[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Benjamin_Nicholas

A took merino full-extended and had him cover everything, inside and out, wheels, calipers, glass, the works.

Merino and Nappa have no top coat, so it makes sense to treat it with polymer coating, or leather cleaner/conditioner regularly.

My old E39 had Montana leather, it was not as nice as Merino nor Nappa, but it also had no synthetic top coat. That leather required regular leather cleaner and conditioner treatment, and still faded while approaching 100k miles.

The Dakota leather on my F30 worked exceptionally well for 8.5 years and 80k miles, with almost no maintenance.

These days low/no maintenance "leather" works just fine for me.

[Sight22]

Originally Posted by Benjamin_Nicholas

It was a stark truth post, but certainly not meant to offend.

It's sorta the same way I feel about folks who bolt on M accessories and badging, but still don't have an M.

Bottom line: It's. Just. Not. An. M.

Let me rephrase the 'plastic' comment. It's not a natural material, so simple dusting and a damp rag will do. No need to make it glossy or go overboard with the grease.

That said, if you're going to drive the car until it drops, you can always look into a long-term interior coating like CQuartz Finest.

Why did you even bring that up? Not even relevant to the thread. Also why are you even on this forum? There is a M dedicated one for you to kiss each others ass on your superior vehicles.

[aleksandarv98]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I came from a 535i with Nappa leather that I had to use high end cleaner on to keep it looking nice. In the past, I had Dakota leather in my car and they always had issues long term with the finish coming off. It seems that Dakota leather is just cheap leather with a plastic finish embossed on top of it.

Anyway, this time I got sensatec since it seems like it's supposed to hold up better. What should be used to clean black sensatec? How can I keep it looking nice long term without it getting shiny or having the finish rub off?

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I came from a 535i with Nappa leather that I had to use high end cleaner on to keep it looking nice. In the past, I had Dakota leather in my car and they always had issues long term with the finish coming off. It seems that Dakota leather is just cheap leather with a plastic finish embossed on top of it.

Anyway, this time I got sensatec since it seems like it's supposed to hold up better. What should be used to clean black sensatec? How can I keep it looking nice long term without it getting shiny or having the finish rub off?

Wear and tear on leather is inevitable. You can use BMW's leather cleaning products, they worked the best for me- u get some soft sponges with the set so basically you wont rub off anything. Also warm water and baby shampoo (since they are Ph neutral) for cleaning it if you want a more deep cleaning. I also recommend that you go to the detailer to ceramic coat the leather. My detailer coated it with Gyeon ceramic leather coater.

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Originally Posted by Sight22

Why did you even bring that up? Not even relevant to the thread. Also why are you even on this forum? There is a M dedicated one for you to kiss each others ass on your superior vehicles.

Wow. Calm down. Don't let envy get the best of you.

I've owned an M340i. My partner still has one.

Go troll someone else dude.

[panki_86]

You have 4 leather options in G20.
Vernasca and Merino (BMW Individual option) are for seats and door panels
Walknappa (Nappa leather) on M sport and BMW Individual steering wheel
One more type (i don't know which type) on normal and Sport steering wheel.

Sensatec is BMW name for material which is close to leather, so fake material. It is not leather.

On mine G20 i have Walknappa on stereng wheel, Vernasca on seats and Sensatec on dashboard. I clean everything with water and BMW UV leather protection. It seems to be good for Sensatec too

[boozoo]

Has anyone with the Cognac interior opted for the Cilajet treatment? This is my first time with a light interior, so I thought it might help prevent long-term damage from spills, jeans, pen marks, etc. But I'm getting concerned after reading some negative reviews. Thoughts about using it on the exterior (of a brand new Skyscraper gray) would also be appreciated. Thank you!

[Rawhide]

I've got the red sensatec. Mother's VLR does give it a richer color for a little while, and I think it softens it up a little bit (could be placebo). But otherwise I really don't think it matters.

Edit: This was a dealer's spec so I would have picked leather otherwise. Funny thing though, after 2 years I've grown to rather like it, maybe even prefer it. Not something I expected to happen. Fake leather has come a log way.

[toolerb50]

I use Mother's VLR all the time and it works great

https://mothers.com/products/vlr-vin...ber-care-06524

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toolerb50

I use Mother's VLR all the time and it works great

I just got VLR on sale and applied to the door seals, the smell is not great but it appears to work ok on the seals.

[SevenNine]

For the VLR, do you guys use microfiber towel or something else?

