[gofast182]

I'll be taking delivery of my new M340i in a couple weeks at the Performance Center. In order to stay near the budget my wife and I set, I omitted the HK stereo because I thought the base stereo sounded quite nice and I skipped leather and opted for Sensatec. Instead of those options spec'd the Executive Package (among some other things). I've been second guessing myself as I wait for the car. The appearance is not an issue even though I sacrificed ambient lighting. Feel is not an issue; the Dakota leather in my 340i feels like cardboard so Sensatec actually feels softer. I guess my main worry is is breathability, will I sweat every time I sit in the car? Also we do have two dogs who occasionally ride in the back and there are some scratches on the Dakota so I thought Sensatec might be better for that, too.

[Sight22]

Its fine. Feels very soft to me. If anything leather is the least breathable IMO. The darker the hotter hotter though. Get your windows tinted. That will really help.

Man you skipped the $150 lighting package to save? That is one of the stand out options and its so cheap.

[wtwo3]

It should be fine. And I can say you're not really missing much with the vernasca leather in the 3 series.

On a side note, does anyone know why merino leather isn't one of the options offered in the US for the 3 series? I have merino leather in my X5 and it's amazing, would have loved to have it on the 3.

[gofast182]

Originally Posted by Sight22

Its fine. Feels very soft to me. If anything leather is the least breathable IMO. The darker the hotter hotter though. Get your windows tinted. That will really help.

Man you skipped the $150 lighting package to save? That is one of the stand out options and its so cheap.

I didn't see that you could get it with Sensatec, I thought it was bundled with leather. For $150 standalone I would've gotten it.

Edit: I just looked again, it's $250 and you can get it standalone, ugh. Oh well, not much to be done now.

[A6bullet]

Originally Posted by gofast182

I'll be taking delivery of my new M340i in a couple weeks at the Performance Center. In order to stay near the budget my wife and I set, I omitted the HK stereo because I thought the base stereo sounded quite nice and I skipped leather and opted for Sensatec. Instead of those options spec'd the Executive Package (among some other things). I've been second guessing myself as I wait for the car. The appearance is not an issue even though I sacrificed ambient lighting. Feel is not an issue; the Dakota leather in my 340i feels like cardboard so Sensatec actually feels softer. I guess my main worry is is breathability, will I sweat every time I sit in the car? Also we do have two dogs who occasionally ride in the back and there are some scratches on the Dakota so I thought Sensatec might be better for that, too.

Hey congrats on the car!

You did not make a mistake going with sensatec. I was actually on the same boat as you, thinking if I made a mistake. BUT, the dealer had a Sensatec equipped car that i took for a drive. At the time I did not know it was sensatec, I got in and drove. I thought the seats were fantastic and soft, so I wondered which leather it was. Lo and behold, it was leatherette!! My friend couldnt believe it either! Even the SA didn't know it was Sensatec!

BMW has made massive strides in interior design over the last 10 years, if you would have said that statement back then I would say you made a mistake, but no, you made a good choice. My 135 had sensatec interior and that felt alright but it was more of a hard Dakota "leather" feel. Don't really miss it.

However, you did miss out on the ambient lighting, which is bundled with the leather but is a separate option for Sensatec. Sorry.

Enjoy the car man!

PS: I really wish american NA cars came with all the sweet seat material options that ROW offer! WTF

[tturedraider]

Congrats on the new car! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And you’ll LOVE Performance Center Delivery!! For me HK and leather are must haves. The leather seats have a stitching detail in the center that adds to the look of the seats. The Executive package is less important to me. That’s why they say different strokes for different folks.

I second the suggestion to get your windows tinted. What color is your car and your Sensatec?

[gofast182]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Congrats on the new car! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And you’ll LOVE Performance Center Delivery!! For me HK and leather are must haves. The leather seats have a stitching detail in the center that adds to the look of the seats. The Executive package is less important to me. That’s why they say different strokes for different folks.

I second the suggestion to get your windows tinted. What color is your car and your Sensatec?

