When Leather interior is not Leather interior....
Discussion
Just got my T350C back from KRJ Trimmers in Middlewich, Cheshire...... I missed her... 
...sigh..... but she's BACK! 
First things first.... the happy bit...
- they are an absolutely great pair of guys/gals to deal with
- husband and wife team Ken and Jackie
- Ken has 20+ years experience with Martrim(??) b4 setting up his own business
- dropped me off and picked me up at train station - included in the price!!!
- did a fantastic job of re-covering my damaged driver's seat
- did another fantastic job of making and fitting leather gear & handbrake gaiters
- colour match is just superb
- and a great price too!
Highly recommended IMHO!!
Secondly.... the not-so-happy bit....
- I thought my T350C was full leather interior (that's what I was told/sold)
- I'm no expert, but it looks (and smelt) like leather to me
- Ken - the expert - tells me the only part of the seats that is leather is the perforated leather cushion and the perforated leather back rest - all the other bits are vinyl (bolsters, headrest, front/sides)
- He also tells me the entire door covering is vinyl, as is the entire centre console, and the majority of the dash!
So now I'm really non-plussed that it's not all leather, as I can't sell it in a few years as full leather interior. It still looks great, and everyone who sees it thinks 'wow', but that's not the point.
Phone call to dealer in the next few days regarding my 'upset-id-ness' at this discovery!
(helpful) comments and experiences welcome.
PS posted on TVRCC Forum too, just for good measure!
...sigh..... but she's BACK! First things first.... the happy bit...
- they are an absolutely great pair of guys/gals to deal with
- husband and wife team Ken and Jackie
- Ken has 20+ years experience with Martrim(??) b4 setting up his own business
- dropped me off and picked me up at train station - included in the price!!!
- did a fantastic job of re-covering my damaged driver's seat
- did another fantastic job of making and fitting leather gear & handbrake gaiters
- colour match is just superb
- and a great price too!
Highly recommended IMHO!!
Secondly.... the not-so-happy bit....
- I thought my T350C was full leather interior (that's what I was told/sold)
- I'm no expert, but it looks (and smelt) like leather to me
- Ken - the expert - tells me the only part of the seats that is leather is the perforated leather cushion and the perforated leather back rest - all the other bits are vinyl (bolsters, headrest, front/sides)
- He also tells me the entire door covering is vinyl, as is the entire centre console, and the majority of the dash!
So now I'm really non-plussed that it's not all leather, as I can't sell it in a few years as full leather interior. It still looks great, and everyone who sees it thinks 'wow', but that's not the point.
Phone call to dealer in the next few days regarding my 'upset-id-ness' at this discovery!
(helpful) comments and experiences welcome.
PS posted on TVRCC Forum too, just for good measure!
Sounds more like a half leather interior, many TVRs are trimmed like this. With earlier cars the argument was that vinyl was used where water might run (i.e. doors) because leather would mould/rot more easily. I had a quote for a re-trim some years ago and was told that the cost of leather/vinyl was pretty much the same, the labour was the expensive bit.
R.
R.
nice to have, but the vinyly looks as good, and does seem to wear better..
first griff had full leather, 2nd i specced not to have...
Though mine has a few extra bits, installed new, as when I asked how it was going, whilst being built, dealer said something about fulll leather, I queried it, (shut have kept my mouth shut) and they'd got it wrong.
B
first griff had full leather, 2nd i specced not to have...
Though mine has a few extra bits, installed new, as when I asked how it was going, whilst being built, dealer said something about fulll leather, I queried it, (shut have kept my mouth shut) and they'd got it wrong.
B
gazzab said:
I dont see a car with full leather commanding more money once it is over 3 yrs old.
full leather is always a more desireable option,and it lasts as long as it's looked after,not just 3 years!!Unfortunately it is not uncommon for unscupulous dealers to mislead customers into thinking they have the full leather option,which was taken up by the initial purchaser far less often than many realise.Full leather is much more hard wearing than the factory alternatives,as long as it is cared for properly
The AJP Griff said:
gazzab said:
I dont see a car with full leather commanding more money once it is over 3 yrs old.
full leather is always a more desireable option,and it lasts as long as it's looked after,not just 3 years!!Unfortunately it is not uncommon for unscupulous dealers to mislead customers into thinking they have the full leather option,which was taken up by the initial purchaser far less often than many realise.Full leather is much more hard wearing than the factory alternatives,as long as it is cared for properly
don't agree, first car had leather owned it 6 years, 2nd does not owned it nearly 8..
