Leather or cloth?

Poll: Leather or cloth?

Total Members Polled: 323

Leather: 76%
Cloth: 24%
Author
Discussion

CampDavid

Original Poster:

9,145 posts

227 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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I've started to notice recently that I really don't like leather very much. Dark leather is too drab while lighter shades show cracks and wear quickly. Cloth also seams to breathe a bit better and the side bolster doesn't fall to bits at 30k miles. Is it just me?

Lets Torque

10,974 posts

186 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather. yes

g3org3y

22,462 posts

220 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather.

Smells nice too. smile

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather. Essential if you have small children.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

275 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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CampDavid said:
Cloth also seams to breathe a bit better and the side bolster doesn't fall to bits at 30k miles.
With you on that one - although lots of cars now aren't available with anything other than leather.

Lefty

21,288 posts

231 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather looks and smells nice (and is wipe clean wink ) but I prefer cloth seats in a sports car - I find leather seats can be a bit slippy.

alcovrugbyfan

351 posts

188 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather all the way! I class cloth as basic spec. Wouldn't even consider a car without leather seats.

SWoll

22,810 posts

287 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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CampDavid said:
I've started to notice recently that I really don't like leather very much. Dark leather is too drab while lighter shades show cracks and wear quickly. Cloth also seams to breathe a bit better and the side bolster doesn't fall to bits at 30k miles. Is it just me?
Current car has cloth rather than the leather of the previous 3. Wasn't sure about buying at first but the rest of the spec was spot on and the car was a steal so went for it.

Pain to keep clean with kids (light grey), but far easier to live with on cold mornings or hot summer days. Much more comfortable than leather also.

Going to get some Scotchguard spray to protect the seats, but pleased with the decision so far.

Edited by SWoll on Friday 16th September 10:20

Snowboy

8,028 posts

180 months

Friday 16th September 2011
quotequote all
Leather.
Old leather used to crack if it wasn't maintained.

But newer cars (7-8 years or so) the leather seems to be much better and doesn't crack or age as much.
Or perhaps it's just different brands or quality of leather.

My newer cars have tended to be better quality than my older ones.

thinfourth2

32,414 posts

233 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Vinyl

Hose out interior

DanDC5

20,006 posts

196 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Can we have an Alcantara option? Posher than cloth, but not slippy when it gets to cornering at a pace.

AndrewTait

1,849 posts

223 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Currently have a light coloured cloth interior, working in an engineering environment, and having young kids, does not work well.

After grubby arms and clothes on the seats, and kids spilling drinks/throwing up on it, means it looks dreadfull. With leather, at least you can wipe it off, before it soaks in. Look after it, and it will not crack or discolour.

Johnboy Mac

2,666 posts

207 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Half leather can be far better. Improved grip can be a big bonus and if it's cheap leather (common on a lot of cars) the half leather seats can be a vast improvement in the looks dept.

Adam111

1,285 posts

183 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather.

Easier to wipe spunk off the seats when you go dogging, and doesn't stain.

CraigyMc

18,369 posts

265 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Depends on vehicle.

Elise? Cloth was actually nicer and because of the material didn't absorb much water when it rained (leather=puddle for you to sit in).

Exec Saloon? Leather, obviously.

C

SWoll

22,810 posts

287 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Adam111 said:
Leather.

Easier to wipe spunk off the seats when you go dogging, and doesn't stain.
Nice...smile

anonymous-user

83 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Snowboy said:
Leather.
Old leather used to crack if it wasn't maintained.

But newer cars (7-8 years or so) the leather seems to be much better and doesn't crack or age as much.
Or perhaps it's just different brands or quality of leather.

My newer cars have tended to be better quality than my older ones.
Reckon you would find modern "leather" is "leather" in the loosest possible way. STill take it over cloth mind.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

263 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Commute hack? Cloth
Barge? Leather
Real car? Alcantara

Zwoelf

25,867 posts

235 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Leather. Always.

Most of the problems people describe with it are due to the fact that very few people seem to think that it needs any maintenance over time.

ewenm

28,506 posts

274 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Where's the vinyl option? wink

2 x leather and 1 x vinyl in my cars hehe