Click Here for the Visual Upholstery Guide – Regular Production!
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This page lists all upholstery codes that were regularly available over the course of the E38's entire production run. Many of them were exclusive to specific markets, but are clearly marked with their names on the build sheets. Please contribute any missing (or improved!) pictures by contacting us at cars@e38registry.org!
All E38s produced until 09/94 had upholstery codes consisting of four numbers (i.e. 0551 = Standard Montana Leather, Black). From 09/94 onwards, BMW changed to a somwhat more intuitive system of four characters, with the first two denoting the upholstery type and seam pattern, and the last two denoting the colour (i.e. N6SW = Standard Montana Leather, Black). However, with upholstery codes created from 09/98 onwards, BMW no longer distinguished between basic, extended, and full leather. An example of this is L7 or V1, both of which were used in V12 and non-V12 models.
Non-V12 upholstery codes, with vinyl dashboard, vinyl centre console, vinyl door cards, and vinyl front seat backs (“Standard Leather”):
Non-V12 upholstery codes, with vinyl dashboard, leather centre console, vinyl door cards with leather armrest, and vinyl front seat backs (“Extended Leather”):
V12 upholstery codes, with leatherette dashboard, leather centre console, leather/leatherette door cards, and leather front seat backs (“Full Leather”):
V12 & non-V12 upholstery codes (full leather, extended leather, or standard leather, varying by model and selling market):
BMW Individual upholstery code (all models):
| Upholstery Code | Name (German) | Name (English) | Total Production |
| Z1XX or (9990) | Sonderpolsterung | Special Upholstery | 8804 |