Leather or Cloth

[rajSantiago]

Hi All,

 Just about to order our new GTI (in tornado red) and quite perplexed if we should get leather or the standard  interlagos cloth. I personally like leather, because it looks allot better (IMHO) and the wife is erring towards the cloth because it’s more durable and holds well through winter and summer. To all GTI owners out there, what are your thoughts on this?  One more thing, if I omit the leather I save a cool $AUS2990 (1252 GBP or 2479 US) 

[Hurdy]

Both for me



Seriously though, I do like a bit of leather

[aahgolf]

The leather isn't all leather, i.e. only the seat facings are leather, the backs etc are simulated. Which is why I decided not to spend the money on it as I thought it was expensive given how little you get.

[Phil mcavity]

 Ful leather all the way, Not available on Edition 30. no staining to worry about or sun faid which really makes the tartan in a couple of years look well aged.(see all previous VW Golf mk2,mk3,mk4's before it  ). As long as you keep the leather regually oiled with good quality oils like Liquid leather. Looks better in the long run.

[barlimow]

How's your leather holding up then Phil? We read quite a few stories about the leather looking quite tired pretty quickly? Got any pics?

[TagnuT]

Follow the link to this discussion:- http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/1/724326/ShowThread.aspx

[bmx]

if i were getting a normal gti, i would go for leather, but leather takes too much looking after for most people. fabric is hardwearing and doesnt show the signs of age as easily. its a tough decision.

[Phil mcavity]

How's your leather holding up then Phil? We read quite a few stories about the leather looking quite tired pretty quickly? Got any pics?

My leather is still very good, no signs yet of any scuffing or it wearing away so far. My only gripe with the bolstered seats is that it feels its loosing its shape on the drivers seat nxt to the door opening, but i guess thats normal for all cars with heavy edged bolsters and over time will naturally do it ( unless you weigh 7 stone) in my case im abit bigger. 6 ft 3 and 16 stone! (fat f..ker)  

[Creepy Coupe]

Having had both I can honestly say I only miss the smell of the leather, I don't miss the cold feel as even with heated seats they took a while to warm up, I don't miss the worry of scuffing the drivers seat bolster every time I climbed in and out, even after 8k miles mine had started to show signs of marking, and I was very careful also thought it's overpriced for the quality it was.

I do think leather looks much better than the cloth in the R32, but in the GTi I wouldn’t hesitate to have cloth Tartan, as it looks very befitting for the overall look and feel of a GTi.

[Cass]

The wife is right. Leather is cold in winter and gets too hot in summer. Cloth IMHO is more durable and you don't get paranoid that your passengers will scratch the leather everytime they get in the car

Save the money and upgrade your hi-fi/Sat Nav instead

Cass