I'm considering changing my '05 MCS order to switch the black leather to leatherette and add the aero kit. Anyone with the leatherette have and opions on the wear, appereance and maintenance compare to leather? Is the aero kit worth the money or is it best go with a more expensive after market kit like promini offers?

 

I would go with the Aero kit.

Well maintained (with 303 aerospace and Vinylex), the leatherette will look great for as long as you have the car.
The leather will age and show wear and tear even with great care...but then again it's leather!
It comes down to personal preference. Go to a showroom and check out both, and go from there.

However, between leather vs leatherette & Aero kit, I think the latter is the easy choice

Just my 0.02

 

Remember that you have to pay to have the aero kit installed as well.

 

Go with leather, it finishes the car perfectly and brings the interior spec up incredibly (especially if you go with a color).

 

Personally, I feel the leather isnt tight enough. If it came perferated like in VW's along with being tight fitting to the seat, I go for leather. But since they dont, leatherette is a great option. It WILL keep its look for longer than leather, and doesnt feel to fake.

And the Aero kit is badass, so go for that!

 

As usual you guys come up with several point I hadn't considered. Thanks. You guys rock.

I'm leaning toward the Aero but I need to talk with the dealer and find out the installation price.

Thanks again.

 

I've seen some posts that complain the leather isn't very high quality. It's thin and it tends to pull the threads along the edge of the side "bolster" (is that the right word?) where your butt rubs it when you get in.

I've never been that big a fan of leather. It takes a lot of maintenance to keep it looking nice. If it gets dried out or cracked or stained, it ends up looking worse than plastic or cloth. IMO. And I don't really like the way it feels when it's hot and humid. (Can you tell I ordered cloth?)

The one thing I will say in its favor - a beige interior would have looked fantastic on my BRG S!

 

If you plan to autocross the car, the areo kit will move you out of stock class with no preformance gain. I got the leather.

 

I wouldn't get either one, personally, and didn't. I think the areo kit clutters up the car's design, especially the front end, and the Mini leather just looks and feels cheap, imho.

 

I've had no real wear issues, nothing has worn out. This pictue is after 13 months of use. I condition the leather every 4 or 5 weeks. Some people complain that it looks baggy, but I've seen the leatherette do the same thing. Bolsters wearing out? Don't drag your butt across them.

 

Nice *** imprint

 

Also if an adjustable lumbar support is important to you, you'll need to spring for the leather seats.

 

Been that way since new. Don't be a ****.

 

Just makin a joke... chill out slick

 

Go the leather route, the front areo kit is a rock and paint chip magnet. The leather in my '03 makes the car, and I feel it would add to the resale, not that I would sell it.

 

Honestly, other than the extra lumbar-support (which is important for my cross-country roadtrips), if I were ordering today, I'd probably get the aero kit and opt for the leatherette, which is VERY nice!

Another option is to get the leather, and the side aprons of the aero, OR paint the plastic arches body-color, which gives a similar look to the aero kit!

Clover

 

Forget it all and go with a pulley, sway bar, springs, and control arms

 

You could be a cheapie and just order the painted skirts. The skirts are $245 each prepainted from Sterling. I am not sure what it costs to install. I might do that later. As far as being bumped out of GS I have to read the rules to see if skirts will do that. Something to consider if you are racing for points competitively...

 

The skirts are the ONLY thing I like on the aero kit... I especially hate the back

 

I was never a big fan of leather but when I picked up Greta she had leather along with seat heaters ...... glad someone specd it this way. It is the BOMB. After almost 2 1/2 yrs and some care, leather is wearing quite well.



Nice

 

If you do decide to go with the aero kit, see if Classic can give you a good deal. They give a discount to NAM members... youd just have to have them shipped, painted, and installed which STILL might be cheaper

 

Which brings me to a question I've been wanting to ask for some time.

Is there any indication that the leather in the 2005s is better than before? Or is it the same?

Hunter

 

Sterling or Classic probably give the give the same prices but the prepainted areo kit costs $1350.00. Yes, it's prepainted so you don't have to have it painted at the shop. They will need the vin number to order the correct color.

 

It does brighten up the interior..looks nice.