I recently leased a 2013 Bayswater MCS so it came with the Punch Leather seats. I've had other MINIs before but they've always had leatherette. Getting in and out of my car, I can see this leather wearing quickly with as high as the thigh bolsters are. Without maneuvering and hovering in a ridiculous fashion, it would be impossible to completely avoid rubbing the leather bolster.

I'm curious to see other people who have leather seats, and have had them for a while, to get an idea of how well these will hold up.

 

I'll have to grab a picture of mine. They aren't that old (26K miles now), but they have certainly worn a bit. I've been using a lot of Lexol to keep them from getting that worn out sheen and creasing that you typically see.

 

I'm only 5'5" and I can promise you that I can get in and out of my Cooper without disturbing the leg bolster whatsoever. And that's without any fancy gyrations of any type. So if I can do it, anyone can. Then again, I have a first gen which is obviously lower. But I do keep my seat jacked up to the max.

 

My leg bolsters are fine wear-wise (do have some creasing) but the outside bolster on the driver's seat back is wearing quite quickly. Had it replaced by MINI (under their "we'll do this once" warranty coverage) a couple of thousand miles ago (literally, like 2000) and it's already starting to show some wear again.

If I decide to keep the car long-term I'll get them reupholstered with some quality leather. If not, my next MINI will be ordered with leatherette and reupholstered with quality leather. I'll not be paying for MINI leather again.

 

I appreciate the responses so far. I try to be cognizant of entering and exiting the car, but in a tight parking space where I'm unable to open the door fully there's pretty much no way to avoid rubbing it a little. I just want to make sure the seats don't wear prematurely and then have MINI hit me with some kind of wear and tear issue at lease turn in. This is my first lease so I suppose I'm a little paranoid about things.

 

Keep some Prima Nourish in the trunk and keep driving!