Did/will you order full or extended leather?

[BlackCobra08]

**Update** Thanks for all your votes guys. I have been debating this a lot, and I figure the BMW M3 is going to be a special car I am going to hang onto for a while and I'm already paying out the wazoo for it so I might as well indulge. I'm going with the full black leather, I also changed my order from 18's to the silver 19's.

Hi Guys,

I am new to posting on this forum, but not BMW. I had a 1985 535i E28 as my first car, and loved that baby. I switched over to the Subaru crowd (WRX and STi) for a while since I live in MN and thought that AWD was a must have, but have decided I am sick of the low quality compared to just about any series BMW. Anyways I decided I will just slap on some Blizzaks on the F80 and be good to go. I placed my order last month, but the lone part of my order I am on the fence about (others too from what I have read on here) is if I should get the extended or full leather option, because the extra $2,650 for the full is a bit steep. Too bad the military prices didn't match the USDM on that! What did/will you guys order?

This is the rest of my order if you're curious;

M3 Black Sapphire, 6 speed with 19 inch silver wheels, full black leather
ZEC - Executive package
ZLP - LED lighting package
2VP - Adaptive M Suspension
688 - Harmon Kardon

Thanks all, BMWs are the best!

[parky1215]

Go with full leather to give your M3 interior distinct character.
Otherwise, you might regret in the future since it's going to feel like 335i/435i interior.

Side note: I would consider 19 inch wheels before full leather.
18 inch on these cars look tiny.

[BlackCobra08]

Originally Posted by parky1215

Go with full leather to give your M3 interior distinct character.
Otherwise, you might regret in the future since it's going to feel like 335i/435i interior.

Side note: I would consider 19 inch wheels before full leather.
18 inch on these cars look tiny.

Thanks for your input. Well I was considering the 19s but (I know the e9x is a different chassis) after looking on those forums with people asking 18 vs 19, I determined that from a performance standpoint the 18s were better because of less rotational mass, and not as harsh on the roads, and would make it easier for my winter tire setup. I also like the design of the 18s more than the 19s, but we really need to see some real life pics of the stocks wheels other than the m4 with the winter wheels that was recently posted (bad angles in those pics) and the European web config sites aren't that great at showing them either IMO.

[jadnashuanh]

If you have to deal with snow and potholes, and won't have dedicated wheels for that season, stay with the smaller wheels...you can't see them while driving, and the ride and wheel health is better. A cracked wheel is no fun, and they will happen more often with bigger wheels and shorter sidewalls.

[ando]

Congrats on your order. I live in Iowa and know what you mean about balancing your car and the winter weather. I have a 2013 328i and I was looking for an interior upgrade so I ordered full leather. I'm going with black/black full leather and two tone back wheels.

[hadeed]

I'm in the same predicament, I have SO extended leather right now, but I've been looking and comparing pictures and been really debating lately. For the extra 2600+ the interior feeling will feel much more like a higher-end luxury car.

IMO, if you get the 18s, you should replace the Adaptive suspension with the Full leather.

Extended



Full

[BlackCobra08]

Originally Posted by jFran

I'm in the same predicament, I have SO extended leather right now, but I've been looking and comparing pictures and been really debating lately. For the extra 2600+ the interior feeling will feel much more like a higher-end luxury car.

IMO, if you get the 18s, you should replace the Adaptive suspension with the Full leather.

Extended



Full

Wow, those pics tell a great story. That's the first time I've seen side by side comparisons on here, thanks for posting that. Are you not getting the adaptive suspension?

[hadeed]

Originally Posted by BlackCobra08

Wow, those pics tell a great story. That's the first time I've seen side by side comparisons on here, thanks for posting that. Are you not getting the adaptive suspension?

Yeah, I'm getting the 19s w/ Adaptive suspension. Dont have plans on getting any coilovers in the future and BMW has had a great history with their adaptive technology. Basically have a similar build as you except for the Exec package. Only thing that I really wanted/use from that was HUD but not worth 4k for me. But I think I must go with the full leather lol.

[Randy M]

Depends. If the stitching ends up deviating/contrasting and is consistent throughout, then I'll get full leather. But if the seats have deviating stitching and the dash and doors do not then I'll get extended.

[BlackCobra08]

Originally Posted by jFran

Yeah, I'm getting the 19s w/ Adaptive suspension. Dont have plans on getting any coilovers in the future and BMW has had a great history with their adaptive technology. Basically have a similar build as you except for the Exec package. Only thing that I really wanted/use from that was HUD but not worth 4k for me. But I think I must go with the full leather lol.

Nice yea I'm excited for the adaptive suspension, it'll be new for me. I think if you don't opt for the ZEC package, then full leather is $3,600. M HUD, rear cam, and comfort (lazy) access doesn't seem like such a bad deal with that in mind.

