Hexagon Cloth/Alcantara vs Dakota Leather

[VS02]

Has anyone had any experience with the M Hexagon/Alcantara or the black Dakota leather sport seats in the F series cars


In terms of material quality, comfort over long distances and maintenance.

I am aware that Dakota is just coated leather and as a result very hard wearing, but does it feel like sitting on a plastic bus seat? I am familiar with Vernasca, Nappa and Merino and I know/have been told all are considerably higher quality.

I am looking at F20 118i Shadow Editions and 99% have the hexagon cloth, I am sure it looks nice but I suffer from OCD and find myself feeling a bit sick just looking at the alcantara, but I guess I could forgive it and eventually get over it if it was comfy. The dakota is appealing because it is “flat” looking and is probably also harder wearing, but I am quite restricted in the amount of leather optioned cars available that aren’t hideously
overpriced,

[anonymous-user]

Though I have no experience of a 1 series cloth interior.

I will say: Dakota is not worth seeking out.

If anything I think a nice cloth interior will be warmer, gripper and far less shiny.

I'd rather spend the time and money on options that enhance the driving and audio experience.

[VS02]

ExcitableBoy said:

Though I have no experience of a 1 series cloth interior.

I will say: Dakota is not worth seeking out.

If anything I think a nice cloth interior will be warmer, gripper and far less shiny.

I'd rather spend the time and money on options that enhance the driving and audio experience.

Just can’t get over the look because it is triggering my (actual) OCD






vs






I currently have a cloth interior in my Polo so it’s not the material I have with its the way it looks, it makes me feel sick due to my OCD

But I will be willing to take a punt if it is considerably better than the Dakota, because I can look past it after living with it for a while...hopefully


The Shadow Edition trim already has:

Heated seats
Gloss black accents
BMW Individual shadowline lights (looks much better)
Harman/kardon (a must have for me)
2018 cockpit
Front and rear parking sensors (must have)


I’ve given up seeking power folding mirrors, reverse cam and pro nav.... stupid rare in the 1 series, and when they do come up, the cars are always hideously expensive

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 30th May 21:45

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 30th May 21:46

[anonymous-user]

Can't disagree that it looks st. But if it was any Porsche GTS the dealer would be forcing you to get the alcantara because of residuals.

Also, you can also spend hours encouraging your OCD by vacuuming neat lines into the alcantara, like a well kept garden.

Go see them in person. Bear in mind you are sat on it, so can't see it when driving! It sounds like you are reasonably early in your car ownership history, if so, I bet you will be keeping this car for a lot less time than you think you will - and will be on to the next big thing as soon as you can.

Remember, todays chicks dig vegetarians and vegans. You can explain why you didn't go for the leather...

[VS02]

ExcitableBoy said:

Can't disagree that it looks st. But if it was any Porsche GTS the dealer would be forcing you to get the alcantara because of residuals.

Also, you can also spend hours encouraging your OCD by vacuuming neat lines into the alcantara, like a well kept garden.

Go see them in person. Bear in mind you are sat on it, so can't see it when driving! It sounds like you are reasonably early in your car ownership history, if so, I bet you will be keeping this car for a lot less time than you think you will - and will be on to the next big thing as soon as you can.

Remember, todays chicks dig vegetarians and vegans. You can explain why you didn't go for the leather...

Yes, I agree with you, I won’t be keeping it for a very long period of time at all. In fact, I was planning to keep my Polo for another year and buy something cheap and cheerful has a second car. However, I am an offer holder at medical school and my health conditions mean I have to commute to uni from my student dorms, so I’m taking my car (I have a parking permit). My current car is honestly not fit for long distance driving, with no armrest, no sixth gear (4000rpm at 70 does get tiring) and the wayward steering as it is pushed by crosswinds
. Not to mention the arrival of a rapidly growing puppy means I am now the sole driver of the Polo rendering it pretty much useless to my family. It’s perfect for town but I think it’s time to move on. I’ve developed some economic sense this year so I’ve chosen to avoid lease and silly PCP finance deals that I can’t afford (unlike my friends) . I plan to loan a little bit of money from my dad so I can get it before I go uni and fund the rest of it from my savings (I work)


Its only a 118i which means I want to carry on building my NCB in it to reduce the premiums so maybe one day I can get an M140i (as cars like this are extinct)


I am attracted to the 1 series because it’s cheaper than the A3 and better specced than the golf for not much more. Forget the A class because that’s a horrid car from my experience. And I’m just not interested in the ford focus or similar

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 30th May 23:34

[Jonny Wishbone]

Dakota is fine. I mean it does feel like faux leather but I ran a car with it for four years and it never once bothered me comfort wise in all that time. It definitely doesn’t feel as nice to the hand as Merino and I understand that others’ views may vary, but unless you drive in your birthday suit I’m not sure most could tell what leather they were sitting on most of the time.

