GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: DaBaws on 25 August 2018, 11:33
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Hi,
About to order a 7.5 GTI PP 5 Dr in Indium Grey.
Was initially inclined to leather mainly because I've never had leather before and it looks great and I feel it completes the interior on the GTI's perfectly, especially with the colour I'm getting. However I changed my mind to the Art Velour Cloth due to reading the VW leather isn't any good. Starts to stretch and sag quickly (i've seen some pics of 2018 models with 3k miles on auto trader and this seems to be the case).
Also other benefits of cloth over leather is the seats heat up quicker and don't get too hot in summer, or too cold in winter.
What have peoples experiences been like with either? Any pics of the condition of their leather/cloth seats?
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I have the Art Velours and really like it. Basially it's fake Alcantara. It's also half the price of the leather I think....and with leather only the bits you sit on / against are real leather; the rest is plastic leather (pleather) i.e. fake leather. Maybe the money saved could almost pay for something like DCC?
With the Art Velours, the arm rest and the door cards are the pleather too, so basically the same as if you'd ordered leather. I like this because dust etc simply wipes off them rather than having to hoover them. I put bikes in back of my car, and find mud scrapes etc simply wipe of the seat backs rather than dry as dust into fabric as it did on my Mk 6.
I wouldn't order VW leather personally, but do recommend the AV.
I'll get flamed for this no doubt.......but I also think it looks nicer than the tartan. :smiley:
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The arm rest and the door cards are the pleather too, so basically the same as if you'd ordered leather. I like this because dust etc simply wipes off them rather than having to hoover them.
I agree with this. I loved the tartan in my mk 7.5 but even after just a year the fabric bit on the door did start to look a bit tired.
The art velour equivalent in my Clubsport standard seats has the pleather there and I do think it will wear better.
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The leather on the GTi does look good when new, but it looks tired after a short while and at £1700 it's hard to justify when it contains so much artificial leather.
I do like the standard fabric, but that said the fabric on the bolsters does feel quite cheap. A sensibly priced half leather option like I had on my Octavia would have been nice, so maybe art velours would be a decent compromise? :undecided:
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26k miles in and my tartan seats still look pretty much as new. I was a bit sceptical at the likely longevity prospects of the bolsters but they are doing very well. I do like the look of the Art Velours, very smart but I wouldn't pay the extra when the tartan is so good :smiley:
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No problems with the leather on my MK7 and it's almost 3 years old.
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I’m not sure what I’d do if it were my choice.
The GTI tartan is pretty iconic and suits the car. It’s “free”, it is sort of moulded into the GTI “heritage” (even though it’s not been a feature of all the GTI’s over the years, briefly in the mk1, a very toned down version in the mk2 and then nothing until the re-birth of 2004).
But having had an R and Clubsport with alcantara bolsters, plus been in a few Sciroccos with all alcantara interiors, I do like the grippiness of the seats. Plus the Art Velour adds something different. It’s quite a lot of money for what it is but looks nice and will hold you in place well.
I’ve never been a fan of leather. To me it’s a luxury car thing not a sports hatch interior. However when I saw the seats in a friend of mine’s facelift GTI I was really impressed with them. The red perforations really suited the sporty nature of the car giving the interior an almost Italian feel.
I’d have actually considered paying the extra for that myself, and that’s saying something as I’m normally against loading a car with superfluous extras.
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I have had both Jacara Tartan cloth and Race Cloth/Alcantara and now have Pleather in my latest GTi. So far, but I have only done just over 3K the pleather looks like the day I picked it up in early January. I had feared they would be cold in winter and almost unbearable in summer and both extremes have now been tested and happy to report my fears were unfounded 👍 Also, mine heat up really quickly and I have to turn them down.
They are expensive but I like them. I went a bit mad with the extras on this one but managed to negotiate a very good deal which wiped out the cost of the extras.
Here’s a few of photos of the interior and one of the exterior as mine is Indium too :smiley:
(https://s26.postimg.cc/c3obne7u1/B2_D16276-5_B11-4856-8943-8_FF2902205_C0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i4m0kgug5/)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/tv99ry3hl/46944_ADE-55_EA-4_B7_C-_BE9_F-7_D6_A9258_C33_A.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/u80ny4lr9/)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/ms1ecbqc9/785_E464_F-7_A7_B-4_FEC-_BE31-_A7_EF917566_C6.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/5rii3ndat/)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/3p79pfhzt/73229722-_EE90-4516-9079-30_F442_F28184.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/feb9de8yd/)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/a802qxnux/A84_E67_E8-7_A7_E-47_B4-_B0_CB-_D9718_D6_EB633.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z19mrl6v9/)
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I never understood the clamour for leather, I have had it in a few BM's and Audi's and it's hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
If you do spec it make sure you have heated seats, a must with leather IMHO.
