Has anyone seen both and what is the major difference?

 

$$$$ couldn't tell much differnece, maybe slightly softer for leather.

 

Leather feels, well, authentic; it's more supple and rich feeling
Letherette is grippier while driving, more tacky to the touch, less supple, more of a molded feel.

Both will leave you all sweaty and stuck to the seat in hot weather. Leatherette is much easier to take care of, wipe it down and you're done! Most people will think you have leather if you have leatherette, minus the nice leather smell :smile:

I'm getting Space cloth; I would've gotten leather in the MCS if it was perforated, and had a ventilated seat option.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Here are some pros and cons.

Having worked with BMW, BMW use the same seat cover material supply sources for the Mini and BMW. The leatherette differs from traditional vinyl upholstery used by American manufacturers in that it has 235 microscopic holes per square inch so that unlike vinyl, it breathes. Also, unlike vinyl, it remains pliable in cold weather. With use, leather stretches and wrinkles, leatherette retains its original shape. In the event of damage, leatherette is much cheaper to repair. Leatherette is less likely to stain from spills. Leather has a softer texture. Color choices in leatherette are more limited than leather. Both should be treated with a good leather/vinyl conditioner periodically. Finally, on trade it or resale, leather does not usually retain the percentage of investment that other options do.

Happy motoring!

 

Only spend your $$ on the leather if you get a colored option, lapis blue, red, tan, I think you can even get green. There's really no reason to spend the money on solid black leather. You can barely tell it from the leatherette.

 

I got the leather, and I was iffy about getting it at first, because of maintanance and whatnot, but after seeing it compared to leatherette, I'm glad I did. To me the back seat looks too plain with the leatherette. The leather seats have an extra seam that runs down the middle which I think looks nice IMO.

It seems to be holding up fine after 6000 miles with the exception of a dimple of sorts in the driver's seat which I've been told is a defect and should entitle me to a new cover under warranty. (haven't actually asked the dealer about this yet, tho).

I was worried about wrinkles on the side from getting in and out, but none so far. (I've seen this on the leather of brand new Fords and GMs)

Another nice thing is the lumbar support which I think is not available with leatherette or cloth.

 

everyone that I should my MINI too looked inside and went "oooohhhh, leather". I say spend the money on the HK, the leatherette is comfy, looks great, feels great (especially on the sport seats) and doesn't cost as much. just my .02

 

I can't believe all of this Leatherette love going on in here. Leather is miles above this leatherette. I've never seen the leatherette on the Sports Seats, but I would avoid this selection for my seat covers at all cost. I would take cloth over leatherette anytime/anyday. To me, it was very cheap feeling, and did not compliment the MINI styling at all. I got leather because of how it makes the interior feel. There is such a difference in the atmosphere of a leather car, compared to anything else. I have never received any compliments on my leather, but I have on the heated seats. Everyone comments on those. But after 3500 miles, my interior smells just as new as the first day I drove it home.

The cost is justified in my opinion, but I agree that it doesn't really help the resale.

 

There is nothing like the smell and feel of leather.

Having said that, I ordered leatherette! I thought $1,200 was a bit much for somthing that did not look as good as the fake! Look in the interiors of panther black MCS's and IMHO the fake looks real and the real looks fake!

Not the case with the MC, where the green/beige inetrior LOOKS like leather!

Now if they offered red leather that looked real on the MCS.......

 

Hey Red...

You could always find someone to do red leather for you once you get your MINI. I did that on my PS/B MC and LOVE IT!

 

>>I can't believe all of this Leatherette love going on in here. Leather is miles above this leatherette.

Well, no, not really. If it was that much better, everyone would clearly acknowledge it. I personally didn't like the leather as much as the leatherette (mostly an aesthetic preference on my part).

>>I've never seen the leatherette on the Sports Seats, but I would avoid this selection for my seat covers at all cost.

Very objective opinion.

 

Another vote for leatherette, for all the reasons stated above. The MINI's real Plasti-leather is an absolute ripoff and not worth the $1,250 asking price. You can do much better things with that money!

I have seen some MINIs with leather interior after a few months of use and the leather seats already look worn down and crappy. On the other hand, MINIs with leatherette look as good as the day they left the dealer showroom.

We are very happy with the leatherette in our '02 Cooper CVT and have decided to order the same seat material for my upcoming 2004 MCS due in October.

