Is all this leather real?
Discussion
20 years ago leather seats were a rarity, you specified them and paid an awful lot. Nowadays even pretty lowly cars have leather as standard. Often this extends to the doors, dash and other areas. Additionally leather sofas are pretty ommonplace. Questions are, firstly, is all this leather real or is some a kind of faux leather and second, where's it all coming from? I'm expecting some daft replies but I am serious.
You have to read the brochures carefully to see how much leather you get. A lot of them say "leather seat facings" which means on the parts in direct contact with your leg/bum/back/head are real leather. On a lot of cars the sides of the seats, doors and other parts are fake leather/PU/Tex. The main reason for this is of course cost but also fake leather will be less prone to squeaks in contact areas with seatbelts etc.
Most manufacturers now use PU/Bicast leather. It is a synthetic product with a leather content, allowing them to call it "leather". Manufacturers embraced Bicast leather since it is MUCH less expensive to make than traditional leather. It is also easier to look after for the end user, requiring only a wipe with a damp cloth rather than regular cleaning and feeding to look its best.
The downside is that it is less rewarding to live with, lacking traditional leather's feel and smell. Bicast leather probably stays new looking longer in my experience, but doesn't achieve the wonderful, mellow patina of the traditional leather.
Some high end cars are still available with the traditional leather, either standard or as a very expensive cost option.
The downside is that it is less rewarding to live with, lacking traditional leather's feel and smell. Bicast leather probably stays new looking longer in my experience, but doesn't achieve the wonderful, mellow patina of the traditional leather.
Some high end cars are still available with the traditional leather, either standard or as a very expensive cost option.
Willy Nilly said:
It is still a mystery to me why people buy leather seats and not only that, pay extra for them too.
Vinyl is foul, even if available. Sometimes, cars get used, and in all weathers, so fabric/velour/cloth is a really bad idea.
Our MINI is leathered, because it would have been worth precisely 7p after a year of 2 springers without it.
Edited by Justayellowbadge on Friday 24th January 18:29
t, it has that cheap looking rough surface similar to the dodgy sofa's gypo's used to flog out the back of vans.
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