Plan to order an '08 Mini - can anyone comment on cloth vs. leatherette seat fabric upholstery for summer comfort?

Right now have an '04 with leatherette and it is real sticky in summer - test drove an '08 with leatherette, seems like a better material. Assume the cloth is polyester?


Thanks-
SF

 

I have no experience with the leatherette but I got cloth on mine and i and happy with it. Only drawback with either of the free upholstery choices is you do not get lmbar support. Minor issue for me but iot may be a concern for others.

 

I just ordered my 08 MCS with the checkered cloth. I first of all did not like the cheesy look of the two toned leatherette or "vinyl". Also, cloth will not get nearly as hot as vinyl. I live in the Sacramento area and the sun in the summer is relentless. Also, the cloth will grip you better during cornering.

If you plan on having children who eat and/or drink in the car or pets then I would vote for the vinyl. It is much easier to clean than cloth. Cloth is a hair and dust magnet.

Hope this helps.

 

I had tan leatherette in a BMW, kept it for 10 years. Good if you have messy kids (I did at the time). The stuff is basically indestructible and looked pretty much new at the end. It gets really hot in the summer and isn't so nice in the winter either.

Other than durability, not must to recommend it. It's vinyl with a fancy name. I hate that BMW doesn't give us a cloth option, and the fact that MINI does was a factor in getting my MCS (with black cloth).

 

I have the leatherette and love it. It does get a little hot in summer, but in winter its not as bad as you would think.

The only thing I don't like about the seats is the power seats with memory aren't even offered as an option. If it was, I would def have gotten them.

 

I'm in AZ and went with the cloth specifically because of the heat. The leatherette is okay-- but I don't like having the backs of my legs scalded.

 

Az and got cloth too

 

I have always liked cloth interiors. The MINI doesn't disappoint, the checked cloth looks and feels great, and stays cool in summer and warm in winter... I have the heated seats. Speaking of heated seats, that is one option that is totally worth it... nothing like a warm flood of heat on your back on a cold winter morning!

 

Both the cloth and leatherette MINI seats are excellent quality and both have their partisans. You can't go wrong with either. The leatherette is undoubtedly more practical if hard use, pets, kids, spills and ease of cleaning are foremost. The cloth breathes better and is certainly more comfortable for hot weather, in addition to being more "grippy" in hard cornering. I chose cloth, but what works best for you will depend on your priorities.

 

I couldn't decide so I got the cloth/leather combo. The black pinstripe with red leather is just sexy.

I get the gentle cupping of the leather on the outside of the body (holding me tight on curves) without the sticky of leather.

A perfect combo.

 

I got cloth and have never looked back. The availability of cloth was an important factor for me in choosing MINI over BMW.

 

KS and have cloth...absolutely love it.

My only complaint would be that crime scene doughnuts leave trails.

 

I love the leatherette for its durability and ease of keeping clean. I live in the Southeast and don't find it too hot in the summer.

 

thanks for the input !!

SF

 

We had cloth in the first 2, I'm not a fan of leatherette. After using a MINI with the cloth/leather seats I was sold on those. They're slightly wider than the cloth ones so fit my ample back end better. You can also only get that with the sport seats, so you get the lumbar adjustment as well, good for my back.

We've got the cloth/leather in 3 and 4.

 

I have the black checkered cloth seats and actually preferred them over the many other options I saw at the dealership. My dogs have puked on them, I've spilt diet coke on them, dog hair, I am an avid indoor cyclist (spinning) and do so at least 6 times a week. I end up totally drenched and drive home to shower! My seat has turned white with the salt from my shirt sitting on the seat, and with a damp cloth and a little wiping, it returns to "factory original" in seconds!

I can't tell you how much I love these cloth seats, both for ability to keep looking good, and how sexy they feel to your behind on twisty's I'll never have leather, leatherett, or anything but cloth here in South Texas! (Home of the Sun!) To my eye, they are the best choice!

 

Mine hasn't arrived yet but I factory ordered, mostly to get cloth seats. I knew from test drives that the leatherette was going to be way too hot. And...if I don't like the cloth I can have Katzkin leather put in for under $1,000.

 

Let your wallet be your guide, you only get what you pay for.

 

+1 Cloth

 

When I first moved to SE Florida I did not have cloth seats and every car since has...but I ened up w/ the grey/black leatherette and holy crap are they hot. It's been in the 90s this week and Coop has not been tinted...can you say 2nd degree burns...but I spilled coffee all over myself and Coop Wednesday morning and of course i just wiped it clean...Really depends I guess on where you live and your lifestyle...

 

I wanted cloth when I ordered my 2006 S. They'd run out of fabric. I went with leatherette so that my auto could be manufactured in the normal time frame. Found it to be very nice, however, it wasn't long before I put some Wet Okole covers on. That was the plan from the beginning. Now I've got seat fabric I really like>

 

I ordered my PW/PW MC on 5/17/08 with leatherette. After reading these posts I just called my MA and had him switch the order to cloth. Leatherette will just be too hot in Florida!!!

 

Also South Florida; my last two autos have been convertible w/wine-color 'leatherette' seats and never considered any sort of seat covers.
Parked in sun with top down (risky in Florida), would need to shade seat, but 'black' would be worse.

Went to Ferman MINI of Tampa Bay (highly recommend Oliver Morris) to see the colors
and sit in seats, none could approach the 'cushion comfort' of my older autos,
(I have found this true of all the newer autos) so just bought the Standard Leatherette.

I have ordered Wet Okole w/matching mellow yellow (320) center panels (and lumbar supports).

Department Stores sell Memory Foam mattress pads in thickness of 1/2" or greater and I plan to use some of that to increase comfort for the seats.

 

These are neoprene, correct? Their web site says they do not get hot in summer - have you found they are a big improvement over the leatherette for staying dry in summer heat ?

Would be tempting if so, especially since you can order a matching camo dash & steering wheel cover from them as well :-D

 

I like my vinyl so far. It is very easy to keep clean. Two main sources of old car smell are cloth seats and carpet.