Maybe there's a thread about this somewhere, but I wanted to get some feedback from people with the Leatherette seats. Or anyone who has bought seat cushions or covers.
I have the leatherette seats and I had no idea they would be so hot. It's not like they get that hot from the sun, but they make me sweaty. So I'm looking for some good looking cushions or covers that I can use to cover my seats.


If y'all could just let me know what you've done or just your experience with the leatherette that would be great!

 

I'm with you on the "hot" seats! I bought a pair of Black Jack "Towel Seat Covers" last year from either ebay or somewhere....just Google Towel Seat Covers and it will pull up a ton of different sites.....they helped me get through the hot Texas summer last year........

 

I personally like the type with the little wooden ***** woven together to form a bottom and back that is bungied to the seat. Comfortable and cool. However, you may still want to put a cover over your seats before using these, as I had them in a previous car with leather seats and the wooden ***** kind'a chewed up the leather.
http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Accesso...=pd_sim_auto_3

 

I've seen towel seat covers but not sure what I think about that look yet. I may go with just simple cushions.

 

Wow. I have the leatherette seats too. SO FAR--not a problem. I am actually happy I got them--but it is early in the season too. Georgia has had some warm weather though and I have been fine. I expect a little discomfort when it gets hotter, say 90+. I came from leather seats so I will be interested in what others have to say.

 

I'm actually more concerned that the seats are black and I have a black roof. I bought a Heatshield sunshade. It fits great and works well. http://www.heatshieldstore.com/catal...oducts_id=2772
I will probably have some tinting done too.

 

If I had it to do over again, I'd order the leather seats. Also didn't know until too late that the leather came with lumbar support. And I realize I can add it to mine, but seems like a lot of work.
That's weird because we've definitely been in the 80's here in Texas the last few days.
Like I said though, the seats themselves aren't really that hot to touch, it's just the breathability, I guess. Which I though leatherette was supposed to breath better than leather. Seems like I do just fine in my husband's BMW and he's got leather seats.

 

I'm sorta bummed about this too. Not the heat as much as lumbar support. I have a bad back sometimes and I might have paid extra for the support then to not have it. Oh well. I guess I'll see how it goes once I drive the car for a while. My last car had black leather seats and they were hot as hell in the summer - so I don't think it matters as much in that way.

 

I agree that leather is pretty sweaty too at times, plus my Acura had parchment beige leather, and I am so dang glad to have a seat that doesn't show dark blue from my jeans! Since my car was in production already with the leatherette seats (thus my short wait), I tried the seats at the dealership vs. the leather and I really like(d) the leatherette. It was not clear to me then OR when I was on the MINI website working up my planned order that part of the leather package was lumbar adjustability. THAT would be nice to have. As fun as it was to "build" your MINI--it has some really vague info!

 

I agree, the leatherette seats lack any breathability and are quite sweaty on a long trip. I am also looking to install some seat covers, the quick fix of a towel on the seat helped significantly, but it always falls down so not a long term fix. I have seen some seat covers at places like O'Reilly's, and Advanced Auto Parts for $20-$30 in a variety of materials, some cloth, neoprene and the dreaded vinyl. I have also thought about trying to find a cloth seat (I don't like leather) to replace the drivers seat on my MCS.

 

Try the Wet Okole seat covers -- great fit and good color matches. Wet suit material -- so they are comfortable and easy to clean.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys and gals.
Yeah, I never read anywhere on the MINI site that any of the seats had lumbar support. Only found out here, way after the fact.
I'll check out O'Reiley's and Advance.

 

The seats with some leather or all leather have adjustable lumbar support in front. The leatherette seats have no adjustment. We found a pad on WhateverWorks that makes the front seats OK for my partner, although we wish the adjustable support had been included. That's worked for almost a year and we've done some long trips. We will probably review this situation and consider whether to add the adjustable support (as explained on this site) later on.

While we've had some hot days, we haven't noticed the "hot" leatherette and prefer it to the leather we tried before buying.

 

Actually what I'm hoping to find are some good cushions with lumbar support. I'm heading to O'Reilley's after work today. I'll let everyone know what I find.

My problem is that I just get hot too easy. If it weren't for that factor, I'm sure the leatherette would be great.

 

Thanks, that sounds like an option I might like--the fit would be nicer than the terry cloth.

 

I need to look into some aftermarket lumbar pillows or something. Still glad I went leatherette over cloth though - even if I get hot. I tend to keep my cars for a long time and the two cars I've had with cloth seats really tend to show wear over the years. I guess we'll see.

 

I searched online after specifying my ALL4 - no compatible seat covers found.

 

That's interesting. I'd assume the seats are the same from CMS All4 to CMS.
can I have some?

I am glad I went with leatherette over cloth as well. Cloth def fades over time.

 

I use the mini cooper seat towels from outmotoring. They are blackjack design and work good. Just throw them in the washer when they get dirty. Very simple and cheap

 

Hmm. I could definitely use those after the gym in the summer!

 

So, I may end up getting either the seat towels or the GoBadge seat wraps. O'Reilley's didn't have much.

 

I think i'll be following suit with the towels this summer.

 

How secure are they on the seats? I know there's a bit of elastic at the top, but what about the bottom?

 

Yeah, I'm worried they may not look that good, but I guess if all else, I can tuck where I need to tuck?

 

Ha yeah. I think I'm going to get this too.

http://www.heatshieldstore.com/catal...oducts_id=2772

or this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunshade-Mini-.../dp/B004PMN6UU

Just to help a tad. Can't hurt, right?