[Qsilver7]

Even though (as my fellow f06/f12/f13 6 series owner Opie55 mentioned) the leather dash option is actually an "engineered" leather used at the top of the door panels, the dash, the center armrest, and the map pockets on the rear of front seats...it still feels and looks better (to most) than the Dakota/Vernasca/Sensatic.

And if memory serves me correct...the 4 locations mentioned above applies to Nappa leather interior option. If you option for the Dakota/Vernasca leather...there's a few more locations that have "artificial leather"...but if you upgrade to Merino leather...the top of the doors & dash get WalkNappa leather...and artificial leather on the center armrest and map pockets.

Another thing to consider is...the use of engineered/artificial leather at the top of the door panels and the dash may be a good thing. The engineered leather probably holds up better in those locations which will get a lot of abuse over time...especially from sun/rain/body perspiration/body oils/etc.

Another tip for leather interiors (especially Nappa & Merino leather) is to keep it clean of dust/dirt/grime by wiping it down with a damp cloth (simple H20 is fine). Dirt/dust/grime can be the enemy of a leather interior in that it abrades the leather as you enter/exit the vehicle or move things across its surface. Wiping the dust off weekly or bi-weekly with a damp microfiber towel/rag can go a long way in keeping up the leather's appearance along with your regular/traditional leather conditioning/cleaning rituals.

[crypto]

I didn't option Alcantara headliner or leather dash in my car. I'm sure if I went out of my way to look at it and compare they probably both look better than without. But with that said.. I would probably still order without. I don't think it looks bad and never crosses my mind.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by dscabra

My car has the leather dash and is four years old. It looks like new still with no fading. I do use a sun screen when I park the car outside during the day at work.

Attachment 2772583

Originally Posted by saw1

That looks like sensatec to me.

You're probably right and I'm not an expert at how these cars can be optioned. I will say that whatever it is, it's an improvement over the hard, unwrapped dashes of my previous F30s. I have the Nappa leather seats with the diamond stitching (non-perforated) and really think they look and feel nice. I'm not sure if I would actually like it on the dash, but haven't seen one to compare. Is there any added glare from the sun?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by dscabra

... I have the Nappa leather seats with the diamond stitching (non-perforated) and really think they look and feel nice. I'm not sure if I would actually like it on the dash, but haven't seen one to compare. Is there any added glare from the sun?

No...the leather dash and door tops have a matte finish to prevent glare. But you know there's gonna be some out there spritzing "shine' on the dash...especially used car lot sellers.

[Joe-BMW33]

Make no mistake, BMW's full or extended leather option is remarkable going back to the E39 M5. If you had it, you would always want it. It you don't have it, you would want it if you saw it. If you've never seen it, you should make it a priority ordering your next car. It's a pretty cheap option that makes a huge difference. I don't think it can be ordered with Dakota, which really should not be mentioned in the leather category.

[mjr24]

I don't think it's worth it....they started stitching the Sensatec a few years ago and you can't even really tell the difference.

[BMW5151]

Engineered or not, the Nappa on the dash and door caps (all part of the leather dash option) really makes the interior much more "special" feeling. I've had this on several 5s, both F10 and G30. Ordered it again this year for '22 M550ix, and when I received the car in October, I was surprised to find the dash and three doors had the Nappa, but the driver's door was in Sensatec. Obviously an error but it has been a nightmare to get it changed out. My dealer has been great in trying to fix the situation, but when the panel arrived, we looked at it to compare to the car for color match (black) and discovered the same problem with the door cap. Plus the panel didn't have the cut out for the memory buttons. Gonna give it another try, but apparently with the continued issues with Covid things aren't easily handled. We have a bet going to see if this will be resolved before the first anniversary of possession. If it were a rear door panel, I'd just let it go for a slight "adjustment" or refund. But being on the driver's door it drives me crazy. If you do order a car with this option, be sure to check all panels before accepting delivery.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Engineered or not, the Nappa on the dash and door caps (all part of the leather dash option) really makes the interior much more "special" feeling. I've had this on several 5s, both F10 and G30. Ordered it again this year for '22 M550ix, and when I received the car in October, I was surprised to find the dash and three doors had the Nappa, but the driver's door was in Sensatec. Obviously an error but it has been a nightmare to get it changed out. My dealer has been great in trying to fix the situation, but when the panel arrived, we looked at it to compare to the car for color match (black) and discovered the same problem with the door cap. Plus the panel didn't have the cut out for the memory buttons. Gonna give it another try, but apparently with the continued issues with Covid things aren't easily handled. We have a bet going to see if this will be resolved before the first anniversary of possession. If it were a rear door panel, I'd just let it go for a slight "adjustment" or refund. But being on the driver's door it drives me crazy. If you do order a car with this option, be sure to check all panels before accepting delivery.

Woah, that's a first hearing something like that for me. Having them make it right by getting the right door card is the way to go, even if it was a rear door. I'm surprised one of the issues with the replacement was color match with black, I would think that would be easy. I'd love to see a picture of your drivers plastic leather door vs your passenger door.

I completely agree with you on the impact of the extended leather package.

[r1cero]

Originally Posted by ejlover06

My car has neither sensatec not leather Maybe it would be easier to do a leather cover on mine I should ask it Thanks for the idea

Yes, the guy even suggested I get a hold of the clean dash and then he would be able to re-trim it. While doing that you could also re-trim the parts like lower dash like it is done when individual merino leather is specced.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Opie55

I can tell you for sure that the extra-cost "leather" dash, center console and door panels in my $116,000 F12 6 series (with nappa seats) are made of what is called "bonded leather" in the leather industry. Bonded leather is ground up leather scraps mixed with other fillers and binders and adhered to a cloth backing.

