The "leather smell"...does 3G TL have any?
09-09-2011, 03:19 PM
#42
I'm Craig
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The 3 and 5 both come with a leatherette (pleather) as standard with real leather as an option. Not sure what your option packages are, but if it's pleather, it'll hold up much better than real leather (as found in your TL).
That said, clean your interior and care for the leather and it'll smell like leather. People still comment on the way my car smells...
That said, clean your interior and care for the leather and it'll smell like leather. People still comment on the way my car smells...
09-09-2011, 03:26 PM
#43
Instructor
I have a TL and an m3. The acura leather is split leather and the bmw leather is a higher quality. They use side leather or full-grain leather. Split leather is fragile and falls apart. There is no snottiness to it, it just costs more. 
The parchment interiors are likely pigmented just on the top and this is why they seem to peel and look like hell. I wish I had a black interior, they seem to hold up better. Either way its pathetic how dirty my TL leather looks out of a luxury vehicle. 
The parchment interiors are likely pigmented just on the top and this is why they seem to peel and look like hell. I wish I had a black interior, they seem to hold up better. Either way its pathetic how dirty my TL leather looks out of a luxury vehicle.
Last edited by natedoggydog; 09-09-2011 at 03:32 PM.
09-09-2011, 06:51 PM
#46
^^^ +1, get compliments all the time still. Leatherique is the stuff you want. Sure, it's pricey, but Lexol is by far the most overrated and over hyped product I've ever come across in some time.
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09-09-2011, 09:27 PM
#48
A6 and TL
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And anyways TL>3 series. I personally think the TL handles much better then the 3.
I am going to order that Zaino stuff and hopefully it will make a difference!
09-09-2011, 10:29 PM
#49
BMW leather is the best and smells great and lasts forever when comparing it to Acura leather. You can't say Acura has good leather especially our 3G TL's. I am trying my best to take care of it but still it is not good. I think it would have been better if I had black leather.
And anyways TL>3 series. I personally think the TL handles much better then the 3.
I am going to order that Zaino stuff and hopefully it will make a difference!
And anyways TL>3 series. I personally think the TL handles much better then the 3.
I am going to order that Zaino stuff and hopefully it will make a difference!
hmmmmmm im way off topic heh
i too wish i had black leather. a clean black leather interior just has that nice gloss looking finish (no, im not talking about armor all greasy finish). stains dont show up much compared to taupe leather
09-10-2011, 12:06 AM
#50
I'm Craig
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BMW leather is the best and smells great and lasts forever when comparing it to Acura leather. You can't say Acura has good leather especially our 3G TL's. I am trying my best to take care of it but still it is not good. I think it would have been better if I had black leather.
And anyways TL>3 series. I personally think the TL handles much better then the 3.
I am going to order that Zaino stuff and hopefully it will make a difference!
And anyways TL>3 series. I personally think the TL handles much better then the 3.
I am going to order that Zaino stuff and hopefully it will make a difference!
The Zaino stuff does smell good. But it smells nothing like the TL's leather. It sort of smells like leather...but its more like a clean, fresh new car smell. Not sure how to describe it but I like it.
09-10-2011, 01:05 AM
#51
Registered TL Owner
My interior is ebony, I love it to death as its easy to keep clean. The issue I run into is keeping the leather looking not greasy. So I use Lexol Cleaner (not conditioner) monthly.
The Zaino stuff does smell good. But it smells nothing like the TL's leather. It sort of smells like leather...but its more like a clean, fresh new car smell. Not sure how to describe it but I like it.
The Zaino stuff does smell good. But it smells nothing like the TL's leather. It sort of smells like leather...but its more like a clean, fresh new car smell. Not sure how to describe it but I like it.
09-10-2011, 08:14 AM
#54
Racer
BMWs have "Leatherette" available and Mercedes-Benz have "MB-Tex" available. Both are pushed hard by the dealerships since they don't crinkle and show wear as much as real leather. It is nearly impossible to tell the difference in many cases and it even has a leather smell.
I do know that the leather in my new TL is super soft, much more so than it is in the RDX. Both cars still smell very much like leather, not plastic ... unless parked in the sun, where the synthetic materials (carpet, vinyl, plastic) start to bake and create more "off-gassing".
I would also recommend a good cleaning and conditioning.
I do know that the leather in my new TL is super soft, much more so than it is in the RDX. Both cars still smell very much like leather, not plastic ... unless parked in the sun, where the synthetic materials (carpet, vinyl, plastic) start to bake and create more "off-gassing".
