Bimmerpost
3
/
4 Series
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions M340i with 'Merino' full extended leather - Worth it?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-22-2019, 08:39 PM   #1
giorgoXXI
Private First Class
95
Rep
198
Posts

Drives: BMW M340i
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

M340i with 'Merino' full extended leather - Worth it?

Hi,

I am debating what to do with the upholstery for my M340i here in the UK. I have 3 options:

- Mocha 'Vernasca' leather (Included)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' leather (around $1.2K)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' full extended leather (around $3K)

I quite liked the Mocha interior, but its true the Merino leather feels noticeably nicer. The only Merino colours I can deal with is Black (a bit boring) or Ivory.

Ivory looks nice on paper, but is it a pain to maintain? Will it last?

Also, is the extended leather worth the big premium? As far as I understand it, it replaces the Sensatec on the dashboard with real leather and adds leather to the top of the doors.

What do you guys think is the best option?
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2019, 09:11 PM   #2
BimmerFix
Major
BimmerFix's Avatar
1358
Rep
1,083
Posts

Drives: 24' M3 Competition RWD
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: L.A.

iTrader: (1)

Ivory Merino Leather would be my choice. I don't think the extended leather price is warranted to be honest. The standard Merino will give you that upgraded feel without being too expensive. Now if it was an M3 or lets say a 5 series than yeah maybe I would go the full extended leather. Personally that's just how I look at it, you might feel differently tho.
__________________
///M3 2024 G80 Competition - Starting Lineup
///M4 2019 F82 Competition , 2019 G30 540i , 2008 E92 335i - Retired
Appreciate 1
      06-22-2019, 10:56 PM   #3
Fuller
Major
1217
Rep
1,290
Posts

Drives: F36 435i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

I'd probably just go with the mocha interior. Maybe I'd choose the merino leather, but not extended. I like the idea of having a light interior like ivory or oyster too. I don't like black interior very much. It's just sort of boring to me.
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2019, 11:03 PM   #4
upsidedownfunnel
Colonel
United_States
1996
Rep
2,499
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2014 BMW 335i  [0.00]
I say either do Vernasca or go full Merino. IMO, it's more about the appearance than it is about the seating surface. The dashboard looks beautiful wrapped in Merino or Nappa leather. Yes it is slightly nicer to sit on Merino over Vernasca/Dakota, and slightly more breathable, but otherwise it's not that big of a deal. No point in paying for nicer seats when the dashboard is still going to look like cheap embossed plastic.

Black is boring, but there's a reason it's the standard interior color. It's by far the most practical, will never show dirt, never look offensive, never go out of style, and easy to hide imperfections on. I wouldn't mind a saddle brown interior myself, but I wouldn't think twice about getting black if it meant getting the nicer interior. I'm sure Ivory looks great at first, but I know I'd get sick of it. Both maintaining it and looking at it.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 03:22 AM   #5
WestCoast76
Second Lieutenant
Switzerland
154
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: G20 M340i xdrive
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Same kind of question here about my M340i G21

I went to the BMW Brand Experience Center close to Zürich in Switerzerland last weekend and I saw in real life the Merino leather as well the Vernasca.

Vernaska looks good and it's an improvement compared to the Dakota.

But once you seat in a car equiped with Merino seats, difficult to choose something in my opinion ! The feeling is very different as the quality of the leather is much more better. Maybe more fragile and it has to be proven

The differences between the extended and the full interior are indeed the dashboard and the upper parts of the doors. I think it's worth to take the full Merino.

The only thing that annoys me is that you can't chose full merino plus sunshields (very practical for my daughter in the back!)

Alternative option is to choose extended Merino and to select leather dashboard. But you lose the leather on the upper parts of the doors.

I am going to check if I can purchase a BMW sunshield that will fit to the G21 and then, problem fixed.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 05:09 AM   #6
psuibmw
Brigadier General
psuibmw's Avatar
United_States
3465
Rep
3,071
Posts

Drives: G06/G20/F30/F15/F10/E90
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW 320xi  [10.00]
2023 BMW M340  [9.75]
2022 BMW  [10.00]
Is that even an option for US cars?
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 09:45 AM   #7
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

While vernasca is an improvement on Dakota, it is still in the Dakota family and a world of difference from Nappa or Merino. You are using the upholstery every time you use the car so you want something that will be nice for you.

My vote is Merino...either form.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 04:05 PM   #8
Macboy
New Member
3
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: G20 330d
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Merino is always the best choice. Because everything is real leather. With Vernasca leather most parts are not real leather. With merino everything is real leather. And always go for full extended merino if you chose merino. Like someone said: either you go Vernasca or you go all the way including the doors.