[Pica-Pica]

I have had no problems with Dakota seats. I have had the F30 335d for 4+ years. It’s absolutely fine on long runs. I regularly used to do 350 miles with just a 20 minute pee-break.

[anonymous-user]

Yes, but is it worth waiting for over alcantara if there is limited choice in the market?

[hungry_hog]

it depends on your expectations

I had a 335i with Dakota - for me for a 'high end' 3 series it felt a bit cheap. But it is durable, like something I would expect on a taxi!

Now I have merino on my F80... night and day

For me I would prefer cloth over Dakota

[chandrew]

hungry_hog said:

it depends on your expectations

I had a 335i with Dakota - for me for a 'high end' 3 series it felt a bit cheap. But it is durable, like something I would expect on a taxi!

Now I have merino on my F80... night and day

For me I would prefer cloth over Dakota

I agree with this, the key issue for me is that BMW (and to be fair most car manufacturers) don't have any good, 'premium' cloth alternatives. Leather is a relatively modern trend. My dealer had a beautiful 1977 BMW 3.0 in their showroom (alongside a group5 320 and M1 Procar) and it had a fantastic cloth interior. These days I think that BMW designs their cloth interiors to encourage people to upgrade, in the same way that they fit tiny little infotainment screens on some models to encourage people to take a 'Professional' version.

Pictures of the 3.0: https://dealer.bmw.ch/heidegger/de/bmw-30-bmw-30-l

[nordboy]

I would never take cloth over Dakota? Dakota is fine, don’t have any real issues with mine. Certainly don’t think it’s uncomfortable. Surely any second hand sale would have a limited buying pool without leather, dakota or not? If i was buying a bmw 2nd hand, i’d want leather.

[Court_S]

Personally I quite like the alcantara / cloth in the F2x cars. It looks ok and feels ok from the cars I’ve been in.

Equally, I have no issue with Dakota leather. Yes it doesn’t feel anywhere as near as good quality as Merino but it’s bloody hard wearing and easy to look after.

Of the two, I’d rather have the leather.

[MarkJS]

Jonny Wishbone said:

Dakota is fine. I mean it does feel like faux leather but I ran a car with it for four years and it never once bothered me comfort wise in all that time. It definitely doesn’t feel as nice to the hand as Merino and I understand that others’ views may vary, but unless you drive in your birthday suit I’m not sure most could tell what leather they were sitting on most of the time.

This is kind of my experience. I’ve had cars over many years with Dakota and it was absolutely fine & hard wearing. My current car has Merino which is far nicer, but that doesn’t actually enhance the comfort of the seats/car - it’s merely nicer to the touch and less ‘grainy’ to look at. So, unless you drive naked...

Never actually owned a car with Alcantara, but I do like it and wouldn’t be against it.

[Pica-Pica]

chandrew said:

I agree with this, the key issue for me is that BMW (and to be fair most car manufacturers) don't have any good, 'premium' cloth alternatives. Leather is a relatively modern trend. My dealer had a beautiful 1977 BMW 3.0 in their showroom (alongside a group5 320 and M1 Procar) and it had a fantastic cloth interior. These days I think that BMW designs their cloth interiors to encourage people to upgrade, in the same way that they fit tiny little infotainment screens on some models to encourage people to take a 'Professional' version.

Pictures of the 3.0: https://dealer.bmw.ch/heidegger/de/bmw-30-bmw-30-l

I don’t think leather is a relatively modern trend. I would be pretty sure that the first cars had hide seating. Vinyl seats came in in the late 1950s/60s. I had leather on my 1988 Volvo Estate, they were always a bit ‘hot in the summer, cold in the winter’. Dakota does not seem that extreme. MY E36 was cloth with leather bolsters, but the bolsters got a bit scuffed after 100k+ miles.