Re-trimming – vinyl or leather?
Discussion
I'm just about to retrim my TR – at the moment it's original vinyl and after 45 years literally falling apart. Not sure whether to go for vinyl or leather though. Both have advantages and disadvantages:
Leather advantages:
Looks nice
Smells nice
Ages nicely
Leather dis-advantages:
Not original
Is more expensive
Needs looking after
Vinyl advantages:
Is original (or at least was original fitment)
Maintenance free
About half the cost of leather
Vinyl disadvantages:
It's vinyl... not as nice is it?
Anyone got any other good reasons why I should choose one or the other? I asked my wife but she just said "which will add most value when you sell it?"
– that's not part of the plan at the moment (my plans at any rate).
Leather advantages:
Looks nice
Smells nice
Ages nicely
Leather dis-advantages:
Not original
Is more expensive
Needs looking after
Vinyl advantages:
Is original (or at least was original fitment)
Maintenance free
About half the cost of leather
Vinyl disadvantages:
It's vinyl... not as nice is it?
Anyone got any other good reasons why I should choose one or the other? I asked my wife but she just said "which will add most value when you sell it?"
– that's not part of the plan at the moment (my plans at any rate).I had my TR4 seats recovered in leather and I'm glad I paid that little bit more for them.
The expectation of many potential buyers - if you ever do want to sell - would be to see a retrimmed seat in leather unless they are obsessed by originality. If I was buying a car retrimmed in vinyl, I'd be thinking "hmm, gone for the cheap option on the interior, what else has he skimped on?"
The expectation of many potential buyers - if you ever do want to sell - would be to see a retrimmed seat in leather unless they are obsessed by originality. If I was buying a car retrimmed in vinyl, I'd be thinking "hmm, gone for the cheap option on the interior, what else has he skimped on?"
TR4man said:
The expectation of many potential buyers - if you ever do want to sell - would be to see a retrimmed seat in leather unless they are obsessed by originality. If I was buying a car retrimmed in vinyl, I'd be thinking "hmm, gone for the cheap option on the interior, what else has he skimped on?"
I've never heard so much rubbish! Why di you have to be obsessed with originality to buy seats redone in vinyl.Not only is my 240 having a new (for it) cover for one of the seats, it's an original cover, not even a new set ...
I'm not 'obsessed' with originality - I just want the car as it should be!
I had the same decision to make with one of my cars. I went for leather, granted as a product it is more expensive than vinyl however the labour element for trimming was the same either way. I think what swung it for me was the view that classics and leather go together like scones an cream, butter being a cheap substitute!
Yertis said:
...my wife but she just said "which will add most value when you sell it?" – that's not part of the plan at the moment...
Having a few classics I wrangled with the same issue and I would say the exact opposite. Do just what pleases you for yourself and bugger re-sale value. When/if you come to sell it what will be will be. Personally if cost is a consideration I'd say leather on the faces and visible areas. – that's not part of the plan at the moment...Thanks guys. Cost isn't a consideration (relatively speaking) but I don't want to splash out then find I've spoiled the character of the car - the TR6 is not a luxurious machine. But I've spent so much on mechanical upgrades that keeping the seats 'original spec' seems academic. Hmmm...
BTW I'll look again at the leather faced option but the samples I have don't match perfectly across material types.
BTW I'll look again at the leather faced option but the samples I have don't match perfectly across material types.
For a TR6, or any convertable for that matter go leather over vinyl. Hell, cloth over vinyl for that matter!
When the 2 days of summer actually come and you come back to your car that's been parked in the sun with the roof down for a couple of hours vinyl's the worst of the 3 options to then try and sit on and drive the car in just shorts and a t-shirt.
When the 2 days of summer actually come and you come back to your car that's been parked in the sun with the roof down for a couple of hours vinyl's the worst of the 3 options to then try and sit on and drive the car in just shorts and a t-shirt.
For some cars I think leather just doesn't look 'right'. I lump putting walnut dashboards in TR6's and Stags in the same boat. Its a bit like putting lipstick on a pig; it can look a little over-done. I'm a Triumph guy BTW. I think Triumph did some great interiors back in the day and the vinyl just seemed 'right' in the context of what the car represented. Now, if you put in vinyl of a non-original texture or pattern, that can look bad.
I recently fitted new leather seat covers on a TR6 for someone (here in the US) and the leather was a bit on the thin and cheapo side for my liking. They came out OK though.
Just my 2 cents/pence worth.
I recently fitted new leather seat covers on a TR6 for someone (here in the US) and the leather was a bit on the thin and cheapo side for my liking. They came out OK though.
Just my 2 cents/pence worth.
POORCARDEALER said:
Fermit The Krog and Sarah Sexy said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Anyone know of a good sensibly priced trimmer, mine has retired
Where are you?I use them through my company, a very high standard of work. Tell them I (Leather Better) gave you their name.
Fermit The Krog and Sarah Sexy said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Fermit The Krog and Sarah Sexy said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Anyone know of a good sensibly priced trimmer, mine has retired
Where are you?I use them through my company, a very high standard of work. Tell them I (Leather Better) gave you their name.
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