Hey, don't get me wrong - my love for her is undying - she who can do no wrong!! (so far!!)
It's not all leather, but only an expert could tell - the comparison is that good, whoever manufactured it - she looks beautiful inside - it's the stone chips that need attention
She's nearly 4 years old and 12,500 miles..... I'll report back in another 37,500 miles!!!
It's not all leather, but only an expert could tell - the comparison is that good, whoever manufactured it - she looks beautiful inside - it's the stone chips that need attention
She's nearly 4 years old and 12,500 miles..... I'll report back in another 37,500 miles!!!
I had the exact same experience last week, I took my car in to the trimmers to get a quote on a repair and when pricing the job their words were "the cheap bas****ds" they couldn't believe TVR had used vinyl rather than real leather.
My only gripe would be if I had paid (from new) for a leather option...
Anyway the guys suggested replacing with leather as this is easier to repair if you get problems in the future.
My only gripe would be if I had paid (from new) for a leather option...
Anyway the guys suggested replacing with leather as this is easier to repair if you get problems in the future.
well the only cheap b******* is the customer who specced it in the first place. ie me.
If TVR's cost 60-70 k at the time, not to have leather as standard would be 'cheap'
but as mine cost £38k and at the time, was more accelerative than a lot of 'near super cars' at 2 - 3 times the price... I will forgive them.
Mine has actually got more leather than it should, as they messed up the build spec and strated doing full leather, by mistake... I can only tell which bits are which, because they told me...
If TVR's cost 60-70 k at the time, not to have leather as standard would be 'cheap'
but as mine cost £38k and at the time, was more accelerative than a lot of 'near super cars' at 2 - 3 times the price... I will forgive them.
Mine has actually got more leather than it should, as they messed up the build spec and strated doing full leather, by mistake... I can only tell which bits are which, because they told me...
We love our pride and joy's, and they look great, but when you start to look at and behind the scenes, its not always a pretty picture. Quality parts cost a bit more, such as radiators for one. I've just changed mine and the TVR original is shear crap, plastic sides that are crimped in place. The car flex's and the seal is broken. now put an Ali one in, its more efficient and flex's, how hard is that to solve. TVR could of solved this problem before or during production, and sourced them at a better rate buying in bulk.
I still love my TVR, I just wish they had been assembled a little better, and had used better quality parts/materials. As I said people don't like to hear the truth, although most are aware of the fact.
I still love my TVR, I just wish they had been assembled a little better, and had used better quality parts/materials. As I said people don't like to hear the truth, although most are aware of the fact.
Tangoed said:
We love our pride and joy's, and they look great, but when you start to look at and behind the scenes, its not always a pretty picture. Quality parts cost a bit more, such as radiators for one. I've just changed mine and the TVR original is shear crap, plastic sides that are crimped in place. The car flex's and the seal is broken. now put an Ali one in, its more efficient and flex's, how hard is that to solve. TVR could of solved this problem before or during production, and sourced them at a better rate buying in bulk.
I still love my TVR, I just wish they had been assembled a little better, and had used better quality parts/materials. As I said people don't like to hear the truth, although most are aware of the fact.
I still love my TVR, I just wish they had been assembled a little better, and had used better quality parts/materials. As I said people don't like to hear the truth, although most are aware of the fact.
of course i do agree, they could have used better parts, etc,etc...
Just that they would of cost more
repcom said:
Sounds more like a half leather interior, many TVRs are trimmed like this. With earlier cars the argument was that vinyl was used where water might run (i.e. doors) because leather would mould/rot more easily. I had a quote for a re-trim some years ago and was told that the cost of leather/vinyl was pretty much the same, the labour was the expensive bit.
R.
R.
The leather was changed ( at the instructions of 
KJ the purchasing director) to vinyl to save costs and nothing else. 
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