I have leatherette and think it's great. Close enough to leather that no one will know it's not, unless they KNOW it's not (that sounds like something Yogi Berra would say).

 

This is so not true it is nothing like leather! Besides it's not about "no one will know" you'll know and feel the difference! This is omething you use and sit in not just look at, speaking from experience, I had the leatherette in my 02, now have Panther leather in my 06 and love it. I'd never go back. Agree with most others buy a Garmin or Tom Tom etc and get the leather!

 

hmm. unfortunately my gut tells me to do the opposite of what the majority of you are saying.

I really like the integration of factory NAV, and would rather get the car with cloth & nav than the car with leather and a TomTom.

That being said, I think I should just order my own darn car...but I can't wait 8 WEEEEEEKS!

 

Personally, I find the MINI leather to be of so-so quality given the asking price tag. I have seen many R53 and R56 MINIs with badly soggy and creased leather seats. The driver's seat will always experience the greatest amount of wear. To me leather is best enjoyed at home on a nice sofa. But if you are not the type of individual that is going to be cleaning and conditioning your MINI's leather interior on a regular basis, steer clear from it. All my MINIs have had leatherette. We had a six year old '02 MC and the leatherette seats still looked perfect. Take a look at any similarly aged MINI with real leather seats. That's how you car will look like 4-6 years down the road.

 

I agree with you here. Except, in a year from now, when you are looking at the leather you don't have, or trying to figure out a print-out from Mapquest, those 8 weeks are going to seem pretty damn irrelevant.

 

The wait is more painful than I imagined! Though NAM helps a lot.

 

Chill out!! Simply one man's opinion.

Congrats on your Panther Leather...try not to come across as such an elitist next time.

 

I wasn't a fan of the leather, until the husband got leather seats in his BMW. Since then, i've had two MCS with leather seats, and I'm sold. I won't go back to cloth, especially since cloth is a LOT harder to get stains out of !! (Ok, so the twisties are lots more fun when there isn't coffee splashing all over my seats...) Think of the money you'll save not having to get the car detailed all the time! (to avoid the NYC cab smell, stains, etc.)

I also ordered the NAV when I got my 2007...And I'd have to say, it neat to have and kinda cool to watch just driving around, but not if you're leasing -- why pay when you can get a Garmin or some other NAV device that will do the same thing for you, AND can go with you to your next vehicle choice? I got it in the MCS as one of those "perks" if I ever go to sell it again. THe problem is that it's a NAV DVD (not an imbedded program) that needs replacing/updating periodically...and they're NOT cheap. I had to get a new DVD for my MCS and my husband's BMW when we moved here from Europe, and it cost over $400!! We also have a Garmin for our big truck, and it's much handier - especially traveling, so we can use it in rentals, too.

All that being said, it sounds like you really need to build the one you want and just wait!

 

Is it possible to get the leatherette in beige? I love the Tuscan Beige interior, but I don't want leather. The BMWs offer tan leatherette. Anyone think it's possible?

 

i don't know why people give cloth seats such a bad rep. they are comfortable, durable, and sure if they get a slight oder over time, a spray of fabreeze or some other type of product will resolve the smell issue.

 

Get the Leather and the NAV. There is nothing like leather for comfort, feel, smell, durability and ease of care. The Nav is placed where the speedo is on non NAV equipped model. This makes it so you will have the speedo guage next to the tach, behind the steering wheel where it belongs .....a much more useful location.dont worry about the extra $35-$50 You only live once so enjoy it while you can.

 

You are replying to a Year and a Half Old Thread??!!

 

I'd get car #1, the other things sound much nicer than NAV.

 

hmmm . now well that's embarrassing