[toolerb50]

Originally Posted by SevenNine

For the VLR, do you guys use microfiber towel or something else?

I use seperate microfiber towels for seats, wheel and mats, it's also great on the mats keeping them looking like new. Spray on the towel and wipe. I don't mind the smell, it actually smells good to me.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by SevenNine

For the VLR, do you guys use microfiber towel or something else?

I use microfiber towels from Costco.

BTW I also got 303 aerospace protectant on sale, that should work on vinyl and senatec today.

[14Down]

Like bavarianride I use the microfiber towels from Costco and Formula 303 aerospace protectant on the Sensatec seats and on the dash and door cards. The 303 has worked wonders in the Florida sun over the years for several of my cars and for my boat's vinyl. It provides great UV protection.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I came from a 535i with Nappa leather that I had to use high end cleaner on to keep it looking nice. In the past, I had Dakota leather in my car and they always had issues long term with the finish coming off. It seems that Dakota leather is just cheap leather with a plastic finish embossed on top of it.

Anyway, this time I got sensatec since it seems like it's supposed to hold up better. What should be used to clean black sensatec? How can I keep it looking nice long term without it getting shiny or having the finish rub off?

If you want a true dedicated product for sensatec, I would suggest Dr. Beasley’s vegan leather kit, or ColourLock artificial leather cleaning and conditioning kit.
The other suggestions by members are great, but the ones above are more so truly dedicated for artificial leather.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by peelerec

If you want a true dedicated product for sensatec, I would suggest Dr. Beasley’s vegan leather kit, or ColourLock artificial leather cleaning and conditioning kit.
The other suggestions by members are great, but the ones above are more so truly dedicated for artificial leather.

$60 is a bit pricey compared to the ones available at local auto stores.

BTW Vinylex is a great product too, unfortunately that has been discontinued.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

$60 is a bit pricey compared to the ones available at local auto stores.

BTW Vinylex is a great product too, unfortunately that has been discontinued.

You get what you pay for. I feel confident in the R&D, chemistry, that ColourLock and Dr. Beasley’s land on.
To each their own

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by peelerec

You get what you pay for. I feel confident in the R&D, chemistry, that ColourLock and Dr. Beasley’s land on.
To each their own

I haven't heard of those 2 brands, they look like small bontique brands right?

I did use Lexol PH-balancedcleather cleaner(old orange bottle) on the F30 Dakota leather with top coat, with no leather conditioner, and that leather still looked brand new when sold at 80k miles.

I have used the Lexol leather cleaner on my G20 senatec a few times now, and that seems to work just as well.

I am keeping the VLR and 303 for the door seals and panels.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

I haven't heard of those 2 brands, they look like small bontique brands right?

I did use Lexol PH-balancedcleather cleaner(old orange bottle) on the F30 Dakota leather with top coat, with no leather conditioner, and that leather still looked brand new when sold at 80k miles.

I have used the Lexol leather cleaner on my G20 senatec a few times now, and that seems to work just as well.

I am keeping the VLR and 303 for the door seals and panels.

They are well known pro-consumer brands that are well respected for professionals and DIY consumers alike. Focused on the niche of interior maintenance.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by peelerec

They are well known pro-consumer brands that are well respected for professionals and DIY consumers alike. Focused on the niche of interior maintenance.

So it looks like there are forum posts of Colourlock has leather color dye kit, and Dr. Beasley’s ceramic paint coating, but there is not much coverage on their vegan leather products.

I would think leather with top coat and senatec do not need exotic products.

Honestly after 30k miles and 3 years, my senatec still looks factory-like with just a few soiled areas cleaned by Lexol.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

So it looks like there are forum posts of Colourlock has leather color dye kit, and Dr. Beasley’s ceramic paint coating, but not much coverage on their vegan leather products.

I would think leather with top coat and senatec do not need exotic products. Honestly after 30k miles and 3 years, my senatec still looks factory-like, with minimal care.

Definitely dependent on each driver usage. For ex: my G20 is my daily driver + track vehicle. So it sees daily use, gym sweat, 240lb of body weight / abrasion so upkeep and preventative maintenance is critical in my scenario.

[Tim 4723]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

The Vernasca and Merino seem to be close to Dakota, which is not that much better than Senatec(Dakota may be more breathable than Senatec in summer)

The Nappa leather is noticeably more supple than Vernasca.

That seems pretty harsh on Merino which is BMWs highest grade of leather. I can assure you it's much, much nicer than Sensatec.

[LostInSpace]

I plan to dust my sensatec and that's about it.