euroboost

What are your thoughts vs regular leather?

BMWBig6

It doesn't seem to burn like leather after baking in the sun, and it grips your back on the twisties, making up for the marginal lateral support in the upright part of the sport seats. I really like the way it looks too.

Zendriver

I have the Alcantara inserts and can tell you that they seem to be more comfortable in the heat. But I honestly don't know if that's because of the perforation or because of the properties of the material itself (Alcantara is not leather, it's actually a composite cloth made up of polyester and polyurethane). Perhaps both. Either way, nice stuff, feels like suede but has way more durability.

That said, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me; so long as I still had the sport seats, I'd be just as happy.

hanma

I don't think these are available in the US, correct?

Zendriver

The Alcantara inserts are available as part of the S-line package for the 2009 models in the US. Not sure if they will be available as a separate option for 2010.

hanma

I see. In Europe there are two (real) leather options; Milano and Valcano. Does anyone know which one the US model has and what the difference between them is?

scottacus

In the US you get either Milano leather (as an upgrade), or a grade of leather below Milano as standard. Valcona is not available.

In the S4 (and only the S4) you can order Nappa leather which is a very high grade.

hanma

How can you upgrade to Milano from the 'below Milano' leather? I have not seen any options that would upgrade the leather?

MrStuff

You need Sline to get them.

scottacus

Apologies - I had a brain fart. The Milano upgrade is only available on the A5, not the A4. So it looks like if you want upgraded leather the S4 is your only option.