Personally, I'm happy as long as the shift **** and steering wheel are leather. My wife, convinced that it will be more durable, wants the $1300 leather package. I've read at least one motorer here say that the mini leather seats are not as durable as the cloth or leatherette. I've seen one leather interior in a camry that has held up very well (my father in law's car). I've seen a leather driver's seat in a Bonneville fall right apart.

Can some 2002-2003 mini owners report on the durability of their leather interiors?

 

Get aftermarket leather. Should be the same price or cheaper. You will have more color choices, and it will be a better quality.

 

The MINI's Leather seats are a BIG waste of $$$$. I opted for Leatherette seats in both of our MINIs and was the best choice we ever made. The seats still look BRAND NEW, extremely easy to clean and maintain (Unlike leather that cracks, peels, folds and desintegrates) and everybody thinks that our MINis have real cowhide seats when in reality Leatherette is just HIGH QUALITY GERMAN GRADE vinyl seats.

To me cloth seats are disgusting because they get dirty, body sweat gets embedded in the fabric, smelly and tough to clean on accidental spills.

Get Leatherette and save those $1,350 for more worthy options or mods.

 

Yes your steering wheel and shift **** are leather wrapped, regardless of seat upholstery choice.

 

I couldn't agree more. We have been *very* happy with the Leatherette. They are really easy to keep looking new. The only drawback that I have found is that they don't breathe all that well. So, on a really hot day, they stay kind of hot on your backside. It has rarely been a problem though and I would make the same choice again.

 

I LOVE my leatherette......

 

I have the space grey cloth and wouldn't trade it for either leather or leatherette. In the hot Las Vegas climate, it's so much less painful to sit on than either real or fake leather, and I really like the look.

 

Revwillie,
I have black leather with blue inserts in my 2003 MCS, haven't had any problems. The leather could help the resell value a little but, if I had it to do again, would have used the money for something else.

As was said in earlier posts, MINIs come with leather steering wheels and shift ***** but, one thing about the shift ****, it's not completely leather. The **** has a medal ring at the top of the ****. I hate the #%* thing, gets too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, get an after market **** if you want one that's completely leather.
Charles

 

Pay $1000 for much better leather after market.

 

I don't know if it's the fault of the leather or the seat frame, but Mini leather seats don't hold up very well (even the low mileage demos at my dealer looked shabby). I think you'll be much happier with leatherette!

 

I have the Panther black cloth and I love it. It breathes well in our hot steamy weather. :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

This is a concern for me as well. I'll have a sunroof.

What about leatherette with dealer-installed cloth covers? (are there other covers that work with the airbags)

 

I have Profile Leather and absolutely love it. The dimples match my rubber floor mats perfectly. It lends a really cool high tech look.

 

Katzkin makes leather "kits" for MINI which have proper certified stiching for the airbags...lots of color choices and styles...I'd be having the kit professionally installed.

But...can anybody recommend them from experience?

Peter...Into Leather...in Denver

 

I have the factory Lapis leather on my '03. I've had the car for 23 months and the leather is holding up excellently. I prefer the factory to aftermarket, as I should be able to recoup part of the expense upon sale / trade-in. thats less likely to happen with aftermarket mods.

 

If you're going to do that, why not just get the cloth seats and be done with it?

I have the space cloth and yeah -- sweat and dirt are a factor. However, after spending 6 weeks in my car, I was able to easily remove my thigh imprints with some upholstry cleaner. Good as new. :smile:

That said, however, I had a loaner with the leatherette seats and they are QUITE nice. They don't look cheap or vinyl-y at all. If I had the choice to make again, I'd go leatherette.

 

>>Leather or no? <<

No.

[At 51k and two years of using ArmorAll on my leatherette, it looks GREAT!]

Godspeed.

 

Have the leather, it came in a dealer spec MCS I found that I could not wait to have.

Would not order it, mostly I think it is very expensive compared to the cost of the car. The leatheret looks very good and is very comfortable.

 

I have the lapis leather interior and I love it! It breathes well, doesn't cause friction like cloth seats can, and isn't as hot as leatherette in warm weather.

I've had the car for a year and a half, and it's holding up exceptionally well. I treat it about every 3 months with a product originally designed for saddles... and I'm usually the only one in the car. If I had a pet or kids in the car frequently, I'd probably have gone for one of the other choices.

 

Get the leather... it smells better, feels better and better in hot climates since it breathes. Also you retain better resale value. By all means get the leather.
Larry

 

Spot on.

I've owned Bimmers for years and their leather upholstery is just plain bad.

The leatherette looks like leather, is easier to clean, and maintains its appearance much better.

For $60 you can order a leather shift boot and e-brake gaiter from RedLine Goods and get the leather smell.

 

I have a 03 MCS with Lapis Blue leather which I clean and condition every month since new.

I have no problems with any of the seats except the driver side bolster which is cracking and the leather is chipping off in about 10 areas. I am not hard on my seats and have only 15,000 miles on my MINI.

Other leather seats I have seen with excessive wrinkling on the bottom seat cushion area.

Leatherette or cloth seats are the best bet for no fuss and durable upholstery.

I bought a car on the lot and did not have the option for no leather.

 

I agree. Dontknow how good the leather is, unless you have it, I love my Cordoba leather... it smells waaaaay better than black leather too. Feels better. Leather is classier then rette. Only problem with 2002-2004 leather though is it's kinda loose on the seats, but I believe they fixed that for 2005.

For me, the leather is one of the nicest parts on my Mini, and I LOVE it. And 1300 is NOT expensive for leather seats. Go car shopping for other cars, and see how much extra it is for leather. Over 2G's.

 

I have the Leather and it is holding up very well after 30,000 miles. My only complaint is the "looseness" of the leather on the seat bottom. Plus, the rear seat looks much better when you get the leather, with leatherette, it looks too plain, IMO. Also, unless they changes it for '05 you only get adjustable lumbar with the leather. Its a tough call. Although all older BMW's i've seen with leather look horrible, and ones with leatherette still look new. I say if you have the $$ and dont plan on keeping the car more than 4 years, get the leather, if not go with the leatherette.

 

Leatherette Leatherette Leatherette.

It will show little to no wear after years and years of service.

Look at any old BMW or Mercedes... :smile: