Ok, simple question:

Leather v. Leatherette

Is the leather worth the extra $1300???

 

I'm very happy with the leaterette. I've had my MC for 2 years, it's my daily driver for the 100 Mile return commute I do, and now has 50k miles on it.

My back seats have only been up a handful of times, and when I do fold them up the front seats look just like they do,new:smile:

It is very easy to keep them clean. I lighly spray some Aerospace 303 protectant on them, wipe them down, takes a couple of minutes, and I only do it every couple of months.

They can be a bit warm in hot temps, but I hear the same thing about the leather.

Spend the $1300 on something else or lower your purchace price.

 

OMG, this has to be one of the most discussed topics of all time - first on BMW boards and now on Mini boards too.

You will get responses clearly demarcated along the lines of who chose what, i.e. I much prefer the feel/texture/smell of leather. People for 'ette will say the leather is bad and won't last, people for leather will say it does with just a touch of TLC and that the 'ette feels like the plastic it is but yes, it is more durable then the more supple leather. Etc, etc, its all so very subjective.

Please go to a dealer and feel, smell, sit in and touch as many versions of leather and 'ette as you can and make up your own mind - other people's opinons here may not match yours.

 

CLOTH! i despise leather and any variation of it

 

With all due respect, I have gone to the dealer and looked at both. BUT I wanted to get other peoples opinion to help me decide - isn't that really what these forums are for? I'm looking for insight as to any issues relating to leather v. leatherette - not just how it looks and feels at a dealership.

lot15's comments were extremely helpful. That's the kind of advice I was interested in.

 

I primarily went with leatherette because it was recommended so highly for its quality and feel, but ultimately my decision was based on the color combo:

Leatherette can be had in gray/black, which I wanted. The leather version is either colored (ie. red, cordoba, or blue) or monochrome (black/black) which was too dark for my liking.

Now, if they offered a gray/black leather option, the choice may have been harder to make...

 

Haha. There's nothing better than sticking to your seats when the you're wearing shorts in 90 degree weather.

 

Thanks, Tarzan. I've ordered a Jet Black MCS with gray/black leatherette. Isn't that close (no JCW) to yours? (not like I was copying ....)

 

Sorry if my answer wasn't what you were looking for, but you did not say that and I gave you my response based on:

"Ok, simple question:
Leather v. Leatherette
Is the leather worth the extra $1300???"

And I did offer a bit more. I could have said use the search...

 

I have the blue lapis leather, which looks awesome on and blue with black top MINI. The leather seats were definately a splurge for me, that being said I do really like the seats. They look great and feel great. For when I go to the track I got that little $40 seat belt lock thing to keep me from sliding around, but that would be an equal problem with leatherette too.

Were they worth $1400? Probably not, but then again was spending $29,000 on a MINI when I already had another perfectly fine car worth it? Probably not. The point is if you love real leather and have the room to splurge, I highly doubt you will be dissapointed.

- John

 

My leather is all puckered on the base of the driver's seat. Had I known the leather was so thin and cheap, I would have saved the money.

My friend's MINI with leatherette looks much better after 2.5 years.

 

I prefer leather in all my vehicles. I also like the option to have heated seats to use during the cold months. Not sure if heated seats are available on non-leather seats. And, yes, the smell is intoxicating.


My legs never stick to the seat...wear long shorts.

 

The leatherette shows no signs of wear, period! I didn't even consider ordering anything else on my second Cooper. It's a very high quality material that I can't say enough good things about. Half the people that get in my car think it's leather, anyway.

 

I have an 04 with lapis leather and live in Vegas. As far as leatherette, it looks good (I have a friend with a 05 and leatherette) but it is hotter than leather in the summer, leather breathes-leatherette doesn't. If you do not haul 4 people, get the leatherette and rip out the fronts and install Sparcos for about the same $ as leather and have real seats.

 

Having owned a few BMW's in the past, leather and leatherette
I can tell you from my experieince...

Leatherette holds up 10 times better than Leather in the long run.
Most people can not tell the difference.
Both are hot and make you sweat.
Both Clean up nicely (especially with kids), although the leatherette does not stain.
Leatherette does not crack or dry out.
Both are avail with heat, cloth is not.
Leatherette does not have the nice leather smell to it.
Leatherette causes the inside of the winshield to cloud over time, have to clean it more often. (I have been told this is dou to the Vinyl, anyone else notice this?)
I did not find the extra cash to be worth it.

 

i've had both - leather first - and this time i went for the leatherette.

save the money. the leatherette is more durable. period.

1300 is a nice chunk of change to be put towards a jcw tuning kit... ; )

cheers - drew

 

go_mini_go - are you certain about cloth seats not being available with heaters?? I was leaning toward cloth on my next MINI (better breathing and grippier for Auto-X) but being in Colorado, if I can't get seat heaters, cloth is out. . .

The reason I'm asking is that the MINI website lets you build one with heated cloth seats. . .is this something that would get kicked back at order time??

 

Heated seats are available with cloth seats because I have the cold weather package.

Art

 

I hate cloth and any variations of it


All my 3 MINIs have been ordered with Panther Black leatherette seats and the upholstery still looks brand new on the wife's nearly 3 year old 2002 Cooper CVT (31K miles). My 2004 MCS had leatherette and I ordered it again in my '05 MCS and couldn't be happier

For 2005, MINI improved the look and feel of the leatherette material and it feels softer more supple than ever before.

The "real" leather is overpriced! $1300 for cowhide seats is a total an absolute waste of hard earned money, specially when the higher quality, no cost leatherette is already available as standard factory equipment.

 

Not true. I live in Miami and the heat/humidity here is unbearable. I have had no problems whatsoever with the leatherette seats. In fact, none of my MINIs have sunroofs, which are a BIG TIME contributor for additional cabin heat.

 

No I am not certain, apparently it is available. Sorry for the mis info!! My mistake

 

Talk to someone who lives in Arizona. When it's a 110 or higher and the car is 10 degrees hotter inside so that means it's 120 or higher inside the car when it has been sitting outside. Vinyl or "leatherette" is definitely not a good choice, I know from past experiences with my cheap family member, who also didn't want to splurg $1000 bucks for Air conditioning. Me peronsally it's either Cloth or the real thing, Leather. I love the smell and feel of leather and it gives it such a sporty look but here in the summertime if I am wearing shorts, I have to keep a towel handy or it's burn baby burn. I'm willing to make the sacrafice. :smile:

 

I love the leatherette, and like someone else said, most people will think it's leather anyway. I don't know if that's important to you, but I usually don't correct them.

 

i have the leather, and yes indeed, it is absolutely worth it. it's clean, and feels nice..


azzurri

 

Yes, I have JB/JB with silver interior and gray/black leatherette. Just the right amount of colors for a unified combo.



Be sure to post pics of your MINI when it arrives!