GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: celica on 10 April 2009, 18:48
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i've seen a fair few gti without leather
what are your thoughts on gti without leather, from an average joe public, to potential buying, to ownership, to selling etc?
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if i was in the market for a GTI i'd be looking for one WITHOUT leather
leather is all personal preference though - some people like it, others don't and as with any optional extra you'll struggle to make your money back come re-sale / trade in time although this again will depend on who is in the market and those who like leather may well be prepared to pay a small premium
i don't like leather seats personally - hot in the summer, freezing cold in the winter - no thanks and i think the GTI looks better with the Interlagos cloth
my 2p :smiley:
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I love the look of leather but hate sitting in it. My previous Alfa had rather nice mono but I slipped around, sweated in it in the summer and froze in the winter. Heated seats help but they don't stop that feeling when you first get in. I much prefer the comfort of cloth. It also looks brand new in mine after what is almost 4 years whereas leather looks very worn on some of the gti's I've seen.
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I dont tend to go for leather either - nevertheless i like the part leather seats in my ED30 - best of both worlds ;)
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This is my first car with leather ,I've had many different cars,and to me it's the biz !!!
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This is my first car with leather ,I've had many different cars,and to me it's the biz !!!
Just make sure you condition it regularly and you'll thank yourself in the long run.
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only asking due to thoughts on resale, but quite shocked to see how many prefer cloth to leather from initial views
only thing with the cloth, the grey looks a little pale
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I had black leather recaro's in my mk4 and they were :cool: When I parted with her at 90k miles they looked almost brand new.
I have leather on my current car and can't see it lasting as well. Its already looking pretty worn on the bolsters (38k). I'm taking as good care of them as I can but I can see this being somethat that takes value OFF higher mileage cars that havent been meticulously looked after.
You do get heated as standard with leather.....then again you do NEED it!
Interlagos will, I think, hold value better than the somewhat low quality leather we seem to have just now :sad:
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My leather is amazing, but as said it does wear easily !!! :undecided:
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New leather looks fantastic, but it really wears and creases badly and can make a car look tatty inside. Most of the used cars I've seen with creased leather seats have been a turn off.
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is there heated seats option on cloth seats?
for those who don't have heated seats, are the scroll buttons for heated seats just blanked off?
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I've got some stuff called Liquid Leather (http://www.liquidleather.com/liquidl.htm). It's amazing at cleaning up leather.
Transformed my Audi :)
That's why my next car ;) will have leather. It's also much more durable than cloth especially when you have (messy) kids ;)
Dan :grin:
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if i was in the market for a GTI i'd be looking for one WITHOUT leather
leather is all personal preference though - some people like it, others don't and as with any optional extra you'll struggle to make your money back come re-sale / trade in time although this again will depend on who is in the market and those who like leather may well be prepared to pay a small premium
i don't like leather seats personally - hot in the summer, freezing cold in the winter - no thanks and i think the GTI looks better with the Interlagos cloth
my 2p :smiley:
.... x2 :afro:
I don't like the way leather often creases up and can get baggy - That's alright on an executive racing chair in pigskin (like I'm sat on now) or sofa, but it doesn't look right in a car. Surely you buy a car for YOUR enjoyment and not for just the possibility of a few extra ££'s from the next owner!
I've just bought some Recaro Sports seats for mine but they are from a .:R32 - So what! They're great.
:afro:
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i've had leather on the last two cars, audi tt and toyota celica
without leather i don't think it would have looked as good and have the complete look
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I have leather in the GTI and do like it alot. As many have stated, it does wrinkle easily and can get scratched however I much prefer it to the tartan seats. So much so that I chose a standard GTI with leather over and ED30 with tartan seats. I found the tartan seats gave me a headache tbh. Each to their own I guess.
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ETTO indeed.
I do think leather looks better and gives a further touch of class. Just not convinced with the longevity in the mk5. And the wipe clean-ness is certainly an advantage :wink:
You can get heated cloth - it was part of the winter pack - I think?
Otherwise there is nothing in the place of the scroll switched - just blank which looks a bit bare.
Leather or not I wouldn't have another car without heated seats.
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so true about longevity. Only had the car since June last year and done just over 9k in it and the drivers seat base is loose.
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The bolsters on mine are pretty wrinkly at 38k.
A loose base should deff be a warranty fix.
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IMHO - Leather is hot in summer and cold in winter. I personally wouldn't buy a Golf with leather, cloth for me every time :smiley:
Leather belongs in prestige cars and only good quality leather at that - not in mainstream mass produced cars like the Golf.