Leatherette is the way to go in the MINI!

 

I love my leather everyone who goes for rides in my car can't believe how smooth the leather is. one guy even said the leather is nice than the leather in his brand new 7 series! WOW! It is soo soft and is wearing extremely well.

 

>>I'm not saying that leatherette is miles better than leather - I'm saying that, like everything else, it boils down to your lifestyle/priorities/preference. Hopefully you get enough legitimate feedback to discern the differences and make an informed choice.


Exactally the reason why I posted my comments, which I might add is what the original poster wanted to hear - a variety of comments/opinions on this topic. There were a lot of pros for the leatherette, and I disagree. I love my leather, and obviously others do too. You love your leatherette. I'm cool with that. I didn't, however, need to dissect your post to prove that.

_________________

<p>'03, IB/MC, Prem., CldWth, Un.Jk roof, Chrome, Blk Pnt Leather, sweet lil MINI

 

>>Hey Red...
>>
>>You could always find someone to do red leather for you once you get your MINI. I did that on my PS/B MC and LOVE IT!

 

Thanks Red!

My leather seats were done at a place called Tops & Trends in Winston-Salem, NC. They charged me the same price as factory leather... $1250. I ordered the car with red tartan cloth so that the door panels were red. And yes, the back seats are also done in red. The leather is of very good quality and there's no mistaking it when you see it in person. And an answer to a question you didn't ask... the airbag system is still all intact which is sometimes a concern with seat covers.

 

Thank you all for these wonderful pros and cons for the seats!

BritCar - you are singing my song - I wanted to hear just what the heck is Leatherette. Thanks. I do like the idea that it breathes and retains it's shape!! I also like the idea that in the black it is exactly like the leather, execpt for the price.

Meeneecoopah - I hear ya!!! I'm sitting on Tan leather right now in my Honda Accord V6 Coupe (who's lease will end so I can get my MINI)... It came with everything and was the first time I've owned leather and I've loved it.

and yes, Red, after over 2 years, it still smells great inside the car. It's left me wondering if after owning fine leather if I can change back and not have regrets.

VAmini - the Surgeons General says to be healthy everyone should raise their heart rate for at least 30 minutes 4 times a week! I say that in that MINI with the Red Leather interior... You will have never have cardio vascular problems ! That is one energetic hot car!

 

>>>>I can't believe all of this Leatherette love going on in here. Leather is miles above this leatherette.
>>
>I, too, have to disagree. The second comment made to me by every person (how weird!) that has gotten in my car (after their love of the console/dash area), is "These leather seats are fabulous!" I have leatherette. And, it looks great on the sports seats. They feel very solid and appear as though they are going to be very durable. Also, do you have young kids? Will there be a dog in and out of your car? I had a friend with a Lexus whose neice threw up in her car and she didn't see it til the next day. Now, there's a commemorative stain on the seat in her honor. Nice. Not that that would happen to you.


If you are a practical person, look around at the interior of the car and ask yourself, "How many leather coats could be made from what is upholstered in this car?" My answer was 2. Would you pay $625 for a leather coat? I wouldn't. Not enough in the car to justify $1250. Now, if there wasn't a good alternative to leather (i.e., the old vinyl), I'd probably shell out the dough. However, that's not the case. The cloth seats are nice too.

My 2 pennies.

Enjoy the decision-making process!
:smile:

 

There is also the question of fit & finish. for my .02, the Leatherette seats are much better fitted than the 'true' leather. Just look at any VW or Audi leather interior and you can see that MINI leather is, well, inferior.

If you just gotta have it, consider having a top-notch shop do it after, for about the same $1250.

 

>>There is also the question of fit & finish. for my .02, the Leatherette seats are much better fitted than the 'true' leather. Just look at any VW or Audi leather interior and you can see that MINI leather is, well, inferior.
>>
>>If you just gotta have it, consider having a top-notch shop do it after, for about the same $1250.

Smart idea! Saucerman! I currently have fantastic leather seats and would really hate to buy the leather and then it doesn't fit well. I'd have major regrets over the money spent if the leather is inferior. and I know it takes an act of God to get a dealer to replace leather seats because of flaws.

I like the idea of adding the leather later and I would imagine it would be the same costs! It would keep the cost of the leather off the cost of the car. I could start with the leatherette and see how it goes. if I don't like it, I can get the black leather later - even 4-5 years later!