Nappa or not?

WarReady · 10-17-2020, 02:23 AM

I like the look of the nappa seats but my local dealer doesn't have a car with it in stock for me to see. Is it dog friendly or is it to soft where it will tear?

MauiSteve · 10-17-2020, 04:00 AM

The Dakota will almost certainly stand up to dog paws better than Nappa.

Deathstar · 10-17-2020, 05:25 AM

I'd agree, better with the vinyl (Dakota). It's not as plush, but much more hard wearing.

admannj · 10-17-2020, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathstar

I'd agree, better with the vinyl (Dakota). It's not as plush, but much more hard wearing.

There are three levels of seating:

(1) SensaTec which is vinyl and will probably stand up the best to pets

(2) Dakota Leather

(3) Napa Leather - smoother and softer than Dakota

Qsilver7 · 10-17-2020, 06:47 AM

Just an FYI...BMW’s ”Dakota” leather is real leather...but just not one of the high grade leathers BMW uses (like Nappa & Merino). The grain is embossed (aka “stamped” into the leather) and the surface is coated with a polymer clear coat...which makes it a durable seat covering and better suited for rougher usage. Families with small children and pets will probably find Dakota leather easier to maintain...things like spills from fast food drinks or even body fluid (urine, vomit, etc) are less likely to ruin the leather due to the heavier polymer coating. It also can withstand small feet and paws better than Nappa or Merino leather.

Sensatec or Leatherette is the vinyl seat material BMW uses. Vernasca is another leather BMW uses in some models as the lower/base leather interior option. It is similar to Dakota with the difference mainly being a slightly smaller embossed grain pattern.

Dakota & Vernasca leather can also be a time & money saver in that the polymer paint coating is thick enough that you can save money on not having to buy a conditioner that requires “soaking-in” to maintain or rejuvenate it. You can use leather products that focuses on cleaning the surface and perhaps UV protection.

The Nappa leather (even though it has a lighter coating) remains porous and like the uncoated Merino leather can benefit from occasional conditioners as well as cleaners (or restorative) products. These two leathers also have a softer feel but also require more maintenance in the long run due to there higher quality & less to no protective coating.

Deathstar · 10-17-2020, 09:42 AM

Thanks Qsilver7 I always assumed Dakota was the pretend leather.

ted99 · 10-17-2020, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admannj

There are three levels of seating:

(1) SensaTec which is vinyl and will probably stand up the best to pets

(2) Dakota Leather

(3) Napa Leather - smoother and softer than Dakota

I have two 2020 530e's--one with Sensatec and one with Dakota. I traded an X5 with Napa. My opinion:
1. There is little difference in feel or "luxury appearance" between SensaTec and Dakota.
2. My 530e with the Sensatek is a stripper. The one with the Dakota is loaded, including leather dash. Remembering the luxury-look of my X5 with Napa, I ordered the leather dash, but could not get Napa in the midnight blue my wife wanted. Very disappointed. The luxury look of the Napa is totally absent with the Dakota and the leather dash is virtually invisible. My advice: go SensaTec or Nappa. Dakota is an unsatisfying compromise.

SteveinArizona · 10-17-2020, 05:08 PM

I doubt that the Nappa will hold up like the Dakota but I had Dakota in my prior car and really disliked it. It didn't feel soft or like real leather. I got Nappa in my current 530e and I love it. It is soft and flexible.

But I don't know how well it will hold up to a dog. But if it were me, and I decided that I couldn't go with Nappa, I would go with the Sensatec. I think it feels just like the Dakota and will hold up better and save you a few bucks.

Nate1616 · 10-17-2020, 07:24 PM

I have Nappa in my M550 and made sure to get it after I saw the Dakota. Dakota has a tumbled look which I hate. Nappa is smoother and better feeling IMO. I have a medium sized dog who does well on the leather but tends to just lie down so doesn't really create any issues. I usually just place a towel down as well cause I'm OCD lol

claykin · 10-17-2020, 08:28 PM

Tearing is less of an issue, unless your dog has serious nails and likes to dig into leather.

However, with Nappa, scratching will be an issue for a dog owner. Dakota can scratch as well, but the texture and finish on Dakota helps to protect from scratches and hide scratches better.

Consider a dog blanket to protect your seats. And a dog harness.

WarReady · 10-18-2020, 03:35 AM

Thanks for all the info fellas, I'm going to order a m550 so I think I'm stuck with either the nappa or Dakota but a pet blanket sounds like a safe bet!

LogicalApex · 10-18-2020, 04:01 AM

I use both a pet seat cover and a pet tube for our dogs. The same process I used in my MB which had vinyl seats. Kept my seats looking new and kept pet hair in the car to a minimum so cleaning wasn’t any harder. Additionally, it calms my pets and they relax for 10 hour road trips even.

I went that route partially due to seat protection, but also to ensure that our pet wouldn’t be flying all around the cabin in the event of a crash.

