Hi all.

I'm going through the agonizing process of trying to determine the spec for my 2005 Cooper S order. I've heard some negative things about MINI leather from previous model years and saw that there were some changes in 2005 in this regard. I love the tan leather interior, but I'm not sure I want to take the risk of having it prematurely fail.

Does anybody have any thoughts on 2005 leather quality? How does it wear? Does the leather start to pucker or gap over time? Seams stretching? How is it going to look in 4-5 years?

Thanks!

 

I cannot compare my Cordoba beige leather on my 05 Cabrio to my previous MINI since it had cloth. It is however very soft like butter & the seams are all sewn well with no puckers. My husband just got a new BMW with leather seats & although the quality is very good, I prefer my MINIs leather overall.

Lois

 

I too have no frame of reference, but I love my '05 MCS's Lapis Blue leather.

 

Leatherette is better and a $0 cost option. You can't beat it for durability vs the leather.

 

I've got an 2003 MCS with leather and it still looks great.

 

There have been many comments regarding "butt sag" in the leather seats for the Mini. This is not due to the quality of construction, but the type and thickness of the leather. The soft, deerskin-like feel and finish of the leather translates to a tendency to stretch. A point of interest: I noticed that the special seats in the "commemorative edition" of the MCS were made with more substantial leather. It was thicker, not so soft to the touch, and seemed unlikely to sag. I would certainly pay for a leather upgrade...

 

I use to have an 03 MCS w/leather and now have an 05 w/leather. I think the quality of the leather has improved just like the rest of the car. However, I think it really matters how you maintain the leather that counts. Make sure its protected and use a top quality conditioner and cleaner and you shouldn't have any issues.

 

This is precisely what I was worrying about... I'm a big guy (6'4", 270 lbs) and I don't want the nice smooth (when new) leather to be saggy and out of shape in a few years.

I'm very good about taking care of my wife's leather interior (Nissan Murano), cleaning and conditioning with Zaino's leather cleaner and cream leather conditioner (which smells GREAT, by the way).

 

The seats are compliant enough that the leather does get stretched, but looks ok. I am not a leather fan at all, but my wife convinced me to get them. I'm indifferent, really, but given the chance to do it over again, I'd save the money and get the leatherette. The smell can't be beat, though.

 

For whatever it's worth, I have an '03 (27K miles) with Panther Black Leather and it still looks like new. I do use leather food regularly and it does the trick. Most of the problems you hear with leather come from neglecting the seats which do require care as it's an organic (for the most part) product.

Also, the "sag" in the seat bottom is necessary to keep the stiches from ripping out if it's too tight. It's more a result of the foam density than anything else.

I would go with the leather.

 

I had an 02 Cooper with Cordoba beige leather seats. Had it for about 2 years and 40K miles. Only issue was a discoloration in the seat back. MINI replaced under warranty. My 05 Cabrio S has black panther leather and it seems softer than the 02. I'm not such a big guy about 180 lbs. but I do notice some stretching in the driver's seat. You can't beat the feel, smell, and look of a nice leather interior. I don't regret getting it but I do hope it holds up with proper care.

Randall Morin
Hagerstown, MD

 

I'm a 300 pounder, so I was worried about "butt sag" as well. But I bought the red cloth/ black leather seats and have had no problems, since the "butt" part is cloth. Overall, I think the quality of the upholstery has gone up in the last two years.

 

Our 02' has Leatherette and it's great. I ordered our Cabrio with Leather because I wanted the all blue with the neat stitching. We've had it just shy of 4 months so it's too early to tell how it will hold up over time...but....it is very comfy and soft...

Donna

 

My '04 has Lapis Blue Gravity leather. I was given a test drive in an '05 MCSC with the dark blue leather interior. The minute I sat down, I could tell the leather was nicer than what is in my car. It felt softer and more "leather" like.

However, a 15 minute test drive really isn't enough to make any long term judgements on it.

 

Really, when I compared the 2 before I ordered, I found the leatherette to be plasticy.

 

My problem is that I love the cordoba beige interior. If they made it in leatherette, I'd get it! If they had a tan cloth, I'd get that. Unfortunately, the only way to get the tan interior is to buy leather (or go custom).

I'm just trying to figure out if the interior color I like is worth the possible worn looking interior after a few years.

 

I have an '02 with Panther Black, and while the leather has worn well overall, the 'dimples' in the leather near the front lip of the driver's seat have worn horribly.


-Laclede

 

If this attachment works.

Do you see the wrinkles in the front passanger seat? This is from an 02 MCS with 5000 miles when the photo was taken.

Hell! I bought like this with 4700 miles!

The driver seat and back seats are not like this. Is this reason for concern?

Oh yea! Nice armrest uh! It came from Mossmini. I altered the installation so I would'nt lose use of the back cup holder.

 

I had the same issue with my '02 Panther Black drivers seat. The dealer replaced the seat cover w/ no questions asked. I understand it's a pretty pricey part ($600?) but I was glad to have it done.

 

Thank You! I will definitely get it looked at before the 3/36 runs out in May,