Black Panther Leather vs. Black Panther Leatherette

[mini-jen]

I have recently ordered my MINI S. The dealer was pretty sure that I will be purchasing the new MCS 2005 model. I should take delivery in January of 2005. Im having a hard time deciding upon Black Panther Leather OR Black Panther Leatherette. When I went for my test drive I was able to feel both the real leather and leatherette....it was surprising...but both looked alike, I couldn't tell the difference! The leather was nice just like leather is...but the leatherette was nice too...it looked like leather..is durable like leather....there is a slight difference in texture. The leatherette does feel a little bit more like soft rubber...but really I didn't mind the feel. So my question is this...does anyone have any recommendations on either leather or leatherette.....the dealer did tell me that leatherette is cold in the winter...but I have ordered the Cold Weather Package...so my bum will be nice and toasty anyways! I am interested in how the leatherette will hold up in the hot summer months...Im planning on tinting my windows and using a window shield cover to keep the sun rays out.
Im leaning towards the leatherette because the extra $1300 dollars that I would spend on Black Panther leather might be better utilized towards the extended warranty and the 3M clear hood/bug shield.
What do you all think?

[MINImeat]

There have been some quality complaints about the leather, but mine's been wonderful.
I've heard the leatherette is very nice and durable.
It'd be nice if they would add some perforations to both.
I do love the leather smell...
This is the first car I've ordered with leather and I'm really enjoying it.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini-jen

Im leaning towards the leatherette because the extra $1300 dollars that I would spend on Black Panther leather might be better utilized towards the extended warranty and the 3M clear hood/bug shield.
What do you all think?

Good choice ... the $1300 will also buy you about 30 extra horsepower (15% reduction pulley, ECU upgrade and air intake)

Welcome to MINI2

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINImeat

There have been some quality complaints about the leather, but mine's been wonderful.
I've heard the leatherette is very nice and durable.
It'd be nice if they would add some perforations to both.
I do love the leather smell...
This is the first car I've ordered with leather and I'm really enjoying it.

I know there is nothing quite like the smell of a brand new car with leather! I own a Toyota Tundra and it has leather....boy I never forgot the day I drove it home and the smell of the new car with brand new leather wow!

Well Im sitting here debating .....I already have my truck that has leather...and I could use the $1300 on warranty and clear bra...I still have a couple of months to decide...wish me luck!

thanks for you comments

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC

Good choice ... the $1300 will also buy you about 30 extra horsepower (15% reduction pulley, ECU upgrade and air intake)

Welcome to MINI2

The fun aftermarket mods are great...Im definitely interested in installing a cool air intake....any suggestions on a dependable brand name?
I think after the cool air intake modification....my mini will be plenty fast for me.

[AtomicKiwi]

I have the leatherette, and I really enjoy it. If I had the choice between the leather or $1300, I'd take the money and buy some sweet extras! There really isn't a $1300 difference in the quality of the leather and the leatherette, in my opinion. Both are durable, comfortable, and look nice.

[Johnny225]

Get the spac cloth. IT looks the best, if free, and has the best bolstering.

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by AtomicKiwi

I have the leatherette, and I really enjoy it. If I had the choice between the leather or $1300, I'd take the money and buy some sweet extras! There really isn't a $1300 difference in the quality of the leather and the leatherette, in my opinion. Both are durable, comfortable, and look nice.

Thanks for your reply....was wondering how your seats felt while getting in on a HOT summer day? OUCH!!!

Im defintely leaning towards leatherette...Im not too picky and wow using the $1300 bucks for something important like extend warranty sounds a lot smarter every minute that I think about it.

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny225

Get the spac cloth. IT looks the best, if free, and has the best bolstering.

Ya true clth is free...but leatherette is free as well!..And since I own 3 little Toy Fox Terriers..Im thinking leatherette would be easeir to wipe the dog hair off....and of course those little dirty paw prints

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini-jen

The fun aftermarket mods are great...Im definitely interested in installing a cool air intake....any suggestions on a dependable brand name?

Lots of choices ...

FAQ: What air intakes are available for the 'S'?

By the time you take delivery, this carbon fiber intake should be available:

[AtomicKiwi]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini-jen

Thanks for your reply....was wondering how your seats felt while getting in on a HOT summer day? OUCH!!!

I have yet to experience the true summer heat. I got my Cooper back in August, and it wasn't that hot outside then. We've had leather and fake leather seats in cars before though, and I never found it to be a big problem (I live in Connecticut, and the summers are never too brutal). Just let the AC run for a few seconds before sitting down.

[Aqualung]

I pondered this for quite awhile when I ordered mine back in Jan. While there are many leather champions around, it did seem to be that the leather didn't wear well, for the money. I put the $$ into my JCW kit.

Here's a recent post by GBMINI showing the wear on his seats: http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/000346.shtml

Went leatherette and so far, am happy.

[milliethemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini-jen

Ya true clth is free...but leatherette is free as well!..And since I own 3 little Toy Fox Terriers..Im thinking leatherette would be easeir to wipe the dog hair off....and of course those little dirty paw prints

mini-jen,

I think you just answered your own query. If you are tranporting pets in your car, the leatherette would be the easiest to keep clean and maintain. And the leatherette would be more resistant to scratches and claw marks.

(Now, I am going to assume that you always make sure your pets are well secured when you take them in your car )

Having said that, having leather seats in a MINI is very nice and posh, they feel great! They also have the added benefit of lumbar support, which you cannot get with the cloth and leatherette seats. For some people with back problems, having that lumbar support is a godsend.

Best of luck with whatever choice you make!

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

mini-jen,

I think you just answered your own query. If you are tranporting pets in your car, the leatherette would be the easiest to keep clean and maintain. And the leatherette would be more resistant to scratches and claw marks.

(Now, I am going to assume that you always make sure your pets are well secured when you take them in your car )

Having said that, having leather seats in a MINI is very nice and posh, they feel great! They also have the added benefit of lumbar support, which you cannot get with the cloth and leatherette seats. For some people with back problems, having that lumbar support is a godsend.

Best of luck with whatever choice you make!

Yes..lumbar support is a defnite bonus...but why I ask is the lumbar support in the leather and not in any of the other choices...how frustrating....maybe their incentive to purchase the leather??? AHHH they get you one way or another!
Well thanks for the advice

[mini-jen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aqualung

I pondered this for quite awhile when I ordered mine back in Jan. While there are many leather champions around, it did seem to be that the leather didn't wear well, for the money. I put the $$ into my JCW kit.

Here's a recent post by GBMINI showing the wear on his seats: http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/000346.shtml

Went leatherette and so far, am happy.

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experience..and picture of worn leather on the seat...it is helping me sway my opinion toward leatherette. Sometimes the purchase of aftermarket leather is always better quality than factory installed..but I don't want to go thru all that trouble and the money would be better well spent on an extended warranty and clear bug/rock guard.
The picture and testimony from your friend put a better light on my dilemma, thanks