My dealer just called with my production number and to tell me that very soon I'll be unable to make any further changes. So I have a few questions after reading posts here:

1. What is your take on leather verses leatherette? From what I gather, leatherette is the preference for many. Do you agree?

2. The Auto AC. Some here think the manual AC is preferable. What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your input. This is my first MINI, so I don't have the benefit of your experience.

dean.

 

I prefer manual AC and leather. (ordered both)

 

I prefer auto AC and leather, ordered both.

I haven't driving a car with Auto AC yet, but my parents have had it in their last few, and really liked it.

Plus my understanding is that when you floor it, if your car has auto AC it will cut off to provide the most possible power to the engine. That might be true of the manual as well, I dunno.

As far as leather, I had heard that, if cared for, it should last much longer and be more comfortable. Plus I really wanted it after 19 years of cloth seats.

 

For AC, I prefer auto, just nudge it up or down if I want it cooler or warmer. I don't pay attention to what the temperature **** says. I'm just used to it.

Don't know about the maintainability of leatherette vs leather, but the reason I go for leather over cloth is that leather will wear longer and is actually easier to clean, IMO. That's the same reason I now prefer rubber floor mats. I used to get carpet floor mats, but they'd wear out where my heel hits the floor and otherwise get grungy.

 

I've got Auto AC and leather in my Accord and like them both ...so this is what I have ordered with my MCS. I had read some negative things about both here and just wanted to see if the feeling was universal or not.

You should see the size of the heel-hole in the carpet mat on my Accord.



dean.

 

Leather was waaaay to expensive for me...and the leatherette looks good and is holding up amazing well.

I have the auto air conditioning and it's OK, but manual air would also be fine by me.

 

I have been very happy with the Leatherette in my 2004. Most people actualle comment on the leather seats and do not realize they are plastic. I have 2 dogs so that is another reason I went with it as they are less prone to scratching than Leasther and of course, no cloth for hair to get stuck in.

I got manual A/C because if as another poster said, you need to adjust the Auto A/C up and down to be comfortable, what is the point.

The MINI floor mats (at least for the 2002-2006 models) have a pad right under where your heel goes. It has held up pretty well on my car.

 

The leatherette that BMW & MINI uses is actually pretty nice quality. Personally, I think that the leather is a bit 'papery' and thin feeling. It also tends to crackle on the driver's seat fairly quickly... One year in (18k miles) and I notice it now... and I moisturize frequently and have tint (UV protection).

 

I can only comment in general not based upon owning other MINIs, but I have always had and enjoy leather upholstery in my cars; however I have ordered a 2007 MCS convertible so I opted for leatherette since it might get wet at one time or another. Also I think leatherette may be easier to keep clean as spills will easily be taken care of whereas leather might absorb them, but the spill factor was not the reason why I did not get leather. If I had a hard top, I'd get leather.

As to your second question I have automatic AC in my regular car and think it is preferable to not having the automatic feature. Just my preference, you might feel differently. Aren't these nice kinds of problems to have?

 

Ditto

 

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it.

I have left my order as is; leather and Auto AC ...but I added LSD. I just felt the need to change something.



dean.

 

Good choice! That's a must have in my book!