BMW has one of the widest selections of seat materials you’ll find, from any automotive manufactuer. From high quality vegan materials to premium leather options, and druable fabrics, it can be difficult to pick the best seat for you.
We want to help you find the best seat option for your BMW, and in this article we’ll try to do just that. We’ve covered the range of materials you can choose from, their pros and cons, and which BMW models come with each material.
We’ve also covered the cost of each material – so if you’re thinking about going for Merino leather or SensaFin, you can check how much you’ll need to pay on each BMW model
Let’s get started!
BMW seat material options
The current BMW range includes a variety of materials you can choose from on your seats. We’ll look at each material here, what it’s made from, and why you might want to pick it on your BMW.
SensaTec
Sensatec is one of BMWs leather alternatives. As a vegan product, this will appeal to any owners wanting to avoid real leather in their BMW, and it has some benefits against the ‘real thing’. SensaTec requires less maintenance than real leather and should last longer, so your seats will hold up for years with this material.
There are some downsides to SensaTec. It’s not as comfortable as the leather options, and it looks less expensive. Still, this is the entry-grade material on a number of BMW models, so it’s going to save you a significant amount of money if you go with SensaTec.
SensaFin
Our next leather alternative, SensaFin, shares the synthetic label with SensaTec, but this is a far higher grade of material. Only available on X5, X6, and X7 models currently, SensaFin is a high-quality material that’s completely vegan.
As with any synthetic material, compared to leather, this is long-lasting and easier to maintain. There is still a difference between SensaFin and leather, but the gap is much closer this time. I’ve spoken to X5 owners who actually prefer this over a leather grade, and that speaks volumes for the work by BMW.
Alcantara
Only available on a couple of BMW models, Alcantara is a popular synthetic material used by plenty of manufacturers. Mostly found on performance vehicles, Alcantara is a durable material that feels like suede. The Alcantara name is actually a brand, so you’ll find the same style of material on plenty of other cars.
Alcantara has some excellent properties – it feels high quality, it can be flame resistant, and it’s incredibly durable. It can be difficult to clean, and for that reason, you’re more likely to see it on steering wheels in the BMW range.
Veganza
Only available on 7 series models, Veganza is yet another vegan material. This is the highest quality leather alternative you can find on a current BMW, which is why it’s only on their flagship model. Made from recycled plant material, Veganza is a recent introduction.
As a result, there isn’t a lot of feedback from owners so far, and we don’t know how durable this material is. Even so, if BMW has added this to their luxury sedan, it must be high quality.
Cloth
The final non-leather material for BMW seats is cloth. This was introduced for the iX SUV and is only available on these models, so it’s a fairly exclusive option right now. BMW still offers SensaTec on iX models too, so it’s strange to see two leather alternatives.
Part of the reason may be the different properties – the cloth finish feels softer than SensaTec, but it’s not as long-lasting or durable. The cloth design does fit in well with the wood effects in the iX, but if it was me I would opt for the safer SensaTec.
Vernasca / Dakota Leather
The first two leather options available from BMW, Vernasca, and Dakota leather, are available on most low and mid-tier BMW models. They are usually an optional extra seat material, as an upgrade from SensaTec.
As leather goes, these grades are fairly easy to clean and maintain. The leather is coated in a plastic layer for extra protection and comes in a range of dyes and colors. These are low spec leathers for a reason, though, and you can feel the difference between these and higher grades. Vernasca and Dakota will be fine for most drivers, but if you want something more premium, BMW has higher grades.
Nappa Leather
The next step up is Nappa leather. Nappa is only available on BMW 5 Series models, as an options upgrade from Dakota leather. Comparing the seats side-by-side, the extra cost for Nappa leather feels worthwhile, with a much softer feel.
Unlike Vernasca or Dakota leather, the Nappa grade is full-grain and semi-aniline. This means the color is more natural, but it still has a protective coating. This keeps your seats protected from most damage, and they will suffer less damage from sunlight.
Perforated Leather
Another material exclusive to the new iX, the perforated leather, is on par with other high-quality grades. This is an optional extra, and comes in two unique colors – Castanea and Amido. This is the only leather option for the iX too.
Merino Leather
The final leather option in the BMW range is Merino leather. This is the highest grade of leather available for your BMW interior and is only seen on their most expensive models. Unlike other leather grades, Merino isn’t dyed or coated, giving it a more premium quality. It will require more care and maintenance, though, but it’s worth it if you want the best interior.