Aside from the obvious cost savings, I would also suspect that this is done to improve the life, wear and position (i.e. not lifting as it ages) of the "leather".

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Engineered or not, the Nappa on the dash and door caps (all part of the leather dash option) really makes the interior much more "special" feeling.

I concur. Another vote for the leather dash.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Aside from the obvious cost savings, I would also suspect that this is done to improve the life, wear and position (i.e. not lifting as it ages) of the "leather".



I concur. Another vote for the leather dash.

I concur as well. I could not give two craps of how it is made, scraps or not. It looks good. Yes, BMW makes money.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by dscabra

My car has the leather dash and is four years old. It looks like new still with no fading. I do use a sun screen when I park the car outside during the day at work.

Attachment 2772583

This has me a bit jealous. Most pics (which I’m sure don’t do them justice) of black leather dashes seem very hard to tell apart from sensatec.

[robbyb83]

So, I’m in the process of ordering now, and decided I’m getting the leather dash. Thanks for all the opinions and suggestions! Now it’s time to start waiting…

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Gautam

…Most pics (which I’m sure don’t do them justice) of black leather dashes seem very hard to tell apart from sensatec.

The difference between the “engineered” Nappa dash or WalkNappa dash (w/Merino full leather) vs the Sensatec dash is easy to spot once you get inside the car or close to it.

Just like the Dakota/Vernasca leather…Sensatec has a textured grain that is visible…kinda reminds me of the grain of a basketball or football. The Nappa & Merino (along with their engineered Nappa or WalkNappa dash & doortops) have a smooth texture.

I think that the stitched Sensatec dashes are much nicer than the old preformed molded material that the dashes used to be made of. If I had to pick between those two…I’d take the stitched Sensatec.

You can see the grained texture of a Sensatec vs the smooth engineered Nappa in the pics below of the G05 dashboard….and again, the engineered Nappa vs the Sensatec “waterfall” dash of the f06/f12/f13 6 series:

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by saw1

That looks like sensatec to me.

This is sensatec. Leather dash has almost no texture.

I have this dash in my M550i LCI. Part of me would like the leather, but 90% of doesn't really care or notice.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The difference between the “engineered” Nappa dash or WalkNappa dash (w/Merino full leather) vs the Sensatec dash is easy to spot once you get inside the car or close to it.

Just like the Dakota/Vernasca leather…Sensatec has a textured grain that is visible…kinda reminds me of the grain of a basketball or football. The Nappa & Merino (along with their engineered Nappa or WalkNappa dash & doortops) have a smooth texture.

I think that the stitched Sensatec dashes are much nicer than the old preformed molded material that the dashes used to be made of. If I had to pick between those two…I’d take the stitched Sensatec.

You can see the grained texture of a Sensatec vs the smooth engineered Nappa in the pics below of the G05 dashboard….and again, the engineered Nappa vs the Sensatec “waterfall” dash of the f06/f12/f13 6 series:

Those last two pics of the 6 series are not what you say. Both are identical "leather" dashes, but one is an individual interior where the "leather" extends to the glove box, etc. The "fake" dash in a 6 is easy to spot both because it has a pebble grain, and because the SRS letters are raised up and not stamped in. Not sure why we are talking about the 6 in a 5 forum, but anyway ....

[hlothery]

50K miles on my 2019 M550 with full Napa leather. Use a sunscreen while parked at the golf course five days a week. Use Chemical Guys leather cleaner and conditioner every 6 months or so. Absolutely no problems, looks brand new. No question......go leather.

[YETIinFL]

I was unsure of the leather dash until I saw it in person. It was on an X6M in the showroom. As others described, it does add a sense of class to the cabin. After seeing it in person I added it to my order.

[cclcal]

im gonna chime in a few days late...
i have full leather dash and love it. Wouldnt do it any other way, the sensatec at least looks good though.

I had leather dash in 911 too, the regular dash was just cheap looking.

700$ - just do it. wont regret.

The windshield blocks out UV anyways. I just use a popup sunblocker to keep it cool.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by hlothery

50K miles on my 2019 M550 with full Napa leather. Use a sunscreen while parked at the golf course five days a week. Use Chemical Guys leather cleaner and conditioner every 6 months or so. Absolutely no problems, looks brand new. No question......go leather.

Wow. I am usually only three days a week at the golf course. I also use a sunscreen when parked at the golf course.

[hlothery]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Wow. I am usually only three days a week at the golf course. I also use a sunscreen when parked at the golf course.

Now that I've retired fully, I'm a professional FxxK Off. I'm better at this than anything I've ever done, although my son tells me I was a pretty good amateur FxxK Off as well. So, yes, I walk 18 holes five times a week. Somebody"s gotta do it?!? The leather dash is awesome!

[H_T]

Sorry I'm a little late to this too, but I have the Sensatec Dash with Dakota Leather non-ventilated seats.

I went with Dakota because I read it requires less maintenance. I went with non-ventilated seats because I didn't like the pinhole look, plus I never felt the ventilation in any car I've been in.

Both the dashboard and Dakota leather looks the same to me (can't tell the they are different). As for the dash, I forget that it is not real leather. Hopefully it holds up long term.

Attached are some pics of my setup.