[EXE46]

Folks, my SA has two cars for me to choose from, one with Sensatech seats and 19 inch wheels and one with Vernasca leather and 18 inch wheels.

First I had opted for the one with Vernasca since it was mineral gray and understated in color. It's crucial to not draw attention to self. The other car is Portimao Blue with the 19 M793i wheels but then i changed my mind and said i needed numbers for that one due to the 19 inch wheels.

However, now that i am off work i decided to see what the sensatech is about and it seems people say to avoid, it looks cheap etc. I have only experienced the Vernasca leather in the G20. Also, the cars are at the port and is out of state so i don't have the ability to go check them out in person.

Now i am thinking it's probably best to stick with the mineral gray which has the vernasca leather and forget the blue car with the 19" wheels and sensatech. I like the Portimao blue but that color i think draws too much attention. What would you all suggest?

[ashokgadeking]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Folks, my SA has two cars for me to choose from, one with Sensatech seats and 19 inch wheels and one with Vernasca leather and 18 inch wheels.

First I had opted for the one with Vernasca since it was mineral gray and understated in color. It's crucial to not draw attention to self. The other car is Portimao Blue with the 19 M793i wheels but then i changed my mind and said i needed numbers for that one due to the 19 inch wheels.

However, now that i am off work i decided to see what the sensatech is about and it seems people say to avoid, it looks cheap etc. I have only experienced the Vernasca leather in the G20. Also, the cars are at the port and is out of state so i don't have the ability to go check them out in person.

Now i am thinking it's probably best to stick with the mineral gray which has the vernasca leather and forget the blue car with the 19" wheels and sensatech. I like the Portimao blue but that color i think draws too much attention. What would you all suggest?

Forget Sensatec, changing wheels is much easier down the line if you hate the 18s.

[Nabzpv]

I am really, really happy with VL in my M340i, and decided to never do sensa tech due to the poor breathability (had it in a 2013 f30). For a frame of reference, I had Nappa (sp?) in my 2016 535i and genuinely disliked it—I might even prefer sensa tech over those! I don’t know what the popular opinion

Finally, I’d personally go with grey. Obviously totally subjective, but that would be the understated option between the two.

[Eagle Creek]

Why are you focusing on not drawing attention to yourself? Are you working for some kind of secret organization that requires operatives to blend in commuter traffic somehow?

[gofast182]

I recently had a loaner with Sensatech and it fooled me until I looked at the window sticker. It was softer and more compliant than the Dakota leather in my 340i which feels like cardboard in comparison.

[kalien34]

I have Sensatech on my F36 and through the entire time of ownership it doesn't bother me, at all... Someone might argue that it looks cheap. Maybe it actually does. But the good thing about it is that it's much much easier to maintain, and in fact I've done nothing to maintain it in the last 2 ish years. Another down side of Sensatech may be limited color options, but if you are going for black anyways it shouldn't matter.
I would go for the 19 wheels unless you plan to bother with getting a new set of wheels yourself. Or why not ask the dealer to replace them for you before selling it to you?

[Cammy440iGC]

I don't think the sensatec looks cheap. I saw it in a G20 M340i and frankly it looks nicer than the leather in 2016 340i!!

[Delija]

Its a pity that you can't choose alcantara seats in the US.
I find them really great and much more comfortable than vernasca leather.

[TTG]

Sensatech ALL the way.... They do look brand new after many many years and BMW has been doing such a good job, folks can not tell what it is....

Now having said all of that, I did get the blue stitched leather on my car. If stitching was not offered, I would of 100% gotten Sensatech.

[Booster]

Super impressed with the quality/feel of the Sensatec in my 340...

Greatly improved over previous generations...

[gofast182]

Originally Posted by Cammy340i

I don't think the sensatec looks cheap. I saw it in a G20 M340i and frankly it looks nicer than the leather in 2016 340i!!

Truth.

[3ismagic#]

I've found the BMW leather-alternative to be pretty good. They wear way better over the long term.

I certainly think it was a lot better than the Dakota leather which still showed the marks from where the jockey beat on it.

Can't really comment on the vernasca though I didn't think twice about getting the sensatech.

