Leatherette cracking already?!
#1
Leatherette cracking already?!
My 2006 MINI Cooper S has the black leatherette sport seats. It will be 2 years young in August. I had leatherette in my 2003 MINI for nearly 4 years without issue, but I'm noticing on the driver's seat, the seat part (not the seat-back), on the left side leg "bolster" that is sort of raised, there are about a dozen cracks in the leatherette.
The cracks only appear prominently if you sort of press down on the leatherette in that area--then they REALLY SHOW UP. But when you release, because the seats are so cushy, the cracks are not readily apparent because they "stick" together from the pressure of the material that's stuffed in the seat. I discovered the cracks when I put my hand down on the left edge of driver's seat in order to reach down to pick something up in the footwell. Otherwise I wouldn't have noticed a thing...it's barely noticeable until pressure is on the seat bolster, which stretches the leatherette revealing the cracks.
It's not bad now, but in a few years, who knows...
anyone else have this? I'm taking it in for the complimentary oil change next month and I will have them check it out hopefully it will be replaced (I doubt they repair leatherette) under warranty. Seats shouldn't crack in just under two years of normal use. I'm not a heavy guy either, 175 lbs., so it's not like the seats were under abnormal stress or whatever...
The cracks only appear prominently if you sort of press down on the leatherette in that area--then they REALLY SHOW UP. But when you release, because the seats are so cushy, the cracks are not readily apparent because they "stick" together from the pressure of the material that's stuffed in the seat. I discovered the cracks when I put my hand down on the left edge of driver's seat in order to reach down to pick something up in the footwell. Otherwise I wouldn't have noticed a thing...it's barely noticeable until pressure is on the seat bolster, which stretches the leatherette revealing the cracks.
It's not bad now, but in a few years, who knows...
anyone else have this? I'm taking it in for the complimentary oil change next month and I will have them check it out hopefully it will be replaced (I doubt they repair leatherette) under warranty. Seats shouldn't crack in just under two years of normal use. I'm not a heavy guy either, 175 lbs., so it's not like the seats were under abnormal stress or whatever...
#2
No one else has noticed cracking leatherette (black leatherette) on the left hand "leg bolster" of their driver seat?
As I mentioned, it's only slightly noticeable, you have to be looking for it, or like me, find it when bending down to pick something up... or I'm sure some of the more OCD mini owners would have noticed during routine car cleaning...
I just hope they accept it as a defect and replace the leatherette. I'd think they'd have to replace the entire seat, unless there's a way to just replace partial panels? There's no way this should be happening in less than 24 months time.
rock on,
-boognish
As I mentioned, it's only slightly noticeable, you have to be looking for it, or like me, find it when bending down to pick something up... or I'm sure some of the more OCD mini owners would have noticed during routine car cleaning...
I just hope they accept it as a defect and replace the leatherette. I'd think they'd have to replace the entire seat, unless there's a way to just replace partial panels? There's no way this should be happening in less than 24 months time.
rock on,
-boognish
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#4
Funny, I just noticed this the other day. Looks like I have the same issue. Showing signs of slight cracking on the left leg side bolster. I agree that this should not be happening so soon. If they replace the seat, what happens when the passenger side seat does the same thing. Seems like it will be inevitable.
I've been considering having the seats redone anyway. I really like the 08 seats, but I don't think they will fit my '06. Anyone have any idea what it would costs to have all the seats recovered? Preferably real leather! Any recommended upholstery shops in or around NYC?
I've been considering having the seats redone anyway. I really like the 08 seats, but I don't think they will fit my '06. Anyone have any idea what it would costs to have all the seats recovered? Preferably real leather! Any recommended upholstery shops in or around NYC?
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Wonder why they even call it leatherette? It's plain ol vinyl and not even tough vinyl. The stuff they use on school buses blows this away. I got cloth seats on my car because I don't want to have to deal with this. Interesting thing to note: my dad had an Audi A6 and it had real leather seats. They had the texture of leatherette. In the five years he owned it, it never developed any wrinkles. You could hardly tell if the backseat was used (and it was used frequently). When he traded it in for a new car, the leather still looked mosly new. Why can't car manufacturers use quality parts for once instead of cutting corners with plastic and fake leather? A co-worker had a Mitsubishi (can't remember the exact model) and got "lightly" rear-ended. He was shocked by how easily the bodywork was damaged and swears that his repair bill wouldn't have been as steep had they used sturdier parts.
#17
While the base composition is vinyl, the "leatherette" name is supposed to connote that the look and feel of the material is close to leather. [MINI is being accurate since when I bought my used MINI I did not know if my interior was leather or vinyl. Took me a few days to figure it out.]
School buses use industrial grade upholstery/vinyl that would never be mistaken for leather. It has a more plastic feel to it, similar to what is on public transit seats.
When I checked my MINI last night for cracks I gave it the squeeze test to see if any cracks were developing. While I did not see any evidence of cracks whatsoever [ ] I think you are somewhat correct. I was surprised that the vinyl seemed a little thin, not a cheap thin, but certainly not as thick as I would like to see it.
IMHO the material, stitching and overall quality of the seats is very nice compared to what I have seen on budget cars, but yes, not close to the fit and finish of genuine leather. And for sure the vinyl is not as "hearty" as I would like.
As to leather being way better, my friend had a 1990 Audi that she recently sold. It had about 130,000 on it. The interior was deep blue leather. Look at the pics. For an 18-year-old interior, it has held up very well.
Part of that is attributable to the quality and durability of leather, but she also took care of the car.
From what I have seen, the MINI leather interior seems way better than my MINI's leatherette.
Last edited by MichaelSF; 09-15-2008 at 11:11 PM.
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Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, and Rolls have long-standing agreements with the English tanners to get the absolute best available leather. BMW leather is significantly worse quality by comparison.
This has nothing to do with the quality of the vinyl used in MINIs, of course, but I'd hazard a guess that those that are showing this cracking may have been parked in direct sunlight a lot rather than garaged?
This has nothing to do with the quality of the vinyl used in MINIs, of course, but I'd hazard a guess that those that are showing this cracking may have been parked in direct sunlight a lot rather than garaged?
Last edited by OldRick; 09-15-2008 at 10:56 PM.
#24
Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, and Rolls have long-standing agreements with the English tanners to get the absolute best available leather. BMW leather is significantly worse quality by comparison.
This has nothing to do with the quality of the vinyl used in MINIs, of course, but I'd hazard a guess that those that are showing this cracking may have been parked in direct sunlight a lot rather than garaged?
This has nothing to do with the quality of the vinyl used in MINIs, of course, but I'd hazard a guess that those that are showing this cracking may have been parked in direct sunlight a lot rather than garaged?
Mine has spent most of it's time garaged at home and work. I also clean and condition the seats regularly. Not much to do about it. I know what not to get next time .