Here's the story. I just picked up my *used* 2008 Mini Cooper (justa) on Friday! This is my first MINI! I bought it from a private seller out of state.

For some reason I was always under the impression that this car was equipped with leatherette seats. I had done my homework and read up on leatherette and determined I could live with this and that the durability would be a plus.(cloth was my preference) However after I purchased the car and drove it home I was examning the seats and soon discovered they weren't leatherette but LEATHER.

On the window sticker it says "Punch Carbon Black Leather" (must have missed that little detail) Seats are ALL black - not two tone. The strange thing is they don't look like sport seats. They look like standard seats, yet I thought sport were required for leather. I can't fund a lumbar adjustment, and seats look like the standard ones on the MINI site.

I feel pretty stupid about not even knowing what I was purchasing. So now I have to ask what's the best way to care for leather seats? I admit I am a little afraid of them looking like hell in a few years, my dad has leather on his 2001 Mercury Sable and they look pretty bad, although I think he as NEVER treated them.

Oh well... I guess this explains why after the 300 mile drive home I was thinking to myself "wow these leatherette seats breathe pretty well!"

 

Check out the detailing threads - they have the best recommendations! I have the redwood lounge leather & treat them avery couple months.

 

Lexol. If its good enough for BMW its good enough for you.

 

+1

 

Although I would agree that Lexol is a good product, I don't agree with your analogy.

That's like saying "If it's good enough to get your car washed for free at a BMW dealership, it must be good enough for you."

 

Use any good conditioner and they'll last a long time. Lexol is fine like they said. Pinnacle and Leatherique are also good choices. Check out a detailing forum like Autopia and pick something that they recommend.

 

Prima Nourish

 

The best thing to do is to keep the leather free of dust, dirt and oil. I wipe mine down with a warm washcloth each week. If something stronger is needed, Leather Masters Soft Cleaner works well. They make a nice Leather Protector too. I prefer it over Lexol because it leaves a soft, matte finish (it's water based). Lexol is too shiny and slippery.

 

haha true that. they better never wash mine lol

 

thanks for the tip. I really don't want shiny/slippery seats either. Right now they look nice and matte, hope to keep it that way as long as possible.

 

Also start putting your wallet in your front pocket or you will get "wallet crunch" in the seat area. The leather is relatively soft and will stretch there.

 

And less likely to get sciatica.

 

Look on the inside upright sections of the seats above the console and y'll see the lumbar adj wheels.

I use Zymol on the leather portions of my leather/cloth seats.