WannaM5

In trying to determine whether or not the center console of my '02 Sport interior was lined with genuine or synthetic leather, I contactd BMWUSA and received the following details on the two types of trim (Sport and Luxury). The rep indicated that this is specifically for '02 and that he/she had not pulled information for any other model year.


> Sport
> This interior theme highlights the M5's stunningly sporty and high-tech
> nature, and features Nappa Point leather stamped appearance similar to ostrich
> leather) with Extended coverage (i.e., more extensive than that in the 540i
> sedan). Seats are cross-pleated at relatively wide intervals; the standard
> trim material is aluminum-look. Upholstery materials are summarized in the
> table below:
>
> Seat center areas // Nappa Point leather
> Seat side areas // Nappa leather
> Back sides of seats, Head-restraint centers and sides, Door-panel inserts //
> Nappa Point leather
> Door panels // Foam-backed grained material
> Door armrests/pulls // Nappa leather
> Door ledges, Main and upper dash areas, Glove-compartment door // Shaped skin
> (leather grain)
> Center console and armrest // Nappa leather
> Rear parcel shelf // Velour cloth
> Headliner, incl. sun visors & A-, B upper and C-pillar // Alcantara
> B-pillar lower // Grained plastic
>
> Luxury
> This interior theme puts the accent on luxury. The Nappa Heritage leather used
> here is ultra-soft, and is applied even more extensively than in the
> corresponding Sport version. Seat pleating is longitudinal, with closely
> spaced pleats. The Luxury interior is available in Black and Caramel, the
> latter being especially warm. Here, Bruyere Club wood trim is standard, with
> Burl Walnut as a no-cost alternative.
>
> Seat center areas // Nappa Heritage leather
> Seat side areas, Back sides of seats, Head-restraint centers and sides //
> Nappa Heritage leather
> Door-panel inserts // Nappa Heritage leather
> Door panels // Nappa Heritage leather
> Door armrests/pulls // Nappa Heritage leather
> Door ledges // Nappa Heritage leather
> Upper dash areas // Nappa leather
> Main dash areas // Nappa Heritage leather
> Glove-compartment door // Nappa Heritage leather
> Center console and armrest // Nappa Heritage leather
> Rear parcel shelf // Alcantara
> Headliner, incl. sun visors & A-, B upper and C-pillar // Alcantara
> B-pillar lower // Nappa leather

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'02 M5 Sterling Grey/Black
'03 Audi Allroad Atlas Grey/Black
'03 Mini Cooper S Indy Blue/Black
'97 Toyota Landcruiser Grey/Tan
'04 Baby Boy

Digi

I've seen this before. There is still documentation that contradicts this information and says that the top of the dash is not leather in 2002 and forward on any M5 -- rather a very good vinyl to resist cracking by the sun.

I guess it really doesn't matter, except in caring for the vinyl vs leather. The only thing that is certain that if you asked the same question to BMWNA tomorrow, you will probably get a different answer. BMWNA customer service doesn't know these things, and they often are in error in what they report. I personally have received several answers that were proven "incorrect" on other questions I have asked.

WannaM5

I actually mentioned this to the rep after I received the email, and he reiterated that the dash material for the Luxury trim is in fact leather, and any information to the contrary is inaccurate.

The leather conditioner v. vinyl dressing issue is exactly why I asked, although I was only concerned about the center console as I have the Sport trim.

KevinM

If the dash on my '02 luxury interior M5 is not leather, it is THE best imitation I have ever seen. Looks, feels and smells like leather. For care purposes, I would probably rather it NOT be leather, but it sure looks nice!

__________________
Kevin

2002 M5, Sterling Gray/Caramel
2007 Z4M Coupe (#2) Silver Gray/Black
1999 Mercedes ML320 (hauler...)
Too many kids' cars...

boostmiser

That's cool. Many people (including myself) didn't know the sports seats were stamped nappa lather to look like ostrich. I kept hearing it was ostrich.