[hubbahubba]

I ordered mine with Sensatec as I have a large dog, and often end up with greasy pants after a day at work. A close friend, (international man of mystery that he is), having had numerous BMW's told me that it was the way to go for me. After placing the order, and before production had started, I had second thoughts. I went and sat in a Sensatec car, and one with leather. The feel is virtually the same to me. I will say that the leather smelled much nicer, but I figure the difference in smell would go away soon, and then I would be left with leather to put effort into maintaining. I need more things to do like I need another hole in my head. Sensatec it is for me. Now if the damn thing would just get finished and shipped I would be really

[SteveinArizona]

I had Dakota leather on my prior 330e and hated it. I have nappa now on my 530e and I love it. But I see above that Nabzpv had the opposite view. I have not sat in Vernasca. I understand it is a variant of Dakota and might be better. If you can go to a dealership and sit in both, that is what I would recommend.

[Serottab1kr]

I have the VL black with blue stitching and it looks great. But, I was also looking at an M340i with the Sensatac, and I could hardly tell the difference. also, I would think the Sensatac will hold up better over time.

I have a M340i in Portimao Blue and absolutely love the color. I have the 19” with gray rims and it looks awesome. I’m so happy with it.

either way, you really can’t go wrong.

[Fuller]

That's a hard choice. Assuming both cars are similarly equipped, my reflexive reaction is to go with the mineral gray car with leather seats. The g20 looks great in mineral gray, and, IMO, leather is part of the premium car experience.

That said, the portimao car with 19" wheels is going to pop! Imagine yourself going to pick it up on your delivery day, all shiny and detailed. Then imagine looking back at that baby every time you park, that portimao blue and sweet 19" wheels sparking in the sunlight. As someone else said, it's easier to change the wheels than the seats, but I also love the g20 in portimao blue. I could easily live with the seats.

It might not be helpful, but to sum it up, the sensible part of me that knows what I like would reflexively choose the MG with leather. The live it up, try something fun and different side of me says go with the blue with 19" wheels.

Either way, they're both great and sensible choices. You can't go wrong with either car. If you're worried about attracting attention though, I think both cars will. The mineral gray car is still going to be stunning, and will still turn heads. If you really want to avoid attention, unfortunately it means avoiding a premium brand car. Regardless of how common the bmw 3 series might be, i find that they still turn heads and attract some degree of attention, especially if new and, or well maintained.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Fuller

If you're worried about attracting attention though, I think both cars will. The mineral gray car is still going to be stunning, and will still turn heads. If you really want to avoid attention, unfortunately it means avoiding a premium brand car. Regardless of how common the bmw 3 series might be, i find that they still turn heads and attract some degree of attention, especially if new and, or well maintained.

I'm not so sure...yesterday, my wife and I were walking through a parking lot to a building. Walked right in front of a new, red, G20. I stopped to look. She asked me why I stopped and I explained that this is the new 3 Series (she drives a Mini Cooper Countryman S). With a shrug and barely a second glance, she said, "Really? Hard to tell" and kept walking...and it was red! There are far more people like her than like us forum-folks out there. Bottom line...get the car you want and don't spend/waste time worrying about what other people think...the vast majority won't notice or care.

[Eagle Creek]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I'm not so sure...yesterday, my wife and I were walking through a parking lot to a building. Walked right in front of a new, red, G20. I stopped to look. She asked me why I stopped and I explained that this is the new 3 Series (she drives a Mini Cooper Countryman S). With a shrug, she said, "Really? Hard to tell" and kept walking. There are far more people like her than like us forum-folks out there. Bottom line...get the car you want and don't spend/waste time worrying about what other people think...the vast majority won't notice or care.

Agreed 😊😊

[alpinewhite3]

Sensatec has really come a long way. It used to look/feel cheap in older model BMW's but the Sensatec in the G20 is virtually distinguishable from leather. The only difference is you don't have the leather smell. It's very easy to clean and wipe down and seems durable. I like it a lot. No need to pay extra for leather.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

Sensatec has really come a long way. It used to look/feel cheap in older model BMW's but the Sensatec in the G20 is virtually distinguishable from leather. The only difference is you don't have the leather smell. It's very easy to clean and wipe down and seems durable. I like it a lot. No need to pay extra for leather.

Totally agree. In fact, I would have been more likely to get Executive if it didn't force me into Leather, as I don't feel it's really a true improvement and would cost me more.

[ByronWalter]

Same here. My past F31 had the fake stuff and after 3 years it was still looking factory fresh. The new gen fake leather feels better and will hopefully hold up just as well. I am often not dry (post kayaking) when I get back in my ride and SensaTech is idea for me.

[MmmmmM2]

I had Nuluxe (Lexus version of Sensatech) on my 17 IS350 F Sport and it was rather lousy.