[bankboy]

Hi Everyone...I am a new member and I am in the market for a new Cooper. I'm from Edmonton, but I was looking at the Yaletown inventory on their website and I noticed that almost all the cars had Leatherette seats.

Does anyone know how leatherette handles the cold weather? Is it just a fancy word for vinyl seats? The only reason I ask is because I like the look of the seats but I've had bad experiences on other cars with vinyl coverings in the past (they crack in the cold weather and rip easily)

[MINNOW]

First post.... welcome to MINI2.
I picked up my Cooper with leatherette May 1st, so can't really answer your question how the seats handle the cold.
The leatherette I have been impressed with so far, it's the first time I have had anything but cloth seats.
It's reasonably soft so should remain flexible in Winter, they have been fine this Summer even on the hot days, not sticky at all.
Mine have seat heaters, so bring on the cold weather! (but not too soon)
Again welcome, and let me know if you have further questions as we need a few more MINI drivers around here, they are quite a rare sight.

[Humourl3ss]

Vinyl has come a long way since the '70s.

It's hotter than I'd like in summer, but the leatherette is quite grippy and not too cold in winter. Get the seat heaters if you're worried. 2 years in and mine are holding up very well.

-CW

[HIDMini]

the leatherette is pretty good...it is grippy when u get in, so it holds you in place when u do some cornering!
if you're used to the smooth feel of leather, get the leather pkg.
oh yeah, the stuff is stainproof, dumped a supersize coke on the passenger side and it wipes clean!

[MINI 59/04]

Hi a word of caution.
I have the leatherette. It's very nice esp. with seat warmers in the winter, but since I got the car in december I was a bit $$$$## off to see that it has split. The drivers side has been repaired 3 months ago under warranty and I now see that both the drivers and passengers side have split again (in a different place). I don't weigh 300 pounds an have very few people in the passenger seat so I don't think its abuse. Hope the dealer repairs this again for free. Anyone else had the same problems?

[jf1972]

Two words. Heated Seats!!

[Aqualung]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI 59/04

Hi a word of caution.
I have the leatherette. It's very nice esp. with seat warmers in the winter, but since I got the car in december I was a bit $$$$## off to see that it has split. The drivers side has been repaired 3 months ago under warranty and I now see that both the drivers and passengers side have split again (in a different place). I don't weigh 300 pounds an have very few people in the passenger seat so I don't think its abuse. Hope the dealer repairs this again for free. Anyone else had the same problems?

Whoah, this is the first I've heard of leatherette splitting....plenty of leather complaints. Do you by chance have pics?

[MINI 59/04]

Hi 'fraid not. The car is in for repair today (under warranty) apparently the dealer told me there has been a lot of problems with the leatherette seats in Ontario and that Mini Canada have changed them (well at least the stock no on the parts). I will wait and see whether the new ones look any different.
In terms of the splits...nothing huge but they have started to tear/split close to where the stitching is near where the two parts of the seat come together. I think they are just too tight a fit and don't give enough - combined with a -30 C winter and then +40 C summer....probably not designed for such extremes. I know that my shifter gaiter is also splitting but that is a minor thing in comparison.
Ian

[mini-chik]

I got my MCS in April of this year. I'm hoping the heated seats will offset the cold winter weather.

[JohnnyBoy]

Yeah, the leatherette is pretty good these days (same stuff as used in some BMW's). I am a cloth man myself, but you can't beat leatherette for practicality and ease of cleaning. As for the splitting. I have only seen it a few times. It is not that common.