If highest-quality leather is the main goal, get an Audi. The leather that they use is far better quality than anything I've seen in a BMW.

 

Its cracking! What year is it, what conditions, do you treat it at all? We had a used 03 with leather from the east coast that didn't look treated or specially taken care of at all and was in great shape with nothing like that, and the newer one seems to even be better quality, so I'm just wondering why or what would make it crack

 

If you are on the fence, then I would suggest the Cloth/Leather combo. This saves money and the look is superb (pending your actual car color).

I have the leather cloth combo that came with the Checkmate package. The cloth is confortable and wears nicely. The leather is just enough to enjoy the feel, look, and smell. Plus its the only combo that comes with the lumbar support. Something important for those long trips in your MINI .

 

I hear ya...just saying the leather options are way overpriced for the quality and amount that you get. Had it not been for the fact that I ordered/purchsed my new tax free $29K MINI S for under $26K, I probably wouldn't have opted for it. For me it didn't matter much, as I'll sell my MINI next year for just about what I paid, and replace it with a $45K (my price) Z4 M Coupe, with leather! That doesn't mean I don't enjoy my MINI. It gets plenty of love and care. I'll probably regret getting rid of it, until I tap into the 333 ponies of the M Coupe for the first time.

 

leatherette works great for me.

 

See this post for a good sense of the wear and "buckling"....http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...ality_le.shtml

I'm pleased w/ the leatherette, tho' I do wish they would make the lumbar support available for these seats. I have cloth seats in my other cars (and have had 'em for years in my Hondas) and while they are cool in the summer and warm in the winter, they do show dirt (despite cleaning) and have impossible to remove stains in the 'mini'van despite best efforts. Plus the smell as someone mentioned, after a few hot summers/getting in at the beach w/ suntan oil on ya, etc.

If I ordered another MINI I'd go the leatherette route again.

 

I see you already made your decision that you'll go with leather.

I went with leatherette - I've never really needed lumbar support, and I actually find it uncomfortable! But I am sooooooo happy I went with leatherette. I think it was one of my best decisions!!!!