BMW split their Merino options between ‘extended’ and ‘full’. In terms of seat material, there is no difference, but full Merino adds leather to various parts of the dashboard and center console. It improves your BMW cabin but at a significant cost.
Do all BMW models come with leather seats?
No – most BMW models come with leather as the standard material or an optional extra, but a few models miss out. In the lists below, we’ve covered which seat material is available on each BMW model.
Which BMW models come with SensaTec?
- X1 28i
- X3 30i
- X3 M40i
- X4 30i
- X4 M40i
- 230i Coupe
- M240i Coupe
- 228i Gran Coupe
- 330i
- 330e
- M340i
- 430i
- M440i
- 530i
- 530e
- 540i
- Z4 30i
- Z4 M40i
- iX 50
- iX M60
- i4 e35
- i4 e40
- i4 M50
Which BMW models come with Sensafin?
- X5 40i
- X5 50e
- X5 M60i
- X6 40i
- X6 M60i
- X7 40i
Which BMW models come with Alcantara?
- X1 28i – M Sport trim only
- X4 M – Competition trim only
Which BMW models come with Veganza?
- 740i
- M760i
Which BMW models come with Cloth?
- iX 50 – $500
- iX M60 – $500
Which BMW models come with Vernasca Leather?
- X3 30i – $1,500 option
- X3 M40i – $1,500 option
- X3 M
- X4 30i – $1,500 option
- X4 M40i – $1,500 option
- X4 M
- 230i – $1,500
- M240i – $1,500
- M2
- 330i – $1,500
- 330e – $1,500
- M340i – $1,500
- 430i – $1,500
- M440i – $1,500
- Z4 30i – $1,500
- Z4 M40i – $1,500
- i4 e35 – $1,500
- i4 e40 – $1,500
- i4 M50 – $1,500
Which BMW models come with Dakota Leather?
- 228i Gran Coupe – $1,500
- M235i Gran Coupe
- 530i – $1,500
- 530e – $1,500
- 540i – $1,500
- M550i
Which BMW models come with Nappa Leather?
- 530i – $2,500
- 530e – $2,500
- 540i – $2,500
- M550i – $1,000
Which BMW models come with Perforated Leather?
- iX 50 – $3,500
- iX M60 – $3,500
Which BMW models come with Extended Merino Leather?
- X3 M – $1,000 option
- X4 M – $1,000 option
- X5 40i – $1,950 option
- X5 50e – $1,950 option
- X5 M60i – $1,950 option
- X5 M
- X6 40i – $1,950 option
- X6 M60i – $1,950 option
- X6 M
- X7 40i – $1,950 option
- X7 M60i
- M2
- M3
- M4
- M5
- 740i – $1,850
- M760i
- 840i
- M850i
- M8
- i7 60
Which BMW models come with Full Merino Leather?
- X5 M – $3,500 option
- X6 M – $3,500 option
- X7 40i – $4,650 option
- X7 M60i – $2,700 option
- M3 – $2,550
- M4 – $2,550
- M5 – $3,500
- 740i – $7,300
- M760i – $5,450
- 840i – $2,000
- M850i – $2,000
- M8 – $3,500
- i7 60 – $5,450
- XM – $2,500
FAQs
What is the best leather available on a BMW?
Merino leather is the best grade available on current BMW models
What is the cheapest leather on BMW cars?
Vernasca leather is the least expensive grade on for most BMW models
Is Merino leather expensive?
Upgrading to Merino leather costs between $1,000 – $7,000, depending on the BMW model
Which BMW seat material is the most durable?
Overall, SensaTec is the most durable material you can select for your BMW seats
Which seat material is best for your BMW?
If you’re looking for a seat to stand the test of time, you cant go wrong with either SensaTec or SensaFin. These sythetic materials might lack the feel of real laether, but they are incredibly durable, easy to clean, and better for the environment.
If you want the best of the best though, Merino leather is the only option. It’s not availalbe on every model, but if you’re buying a high spec BMW and you can afford it, the Merino option won'[t let you down. It requires more care and regular cleaning, but the feel and quality is worth it.
For me, the best compromise of quality and durability is probably the Nappa leather. It’s incredibly soft and feels a step up from the entry level Dakota and Vernasca options, and it will last if you tkae the time to clean it regularly.
If you liked this article and want to find out more about other BMW features, check out the links below:
