[mczinn]

Hi, I'm a new here. But I have been following the messages here on mini2 for over a year now. Anyway, I am ordering an MCS to be built in Sept (delivery Oct). It will be a 2004 model. The one thing that I just haven't been able to decide on are the seats. I have searched these forums and everyone seems to have their opinions regarding the seats, but I never found a poll. So I would like to do a poll of which MCS seats people think are the best. Here in the USA we can't get the half and half. So that isn't a choice for me.

BTW, I plan on ordering a IB/W with Anthracite and black door casings. Right now I am trying to decide between the space cloth and the panther black leather. I was originally going to consider lapis blue as well, but many of the lapis blue threads regarding the quality have scared me away. Plus, I don't know about that blue carpet. Are people having quality problems with the black leather as well? I am not really interested in the leatherette.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!!

[Dark Silver S]

mczinn, have you looked at the leatherette? My previous vehicle had gorgeous gray leather (a large herd of gray cows, I guess) and I was VERY happy with that. However, my S has the leatherette, and it is perfect. No sliding, good grip, easy to clean, looks and feels like the real thing, and think of all the after-market goodies you can get instead.

[Spy Car]

I got leather because I wanted leather. But I must admit the leatherette is very nice. Actually better tailored than the leather. Let's put it this way the leatherette is "great" leatherette and the leather is somewhere between "fair" and "good" leather.

[mrhollio]

All the MCSs I tried before mine came had leather or leatherette. Though they were comfortable I still worried about seat damage because I have young kids and a dog.

The day before I ordered the dealer got one in with space cloth. I REALLY liked it!

It looked great, was comfortable and felt sturdy. I made my order for space cloth and do not regret it. No sliding off the seat in hard turns and they have never been too cold or too hot. Everyone that sits in it has positive comments too!

[goobot]

Quote:

Originally posted by mrhollio
All the MCSs I tried before mine came had leather or leatherette. Though they were comfortable I still worried about seat damage because I have young kids and a dog.

The day before I ordered the dealer got one in with space cloth. I REALLY liked it!

It looked great, was comfortable and felt sturdy. I made my order for space cloth and do not regret it. No sliding off the seat in hard turns and they have never been too cold or too hot. Everyone that sits in it has positive comments too!

Ditto what mrhollio said. I have 2 young kids and two dogs. My initial preference was for leatherette or leather, because of the easier cleanup.

The leather ain't worth the $1250 on a 20k car. Plus I've read several posts where the quality of the leather has been iffy.

The leathette, while very nice, doesn't breath very well (IMHO). It's also very hot in the summer, very cold in the winter.

By process of elimination I ordered the cloth, sight unseen.

During a subsequent dealer visit, I saw the cloth. It looks awesome - far better than you would think from pictures. Really brightens up the ineterior. Plus it grips better, and is more comfortable.

Space cloth for me... at least when the car FINALLY gets here... waiting, waiting, waiting...

-gb

[sergio rollerfunk]

Before you go for the leather, pls try and check the leatherette...you'll be surprised how good it looks and it feels.
Just my 02 cents.


Sergio

[joeinitaly]

We chose the leatherette because of the price compared to the leather, and it is great! Being that I am originally from Minnesota I got the cold weather package which came with heated seats, so that was never a problem. I have never thought they were all that hot in the summer, but it is still early in the summer and the car is new.

The leatherette is awesome.

[gromit]

I got the leatherette and it compares favorably to the leather in my wife's VW Cabrio. Not "hot and sticky" in the summer or cold in the winter any more than the leather I've sat on. It's a good product at a significant (over leather) cost savings.

[mczinn]

Thanks everyone so far for your replies. The comments are interesting. Looks like the space cloth is in the lead, but I am surprised with how many of you like the leatherette. I will look into that more. BTW, where I live, the summers can get quite hot (over 100 degrees F for 20 or 30 days a summer).

I have been leaning towards the space cloth for a while, so it is good to see that so many of you like it. One question though. Do you think the black cloth will fade to a funny color? I have seen some cloth turn kind of a purplish tint. How long does it usually take cloth to fade?

Thanks again!!!! Keep voting!

[RUKnight]

I ordered the space cloth site unseen. The leather in the car I drove was pretty nice, it was of better quality then the leather in my GTI, that is for sure. The leatherette was on par with theleather in the VW and was pretty nice, but honestly I was tired of having leather, you're always sliding around and it's either hot or cold. Plus I think with the 2 tone it really livens it up and looks pretty damn cool. I'll post some pics in august when my car arrives!
Mike

[tavis1]

I live were it is hot during the summer and the space cloth will be best. As far as fading I don't know how long or if it would happen but, tinting the windows, car cover, seat covers and what not would prevent that from happening
Tavis1

[Humourl3ss]

I'm a leatherette partisan. It's worn well, it cleans easily, it grips beautifully. It's not your father's slick vinyl seat covering.

-CW

[RickB]

I have the Panther Black leather, and in nine months of driving have not regretted choosing it. Interesting, that a large proportion of the MINI's I saw at a gathering last year had the blue leather, while at the last event, there was not a one. MINI likes the blue better than the customer base?