Curious question- my mini has Panther Black Leather in it- I've never spent much seat time in the leatherette besides a couple quick test drives, but the comment from several mini folks has been "this is more padded/comfortable than leatherette." I'm thinking this is crazy, but maybe due to the 'ribbing' or whatever it should properly be called.

Anyone have Panther Black Leather and if so any thoughts on whether it's any more comfortable than leatherette?

 

I have panther leather in my 02 MC, but I have not spent any time in a MC with Leatherette. I come from being a long time VW owner (16 since the age of 16) and I can tell you that my leatherette interior was much more comfortable in my 99 New Beetle than the leather seats that is in my wifes Passat and that was in my Jetta 1.8 Turbo. I can also say that the seats in my MC are much more comfortable that the seats that were in my Jetta. I think it is because the MINI seats are much wider in the bottom and the back section.

 

I have spent many hours test driving new MINIs and my friend's MINI. My friend has black leatherette and a couple of the MINIs I test drove have leather. I can honestly say the leather is much more comfortable!

I believe the leather is MUCH more comfortable. I say this for a variety of reasons.

1) Leather breaths better than vinyl. Vinyl is synthetic, and leather is natural. Since it is natural, it breathes, naturally...

2) Leatherette is HOT in the summer. I test drove a couple MINIs during August and I'll I can say is, "back sweat!!" It was gross. I didn't have the same problems with the leather.

3) Leather is a firmer material, thus contributing to a firmer seating surface. The leatherette option uses very thin material as a covering.

As a result of driving leatherette and leather dauned cars, I opted for panther black leather in my '06 MCS.

 

panther leather here, love it

 

Does 1/2 leather in two minis count? We both have the tartan red and Half leather seats...

 

Of those who have panther - anyone have the "English" vintage look that I think is new?

This is the variety I have, haven't seen it many places.




this a popular configuation?

 

i have panther black...it is veeery soft and smooth. i love it. the only problem i had was when i was autocrossing i would slide around the seat cause of the smoothness. but that was cured with some schroth harnesses. I love the leather seats, the only thing i have to deal with is wear, but armor all leather wipes work pretty well.

 

My MCS is ordered with Blue Lapis leather. I would never have a car that was not leather. It is much more comfortable, and it breathes better. To me, cloth seats are like wearing a sweater in summer. And leatherette just doesn't feal the same. And you can't forget about the smell. Nothing smells as good as fresh new leather.

 

I've used Lexol in previous cars over more elite/expensive products (which I also own/have owned) for years and would recommend that- I now use their quick wipes, both a quick cleaner wipe followed by a conditioner wipe.

 

I wanted the best of both worlds. I don't slide around with the cloth bottom and back and i still have the nice feel and smell of the side bolsters. I also like the color combo with my PB/B .

 

Sorry leather fans, but in humble opinion the leather option in the MINI ain't worth the $1300+ asking price, no way no how.

I have driven several MINIs with leather and while yes, the seating surfaces are softer and the material feels more supple, I can't stand how it wrinkles, specially on the driver's seat, and generally the wear and quality of the material leaves much to be desired. The leather seats in the MINI are not worth more than $600 in my book. I have seen better leather to be honest.

I much prefer the redesigned leatherette sport seats in my '05 MCS. ZERO issues with heat or sweat and I live in scorching hot and humid Miami, Florida. The leatherette or plasti-leather seats wear very well, don't wrinkle or sag like the "real" leather ones, offer excellent support and for 2005/2006 the vinyl material feels more supple and softer than ever before (Yes I have a '02 MC CVT with black leatherette for comparison). Also leatherette doesn't crack or peel like leather seats as the material wears and ages. The vinyl standard seats in my '02 MC still look showroom new after 4 years of use. Vinylex cleaner/conditioner is all I use to keep 'em looking new.

I rather invest those $1300 elsewhere in the car. But whatever floats your boat!

PS: I'll take leather/leatherette seats over the gross and allergy inducing cloth seats, any day of the week.

 

We have a 98 528I with leatherette, and we have a 03 MCS with the black panther leather.

After 8 years with the BMW, the seats are starting to look pretty warn, small cracks have developed, the material does seem pretty thin and his hot in the summer.

The MINI while only three years old, just to me feels much, much better in overall feel, texture, and yes that great leather smell.

 

Perhaps the BMW leatherette material has improved qualitywise in the past 8 years. Leather is nice, yeah, yeah but for $1300 I expected better.

Give me aromatized Connolly leather and then, only then, I'll be interested...

 

We got the leather because the seats felt much firmer. My wife noticed immediately that there was more stiffness in the seats. Personal preference, like all things Mini, but I love the leather

 

Yep, I have the Black English Panther Leather Seats in my 2006 Space Blue MCS JCW and love em. Leatherrette is fine also, but there's just something about the leather that feel good. I have leather in my 1999 C5 Corvette as well, so I sold on Leather.

 

I didn't care much for the previous MINI leather seats....but, these seats look terrific. I'd get them for sure if I was getting a new MINI, problem is, I'm still working on getting my 03 paid off.

The leatherette seats in my 03 look brand new and I like them just fine.

 

I've got the English panther leather. I was surprised at how gray it is. But I like it well enough.

 

I have the Panther Black Profile Leather option and I really wish I had those black/grey space cloth seats!

 

The leatherette is REALLY firm... Its hard for me to imagine the leather could be firmer!

If price was no option I there's no doubt I would have done leather but the $1300 feels steep! I just doesn't float my boat enough I guess...

 

bte, the best leather cleaner stuff I used was leatherique, you can buy it from www.leatherique.com

My e36 M3 had the dove interior which was a light gray and just as prone to wear as my MCS. After a leatherique treatment, it was as good as new.