Can anyone comment on their experiences with Leather vs. Leatherette? Big savings to go Leatherette.. does it wear well? Feel OK?

Regards, Glenn :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

I've been in both. There is a difference, but to be honest...not enough. I actually like the look of the leatherette better, and it feels a bit grippier as well. If someone got into your MINI with leatherette, they would not know it wasn't real leather unless you told them, imo.

A lot of the BMWs even come with leatherette standard, it's not cheap crap like the vinyl they used to put in economy cars.

If I had $1300 to blow, I think I'd get the leather, just so I could get the Cordoba beige, plus it's a bit softer...but it really isn't much nicer than leathette, and I'd rather have a sunroof and xenon lights.

 

I have 40K miles in the drivers seat,next to nothing on the rest,they all look the same.Leatherette is the way to go.Easy to keep clean,looks good IMO.And you don't pay extra for it

 

I'm waiting on Cooper4us... I wonder what he'll say... hmm...

 

I have the space cloth, so no personal experience here, but I have heard people with leather complaining about it's relatively poor quality: wrinkling and stretching and looking worn (but not in that "I've had these Levis since I was in college and after 15 years they're finally approaching perfect" kind of way) pretty early on.

The leatherette is really nice, and the only regret I have about my MINI is that I didn't get it.

 

There are a lot of very good posts on this subject, you might want to do a search.

I picked leatherette because it looked as good as the leather IMHO. and it is wearing great. Get the heated seats though!

regards,
Red

 

My first comment when they opened my MINI at delivery was 'What's wrong with the seats?" I've got leather and the finishing was less than I expected, worse than on any other vehicle I've had. It pains me to say that.

 

I normally order leather but I didn't in the MCS. Several demo cars I looked at had the leather option and the seats looked terrible in every case. And those were all low mileage demo cars.

So I got the leatherette and it still looks and feels great after about 20K miles.

 

I searched and searched on this site (and others) and I ended up going with cloth. The leather hasn't gotten very good reviews and it just doesn't "hold up" well over time. People swear by the leatherette -- and you really do have a hard time telling the difference between the two.

All that being said, I went with cloth b/c I am in a very hot and humid location. I LIVE in shorts and didn't want to sweat or stick to leatherette. (Side Note: I am getting the convertible)
I know that some people think cloth seats are "icky" and can get "gross", but all I have to do is clean them with my little upholstery vac and they will look like new!

If Mini leather was nicer and more reliable, I probably would have splurged.
There are my two cents!

:smile:

 

Save the fake cows! Cloth!

 

The one nice thing about the leather option is if you go with a color you get a pretty special interior. That was worth it for me. So no regret. And, I suppose that if I ever wanted to sell, the leather has the cache which is pretty well expected in a premium vehicle.

 

I have the cordoba beige leather interior. It looks absolutely fantastic (my MINI is CB/CB), but I'm not too impressed with the leather itself. After 24,000 miles, the driver seat is looking kinda worn. I will probably opt for cloth or leatherette on my next car.

-Paul!

 

Grey Pantera leather here... mmmmm, feels sooooo sexy, especially with the heated seats on! I sometimes wish I could drive around in the nude! Just use a lil Leather cleaner/conditioner on them once a week or so....

 

[/QUOTE=Califzeph]... mmmmm, feels sooooo sexy, especially with the heated seats on! I sometimes wish I could drive around in the nude! Just use a lil Leather cleaner/conditioner on them once a week or so....[/QUOTE]
Reaallly, Rob.... I just know I'm going to be checking any CR's to see what the driver is WEARING (or not) driving around this town

My used car came with black/lapis leather seats, and while I probably wouldn't have paid up front to spec them, I love them. 30K miles and no problems...never had leather before, and hadn't heard great things about leather, but I'm happy with them (never felt like getting naked in them though...call me frigid, but I'd need heated seats to entertain that idea!)

 

I opted for the cordoba leather and have had no major complaints. The lighter interior was one of the main reasons I went with the leather. Re the long term - leather is going to stretch and wrinkle so the appearance over time will show which is characteristic of leather. If that bothers you get the leatherette. I do have confess though- I recently drove a loaner with the leatherette and have to admit it felt and looked fairly nice - just didn't want all black interior.

 

you can get black/grey too

 

Leatherette. I spent the $1,300 on a Magna Flow Exhaust, Promini CAI, Whalen Shift **** and some extra bling! No regrets with my decision. Nick

 

We have 58K worth of butts sliding in and out on our 02' with Leatherette - we love it. No problems since day one.

I ordered Leather on our 05' Cabrio for a couple of different reasons. Only 4K on it right now - no issues yet.....:smile:

Chow!

Donna

 

I've had cloth in other cars in the past, and I always have a habit of either spilling things, or letting my muddy puppies into the car after a hike. Well, this time I wanted something that wouldn't stain. I wanted leather, but I could not justify the $1300. Soooooo, I took the leatherette by default. When the car arrived, I could not get over the leatherette. This isn't the old vinyl from the 70s. This is the same leatherette they put into the expensive Beemers...

I would certainly get the leatherette again...

 

Ahhhh.... Yes, I agree, and have the same in my '02. But I DO miss the smell of dead cow.

 

I was under the impression that only leather seats have lumbar support. This was the main reason why I went with cow instead of cloth.

 

Well... maybe I DO have dead cow than genuine imitation cow.

 

Thank you all for your comments.... I think I'm leaning towards letherette right now (black), but I have 16 months to change my mind.

Once again, thanks.

Regards, Glenn

 

Wow, its interesting to read the reports of the bad leather quality, etc. Friend has an 03 MCS, isnt particularly careful with it, and the leather looks great. The look and feel of the leather is thicker/more resilient then the stuff that comes in the regular 3 series (M is different leather, nicer feeling then the standard lot but still delicate).

Anyway, I'm not keen on the 'ette and the leather seems hardier then the Tartan fabric (which I had considered, but it seemed like it could stain/not wear well over time). But to each his own, as always I say the best thing is to check it out in person, side by side, if you can since you have to live with it.

 

I just read this and it brought to mind the horrible condition seats i've seen in new Maseratis, Porsches, etc in beautiful, expensive, cars available to the public (at car shows, concours and the like). IMHO its more of a testament to the carelessness of people in getting in and out of the car and how they generally abuse things that do not belong to them vs how bad the leather is. Leather is a natural substance and so requires a bit of TLC and it will be fine - but if you don't take care of it and drag your butt across the bolster getting in and out it will wear/get dirty.

(PS: the sales people and mechnics are among the worst offenders in loaner and demo cars from what I've seen.)