My car was ordered back in february where this option was not available. I thus have Vernasca leather with full nappa leather dash (upper and lower part). The upper door parts are also in leather but aftermarket. Pretty happy !
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 04:40 PM   #9
Sedan_Clan
Law Enforcer
Sedan_Clan's Avatar
Brazil
24825
Rep
22,224
Posts

Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ..in your rearview!!!

iTrader: (26)

Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgoXXI View Post
Hi,

I am debating what to do with the upholstery for my M340i here in the UK. I have 3 options:

- Mocha 'Vernasca' leather (Included)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' leather (around $1.2K)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' full extended leather (around $3K)

I quite liked the Mocha interior, but its true the Merino leather feels noticeably nicer. The only Merino colours I can deal with is Black (a bit boring) or Ivory.

Ivory looks nice on paper, but is it a pain to maintain? Will it last?

Also, is the extended leather worth the big premium? As far as I understand it, it replaces the Sensatec on the dashboard with real leather and adds leather to the top of the doors.

What do you guys think is the best option?
Ivory, like any other light colored BMW leather (...e.g. Silverstone, etc.), will look great if maintained. Deciding whether or not it's a pain in the ass depends on you and your cleanliness habits. It's like dating a hot chick. The hotter they are, the more likely they will require more to maintain. To some it's worth it. To others it isn't. I've had Silverstone leather in my last 4 ///M cars, and all were well maintained and looked new.....even after years of use.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 09:19 PM   #10
bavarianboar
Lieutenant Colonel
bavarianboar's Avatar
323
Rep
1,764
Posts

Drives: 2020 540i, 2020 430i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgoXXI View Post
Hi,

I am debating what to do with the upholstery for my M340i here in the UK. I have 3 options:

- Mocha 'Vernasca' leather (Included)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' leather (around $1.2K)
- Ivory or Black 'Merino' full extended leather (around $3K)

I quite liked the Mocha interior, but its true the Merino leather feels noticeably nicer. The only Merino colours I can deal with is Black (a bit boring) or Ivory.

Ivory looks nice on paper, but is it a pain to maintain? Will it last?

Also, is the extended leather worth the big premium? As far as I understand it, it replaces the Sensatec on the dashboard with real leather and adds leather to the top of the doors.

What do you guys think is the best option?
Why not get a well optioned M3 if you are spending that much dough on a marketing child M340i?
__________________


Driving: 2020 540i M-Sport Carbon Black, Ivory Nappa - Dec 2019 BTO - Feb 2020 Delivery
Returned: 2016 535i M-Sport Carbon Black, Ivory Nappa :: 2014 F30 335i M-Sport Min Grey, Coral Red :: 2011 E90 328i Deep Sea Blue, Oyster Dakota
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 09:35 PM   #11
praxis218
Lieutenant
824
Rep
582
Posts

Drives: 2017 M3 DCT
Join Date: May 2005
Location: .

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianboar View Post
Why not get a well optioned M3 if you are spending that much dough on a marketing child M340i?
Who would buy a soon-to-be outdated model?
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 11:05 PM   #12
MmmmmM2
Colonel
MmmmmM2's Avatar
2578
Rep
2,423
Posts

Drives: 2021 M2C
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Claremont, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Mazda CX-5  [0.00]
2021 BMW M2C  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by praxis218 View Post
Who would buy a soon-to-be outdated model?
I would.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2019, 11:12 PM   #13
themnmd
Colonel
themnmd's Avatar
United_States
1687
Rep
2,699
Posts

Drives: 23 X5MC
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: San Rafael CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by psuibmw View Post
Is that even an option for US cars?
No merino in usa
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 03:52 AM   #14
Sedan_Clan
Law Enforcer
Sedan_Clan's Avatar
Brazil
24825
Rep
22,224
Posts

Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ..in your rearview!!!

iTrader: (26)

Quote:
Originally Posted by praxis218 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianboar View Post
Why not get a well optioned M3 if you are spending that much dough on a marketing child M340i?
Who would buy a soon-to-be outdated model?
The M3 won't be "outdated" for at least 2 more years.
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 08:32 AM   #15
JayPichardo
BMW Client Advisor
JayPichardo's Avatar
3449
Rep
2,504
Posts

Drives: 2020 M340i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Tulley BMW Nashua, NH

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW M340i  [0.00]
I wish we had that option
__________________
Contact me for all your BMW needs in the New England area.
jpichardo@tulley.com


Top M Client Advisor in New England.
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 09:48 AM   #16
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayPichardo View Post
I wish we had that option
Anything more on Individual merino leathers becoming available?
__________________
CURRENT: '24 M4C Conv
RETIRED : '23 M8C Conv | '20 X4 M40i | '18 M4 6MT | '13 M5 6MT | '08 550i 6MT | '04 545i 6MT | '98 540i 6MT | '94 530i 5MT | '84 528e 5MT
Other retirees from Chevrolet, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Merkur(!), Volvo, Saab, Audi and Porsche
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 10:11 AM   #17
praxis218
Lieutenant
824
Rep
582
Posts

Drives: 2017 M3 DCT
Join Date: May 2005
Location: .

