[ramsaj91]

Hi all,

Just ordered a Tanzanite Blue M440i Gran Coupe - first Beemer after many, many Audi's. Struggling with leather choice, torn between sticking the cognac i've ordered or going for ivory merino. Would be grateful for anyones had any experiences with ivory merino and if it holds up well over time? Or if the cognac ends up looking a little orange?

[bmnut]

Can’t comment on how well either colour holds up over time but can say the merino is a world apart from the Vernasca leather in quality, looks and comfort. It beautifully hand finished and assembled and transforms the interior of the car in my opinion.
It does take more looking after and you have to be more careful with it and it does cost significantly more to buy in the first place.

[paulockenden]

I ticked the Merino box, and I’m so glad that I did. It’s lovely.

[Beemer5to3]

From going to a G20 with Oyster Vernasca to a G15 with black Merino, and then just to a G16 with Ivory Merino, I'd say if budget allows then definitely go for Merino as it is a significant improvement in terms of quality and look / feel. It's also softer - one of the issues I had with my G20 was the seat started to feel uncomfortable after about 90 mins on the road, and I put it down to the leather being very taught and there not being much give in the seat.

In terms of upkeep, clearly a lighter leather is going to take more - but a light spruce of leather cleaner every few weeks saw the seats as good as new every time.

[bmnut]

Interesting to read the above as both my wife and I found the same thing with the Vernasca leather in that it was uncomfortable after an hour or so unlike the previous Dakota leather I had and she still has in hers.

[Beemer5to3]

@bmwnut yeah it started to give me quite a bit of lower back and arse pain! I had lumbar support optioned too, but it never felt comfortable enough on longer journeys.

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

@bmwnut yeah it started to give me quite a bit of lower back and arse pain! I had lumbar support optioned too, but it never felt comfortable enough on longer journeys.

Forgive the thread hijack, but I also experience lower back pain on longer journeys and hadn't realised it was the leather rather than the design of the seat - wonder if it gets more supple over time.

[Beemer5to3]

@djcowlin I couldn't say for sure, as I only kept the car about a year, but 9k miles on the clock and it wasn't any more supple.

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by djcowlin

Forgive the thread hijack, but I also experience lower back pain on longer journeys and hadn't realised it was the leather rather than the design of the seat - wonder if it gets more supple over time.

Had mine for 15 months and 15k miles and the seats still felt like a park bench!
In contrast recently did 325 miles in the day from Southampton to the North East in wife’s car with Dakota leather and no discomfort at all.
Getting back on post for the benefit of the OP, I believe a lot may be to do the coating on the leather which whilst beneficial when it comes to durability and ease of cleaning doesn’t ‘give’ the way the merino leather does. But at the end of the day BMW’s merino is their highest grade leather so you’d expect it to be superior quality, it needs to be for what it costs!

[SonD]

Worth a read, Merino is superb IMO, but I went with Nappa..

https://favoredleather.com/vernasca-vs-merino-leather/

[ramsaj91]

Many thanks for the tips!

Coincidentally my current Audi seats are too soft which manifests a sort of back/hip dull ache so hopefully the firmer Cognac Vernasca may help that ha! Ivory Merino, with a baby in progress and a dog, may well prove to be a disastrous combo!

[bmnut]

[QUOTE=ramsaj91;29528878]Many thanks for the tips!

Coincidentally my current Audi seats are too soft which manifests a sort of back/hip dull ache so hopefully the firmer Cognac Vernasca may help that ha! Ivory Merino, with a baby in progress and a dog, may well prove to be a disastrous combo![/QUOTE]

Think you could be right there!

[Seaford]

I have Ivory Merino in my 840…and it is gorgeous. 17000 miles in and not a mark.

HOWEVER! I soon put the cream floormats in storage and replaced with an OEM set in black!

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by Seaford

I have Ivory Merino in my 840…and it is gorgeous. 17000 miles in and not a mark.

HOWEVER! I soon put the cream floormats in storage and replaced with an OEM set in black!

I bet you did!…..had beige mats a number of times in the past and didn’t take long at all before they looked like they were covered in squashed ice cream cones!