Leather v Cloth

[keelaw]

The tartain is classic GTI and looks great, but the leather for me is proper lush and ties in an already fantastic interior/dash with the leather finishing it off beautifully.

Won't be so beautiful in a couple of years time with faded patches and saggy folds. I looked at many second hand mk5s and was very disappointed with the leather.

[Rolfe]

I had Alcantara on my Peugeot, and it was great.  Never needed anything more than a wipe over.  Still looked great when I registered it for the scrappage scheme (though the driver's seat split on the side of the seat back before I actually swapped it for the Golf).  This was in marked contrast to the cloth I had on my previous Fiestas which got dirty too easily.

I really, really wanted the leather in the Golf.  I'd absolutely budgeted for it even though I thought it was expensive.  Until the day I saw it in the showroom car.  I can't explain it, but it didn't have that "expensive" quality I was looking for at that price.  Then I went to a different dealer, looking for a bigger discount, and ran into a cloth fan.  His showroom car was done up in cloth, and he extolled the classic homage to the MkI.  I realised I liked it better than the leather.

So I specced the DSG instead.

Sorry, Kev!

Rolfe.

[VWKev]

I had Alcantara on my Peugeot, and it was great.  Never needed anything more than a wipe over.  Still looked great when I registered it for the scrappage scheme (though the driver's seat split on the side of the seat back before I actually swapped it for the Golf).  This was in marked contrast to the cloth I had on my previous Fiestas which got dirty too easily.

I really, really wanted the leather in the Golf.  I'd absolutely budgeted for it even though I thought it was expensive.  Until the day I saw it in the showroom car.  I can't explain it, but it didn't have that "expensive" quality I was looking for at that price.  Then I went to a different dealer, looking for a bigger discount, and ran into a cloth fan.  His showroom car was done up in cloth, and he extolled the classic homage to the MkI.  I realised I liked it better than the leather.

So I specced the DSG instead.

Sorry, Kev!

Rolfe.

Hehe, each to their own.

[VWKev]

The tartain is classic GTI and looks great, but the leather for me is proper lush and ties in an already fantastic interior/dash with the leather finishing it off beautifully.

Won't be so beautiful in a couple of years time with faded patches and saggy folds. I looked at many second hand mk5s and was very disappointed with the leather.

Thats your choice. My choice was the leather. My arse is not 30 stone so I very much doubt it will be saggy and as for the faded patches ? I will be taking care of the leather and it will be treated. If my leather is faded in a couple of years I'll take pics and give you my GTI free, when I show you its not, you give me yours. Deal ?

[keelaw]

The tartain is classic GTI and looks great, but the leather for me is proper lush and ties in an already fantastic interior/dash with the leather finishing it off beautifully.

Won't be so beautiful in a couple of years time with faded patches and saggy folds. I looked at many second hand mk5s and was very disappointed with the leather.

Thats your choice. My choice was the leather. My arse is not 30 stone so I very much doubt it will be saggy and as for the faded patches ? I will be taking care of the leather and it will be treated. If my leather is faded in a couple of years I'll take pics and give you my GTI free, when I show you its not, you give me yours. Deal ?

No deal Noel.  I doubt many people would look after leather like you will be though.  Hence the Mk5s I saw were generally in poor condition. Even the 5 series BM I had before the golf had poor quality leather, hence I went with cloth.

[VWKev]

The tartain is classic GTI and looks great, but the leather for me is proper lush and ties in an already fantastic interior/dash with the leather finishing it off beautifully.

Won't be so beautiful in a couple of years time with faded patches and saggy folds. I looked at many second hand mk5s and was very disappointed with the leather.

Thats your choice. My choice was the leather. My arse is not 30 stone so I very much doubt it will be saggy and as for the faded patches ? I will be taking care of the leather and it will be treated. If my leather is faded in a couple of years I'll take pics and give you my GTI free, when I show you its not, you give me yours. Deal ?

No deal Noel.  I doubt many people would look after leather like you will be though.  Hence the Mk5s I saw were generally in poor condition. Even the 5 series BM I had before the golf had poor quality leather, hence I went with cloth.

My car is my pride and joy, I still sit in it and smile. With the leather costing so much, I just cant think of not looking after it properly.

[am1w]

I had Alcantara on my Peugeot, and it was great.  Never needed anything more than a wipe over.  Still looked great when I registered it for the scrappage scheme (though the driver's seat split on the side of the seat back before I actually swapped it for the Golf).  This was in marked contrast to the cloth I had on my previous Fiestas which got dirty too easily.

I really, really wanted the leather in the Golf.  I'd absolutely budgeted for it even though I thought it was expensive.  Until the day I saw it in the showroom car.  I can't explain it, but it didn't have that "expensive" quality I was looking for at that price.  Then I went to a different dealer, looking for a bigger discount, and ran into a cloth fan.  His showroom car was done up in cloth, and he extolled the classic homage to the MkI.  I realised I liked it better than the leather.

So I specced the DSG instead.

Sorry, Kev!

Rolfe.

Hehe, each to their own.

With cloth seating, I have found cars sound quieter due to cloth's less reflective properties when compared to  leather.
Anyway, they both look good. But cloth looks good for a longer time! It is also much, much cheaper.

[am1w]

I had Alcantara on my Peugeot, and it was great.  Never needed anything more than a wipe over.  Still looked great when I registered it for the scrappage scheme (though the driver's seat split on the side of the seat back before I actually swapped it for the Golf).  This was in marked contrast to the cloth I had on my previous Fiestas which got dirty too easily.

I really, really wanted the leather in the Golf.  I'd absolutely budgeted for it even though I thought it was expensive.  Until the day I saw it in the showroom car.  I can't explain it, but it didn't have that "expensive" quality I was looking for at that price.  Then I went to a different dealer, looking for a bigger discount, and ran into a cloth fan.  His showroom car was done up in cloth, and he extolled the classic homage to the MkI.  I realised I liked it better than the leather.

So I specced the DSG instead.

Sorry, Kev!

Rolfe.

Hehe, each to their own.

With cloth seating, I have found cars sound quieter due to cloth's less reflective properties compared to leather.
Anyway, they both look good. But cloth looks good for a longer time! It is also much, much cheaper.

[Captain Sensible]

I have leather seats in my current car which is now two and a half years old. I fed them regular with a clean and feed treatment so they still look good. Though the driver’s seat has slight sag on it.
It takes a few moments before the heat comes through the seat until then its bloody freezing sitting on them just now. On hot days your back does tend to sweat.

I would never get leather seats again plus I think the tartan seats look absolutely brilliant in GTI form and blend in well with all the red stitching on the steering wheel and gear lever. Brings back memories of happy motoring in a Mark 2 GTI.

[am1w]

I have leather seats in my current car which is now two and a half years old. I fed them regular with a clean and feed treatment so they still look good. Though the driver’s seat has slight sag on it.
It takes a few moments before the heat comes through the seat until then its bloody freezing sitting on them just now. On hot days your back does tend to sweat.

I would never get leather seats again plus I think the tartan seats look absolutely brilliant in GTI form and blend in well with all the red stitching on the steering wheel and gear lever. Brings back memories of happy motoring in a Mark 2 GTI.

I agree with you on every point. 
Cloth: the SENSIBLE choice.