I've seen a number of posts on here about how great the leatherette is, but not much love for the cloth. The salesman at the Mini dealer said he liked cloth better and that leatherette was sticky when hot. I live in an area that rarely gets hot (Bay Area), so I'm not too worried about that.

Anyone prefer cloth over leatherette?

Thanks.

 

Our '05 MCSa has the cloth and our '06 MCS has the leatherette (because the cloth wasn't available for 2-3 months). Both my wife and I much prefer the cloth. The leatherette doesn't breathe at all (no holes in the covers) and will leave your back hot and sweaty in the summer. I drive with the sunroof and the windows open and my back is soaked when I get out with of the car with the leatherette but nice and dry with the cloth. The cloth is very comfortable and stays cool in the summer. Sun light coming through the windows makes the leatherette hot to the touch (yes, I know others will argue that you can tint the windows to mitigate this).

The only plus to the leatherette is it is very durable.

 

I've had mines for four years now and got the leatherette. My driver seat on the left side has started to crack, so I should of gone with the cloth. Now i just don't need a new cover for it but a new seat, the whole cranking system that brings it up and down the gears are either worn out or stuck, seat won't go down.

 

I have cloth. No complaints. Holding up very well. I think the Redwood Lounge Leather looks more interesting, but the black cloth looks fine. Not sure I would like leatherette. Hate to see them killing all those Nagas just for their hide.

 

The cloth upholstery certainly lacks the cachet of leather, or even the pseudo-cachet of leatherette. However, it has some very appealing qualities which make me glad I ordered it. Cloth seats:
--Breathe better than any other seat material. This is an important comfort factor in hot weather;
--Conduct heat immediately when the heater switch is activated in cold weather;
--Have a pleasantly grippy texture which inhibits sliding under g-loads better than any other material;
--Are easy to clean, and don't show dirt/stains readily;
--After two years mine are holding up beautifully, look like new - no wrinkles, runs or sags. They seem quite durable.

Elegant, beautiful, luxurious, ostentatious? Not really.

Utilitarian, functional, comfortable, durable? Yes, very. I like them.

 

I have cloth on my 07 R56 MCS. I had leatherette on my 06 R53 MC. I like the cloth better. It is more temperature comfortable, grippier so you don't slike around, and after nearly 50,000 miles still looks as good as new. The only thing I don't like is that they show soil more. I have to use upolstery cleaner on them occasionally. The leatherette could be cleaned (usually) with a damp sponge.

 

I have a combination of cloth and leather in my 08 Clubman,did not order it this way,was on the car that i purchased.Some where i have read, if you do not have leather on the seat, you will not have lumbar support.Q

 

I got the same as atcql, leather/cloth rooster red leather and cloth to be exact. No complaints here, doesn't get nearly as hot as leather does.

 

I'm very satisfied with the Redwood lounge leather I have on my Cricket - I love it & especially the lumbar support & bun warmers make for a cozy comfy ride

 

Yes, Elmore Dinsdale in Choctow, Oklahoma, said three years ago that he prefers cloth.

 

I have cloth and love it. Its softer, more comfortable all year around, and its a good thing.

 

I prefer the leather/cloth or cloth seats. The lounge leather would be my next choice. I got the leatherette though and it's not too bad, but I'd get cloth if I could do it over again.

 

I prefer cloth over leatherette. Our first 2 MINIs had cloth seats, then I found the cloth/leather seats were a bit more comfortable, and had the lumbar adjustment, so that's what we got in the next 2.

I might be tempted by leather seats, but not leatherette.

 

I special ordered the cloth seats, and really love them!! They breathe alot better than the leatherette, aren't real hot in the heat of summer, and you definitely don't stick to them. The only one down side I've found is that my dog's hairs stick in the weave, but easily vaccuum out. I wouldn't have the leatherette or leather for that matter. Just my .02 worth.

 

I LOVE my cloth seats. I have them in my '09 and my dad has them in his '05 MCS. We both refuse to buy a car with leatherette seats and insisted on the cloth. I've posted pictures of my seats in my gallery if you'd like to see pictures. Oh, and there's a thread about retrofitting the lumbar support into both cloth and leatherette seats if you're interested. Here's the link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...orts-seat.html I plan on adding lumbar support sometime this fall when it cools down. Good luck with your choice!

 

I <3 my cloth seats. Mainly just because they stay cool out in the hot sun with the top down.

 

I have the leatherette< not bad and I like the bun warmers, but would have perfered the cloth

 

I LOVE my cloth seats. I refuse to buy a car with leatherette/leather seats. I even hate leather couches.

 

When I ordered my car, I made sure to get cloth! I didn't like the leatherette. And having leather now in my current car SUCKS in the summer! And in SoCal, summer is year-round almost.

 

I LOVE my cloth seats. One of the best options imo.

 

I had punch leather in my first Mini. Loved it even down in Texas. My Clubman came with leatherette. Not a fan. It really doesn't breathe and my back sweats against it. Last week I changed over to Wet Okole covers. So far they are much better. No sticking to the seat back. And I like the added color in an all black interior.

 

I'm another Mini owner with cloth seats. I don't regret it at all! It's very comfortable.

 

Cloth seats for me. Comfortable across a wide temp range.

Kid you not, here in central Texas, we can have frost on the ground in the morning and hit 90F in the afternoon.

 

Wow, I'm surprised by how many like cloth. You may as well add me to that list. My first 3 minis had leatherette or leather on my last '08.

When I bought my JCW, I got it off the lot so I had no choice but to accept what it came with.

JCW's unless you order them come with cloth. I really wanted leather until I did my first track day and was unable to slip around like I did on the leather. Since then, I've got to experience some HOT weather and I can tell you that I'm glad I've got cloth.

I suspect my reactions will be the same when the weather turns colder.


Mark

 

Greatttt.. i just ordered/ got my car in leatherette.... im reading all these bad reviews on it and im discouraged ( only driven for 4 days). I guess i can just throw in some racing seats and harnesses ^.^

thanks for the heads up tho...