Leather or Alcontara?

[Stig]

Well, having had alcontara seats in the GTR, I'm considering leather for the Can-Am.

Why? Well, the alcontara does seem to fade a bit over time - but, it seems to wear a bit better than leather, especially on the seat bottoms. Also, it's probably a bit easier to apply as it stretches a bit!

But, I like the idea of leather in the Can-Am (ooh err).

I'm trying to weight up just how much time the car will be out, top off, exposed to strong sunlight vs. the wear factor that seems to crack the leather and I intend to do a fair few miles annually.

What do you lot reckon?

[Edt]

When had the 500, I was very careful with the seats.. cleaned, fed, protectec regularly. Roof off everywhere, left open under teh noon sun in the dry months. They stayed as new for the 5 years had them. Took some pride in keeping them as new, which helps of course but takes time. Presumably with the alcontara its just fabric cleaner & thats it ?
Then again, you dont have to climb all over the seats to get in a Griffith.


Ed

[Graham-P]

I know what you mean about fading
I'm considering (later) having mine recovered in leather, have to find somebody who can also emboss 'Ultima' in the headrest as that looks cool. That way I would have a choice of colours, just got to make my mind up what goes with the red bodywork!?
I guess it's going to be black, but I would like to be a bit adventurous with the colours. Any designers out there?
Graham

[gtr-gaz]

I had a hard enough time getting the alcantara to fit right!!

Leather is worse, unless you can get someone else to do it, like the factory. In which case go for leather.

[BogBeast]

I know a bloke near Didcot who could do it.

Did a top job on my sports dash.

[RazMan]

You can always go for the perforated leather option for a slightly different look.

[Stig]

Graham-P said:

I know what you mean about fading I'm considering (later) having mine recovered in leather, have to find somebody who can also emboss 'Ultima' in the headrest as that looks cool. That way I would have a choice of colours, just got to make my mind up what goes with the red bodywork!? I guess it's going to be black, but I would like to be a bit adventurous with the colours. Any designers out there? Graham

Graham - the factory leather seats come with the logo embossed. Maybe the easiest thing would be to get them to recover them?

[gtrclive]

After have been in Andy's Can-Am, it was alot easyer to dry the leather seats, than If they had been Alcan.
So due to our lovly English weather and taking into acount the Can-Am roof erection time then def Leather. IMHO

[gtrclive]

PS. Andy always use to have a Fresh towel in the luggauge containers just in case he got cought with the roof down. PPS just on a Side note I was impressed with how the roof didn't leak even in a Down pour....

[andygtt]

leather without hesitation.....

[G Man]

Stig

Got to be leather ... it will match thoughs "chaps" in the wardrobe ..

G Man

[andygtt]

G Man said:

Stig Got to be leather ... it will match thoughs "chaps" in the wardrobe .. G Man

no chaps are suede finish

[gtrclive]

G Man said:

Stig Got to be leather ... it will match thoughs "chaps" in the wardrobe .. G Man

Interesting, have you got a wardrobe story for us Gareth ???? or maybe a coming out story.....

[tuxman]

hi stig , had black leather dash done to match ultima leather seats has been very easy to live with and looks great on the downside sponge in seat base has gone very thin a bit of a shame considering what they cost !!

[Stig]

tuxman said:

hi stig , had black leather dash done to match ultima leather seats has been very easy to live with and looks great on the downside sponge in seat base has gone very thin a bit of a shame considering what they cost !!

Thanks Tuxman. I noticed the 'thinning' of the seatbase in Guy's car (Bluesatin). The leather seemed to make it look worse than it was, although I see no reason why the Alcontara ones would be any different in this respect.

Perhaps some slightly higher density foam on the seat bases?

Then again, the more dense the foam, the more uncomfortable the seat I s'pose.

[gtr-gaz]

Stig said:

tuxman said: hi stig , had black leather dash done to match ultima leather seats has been very easy to live with and looks great on the downside sponge in seat base has gone very thin a bit of a shame considering what they cost !! Thanks Tuxman. I noticed the 'thinning' of the seatbase in Guy's car (Bluesatin). The leather seemed to make it look worse than it was, although I see no reason why the Alcontara ones would be any different in this respect. Perhaps some slightly higher density foam on the seat bases? Then again, the more dense the foam, the more uncomfortable the seat I s'pose.

I took my alcontara seat to a local guy and had extra foam added as it was feeling a bit thin, but then I do have a boney bum!

£20 and it's made a big improvement

[menostig]

I peeled the alcantara away from the fibreglass a little so as to squeeze in some £5 camping mat and get some extra lumbar support, glued back - you'd never know except its now far more comfortable.

[Stig]

Well, after much deliberation, I've gone for black leather.

Thanks for all the advice chaps

[mrmaggit]

Have a word with Mike at The Polishing Co (advertise on here) about their 303. Been using it for a year now on my Griff and Leather recliner at home, and it's wonderful, very easy to use too. Spray on, wipe off, job done.

[Ravensbabe]

I recently bought new seats from the factory. I've added 1/2" to the bum area and a further 1" to the thigh support...the seat is twice as comfy now.