Leather is easily marked, gets shiney and sags. Yes, cloth can wear on the bolsters but it doesn't look as bad as leather.
ETTO and it's your choice :laugh:
Cass
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Leather belongs in prestige cars and only good quality leather at that - not in mainstream mass produced cars like the Golf.
....Although I agree with you, I don't think the Mk5 GTI is a "mainstream mass produced car" - They were only built to order and with a fairly extensive options list. I'm not saying it's a Porsche but it certainly ain't no Ford or Vauxhall, for example.
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Std cloth everytime for me......suits the GTi down to a T IMHO. I do like the part leather Ed30 interior tho but both interiors have Pros and Cons so it comes down to personal taste. :smiley:
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I think leather sells, but don't like it. Now spec'ing up an S-line A4 and would not consider full leath. ED30 is prefect a tad of leather and the all important inty cloth.
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I personally aint too keen on the cloth look and wouldn't buy a Gti with it, It looks a bit dull to me. Lucky for me leather came standard on mine rather than an optional extra so I won't make a loss when selling (but then I dont buy a car to get my money back at the end).
I'll always use the heated seats if the seats really cold, or in summer I'd use the aircon to get everything ambient that way it would only be a short couple minutes there not to my liking!
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I personally aint too keen on the cloth look and wouldn't buy a Gti with it, It looks a bit dull to me.
....So you wouldn't buy my GTI with Interlagos cloth Recaro Sports with carbonskin backs :evil:
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Have to see pics to be honest, I do like the ED30 seats with the part leather tho.
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When I was looking for a GTI I specifically wanted one without leather. My previous 2 cars had full leather and I wanted a change, I would however be happy with 1/2 leather as in the ed30. I actually think the red detail in the cloth seats brightens up the interior which would be colourless without it.
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Full leather in a GTI is :sick: BUT Edition 30 part leather is :drool: :cool:.
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A part of the GTIs identity is the tartan cloth.
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I think it depends on the quality of the leather. My parents both drive Volvos and the leather quality has always been top notch in them. Very very comfortable. I've never sat in a mk5 with leather but if the quality is good then it can only help.
Personally I love the look of the interlagos cloth pattern :cool: I'd love a set for my car!
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Love my leather in the GTi - always had it with heated seats in my cars. Far better than cloth, which stains and holds smells.
But its all personal I suppose, I would pay extra for leather, some people would pay extra for cloth. Hey ho.
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do like the ed30
i'm still really shocked to hear how so many people prefer the cloth over leather
always thought leather was more favoured
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Cloth again here!!
Do actually prefer the leather (i think) but stuck with the cloth simply because of the amount of stuff I throw on the back seat. Quite often have them folded down too so just didnt think the leather would cope as well as the cloth.
Not to mention Im usually out of the house before 6.30 so cold leather is a no no! If I had the choice I would have probably gone for the Ed30 imterior as it offer the best of both whilst keeping the nostalgia factor :smiley:
Either that or the R32 Recaros :drool: :drool: :evil: :evil:
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Gotta remeber, the leather was an optional extra early on and some people may not of been able to afford it as it cost sumin like £1600 so it may be a biased opinion. I think the cloth looks to much like a picnic blanket, but thats just my opinion.
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Cloth again here!!
Do actually prefer the leather (i think) but stuck with the cloth simply because of the amount of stuff I throw on the back seat. Quite often have them folded down too so just didnt think the leather would cope as well as the cloth.
Not to mention Im usually out of the house before 6.30 so cold leather is a no no! If I had the choice I would have probably gone for the Ed30 imterior as it offer the best of both whilst keeping the nostalgia factor :smiley:
Either that or the R32 Recaros :drool: :drool: :evil: :evil:
Thats what the heated seats are for :)
Warm up in seconds!
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(http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp300/neo66_bucket/gti-mkv-interior.jpg)
Thought a picture would help!
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A part of the GTIs identity is the tartan cloth.
Says it all really :smiley:
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when its -5c outside heated seats do not warm up in seconds. give me cloth anyday
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when its -5c outside heated seats do not warm up in seconds. give me cloth anyday
They will warm up quick than non heated cloth seats thats for sure. I am just saying the "cold" argument when you have heated seats is a non starter. Granted keeping them cool in the summer is a different matter!
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If you are going to abuse your car don't go for the leather!
If you are gonna chuck stuff in the car you will deffo damage it,
If you treat it with the respect it deserves it will be fine ,mine is as new ,car is four years old with 28,000 miles covered .