We've done PCD already with my wife's X5, a remarkable experience.

Quality of the base stereo sounded better than the HK in my 340i, unquestionably, it just doesn't have as much power behind it.

Leather, yeah, well I made my decision and it's done.

It's Portimao Blue with black Sensatec.

[TTG]

If you are going to keep the car long term, you definitely did not make a mistake!

Congratulations on the new car.

[SunsetSleeper]

I will say if the stock stereo is not as good as the HK I would be worried.

In my opinion the HK system is WEAK! Way weaker than my stock HK system in my 435i which had a stock SUB.

Oh well I already purchased a Kicker Solo Baric Square L7 10" & Alpine Amp along with a small sealed box that will not take up much space.

My last two cars each had a single 10" SUB and the system was 10X better.

If you add a 8" sub under your seat your stereo will be better than the HK system and that would only cost you $250-$300-

[Top Gon]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

It should be fine. And I can say you're not really missing much with the vernasca leather in the 3 series.

On a side note, does anyone know why merino leather isn't one of the options offered in the US for the 3 series? I have merino leather in my X5 and it's amazing, would have loved to have it on the 3.

You can get merino as an 'individual' option

[upsidedownfunnel]

Cheap leather just gets stiff and shiny after a couple years. Sensatec is more durable and feels the same year after year. If I were budgeting, leather is one of the features I might take off first.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 4DrSpra

You can get merino as an 'individual' option

Oh I know, but I'd have to specifically request it since it's not on the standard configurator, and it's $5k. Technically it's an individual option on the X5 as well but it's only $2,450 and is something you can actually spec out on the configurator.

Maybe I'll look into it for my next 3 series...

[jmcbmw]

Other than the somewhat sweaty back I felt on a hot day ( worried about this next spring and summer here in So Cali) I found the sensatec seats less firm but just as supportive and more comfortable. I do like the contrast stitching and ambient lighting but it is was in stock and has everything else I wanted. I hope it doesn't get too hot though!

[gofast182]

Originally Posted by jmcbmw

Other than the somewhat sweaty back I felt on a hot day ( worried about this next spring and summer here in So Cali) I found the sensatec seats less firm but just as supportive and more comfortable. I do like the contrast stitching and ambient lighting but it is was in stock and has everything else I wanted. I hope it doesn't get too hot though!

That's my worry. Not that you can't/don't get sweaty with leather, but I don't want it to be worse.

[SteveinArizona]

I had Dakota on my prior 330e and intentionally bought Nappa for my 530e. It is a world of difference. If my only choices were sensatech or Dakota, I would not pay for Dakota.

[cidair]

I'm super happy with the M-sport interior.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by cidair

I'm super happy with the M-sport interior.

Man, that looks good!!

[chazbarrington]

Don't worry about your dogs - Sensatec is super durable. Had it in an X3 and it looked new after 5 years. It didn't seem much less breathable than leather.

[golf_234]

Agree with most, if given the choice, I choose leather, but sensatec ages better in that it doesn't really age much at all, and also, you went with the more animal/earth friendly option. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. You got the big ticket item right on the motor

[hans007]

I had sensatec in my F30 and thought it was fine. I live in socal and compared to my previous audi (and the audi I have now) it made no difference. The only thing really noticeable was you miss out on some stitching on the door panels which is visually noticeable.

I've got a m340i on order and am getting sensatec again, as given the lower level of leather in this tier of car, its really just not worth the effort to keep them nice given they don't feel different. IN the m340i the only thing really was, you can't get anything but black but I'm ok with that. saving $1500 doesnt hurt either.

[gofast182]

Originally Posted by golf_234

Agree with most, if given the choice, I choose leather, but sensatec ages better in that it doesn't really age much at all, and also, you went with the more animal/earth friendly option. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. You got the big ticket item right on the motor

Amen!

[The Outrage]

I found the SensaTec seats to be plusher, softer, and less supportive than the Vernasca Leather seats. I preferred the firmness of the Vernasca Leather, personally.