I am about to place my order for a HB mcs and can't decide if I should get leather or leatherette. I know this has been discussed and it is totally my decision, but I still can't decide. I love the smell of leather, but $1,300.00?? Does anyone believe that the 2005 leather is any better than in older models? I will order either black leatherette or black leather. Should I save the cash and get leatherette?

 

I have the leatherette sports seats and like them a lot. They wear great and are comfortable. Plus spills wipe right up if something happens. Almost 2 ½ years of using them daily and they still look in show room condition.

 

As above for me except change leatherette to leather and 2 1/2 to 1 1/2+ years.

I know the leather is a lot but then it is leather

Earl

 

After searching for and reading a lot of posts on the subject, I decided on the leatherette. I don't have the car yet so I can't tell you if it was the right choice, but I'd rather use the money on performance goodies and I think I'll be happy with the leatherette.

Mark

 

I have the Panther black leather and like it a lot. However, if money is tight, I would get the leatherette and spend the $1300 (plus the money to clean and condition the leather) on other things. For example, an iPod, cubby organizer, glove box organizer, performance upgrades through the aftermarket.

I like the leather but it is not a must-have option. Plus, from what I've read here you get get a much better quality leather from the aftermarket.

If you have the money, go for it. I am not disappointed in my decision to opt for the leather.

 

Do the leatherette sport seats come with an adjustable lumbar or is that only with leather? I'm about ready to order my MCS as well and I prefer the adjustable lumbar.

 

my 03 has leatherette and does not have lumbar controls.

I think the leather is a nice option, but got mine in the faux leather
cause I like how it grips my pants when Im going through some
tight turns. With leather, my little butt keeps sliding around the
seat too much unless there is some support between the legs
like on some other cars.

below is a pict of my other car and you can see the support
that goes between the legs. with this, I do not slide around..

 

Go with leatherette...use the cash on other stuff!

(I have cloth)

 

Leather, there is no substitute.

 

I have 2 MINIs, one with leather, one with leatherette. I'd go for cloth. But next I'd go for leatherette.

The leather will begin to wear and it's more upkeep. The leatherette retains that new car smell for a much longer time period. Most who see the leatherette think that it's leather, it's a really nice quality. Good luck!

 

The leatherette does have a different smell to it. So if you can tolerate the difference before purchasing it.

 

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the adjustable lumbar support is available only on the leather seats. (Which helps explain - at least to some extent - why they're soooo expensive.)

Personally, I went for cloth. I love the way the Space Grey looks with the black leatherette and silver interior:



(My car is still at the dealer!)

 

$1,300 can buy a lot of mods. Leatherette works for me. You can buy a can of leather aroma scented air and spray inside the car from time to time:smile: or go by a quality shoe store and asked them if you can "huff" a few high quality leather shoe boxes from time to time Nick

 

I only suggested the smell for those who might have a negative reaction....it's doesn't bother me but others might wonder why it smells like their 6th grade raincoat!

 

LombardStreet,that does look good!! Cloth for me next time!

 

Hey, thanks Kemosabe! Julie at Classic MINI helped me pick it out. We were talking on the phone while I was clicking on options on the miniusa "configurator." When I saw that combo, well, it was settled!

 

Gray leatherette looks like that as well.

 

Leatherette is not much different than true leather, but has its advantages over leather.

The leather used in the MINI is so soft because after it’s skinned and tanned by Bavarian milking maids who then chew on it for no less than a week to give it the delicate texture and feel before sewing it on to the seats.

Leatherette on the other hand comes from the Bovine Leakomus Leatheratturs (“Leaks” for short) which has a tougher hide, that which the milking maids will not tolerate to chew, but has thousands of air breathing holes in its hide. The Leatheratturs leak in the rain so to speak. It’s for your body’s comfort that these Leaks were picked to provide you with maximum comfort at minimal price.

So basically I see it as soft and spit on – or tough, durable and no expectoration other than the life of the seat while you own your MINI.

 

Agreed, but there are substitutes for poor-quality leather, like that found in Minis. Leatherette is one worth considering.

 

everyone who gets in my MINI says "nice leather"...

but i have LEATHERETTE....

and i also have the gray/black leatherette like in the above photo, which looks just like the gray space cloth/black leatherette combo that lombardstreet got...so the look is the same...but do u want cloth or leather?

i will say, the cloth in MINIs is nice, not some ratty nasty cloth...

u can't go wrong whichever way u go, but i don't think the leather is $1300 (or even $500) better than the leather, especially since upkeep is easier

 

upkeep is great...everything comes right off and it looks like leather but smells like a raincoat!

 

Very nice - that looks especially nice with the alloy patina. (I think that's what you've got, yes?)

 

Yep, Grey leatherette, alloy patina and interior chrome pkg.

 

cloth!

 

I have the leatherette, but on long drives, (over an hour) during the warm months, I tend to sweat. To the point I have to peel back the underwear that is stuck on the bum. You know the feeling.... I have looked at some neoprene (wet suit material) seat covers but I have been too chicken to make the move.

While I can't tell you that $1,300 is well worth to avoid this, I want to give you the one drawback about leatherette.

Good luck,
Nando