I've got a goal of ordering a 2010 S Clubman in BRG with black roof and assorted other goodies in 20 days or less and today I'm hung up on the interior.

What are the thoughts on the cloth/vinyl/leather options. Are you happy with what you picked?

And since I'm going "green" I got to thinking... how "green" is leather compared to cloth and vinyl. I've learned the truth about green isn't always intuitive.

For what it's worth.... I'm 6'1 and 210 and I live in an area with very little snow and although it can get cold it is rarely below freezing at night for more than 3 or 4 in a row. (Eastern Shore of Virginia... off 13)

Thanks in advance for all the research you have done for guys like me. Keep up the good work!

Richard

 

Hey, good choice on the BRG with black roof! The used Clubbie I bought came with the Tuscan Beige leather seats, and they look so nice with the green. They also feel very nice - more cushy than the cars I drove with the leatherette. But I think part of the nice feel is that the seats are heated, and that has been surprisingly great in a climate where the winter temps generally are in the 40's. So maybe the heated leatherette seats would be just as good.

I'm not an expert on the green question, but I do know that processing leather consumes a tremendous amount of water, and the standard process uses some nasty chemicals. So the amount of leather it takes to upholster a car makes me feel a bit guilty. My guess is that vinyl and cloth have a lower environmental impact. But that doesn't mean I'll start wearing vinyl shoes; it's all relative.

 

I can give you my opinion, but truly this decision will be personal preference.

I have a 2010 Clubman S due in next week. I am 6'5" 220ish and did A LOT of butt testing of seats before ordering and ended up ordering Carbon Black Lounge Leather

Cloth - just not for me, I like leather
Leatherette/Vinyl - gets hot and doesn't breath as well.
Punch Leather - Nice seats
Lounge Leather - Just felt the seat was better for ME and fit me better. I also liked the contrast welts, just thought it was a cool touch...kind of Range Roverish. Kind of expensive, but was worth the upgrade FOR ME!

My suggestion for you is to spend some time at your dealer and do some Butt testing of your own. Drive the car and get a good feel for it before you order.

As for being Green/eco, I admire you for it, take this from someone in the textile business, cloth, vinyl and leather all carry their own environmentally hazardous manufacturing procedures. So, to say one is "greener" than another would be hard to justify and measure.

Good Luck!

 

One of the differences between Non- Leather and any leather selection is the adjustable Lumbar support. This feature does not come on any of the non-leather seats. If your 'Back', or lower torso needs changeable lumbar support then leather is your choice. I have a problems with my lower back and on trips (just did 3,400 miles over Christmas) the heated Leather and varying lumbar adjustment helped made the trip enjoyable. If abused, 'Back pain' leads to a different kind of Green issue, depending on your health insurance coverage ajm

 

Interesting.....

Does the passenger seat have the same lumbar support? That is more important to my wife than it is to me.

Thanks to all.

Richard

 

Any Leather option comes with the 'Sport Seat(s)' included, which has 'adjustable' Lumbar support on Both front seat backs.
I do suggest the Climate Package or at least the Heated seat option. Both the bottom cushion and the seat back is heated and feel SO good. Being from hot south Texas I never would have though I would use the Heated function. Did I mention that I spent Christmas in the middle of the Great Northern Blizzard of 2009 or that it has been in the teens for the past several days?

 

The lumbar support and the heated seats are a great combination, especially in cold weather and I think that by staying with a car that give you great mileage, you are helping the envronment and "going green" (at least in a "little" way )

 

I absolutely love my Tuscan Beige leather heated seats.

I don't have any advice as to which is the "greener" option, but I would think that leather and cloth would be better than vinyl, since they are natural materials.

Do you have any pets, and will they be in the car at all? Leather is easier to clean if pet hair is involved, IMO.

 

I have a strong preference for leather in any car. Properly treated, it will look great for longer than I will own the car.

Regards,
Terry

 

I love my Tuscan Beige leather seats and I think it is absolutely one of the best looks (very traditional) with BRG.

I also agree with other posters that the MINI seat heat is well worth it. I live in Atlanta and use them all the time including summer when you've over done the yard work a bit. Best $500 I spent on the MINI!

I also agree that the lumbar support is important and you get this on both front seats with the Tuscan and I assume all other leathers.

The Tuscan with the piano black and the cream accents is a classy look but I think the BRG and Tuscan are the main components to get the look.

I have had sand leather in several BMW's and the light interior keeps it very bright and airy aas compared to black etc. I have also been pleased that the Tuscan is much easier to keep clean than I thought. I wipe it down once a week with Lexol wet wipes and it keeps it like new.

I don't know which is greener. Vinyl is a petroleum product and by the time you factor all the negatives associate with drilling, pumping, distilling etc. there are quite a few opportunities for non green emissions. Even cloth has quite a few chemcals involved in dyeing, and manufacturing. All in all I'd bet that leather compares fairly well.

 

Leather if for nothing else it will keep PETA members from riding with you. That way you don't have to listen to them go on and on...

Seriously though. Leather seats are much easier to clean, add to the resale value, and the lumbar support and heated seat features are worth their weight in gold

 

My 09 Clubman S has punched leather, which I like very much. My wife's 07 Cooper has the cloth, which is also actually very good. I got the leather only because I needed the adjustable lumbar support....actually, it would be more correct to say that I need SOME lumbar support. Without the upgrade to leather, the two front seats have no lumbar support, and they are very uncomfortable on long drives. There is the option to buy the parts and add the adjustable lumbar support...about $200 for the parts. There are a couple posts on this.

 

Thanks for all the info.

For now I've settled on the Tuscan Beige Leather seats....(subject to change of course..)

Richard

 

 

That'll be a beautiful clubby

 

Here's another vote for leather! I have the Carbon Punch Leather seats, and I absolutely love 'em! Other than the surface treatment, I believe the Tuscan seats are similar.

The lumbar support makes a huge difference. I had a back/disc problem about 6 months ago, and the ability to adjust the lumbar made all the difference in being able to drive myself or not. Like others have said, the seat heaters going up the back was a big help too!

 

I really like my cloth/leather combo and it costs less than the full leather . It gets too hot here for full leather and for me, it's just a bit too much. Amongst my 4 MINIs, I've had every seat material available except for leatherette (which is actually quite comfortable).

The Punch leather option is very nice though , but I wanted something other than black. With the cloth/leather option, you can choose from Hot Choc, white/black, red/black, etc.

 

My MINI is first car w/leather. I'm happy with it !

But recommend since you are still in the decision mode to go to the dealer and sit in a MINI- One with the standard leather option and one with the premium leather option. It's not that this should convince you to spend $1000 more for the premium option but just to alert you there are some differences besides what many would construe is meant by "premium" and some may have test drove a MINI with the "premium" leather and never sat in the "standard" leather seats...or vice versa. You may find that after seat testing both options, you prefer the standard leather but was set to order the premium or just the opposite. The standard leather seat contour is more of a sport seat with higher side contour to the seats. The premium leather has a lower contour. Just be aware there is a small difference...but a whopping difference in price between the two options.

 

I have punch leather on the standard seat. Closing in on 3 years of ownership and the leather is holding up extremely well. Very comfortable. I would buy the same again with no hesitation.