I am thinking about getting some wet okole seat covers for my MINI. I have the black leather seats (not leatherette, the black/grey textured seats). If I put the seat covers over my leather seats, do I need to remove the seat covers and condition the leather seats on a regular basis? I have had my MINI since Jan 2003, and have cleaned and conditioned my seats about every six month. They still look new. The seat covers are just because I want more color in the interior. Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes. Even if leather is protected from dirt it can still dry out or, if you live in a very humid place, the opposite. If you treat good quality leather well it should last 20-30 years. This is what Mercedes wrote in its brochure on the care of its car seats in the 1950s. I do not know if either MINI or Mercedes uses that quality leather, but it is still available.

 

I don't know about those particular covers but you might be giving up some airbag protection by using them.

 

Thanks for the info. Wet Okole seat covers are custom fit to MINI and have cutouts on the side to accommodate the airbags.