That's why I stuck with the standard tartan on my my GTI plus as Exonian says it's iconic now.
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I’d go the leather, as I think one of the best things to come out of the facelift was the introduction of the perforated leather on the sears, which elevates it from plain dull leather to something befitting of a performance Golf. With the red showing through the perforations on the GTI, it perfectly balances the cabin and gives just the right hint of ‘performance’ or ‘sportiness’.
I’ve had leather in last few Golfs (with heated seats which I’d never give up), and have simply never experienced the extremes of it being really hot in summer and freezing in winter. Maybe that’s true of some leather interiors but I’ve yet to experience it in a Golf with a leather interior, and we’ve just had a pretty hot summer and at no point were the leather seats boiling, and that’s with a car parked all day in direct sunlight in works car park. The leather steering wheel gets hot but the seats seem to escape it. And if you’re driving around the aircon is your friend anyway. Similarly, been through many winters with leather and seats have never been really cold at all.
As JB’s pics show, it’s a beautiful interior.
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Fabric every time, I had leather before, never again, it is boiling hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter. Looks great but impractical for every day use.
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Another vote to avoid leather - it ages too quickly and is very expensive. I would opt for Art Velours if buying new today...
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Leather all day long for me, easy to clean and looks classy. Saying that I do love the standard tartan seats in the Golf.
I'd question how genuine the leather is on cars these days and because of that it certainly doesn't get boiling hot/freezing cold like it used to. Even in the red hot summer we've had I never once burnt myself.
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Or, as I have done, have the best of both worlds with the Art Velour Interior. Nice and warm (and grippy) Alcantera where your body touches and leather (pleather) on the seat sides, back, door card, arm rest etc ?
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/27039799897_e1d946ef47_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hcq3sv)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/945/28038592358_4e4cae14f1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JHF7Eb)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/909/41865470612_f2f1f01a82_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26MvtQQ)
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I specced leather on mine and then exported it to Cyprus for a year. Even there I never really had the seats so hot you couldn't sit on them - although I'll admit to them getting a little warm lol.
23000 miles in and the leather still looks in really good nick - minimal sagging (nothing a good steam won't cure) and loads easier to keep clean.
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Or, as I have done, have the best of both worlds with the Art Velour Interior. Nice and warm (and grippy) Alcantera where your body touches and leather (pleather) on the seat sides, back, door card, arm rest etc ?
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/27039799897_e1d946ef47_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hcq3sv)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/945/28038592358_4e4cae14f1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JHF7Eb)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/909/41865470612_f2f1f01a82_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26MvtQQ)
Looks really good, thanks for the pics. Any chance for a pic of the inside of the doors?
Also do those GTI mats come standard with the car?
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Art Velours looks so good. That said, the latest leather with the red perforations looks a lot better now as well. Don't think there is a bad interior. I have the tartan cloth and love it.
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The more I see the Art Velours, the more I like them, even though I love my tartan seats.
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Looks really good, thanks for the pics. Any chance for a pic of the inside of the doors?
Also do those GTI mats come standard with the car?
Here you go, just the back door, but the front is similar. Leather (pleather) to the vertical faces and armrests that are usually cloth. And No, the mats don't come with the car, these were just a cheap set I purchased.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/980/27039778967_45cb9e2f3b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HcpWeD)
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Basically, it's down to wear and tear. Mine doesn't get a lot. c6K a year and up to 2 people on board. Notwithstanding last week in Cornwall with a 6 and 9-year-old kicking hell out of the backs of front seats and half a beach in the back :rolleyes: Interior restored today, exterior tomorrow.
Am happy with my cloth which is cozier than leather and more giving comfort wise.
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I do really like the standard tartan cloth in mine, and its easy to clean with a damp cloth, but if budget had allowed I would have definitely gone for the art velour. I think that looks really smart :smiley:
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It's a pity the tartan doesn't have the same leather bolsters and arm rests as AV. Then again, if it did probably fewer would spec AV and VW wouldn't make the mark up.....
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you may also want to consider the wear on the side edge of the seat for cloth - the part where there's usually more contact between body and seat every time we enter/exit the car. I loved the tartan in my previous car but it was ripped apart after 5 years and I had to saw it. Apart from that, it's cloth for me any day of the year but then again it's 42 celcius today down here so a no brainer really
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I had leather but hated it nearly asked to swap it with someone else’s car if you do get leather then I would have heated seats and tinted windows I prefer the tartan cloth just my opinion
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I spec'd black leather on my Oct 66 TDI 2L (my own car, not rented)
It remains completely faultless, not a scrape of sigh of wear anywhere.
I drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Any mud spats get wiped off with spit and tissue, likewise coffee spills, either way you cant see any signs once dry.
I had the car Pro Detailed by Envy from new which included some sort of leather treatment but what it was I haven't a clue.
It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
All my future cars will have leather, £2k well spent IMO.
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It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
And that's the usual unsubstantiated statement made by those that can't accept others can have a differing opinion :rolleyes:
By the way, check your "leather" and see just how much of it actually is leather...
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MikeJ if you want to spend 2k of your own money on plastic fake material that's fine but don't assume anyone else can't afford it, it's probably they have more sense than to waste money on something that's not even real.
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It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
All my future cars will have leather, £2k well spent IMO.
So presumably you ticked every option when you ordered yours? Or were there options you didn't pick because you didn't think they were worth paying for?
We all like different things, and if someone chooses differently to you, don't assume it's because of affordability. More likely it's a case of different priorities.
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Had my GTi PP for over 4.5 years, 36K miles, 2 kids, 1 husband. After all the school runs, children taxi service work, and a few holidays up & down the country....Tartan seats look as good as new. And I still love them. Had leather seats before, too cold (initially) in winter, too hot in Summer (& legs stick to it if your wearing shorts or a skirt!!!).
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It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
I could have afforded it, it's just sh!t :whistle:
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drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Are you for real? Drove my mate's TT with leather for 10 minutes and even tho a beautiful car all around, that did it for me, what a total waste of money that is... Spain and Portugal pretty much same weather as in Cyprus so i seriously doubt it that they were not hot or sticky.
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drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Are you for real? Drove my mate's TT with leather for 10 minutes and even tho a beautiful car all around, that did it for me, what a total waste of money that is... Spain and Portugal pretty much same weather as in Cyprus so i seriously doubt it that they were not hot or sticky.
To be honest, the leather in mine was fine for the year I had it in Cyprus. Admittedly I always had the sunshade up when I parked it anywhere but it was actually fine. Rarely got to the point of being uncomfortable even on the hottest days.
As said previously, it's all down to personal preference but some of the childish comments above (and in other threads) really make me realise why I'm not as active on this forum as I once was...
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drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Are you for real? Drove my mate's TT with leather for 10 minutes and even tho a beautiful car all around, that did it for me, what a total waste of money that is... Spain and Portugal pretty much same weather as in Cyprus so i seriously doubt it that they were not hot or sticky.
To be honest, the leather in mine was fine for the year I had it in Cyprus. Admittedly I always had the sunshade up when I parked it anywhere but it was actually fine. Rarely got to the point of being uncomfortable even on the hottest days.
As said previously, it's all down to personal preference but some of the childish comments above (and in other threads) really make me realise why I'm not as active on this forum as I once was...
Make that two of us :sad:
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I think the upgraded interiors are very nice on the GTI, with Art Velour and red perforated leather on the 7.5 both look great and lift the feel of the interior.
It's a personal choice. As it is with everything option which is why they are called options.
I like the tartan and it suits the car so no complaints by me. If mine had happened to have turned up with the leather I wouldn't have complained either... well, with the summer we had maybe I would have!!
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I must say that we didn't find the plastic seats in the Tig a problem in the hot weather. Either in this country, or in the mid 30's in France.
I only have it because the car had it. It wasn't the difference between choosing one car or another, and if specing a new car, I don't think it it would be on my options list.
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drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Are you for real? Drove my mate's TT with leather for 10 minutes and even tho a beautiful car all around, that did it for me, what a total waste of money that is... Spain and Portugal pretty much same weather as in Cyprus so i seriously doubt it that they were not hot or sticky.
To be honest, the leather in mine was fine for the year I had it in Cyprus. Admittedly I always had the sunshade up when I parked it anywhere but it was actually fine. Rarely got to the point of being uncomfortable even on the hottest days.
As said previously, it's all down to personal preference but some of the childish comments above (and in other threads) really make me realise why I'm not as active on this forum as I once was...
it all comes down to personal preference. from personal experience living for 40 years in a country with 40 degrees in the shade, leather is not a good option. Maybe you were lucky and was here when the summer was mild enough, no need to get skirmish over it tho and no harm intended. UK weather is definitely different even in the 'hot' summer months so maybe not such an issue and if people like it then it's their choice.
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Sooo, after all that.... :smiley:
To the OP: did you get info that helped you choose? What did you go for?
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As said previously, it's all down to personal preference but some of the childish comments above (and in other threads) really make me realise why I'm not as active on this forum as I once was...
