Looking at ordering a Petrol Blue L&K 190 DSG Estate shortly after a succesful test drive, need some opinions on interior colours -- all the cars I've seen (and test drive) have been black leather which is a bit dismal (like my existing E-class), but from the photos brown (standard L&K recommendation in configurator with this paint colour) looks a bit like excrement and beige looks cheap and nasty, especially on all the plastic parts (doors etc).

 

Anyone have any positive comments on the brown/beige L&K interiors?

 

On another question, do people find the reversing camera actually useful compared to the parking sensors, which seemed fine on the loaner?

I have both the beige leather (best option IMO) and the rear camera.

If I ordered again today they would both be on the list.

I have the Petrol Blue exterior excellent beige leather interior and both go excellently together but not the rear camera. I had a camera in a previous car but you do need to be careful as you can easily get into the habit of looking at screen and not where you are going.

Beige leather looks great from new but if you have kids or wear denim jeans forget it.

I've got petrol blue and beige interior. Everyone who's seen it has been very complimentary. The colour combination is really good. 

 

It needs more maintenance than brown or black as you can actually see the filth. I've done 5000 miles in my beige-mobile and it's holding up pretty well. I wear jeans to work every day. I keep a few packs of Simoniz leather cleaning wipes in the car. As long as you keep on top of things, you won't have any serious problems. 

 

Even though the black interior is now an option on the L&K, I would still opt for beige if I had to do it all over again. I was initially irritated at the lack of a black option when I ordered, as the brown is dreadful in my opinion. It's the same shade as our old Cortina estate from 30 years ago when I was a kid. It's also too reminiscent of a 1970s Austin Allegro. 

 

The parking camera is a godsend in London. The sensors are far too cautious when manoeuvring into a tight parking bay. You can go much closer with the camera. For £300 it's well worth the money. 

 

Talking of options. Spend the £100 on the Smart Light Assist - you won't regret it! 

Beige leather looks great from new but if you have kids or wear denim jeans forget it.

No (young) kids, no jeans, no problem...

We are very happy with the brown leather seating. I would though also recommend that you get ventilated seating. The finnish is better and the feature is a must. Have only had positive comments so far from friends and family. More luxurious and not for everybody.

 

Rear camera is great. The view is very clear. Training myself to use both the camera as well as side mirrors altough only using the camera has worked well if a little scary at first. It is an aid to be used in combination with everything else the car has to offer.

It's all personal opinion I suppose. Personally, I don't like beige interiors full stop - checking out an S3 in a showroom that was beige confirmed this for me, just not my thing. I haven't seen a brown leather in the flesh, but again just not my cup of tea, so black was an easy option. To the extent that if I'd ordered a few months ago not being able to choose black leather interior would probably have put me off getting an L&K!

I'd recommend you try and see the interior in the other colours (you say you've seen the black leather) and decide what you like best. You're spending £20k+ on it, so you want to be happy with your choice I'd guess!

I have the Brown Metalic Colour so Brown Leather looks Good, However I think it would wrong in a blur car, I would be having  black I think, as Beige is just too light for my liking. As for the rear camera I didn't order one and personally think the sensors are good enough, however if I was towing a caravan I think it would have been very handy for reversing to the ball hitch.

The black leather on my S2 still looks great 90k miles later.

Also I was put off with the brown leather because the rest of the trim does not match.

Also I was put off with the brown leather because the rest of the trim does not match.

That what I thought too. I at least get the beige combination, even if I don't like it, but the brown just seems at odds with the rest of the interior and doesn't complement it. All IMHO of course and in fairness as I said before, I've only seen photos so may look ok. Each to their own

Best £100 you'll ever spend when speccing an L&K. Not to be confused with lights that switch on the main beam automatically. This system is MUCH more sophisticated. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3D9vHxc9T0

Or get someone with VCDS to code this in (although you want get the fancy LED eyelashes).

Or get someone with VCDS to code this in (although you want get the fancy LED eyelashes).

 

I thought the SLA uses different hardware, and therefore can't be coded in. The system uses special shutters to block out specific parts of the beam, depending on where other cars are. Standard xenon lamps have fixed beam cut off shields that can only move out of the way for full beam. 

I thought the SLA uses different hardware, and therefore can't be coded in. The system uses special shutters to block out specific parts of the beam, depending on where other cars are. Standard xenon lamps have fixed beam cut off shields that can only move out of the way for full beam.

Then I take it all back. Spend the extra £100

We are very happy with the brown leather seating. I would though also recommend that you get ventilated seating. The finnish is better and the feature is a must. Have only had positive comments so far from friends and family. More luxurious and not for everybody.

 

Rear camera is great. The view is very clear. Training myself to use both the camera as well as side mirrors altough only using the camera has worked well if a little scary at first. It is an aid to be used in combination with everything else the car has to offer.

Although I have the SII I have the brown interior and metallic/business grey paint for four years and yes it is much better with ventilated seats. Much better in real life than the pictures IMO.

I think the leather on the ventilated seats is superior to the standard hide. Logic would suggest it has to be thicker and/or more durable or the perforations would be vulnerable to tearing. 

It's one you really, really need to sit in to see for yourself. Brown in mine - initially I thought it horrendous until I sat in it. Everyone I've given a lift to without fail has commented positively about it.

Also I was put off with the brown leather because the rest of the trim does not match.

Yes, I have ventilated brown and there are several trim panels which have been left in dark grey rather than producing matching brown. (The beige doesn't have this issue)

My S3 is ex demo at the right price, so decided to accept the brown. If I had the choice, I'd definitely go for the beige. I had it on my old S2 and IMO beige looks much classier. Also not difficult to keep clean (although I don't have kids or dogs!).

Another with brown interior but I do have Rosso Brunello exterior so it is in the same colour range. Also the heated windscreen gives a subtle bronze tint to the dash. That with the R.B. exterior makes for a nicer place to be. However, I wouldn't entertain it with a blue exterior. Grey, Jungle Green perhaps and obviously Brown should all work.

 

I originally wanted beige (although I would describe it as ivory) but when I saw one in the flesh I also thought the non 'leather' surfaces looked poor and I didn't like the huge contrast with the dark grey dash.

But then I am of the third age and have fond memories of brown leather when it was leather!!

I have to say that the Brown leather does not appeal to me, however this is a personal thing as it is with exterior colours.

 

I have Magnetic Brown Metallic with the Beige leather interior and think that it looks fantastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with all things it helps to see it in the flesh though.

 

PS. I have the rear camera to and that is very helpful

Edited 11 May, 201610 yr by Prykey

however this is a personal thing as it is with exterior colours.

 

As with all things it helps to see it in the flesh though.

Completely agree which is why the OP needs to see them for himself, because I do think things look different in pictures (and definitely in the configurator).

Ultimately, it's personal preference.

Also I was put off with the brown leather because the rest of the trim does not match.

I must admit I had to go and sit in the car to see what bits weren't brown as I couldnt remember

It's only the inner sill, seat base and lower seatbelt portion that are dark grey instead of brown. It seems just odd that they didn't make a trim piece in the brown if they could do so in beige.

Mind you looking at the state of mine (particularly where the kids get in and out) light coloured plastic there seems like asking for trouble

When I ordered my car at the start of Jan I was getting an l&k in Ireland I was told I could only have brown their was not even an option of waiting for beige. I had a beige s2 that stood the test if time with not stain or dirty marks. I think if you look after the beige leather by cleaning and putting and good moisturizer once a month it's good for years. Darker colors just hide the dirt better they don't last any longer. Anyway I did not like brown when I ordered but it has grown on once I got it. It's not like the s2 brown which was horrific.

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