I would also recommend a good cleaning and conditioning.
09-10-2011, 01:47 PM
#55
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I'm telling you guys-you'll love the Zaino "Leather in a Bottle". It's a sure thing....
09-10-2011, 02:01 PM
#56
A6 and TL
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Hey the sun thing. My car is in the sun during the day and thats when the plasticy smell emerges. But if bmw or lexus parked in sun it smells like leather. I hope you got what I ment lol.
09-10-2011, 02:30 PM
#57
Banned
My issue is ive owned 7 hondas all with leather so im immune to the smell hondas leather usually gives off. It's like having plug-ins in you house. You dont smell it anymore but your house guest always comment on how nice the house smells.
09-10-2011, 04:18 PM
#58
Burning Brakes
I use this stuff in combination with the Zymol cleaner and it works great and has a really good leather smell . Anytime anyone gets in the car they always compliment the brand new leather smell.Worth giving it a try I got the gallon for like 20 or 30 bucks and that should last me a lifetime even treating the leather once a week like I do..
09-11-2011, 05:52 PM
#59
Team Owner
i've never driven a 3 before, but the 3 looks so much smaller than the tl. seeing how the 3 is so much lighter, smaller, and rwd compared to the TL i would have thought the 3 handled better
hmmmmmm im way off topic heh
i too wish i had black leather. a clean black leather interior just has that nice gloss looking finish (no, im not talking about armor all greasy finish). stains dont show up much compared to taupe leather
hmmmmmm im way off topic heh
i too wish i had black leather. a clean black leather interior just has that nice gloss looking finish (no, im not talking about armor all greasy finish). stains dont show up much compared to taupe leather
The TL has some real leather. The perforated parts of the seats and I *think* the head rests along with the gear shifter and steering wheel. Mine smelled like leather when brand new. Every once in a while you still get a hint of that smell. Replacing the center console with real leather brings back the leather in a big way.
I think modern leathers do not last as long as the older stuff. The seats in mine, a friend's and my father's GN are deer skin in the center and the leather is absolutely perfect. My father's car has under 20,000 miles but mine and the friend's car have over 200k and 27 years old and are in better shape then the TL was at 10,000 miles and 6 months old.
09-11-2011, 08:51 PM
#61
Your Friendly Canadian
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When a product has "Ever" as a seperate sentence, you know it's srs business. 
Let us know how it is!
Let us know how it is!
09-12-2011, 12:15 AM
#63
I bought this 07 TL from a gentleman who was very caring about his car, and I plan to do so. It has the leather smell and now my shirt smells like leather 
I've been driving 4 hours
I've been driving 4 hours
09-13-2011, 02:32 PM
#67
Instructor
i've never driven a 3 before, but the 3 looks so much smaller than the tl. seeing how the 3 is so much lighter, smaller, and rwd compared to the TL i would have thought the 3 handled better
hmmmmmm im way off topic heh
i too wish i had black leather. a clean black leather interior just has that nice gloss looking finish (no, im not talking about armor all greasy finish). stains dont show up much compared to taupe leather
hmmmmmm im way off topic heh
i too wish i had black leather. a clean black leather interior just has that nice gloss looking finish (no, im not talking about armor all greasy finish). stains dont show up much compared to taupe leather
I dont know about a standard 3 series but the m3 handles much better than the TL. Its just a lot more work to drive than the TL.
09-18-2011, 09:03 PM
#68
Fearless DIY Guy
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at the price, namely because if it lasts awhile, it'll be worth it.Now just gotta wait for this to ship from our friends in England!!!
09-18-2011, 09:06 PM
#69
Early Shifter
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Don't smell your leather? lol I have this image of people sniffing their seats and it's somewhat disturbing. Haha.
Condition and use air fresheners, call it a day. Personally I think the leather scent stinks.
Condition and use air fresheners, call it a day. Personally I think the leather scent stinks.
09-19-2011, 02:25 AM
#73
Safety Car
I'm gonna have to try out this Zaino. My leather seriously needs some TLC.
09-19-2011, 02:25 PM
#77
I prefer musking up my TL with the formidble scent of Sex Panther, by Odeon. It's made with real bits of panther, so you know it's good. As for scoring with the ladies? Well, let me tell you that 60% of the time it works EVERY time. 
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10-03-2011, 07:54 PM
#79
Fearless DIY Guy
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