No saggy bits ,no scuffs , no probs!
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I've leather in mine. Heated seats, so it isn't that cold. It hasn't been hot enough to see about the seats being too hot. The side bolsters hold you nice and tight so the leather being slidey isn't an issue.
However;
1) the side bolder on the drivers seat is worn
2) I wouldn't pay extra for it second hand, and I think the £1500 they ask for it new is a bit excessive.
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Cloth for me as well chaps!
A winner all the way in the GTI
cheers
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did leather come as standard in the end?
got to say leather does look more class though
for enthusiasts amongst us, i think people would look after the leather to some extent if people look after the exterior
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leather did become standard for for 08 cars definitely. Thats when I got mine and leather was standard.
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I got an '08 which came with leather as standard so I had no choice. I take everyone's points about the advantages of cloth and I generally prefer cloth if available, but to me the tartan effect in the GTi has a cheap chavvy Burberry thing going on. Hate it.
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I got an '08 which came with leather as standard so I had no choice. I take everyone's points about the advantages of cloth and I generally prefer cloth if available, but to me the tartan effect in the GTi has a cheap chavvy Burberry thing going on. Hate it.
....Yes, VW dumped the GTI-iconic Interlagos option in later production except in the Ed30.
If you think that the Mk5 cloth looks chavvy, then what do you think of the Mk6 cloth!?
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/AudioNetPhoto/red5.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/AudioNetPhoto/red6.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Ed30_interior2.jpg)
^ Edition 30 ^
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i think it keeps in the tradition of gti's. for many that doesnt mean anything and they have just bought a golf because thats what JC says is cool.
everything gets labelled chav these days. give me the golf over say a vauxhall vxr/focus st... now thats chav
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^^^^
I agree - The Interlagos is one of the traditional GTI identifiers even though it's an updated version.
I've got to admit though that it was seeing JC's review on telly that made me phone for a test drive the next day.
:afro:
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LOL - I see Clarkson for what he is: an opinionated entertainer. And a VERY good one. :) Now don't get me wrong, the man is fantastic and I enjoy following his various rants/publications.
For anybody who's read his books etc, you'll see that there are vast contradictions in his opinions, making his recommendations for cars etc highly inaccurate (besides only an idiot buys a car based on a TV presenter!!LOL!!)
You take his ramblings with an entertaining pinch of salt :)
Getting back on topic, I'm just not overly keen on the cloth. It doesn't look durable and I don't like the pattern at all. After having leather in the Audi and cloth in the Scoobs, leather is SO much more kid friendly ;) BUT you have to look after it. As car enthusiasts though, this isn't usually a problem ;) :grin:
Dan :)
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Interlagosall the way, for looks and grip in corners.
Apparently with the Mk6, you can even get a kilt made up in the cloth. Should have a prize for the first forum member's photo wearing one :wink:
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For me the Edition 30 seats are the best of both worlds. I do think that leather seats look and feel nice. But when I looked VW were charging more than BMW for the price of leather seats and it wasn't as good a quality either. Also after seeing a few GTIs with the leather wearing after only a couple of years put me off.
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I got an '08 which came with leather as standard so I had no choice. I take everyone's points about the advantages of cloth and I generally prefer cloth if available, but to me the tartan effect in the GTi has a cheap chavvy Burberry thing going on. Hate it.
....Yes, VW dumped the GTI-iconic Interlagos option in later production except in the Ed30.
If you think that the Mk5 cloth looks chavvy, then what do you think of the Mk6 cloth!?
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/AudioNetPhoto/red5.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/AudioNetPhoto/red6.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Ed30_interior2.jpg)
^ Edition 30 ^
..........both are spot on for me. :cool: :smiley:
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1 BILLION% prefere the interlagos cloth!! VW leather is cr@p, interlagos cloth is paying homage to the gti and looks stunning compared to leather!
im glad the interlagos was not available towards the end of the mk5 run as it makes it more limited :evil:
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What I dont get if VW leather is crap, why did they charge more for it? plus Cloth is more easy to stain!, and if its so great why dont they make the stearing wheel in cloth then :smug:
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What I dont get if VW leather is crap, why did they charge more for it? plus Cloth is more easy to stain!
Expect to pay a lot more for quality leather then what VW charge, leather option by default has always been classed as an upgrade and therefore charged for accordingly.
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I love the interlagos interior. Prefer it to leather - cold in winter, hot in summer...