[Jockey]

Going full. That's about the only real option I'm getting.

[GOLFFRR]

I went with full leather on our m4 launch car. But I have to admit at the time when we had the chance to submit the orders which was well before anyone knew much I selected full leather thinking extended leather was the extra leather pieces and full leather was just the reg leather set up. O well

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by BlackCobra08

Thanks for your input. Well I was considering the 19s but (I know the e9x is a different chassis) after looking on those forums with people asking 18 vs 19, I determined that from a performance standpoint the 18s were better because of less rotational mass, and not as harsh on the roads, and would make it easier for my winter tire setup. I also like the design of the 18s more than the 19s, but we really need to see some real life pics of the stocks wheels other than the m4 with the winter wheels that was recently posted (bad angles in those pics) and the European web config sites aren't that great at showing them either IMO.

I find it very funny when ppl say i choose 18's for performance , are you kidding me lol who do you race, ur gonna drive it to work and stuff even if u race it ur not competting for title or money lol

[signes]

I would order full if there was something like Cinnamon or Amaro, basically a richer looking color. I think full SO while nice would be too much for me and I don't care for the beige (at least in photos.)

[M8 JTD]

Originally Posted by Rated R

Depends. If the stitching ends up deviating/contrasting and is consistent throughout, then I'll get full leather. But if the seats have deviating stitching and the dash and doors do not then I'll get extended.

I totally agree.

I’ve been continually deliberating over this, my latest conclusion is that I can't really justify spending £2915 on Black "Full" leather given that you get the light grey contrast stitching with "Extended" as standard + The stitching on the door tops & passenger side dash top is black which is at odds with the contrast stitching everywhere else. Were I going for a Sakhir Orange, Silverstone or Sonoma Beige interior on the other hand then I think it would be worth spec'ing - See below:

Full explanation from BMW regarding interior colours and stitching:

"Both the LKSW Extended Black (standard) and X3SW Full Black (optional) leather upholsteries have the light Grey contrast stitching as standard.
This contrast stitching does not occur on the other three colours (Sakhir Orange, Silverstone or Sonoma Beige) because those colours come with double-colour leather panelling. As per the example below, the Sakhir Orange leather on the left brings a greater panel contrast than the Black on the right, which of course doesn’t. Because of this, the Black leather comes with the contrast stitching instead.
See "Door Panel.jpg"
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1396008665

The confusion regarding additional contrast stitching on Sakhir Orange, etc is due to the fact that the Sakhir Orange, Silverstone or Sonoma Beige colours also bring with them a few lines of contrast stitching on the lower part of the dashboard.
See "Lower Dash.jpg"
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1396008665

Finally, from 2015 (though still to be confirmed) BMW will offer via "Individual" either Extended or Full Black leather with a choice of four contrast stitching colours: Sakhir Orange, Silverstone, Yellow or Blue:
See "2015 Individual Contrast Stitching.jpg"
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1396008665


I hope that clears things up

[Caelric]

Got the extended leather on my BSM. Didn't think the full leather was worth the 2650 extra. Rest of mine is more less the same as yours, although I got the 19"s.

Have done 2 winters in Colorado Springs, and 3 winters in Omaha Nebraska, all of those with a high horsepower RWD car, you are really going to want to get a dedicated set of snow tires and wheels. They make a huge difference.

[Black Gold]

I think both leather interiors look very upscale and nice, so no, I am not willing to spend almost 3k on what I consider a minor upgrade.

I think the extended leather is a perfect fit for this car. Plenty of luxury for my taste

[BlackCobra08]

Originally Posted by Caelric

Got the extended leather on my BSM. Didn't think the full leather was worth the 2650 extra. Rest of mine is more less the same as yours, although I got the 19"s.

Have done 2 winters in Colorado Springs, and 3 winters in Omaha Nebraska, all of those with a high horsepower RWD car, you are really going to want to get a dedicated set of snow tires and wheels. They make a huge difference.

Yea, it seems not many are going the 18" route for this bimmer. I run dedicated 17" blizzaks on Sparco wheels for my STi in the winter, so I will most likely go 18" winter wheel w/ blizzak setup for this M3. You getting the mixed black or silver 19s?

[Caelric]

Yes, black wheels. Well, mixed black and silver, but you know what I mean.

[joker_20_02]

I will get the cloth/leather. I hate leather seats in the summer.

I also will not upgrade wheels from factory. I will buy my own wheels. I honestly passed on most options this round.

[M4Trojan]

I really want to go full leather, but not sure yet if it's worth the money to me. I'll need to see it in person to make my final decision.

[UK6]

Had the full leather option in a few cars and didn't spec it in my X6 and I miss it so I've got it on the M4.