__________________
The Car: 2002 Alpine White ///M5 / Lemans Blue extended (sport) leather / aluminum trim
The Upgrades: Dinan Stg. 1 / Dinan RSB / TCD Sway Bar Brackets / UUC Evo III SSK / UUC DSSR / UUC Tranny mounts / MKIV Nav Unit / JL 500.1 Amp / JL 12w6v2 Sub

MAH

The dash on the MY01 forward is not leather. This was an option in the MY00 but not going forward. It is a very good copy of leather, but thankfully not real. I have seen a dash cover off and you can really tell around the edges that it is not real.

Does anyone here have a MY00 with the real leather dash. It would be quite an undertaking to keep it from cracking over time.

Mark

__________________
MY2001 Imola Red
Lux. Black Interior
Painted Calipers,
AC Schzitner Type III Two Piece 18 chrome wheels, Stage II HID's Low Beams and Foglights, Supersprint X-pipe (removed).
Autowerke CAI
Powerchip Software Upgrade
Stage I upgrade MB Quarts Speakers from Bavarian Soundwerks (our sponsor here)
Tubi Catback Exhaust
361RWHP
425HP and growing!
Red (angry eyes) Angel Eyes

BKM5

I just picked up an '02 and I would have sworn the dash was real leather before reading this!! What are you guys using to clean the dash, I'm now afraid to use either leather or vinyl cleaners.


Bernard

HDClown

I was going to make a post about these materials, as I was unsure. I have a 02 with Sport interior. If I read this correctly, and the other posts. The entire dash is not leather, buy vinyl? Top and bottom portions?

And on the doors, the inserts are leather, as is the handles, but the other areas are not? Ergo, if you have 2 tone doors, the colored portion is leather, and the handle pull is leather, but everything else that is black is vinyl?

I just want to make sure I use leather cleaner/condition on leather surfaces, and not my vinyl condition.

__________________
2002 LMB/LMB M5 - Alcantara Headliner, Electric Shades, Folder Down Seats, M-Audio
-Britalman Exhaust, Brembo GT 355f/345r Big Brake Kit, Centric Posi-Quiet Pads, AA CAI
-UF IATS Relocation, UUC Evo3 SSK + DSSR, UUC Clutch Stop 19" Breyton Spirit Rims
-TCD Rear Sway Brackets, Euro Angel Eyes, Angel iBright v3.0, Stealth Bulbs, Stealth One
-Valentine One, Roof Spoiler, OEM Voice Control, OEM Trunk Storage Bin, 13% Solar Gard HP Tint

Beamer_usa

MY00 has the real leather dash. I get numerous compliments on it from my passengers. Everyone, including myself, love that option

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2000 Silvr(354)/Blk(M1SW) 65k miles
Dinan Cans
Dinan Software

Richard in NC

I have an '02 with luxury interior. The top of the dash is different than the rest of the interior. It is not as soft. I've always heard it is not leather but it would be the best imitation leather I've ever seen. I've often wondered if it is the same as the "leatherette" in base BMWs.

Edit: PS, Ive not used protectant or leather conditioner on it. Just a damp cloth and it still looks like new even after 4 years in the NC sun.

The only issue I have is wear marks on the side bolsters of the drivers seat. Has anyone tried to touch up their leather?

__________________
Richard
NEW 2008 550i Space Gray, Creme Biege/Black/Dk Poplar : Sport Package, Cold Weather, Sport Auto, Nav, HUD, CA, Logic 7, iPod/USB, SAT, HD Radio, Lane departure warning
'06 X3 Black Sapphire/Tan PP, Steptronic, Xexons, Heated seats, Privacy glass, UGDO, Compass, bike rack, iPod adapter
Sold '06 650i Black Sapphire/Cream Beige sport package, 6 speed
'02 M5 Titanium Silver/Black Luxury/Burl