10-17-2020, 02:23 AM	#1
WarReady Private First Class 22 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 550ix M-SPORT Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: STRONG ISLAND iTrader: (0)	Nappa or not? I like the look of the nappa seats but my local dealer doesn't have a car with it in stock for me to see. Is it dog friendly or is it to soft where it will tear?
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10-17-2020, 04:00 AM	#2
MauiSteve First Lieutenant 281 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 2020 M Sport 540i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Maui, Hawaii iTrader: (0)	The Dakota will almost certainly stand up to dog paws better than Nappa. __________________ 2020 540i MSport \| Alpine White \| Mocha Nappa \| Aluminum Rhombicle \| Exec Pkg \| Luxury Seating \| Bowers & Wilkins \| Parking Assistance Pkg \| MSport Brakes \| Ceramic Controls \| Space Saver Spare \|
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10-17-2020, 05:25 AM	#3
Deathstar New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: BMW 530d M Sport Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I'd agree, better with the vinyl (Dakota). It's not as plush, but much more hard wearing.
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10-17-2020, 06:47 AM	#5
Qsilver7 Major General 4439 Rep 7,480 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	Just an FYI...BMW’s ”Dakota” leather is real leather...but just not one of the high grade leathers BMW uses (like Nappa & Merino). The grain is embossed (aka “stamped” into the leather) and the surface is coated with a polymer clear coat...which makes it a durable seat covering and better suited for rougher usage. Families with small children and pets will probably find Dakota leather easier to maintain...things like spills from fast food drinks or even body fluid (urine, vomit, etc) are less likely to ruin the leather due to the heavier polymer coating. It also can withstand small feet and paws better than Nappa or Merino leather. Sensatec or Leatherette is the vinyl seat material BMW uses. Vernasca is another leather BMW uses in some models as the lower/base leather interior option. It is similar to Dakota with the difference mainly being a slightly smaller embossed grain pattern. Dakota & Vernasca leather can also be a time & money saver in that the polymer paint coating is thick enough that you can save money on not having to buy a conditioner that requires “soaking-in” to maintain or rejuvenate it. You can use leather products that focuses on cleaning the surface and perhaps UV protection. The Nappa leather (even though it has a lighter coating) remains porous and like the uncoated Merino leather can benefit from occasional conditioners as well as cleaners (or restorative) products. These two leathers also have a softer feel but also require more maintenance in the long run due to there higher quality & less to no protective coating. Attached Images __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. Last edited by Qsilver7; 10-17-2020 at 08:48 AM..
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10-17-2020, 09:42 AM	#6
Deathstar New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: BMW 530d M Sport Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks Qsilver7 I always assumed Dakota was the pretend leather.
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10-17-2020, 05:08 PM	#8
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3086 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	I doubt that the Nappa will hold up like the Dakota but I had Dakota in my prior car and really disliked it. It didn't feel soft or like real leather. I got Nappa in my current 530e and I love it. It is soft and flexible. But I don't know how well it will hold up to a dog. But if it were me, and I decided that I couldn't go with Nappa, I would go with the Sensatec. I think it feels just like the Dakota and will hold up better and save you a few bucks.
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10-17-2020, 07:24 PM	#9
Nate1616 Enlisted Member 24 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M550i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I have Nappa in my M550 and made sure to get it after I saw the Dakota. Dakota has a tumbled look which I hate. Nappa is smoother and better feeling IMO. I have a medium sized dog who does well on the leather but tends to just lie down so doesn't really create any issues. I usually just place a towel down as well cause I'm OCD lol
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10-17-2020, 08:28 PM	#10
claykin Brigadier General 1588 Rep 4,553 Posts Drives: various BMW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Tearing is less of an issue, unless your dog has serious nails and likes to dig into leather. However, with Nappa, scratching will be an issue for a dog owner. Dakota can scratch as well, but the texture and finish on Dakota helps to protect from scratches and hide scratches better. Consider a dog blanket to protect your seats. And a dog harness. __________________ 2023 840GC \| 2021 740i \| 2019 X3
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10-18-2020, 03:35 AM	#11
WarReady Private First Class 22 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 550ix M-SPORT Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: STRONG ISLAND iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the info fellas, I'm going to order a m550 so I think I'm stuck with either the nappa or Dakota but a pet blanket sounds like a safe bet!
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10-18-2020, 04:01 AM	#12
LogicalApex Colonel 2026 Rep 2,946 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW 530xe Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Farmington, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW 530xe [0.00]	I use both a pet seat cover and a pet tube for our dogs. The same process I used in my MB which had vinyl seats. Kept my seats looking new and kept pet hair in the car to a minimum so cleaning wasn’t any harder. Additionally, it calms my pets and they relax for 10 hour road trips even. I went that route partially due to seat protection, but also to ensure that our pet wouldn’t be flying all around the cabin in the event of a crash.
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