You never were much fun over on VXRO :whistle:
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drove +5000km down to Spain and Portugal and never once did the seats feel hot or sticky and despite all the warnings from those without leather it isn't cold in the winter.
Are you for real? Drove my mate's TT with leather for 10 minutes and even tho a beautiful car all around, that did it for me, what a total waste of money that is... Spain and Portugal pretty much same weather as in Cyprus so i seriously doubt it that they were not hot or sticky.
To be honest, the leather in mine was fine for the year I had it in Cyprus. Admittedly I always had the sunshade up when I parked it anywhere but it was actually fine. Rarely got to the point of being uncomfortable even on the hottest days.
As said previously, it's all down to personal preference but some of the childish comments above (and in other threads) really make me realise why I'm not as active on this forum as I once was...
it all comes down to personal preference. from personal experience living for 40 years in a country with 40 degrees in the shade, leather is not a good option. Maybe you were lucky and was here when the summer was mild enough, no need to get skirmish over it tho and no harm intended. UK weather is definitely different even in the 'hot' summer months so maybe not such an issue and if people like it then it's their choice.
Lived there for 4 years and loved it. Proper hot in the summer - it actually felt more comfortable in Afghan at 50 than in Cyprus at 40. Must be a drier heat when you're not on an island in the med.
No issues with you - your comments weren't the one's I took issue with (although probably looked like that as I quoted your post). I remember you asking for advise regarding getting a golf over to Cyprus - hope you got something sorted.
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It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
All my future cars will have leather, £2k well spent IMO.
Nothing like a sweeping generalisation of forum members
I used to thing leather was the be all and end all but I do not like leather seat centres, never really liked the leather which VW gave me for free on the R and much preferred the cloth on my rental R I had for a few years and on the wife's.
Now I am slumming it in the Up GTI I am loving the cloth seats in it, for me on the GTI it would be cloth or the art velour, always loved the way our Pirelli seats felt.
M2 came with leather and not a fan, M2 Comp cam with leather so order cancelled. I particularly hate that VW shove leather on the run outs as if its something they assume in the UK everyone wants.
Fortunately there will not be a leather seat centre in sight on the 718 GTS.
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I particularly hate that VW shove leather on the run outs as if its something they assume in the UK everyone wants.
I guess they do this to use up the stock of pleather seat covers that no one has ordered as an overpriced option.
If leather is a must have, it's perhaps best to wait until the run out models before ordering a new car.
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It always seems that those who criticise leather are the ones who would like it but wont/cant afford it.
All my future cars will have leather, £2k well spent IMO.
Fortunately there will not be a leather seat centre in sight on the 718 GTS.
Off topic - I love Porsches but £60k (basic price) for a porker with a 4 cylinder engine.... :shocked:
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Off topic - I love Porsches but £60k (basic price) for a porker with a 4 cylinder engine.... :shocked:
Interestingly (or not) Compared to the internet and 1976 prices, in 1976, a Porsche 912 was an extra 77.25% above the price of a Golf GTI. Today the 718 is just an extra 53% of the entry level GTI list price.
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Bit controversial but I don't really like the tartan cloth, I didn't want to spec leather but the car I now drive had everything else matching my ideal spec and was available straightaway so I took it.
Ultimately I'm very pleased with how they look and feel, no issues there. But in hindsight the cost vs. improved looks (in my opinion) isn't justifiable so next car I'll be more patient and wait for the exact spec I want rather than compromising.
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Bit controversial but I don't really like the tartan cloth, I didn't want to spec leather but the car I now drive had everything else matching my ideal spec and was available straightaway so I took it.
Ultimately I'm very pleased with how they look and feel, no issues there. But in hindsight the cost vs. improved looks (in my opinion) isn't justifiable so next car I'll be more patient and wait for the exact spec I want rather than compromising.
Nothing controversial there, glad you are pleased. Horses for courses, had leather in my Audi which I loved, I just prefer the tartan in the GTI as it adds some needed colour to the cabin.
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Lived there for 4 years and loved it. Proper hot in the summer - it actually felt more comfortable in Afghan at 50 than in Cyprus at 40. Must be a drier heat when you're not on an island in the med.
No issues with you - your comments weren't the one's I took issue with (although probably looked like that as I quoted your post). I remember you asking for advise regarding getting a golf over to Cyprus - hope you got something sorted.
no worries mate. Ah you remember that... after a lot of deliberation and drooling over a couple of Rs/GTIs, I decided it wasn't worth the risk with the limited warranty and such and opted for a brand new 1.4 TSI with the complete R line package, which isn't the fastest but impressive all around as well... Will revisit GTI territory once the house mortgage allows it. And yes, 40 in Cyprus with all the humidity, that's something isn't it...