My 04 has the "leather like" stuff..........hot as h*ll in the summer and slick.

Since air bags are in the side bolsters, how does one convert Mini standard seats to real leather ?

Please advise

 

Go you your local House 'o Leather (uphosterer) - they should be able to do customs for you. The airbags are no big deal, really - just have to make the sides so they can tear away. Or here are some on ebay.

Lots of folks prefer Wet Okoles to leather...

 

Thanks,

Seems that Wet Ololes would be just as hot as the stock leatherette since it also cannot breathe at all.

Not sure I would trust an ebay company for leather.........has anyone used them ?

BTW,

Great lower grill, did you have that custom painted ?

 

take it to whips on LI

 

The stock leather is quite comfortable if you leave the A/C on when it's hot. Even without A/C the leather isn't too bad. I've had the displeasure of sitting in a friend's leatherette clad MINI.

 

I live in Oregon......kind of a long drive to LI

 

Yes, I have full leather in my Vette and Talon Tsi, so I am familiar with the feel and qualities of real leather. This is why I want to swap out the leatherette in the Mini for the real thing.......at least for the front buckets

 

I've had both, and as far as gettin all sweatified, their ain't much difference.
If you are looking to avoid S4 (sweat-soaked shirt syndrome) go for cloth/neoprene covers.

 

I know folks who say the Wet Okoles are MUCH cooler...

Yeah - I painted the grille.

 

My leather seats are fine and comfy with the climate control in hot weather and warm and toasty in the winter with the heated seats. But, if you have a sunroof like me, leather seats still get darn hot while the car is parked in a open lot.

 

I hear you, but I cannot see how neoprene covers would do any better than leatherette as neither can breathe at all!

I have had many cars with leather and found it too be much better in hot weather than anything but a cloth fabric.

 

I bought my '06 MCS off the lot from my dealer. It came with the leatherette, but they have an aftermarket leather company they deal with. So I had custom ordered leather put on before taking posession of the car.

I ended up going with solid black bolsters and perforated black for all the surfaces the body touches (topped off by red thread). Love the seats, and I find them very comfortable in all weather. Even with the sunroof open, they don't seem to get too hot...

Long story short, it might be a good idea to call the nearest dealer and ask if they have a company they use for aftermarket leather. I bet they do...

-Ed

 

Have you considered sheepskins? I love `em. They're still a hot (no pun intended) accessory in the upscale shops. Cool in summer and nice and cozywarm in winter. Keeps your interior fresh and they're relatively cost effective.

 

I had the Wet Okoles here in Miami. No biggie. They weren't any hotter or cooler but they helped keep you in the seat on twisties and the sweat didn't make you all nasty.

Actually, I think my a/c is on all the time here.

Oh, and they were side airbag compliable.