I thought this was a vernasca leather issue....
It's intentional and not bad
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