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
The M3 won't be "outdated" for at least 2 more years.
Interior tech is already dated. I wouldn't be able to stand it for another 2 years.
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 01:18 PM   #18
BimmerFix
Major
BimmerFix's Avatar
1358
Rep
1,083
Posts

Drives: 24' M3 Competition RWD
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: L.A.

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
The M3 won't be "outdated" for at least 2 more years.
Atleast 2 years ? what lol , I disagree . It'll be outdated next year when G80 comes out. Same goes for the M4 I believe not sure tho, forgot if the M3/M4 release at the same time. But tech wise if you have a fairly recent M car , what is it equipped with ID6 and Apple Carplay right. That should be pretty good for a few more years I would say. My 2016 M4 with ID5 and no apple carplay felt ancient to me, compared to what's available now. But the drive is what really matters with an M , so it didn't really bother me as much.
__________________
///M3 2024 G80 Competition - Starting Lineup
///M4 2019 F82 Competition , 2019 G30 540i , 2008 E92 335i - Retired
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2019, 01:31 PM   #19
Sedan_Clan
Law Enforcer
Sedan_Clan's Avatar
Brazil
24825
Rep
22,224
Posts

Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ..in your rearview!!!

iTrader: (26)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerFix View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
The M3 won't be "outdated" for at least 2 more years.
Atleast 2 years ? what lol , I disagree . It'll be outdated next year when G80 comes out. Same goes for the M4 I believe not sure tho, forgot if the M3/M4 release at the same time. But tech wise if you have a fairly recent M car , what is it equipped with ID6 and Apple Carplay right. That should be pretty good for a few more years I would say. My 2016 M4 with ID5 and no apple carplay felt ancient to me, compared to what's available now. But the drive is what really matters with an M , so it didn't really bother me as much.
The tech is fine for me in my '17 ///M4. I don't need a supercomputer dash. The new car dash is so busy.
Appreciate 2
BimmerFix1358.00
MmmmmM22578.00
      06-24-2019, 03:10 PM   #20
giorgoXXI
Private First Class
95
Rep
198
Posts

Drives: BMW M340i
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the replies.

I've taken the advice and decided to go for the Black Full 'Merino' option. Even though it wasn't my preferred colour, it is one I can easily live with, it will feel nice, will hardly need any maintenance, and the leather on the dashboard and doors will lift the interior quality significantly.

Ivory is tempting but I know I will be paranoid trying to make sure it stays clean.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianboar View Post
Why not get a well optioned M3 if you are spending that much dough on a marketing child M340i?
The M3 is not even sold anymore in the UK new, and even then the base model with no options is around 5K more expensive. Already stretching my budget as my initial idea was to get a 330i. Test drove it and found it underwhelming in terms of power. The M340i seems to hit the right spot.
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2019, 01:49 AM   #21
Macboy
New Member
3
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: G20 330d
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Great choice Giorgo ! Make sure to post some pics after arrival.
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2019, 04:15 AM   #22
goodbyalfa
King of the North (living in the east...)
goodbyalfa's Avatar
United Kingdom
1053
Rep
2,153
Posts

Drives: M340i mineral white
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Suffolk

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgoXXI View Post
Thanks for the replies.

I've taken the advice and decided to go for the Black Full 'Merino' option. Even though it wasn't my preferred colour, it is one I can easily live with, it will feel nice, will hardly need any maintenance, and the leather on the dashboard and doors will lift the interior quality significantly.

Ivory is tempting but I know I will be paranoid trying to make sure it stays clean.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianboar View Post
Why not get a well optioned M3 if you are spending that much dough on a marketing child M340i?
The M3 is not even sold anymore in the UK new, and even then the base model with no options is around 5K more expensive. Already stretching my budget as my initial idea was to get a 330i. Test drove it and found it underwhelming in terms of power. The M340i seems to hit the right spot.
For just 5k difference, I'm in the option free m3...
Sell a kidney or something, you only live once
__________________
2021 M340i in mineral white, options galore
Previously
2018 440i GC in MG
2015 330D F30 MSport EBII
2012 Alfa Guilietta 2.0d Veloce
2009 Fiat bravo sport
2000 ST Mondeo
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55 PM.




g20
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST