I'm not interested in the leather seats but would like to hear people's feelings on leatherette vs. cloth seat coverings.

 

We have leatherette and most people that ride with us think it's real leather. The leatherette is the most durable option. Some people like cloth because it stays cooler and lets your back breath better on a hot day. But cloth also stains very easy.

I would say that leatherette would be the better choice unless you just don't like the feel or lack of breathability of leatherette.

If you're performance oriented, the cloth is a little bit lighter weight (not much), but both the leatherette and cloth hold you in the seat equally well. I was surprised at how much traction I got with our leatherette. That was what swayed me from cloth to leatherette.

 

To me the cloth looks very..uh, inexpensive...the leatherette wears great and looks a lot like unwrinkled leather, for $1500 plus less bucks than leather, go with the leatherette.

 

Ditto what Mitchman said.

Leatherette.

 

Leatherette can look good but I did not like the way they did it on the R53 seats. I went with cloth for that reason and comfort. My girlfriend has leatherette in her VW and it's very nice.

 

I prefer leatherette re: easier to clean my family hauler My 3 yr old G-son spilled his drink all over the seats in MCS while my son had it as a brief loaner. I said "Son.... that is why you will NEVER EVER get to borrow the GP......" but a couple Armour-All wipes had it looking new in a flash. I broke my own rule in the GP and there is a tiny spot of melted chocolate on the driver side which *should* come right out re: the whatever clothguard. I will try cleaning it soon and report back.

 

I went with the Checkered cloth, Think it looks neat. Also, my dog (Ben) will be with me at times. His nails would not be nice for the leatherette.

 

If it were a choice between the 2 I would go for leatherette and live with the sweaty feel on hot days.

 

Is it true that leatherette is still NOT an option in the U.K.?

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone, so far.

 

I went with cloth. I think it looks better -- no other reason. Personal choice.

 

I originally ordered leather, but switched to leatherette based on the many positive comments I have read on NAM and my desire to get the price of my car down.

Does anyone know if the leatherette seats are one solid color, or are they two-tone, as seen in the configurator? I'm hoping for a solid color.

dean.

 

leatherette fits better, looks, and will not show it's age like leather.

 

No little kids or animals ride in my car. My cars have always had cloth seats. Wouldn't have it any other way. Cool in summer, warm in winter, comfy in shorts - don't stick to them. Easy to clean with any carpet-type cleaner, or oxy-clean solution mixed into a spray bottle.

 

I went with checkered cloth

 

Oxy-clean solutions cause bleaching and over time will degrade fabric. I would find something else to use.

 

I still can't make up my mind between the leatherette or the cloth. I do not like how the leatherette is two tone, but I do like the feel of it better than cloth. I would have to wait to see the two in person before finalizing my order

 

I went w/ cloth as I liked the look of it better w/ the rooster red interior...if leatherette came in solid black...I probably would have leaned that way.

 

I've washed all kinds of things in a mild oxy-clean solution, many times more than the seats in my car, and have experienced no degradation of any of it. But thanks for the heads-up.

 

I went with leatherette after seeing a friend's 02 MCS daily beater and Autox w/ 50k+ miles. His seats looked great. I am very pleased with our decision.

 

I've always had cloth seats in my cars. But with the MINI, I decided to go to leatherette.

I find them much easier to clean than cloth. Either just a wipe with a vinyl/leather clear or a quick vacuuming. And no worries about stains.

I have a 60 lb dog and I was a little concerned whether her nails would damage the leatherette. I have had no scratches or wear of any kind on the seats. They look as good as new and the hair is MUCH easier to vacuum off than with cloth seats.

The seats do get hot in sunny weather when the top is down. (But I would bet leather seats would get hot, too.)

My daughter, who is quite a 16 yr old snob, when she saw the MINI for the first time was very happy that I had decided to go the "leather" upgrade. When I told her they were leatherette, she didn't believe it.

 

I am in the same predicament and currently have leatherette on order but may change back to leather just to get the color seat I want. If the leatherette came in all black life would be simpiler.

I'm driving my salesman nuts !

dean.

 

The leatherette used to come in black, which I have in my car. I didn't realize you can't get black leatherette on the R57. And the grey leatherette doesn't seem to have a stamped pattern on it, based on what I can see on the MINI-USA site. However, the grey leatherette for cabrios has a stamped pattern on it. Plus there is a black leatherette option.

 

My car came with leatherette. Before I had it I certainly did not want it but the rest of the car was exact. I will order it next time.

RR

 

I tend to like cloth substantaily more than leather or fake leather. I ordered my r56 with the checkered carbon, i think the outside is still leatherette though.

 

I think letherette is two-tone now. I have the all grey (dark grey) leatherette on my '04 and I LOVE IT!!! I am SO happy I went that route. It has been through my baby spitting up, lattes being spilled, wet, muddy puupy dogs, you name it - and it still looks beautiful...