[WI_Rob]

Really? I stand corrected!

I'd still prefer alcanterra over vinyl from an aesthetic standpoint, but thanks for the correction!

[nachob]

Originally Posted by WI_Rob

My guess is that the average buyer of the M235i is not the same demographic as the average BMW buyer… which is certainly by design! This car has totally changed my opinion of "affordable" BMW's. Maybe that's because I was unfairly biased… but the fact is that this car got me in the door of a BMW dealership for the first time.

I think the point of the M235i is to get some additional people interested in the brand… through the release of a seriously fun yet daily-drivable machine. All things considered it's a bullseye, I think.

Yes, there are a few details that I would have preferred to be different… LSD is one. However, considering how much fun the car is to drive even with the open diff, I have to concede that the decision to hold the line on price instead of including the LSD might actually be the right move for the brand. (Yeah, blasphemy, I know).

Anyway, to support others above, the alcantara interior seems to be in line with the goals of the car, especially if it's the "standard" option. For me, the vinyl seats are a problem because of the cold climate I live in. With vinyl, I'd want seat heaters and that's not an available option… which pushes me into the premium package & heated seats. Personally, I'd prefer to have an attractive alcantara option without heated seats. That gets me to my savings target and therefore purchase day sooner. Offer this, PLEASE!

Sir, thank you for your contribution, it is spot on regardless of whether heated seats are offered individually or not. M235i is targeted to a different type of buyer yet, they don't get a different base option that much of the rest of the world gets! Cloth might not be right for the soccer mom but this beautiful interior SHOULD BE the base option here in the US. Those that prefer leather and heated seats can check the box!

Also, your point about this car bringing new people to the marque is also spot on. They didn't use and LSD for cost savings, likewise, this interior would appeal to those that cross shop other sports cars that do include Alcantara like the EVO, WRX, BRZ and FRS.

[bimmerbuff]

I was at a dealer this weekend looking to order a 228i. I mentioned that I would rather have cloth...apparently I'm not the first person to have asked.

This Alcantara combo would get my dollars any day...

[2+3=5]

No cloth seats in Canada either + the limited colour options... yet we get the blue trim key... go figure

[nachob]

Originally Posted by bimmerbuff

I was at a dealer this weekend looking to order a 228i. I mentioned that I would rather have cloth...apparently I'm not the first person to have asked.

This Alcantara combo would get my dollars any day...

Guys please call BMW USA or send them an email they told me the only way they would change it is if enough people called in

[nachob]

Originally Posted by nachob

Guys please call BMW USA or send them an email they told me the only way they would change it is if enough people called in

But remember to say the European ///M cloth Alcantara. BMW USA is so lame, the would probably bring us a some Plaid material that they THINK we would like instead of the Euro interior!

[FoxCrane]

wow, this upholstery looks great!

[one1er]

This is standard in Portugal, and leather is around a USD2000 extra, which couldn't make me happier, cause I f....ing hate leather seats!

This has to do with demand of course, like the auto box...standard in the US, USD1000 here...seems most americans prefer an auto, and leather! I don't...neither most of us here...

[SteveAustin]

You better just order these seats yourself because nobody would go for it here. Do you see cloth in a Benz or a BMW in the US? No and I doubt you ever will - time to move on. It appears to cheapen the brand and is going too far down market. I'm sure BMW has done its proper marketing research.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by SteveAustin

You better just order these seats yourself because nobody would go for it here. Do you see cloth in a Benz or a BMW in the US? No and I doubt you ever will - time to move on. It appears to cheapen the brand and is going too far down market. I'm sure BMW has done its proper marketing research.

Not sure why I'm responding but here it goes:

Do you really think a European ///M Alcantara interior shown above would cheapen the brand more than Black or Tan Vinyl?

I guess Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Lotus, Jaguar should drop their Alcantara for Black Vinyl before they cheapen the brand.

[F80_M]

I would def opt for this interior instead of leather

[nachob]

I would take this interior over leather for a sports car too but what we need to remember is that this the the BASE no charge interior for M235i. So really the choice is this or Vinyl. If anyone wants leather they can pay $1400 and get leather but I can't believe anyone would take vinyl over this interior on this type of car. I am not saying offer this on 7 series or the more luxomobiles but for this should be the base interior on M and M-sport cars, not vinyl. I think BMW USA should offer this as base interior, and give you no charge vinyl choice then charge for leather.

[plien69]

Originally Posted by nachob

BMW USA should offer this as base interior, and give you no charge vinyl choice then charge for leather.

[scanepa]

Judging from the 3rd picture they also get a different Steering Wheel?

[abc]

Originally Posted by thomps

I'm not sure if I'd get it, but I'd seriously entertain the option. BMW's leather is SO damn saggy! Hate to say it, but it's one of the reasons I'm considering leasing over buying. Nothing serves as a better reminder that you're driving a used car (i.e., a reminder of depreciation) than a driver's seat that's begging for Botox after 10k miles.

maybe it depends on the weight and girth of the driver?

[TB///M3]

Originally Posted by scanepa

Judging from the 3rd picture they also get a different Steering Wheel?

Yea...its on the wrong side.

[th1rd3y3]

I'd so much rather have that the leather.

[yep]

They'd rather you shell out a couple grand for the leather. Europeans are cheap/poor and generally won't buy the leather.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by yep

They'd rather you shell out a couple grand for the leather. Europeans are cheap/poor and generally won't buy the leather.

I'd gladly pay the same price as the leather to get the alcantara instead.

It's just much more practical, especially for a car as sporty as the M235i.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by SteveAustin

You better just order these seats yourself because nobody would go for it here. Do you see cloth in a Benz or a BMW in the US? No and I doubt you ever will - time to move on. It appears to cheapen the brand and is going too far down market.

I think I'll just leave this here:

[dreamspeed]

The leather in all the cars under the 5 series is pretty awful.

That being said to the average buyer, sensatec could probably pass as real leather.

Also, people complain about fake leather.... But you know alcantara is fake suede right?

[aspensilver]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

Also, people complain about fake leather.... But you know alcantara is fake suede right?

I think at this point alcantara is alcantara. I don't think anyone thinks of it as suede anymore