prt57 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Hi, I am on the verge of putting in my order for a new R32 but I have hit a bit of a stumbling block regarding the seat materials. In my existing Mk 4 1.8T I have black/red cloth Recaros so easy to wipe away a mark. In the new R32 the cloth on the bolsters and doors etc is light grey. I have already posted a couple of months ago about wear on the cloth bolsters so I know that you have to be careful getting in and out. What is the stain resistance like? A bit of grease etc on the light grey would make a nasty mark. On the other hand the leather costs over £1600 and still marks if you don't take care getting in and out. Do you find that you slide around a bit on the leather whereas the fabric would hold you snug? I am only 165cm high!! What do you think, is there anyone who has ordered leather and wishes that they had chosen fabric or vice versa. Is the ipod connection any good, my son has an ipod but on the other hand I may not want to listen to his rubbish!! How easy is it to get in and out of the back of a 3 door model without marking the trim? The car will mainly be used for 2 people but there will be times when the whole family need a lift. Help me decide as I am back in R32 territory after straying by considering an A3 3.2 instead of the R32!! Looking forward to your thoughts, Cheers, prt57. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheppane7 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I had cloth on my last mk5 R32, and have specified it again for my new one due beggining of Oct. Did 6.5k in the last one, and found it perfectly durable. Strikes me that VW Leather is not worth £ 1600, and don't care what anyone says, you don't get it back when you come to sell. The cloth is quite dark, and actually, i think looks quite classy. Five door is more practical re access, and also, looks better side on, in the way the window line integrates the windscreen to rear hatch more succesfully. It does not have the kick up to the C pillar. The ipod connection can be specified for factory fitting in the centre armrest cubby. should be quite handy, and it saves some VW garage botching the fitting of it as an aftermarket option. Good luck with your spec... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich76 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 The leather is OK, but as sheppane7 says, certainly not worth the asking price. It's VERY hard to climb in without squashing the bolster (5dr, and I'm 6ft2in, so maybe that doesn't help) and the leather creases and crumples. Not scuffed yet though, but it's only a matter of time. Would still take it over cloth any day of the week, but that's just me. My dealer fitted my iPod connection, kindly slapping it in the glove box after I'd asked for it in the arm rest. Only got it to work once too, but then I'm dumb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I feel I can answer this as the Mk5 GTI is so similar re interior. The cloth (after one year) looks as new as on the first day and is very comfortable in all weathers. I have driven leather clad GTIs and one Mk5 R32 and leather has a tendency to bag, though not too badly. Also it feels just a tad slippier imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Thanks for the replies, so far it is 2:1 to cloth interior at the moment! Does leather really benefit from leather treatments that are designed to prevent cracking? All thoughts welcome. Thinking long term, which would be more durable, I normally keep and cherish my cars, my existing GTi is 8 years old at Xmas and will not be sold to make way for my new purchase. prt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGK512 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I prefer to eat em rather than sit on them Seriously i went for cloth and am perfectly happy with it so far. Spend it on 30 tanks of optimax instead ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Does leather really benefit from leather treatments that are designed to prevent cracking? [/ QUOTE ] Megs and Zymol leather cleaners have kept things good after 13k miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindaloo Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I personally think the .:R looks far classier in leather, I sort of expect them to have leather I guess, but your quite right it is a rip-off. Don't slip around at all on mine. I think it looks far better in 3-door, dead easy getting into the back, the seat mechanism is a breeze & the less doors make it easier to clean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I like the look of the 3 door too. When I bought my GTi the 3 door option was not available so I was stuck with 5 doors. I think that the 3 door models look more sporty. How often do you have to apply the leather cleaners/conditioners? My prefered exterior colour would be red. I was driving up from Naples to Rome last week and a red Mk V zoomed along the opposite carriage way of the autostrada. In the sunlight it looked really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v6tas Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 24 K and upwards and you dont want leather? Cant quite get my head round that one im afraid. You get cloth seats in a micra There are plenty of leather cleaners on the market that will keep your pride and joy looking as new as can be so dont except second best (imho) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sia Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I've got leather in the Mark V too - but I went for the recaros. Similar to a previous post, didn't seem right without. Back seat is a waste of time with the recaros - but not a problem to me. I had leather in the Mark IV too, and after 3 years it is still perfect, no sagging or cracking - but I did use Autoglym leather conditioner on it regularily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I always opt for Leather. On a top of the range car (whatever the manufacturer) it should be standard IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintybob Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I've got leather in the Mark V too - but I went for the recaros. Similar to a previous post, didn't seem right without. Back seat is a waste of time with the recaros - but not a problem to me. I had leather in the Mark IV too, and after 3 years it is still perfect, no sagging or cracking - but I did use Autoglym leather conditioner on it regularily. [/ QUOTE ] I agree. Why spend over 20K on a car and not have leather? Seems odd to me. With regard to recaros in the 3 door - they're great as long as you don't have to use the rear seats that often. Even my fat ar5e can get in them at 6'2" and the size of a New Zealand forward! The 3 door does look the part over the 5 door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheppane7 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 The point re leather, is that I did not think it was worth £1600 over the standard seats. If it had been £500, then fine I agree. When I sold my R32 DSG, I was asked if it had leather, being told it would affect the resale if not. When I countered 'so you're going to pay £ 1600 more for one with', there was a cough, and an admission that it made tops £250 difference. Now I don't know about everyone else, but I would rather have the money in my bank a/c, or spend it on something more worthwhile. Not a criticism of those that pick leather, just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 It depends on the type of leather in my opinion, but like most things it comes down to personal choice. Leather on a R32 will sell quicker and you'll probably get 20% back on the retail. For me I prefer the alcantara(or whatever it is called), as I find the leather can crack if it is not that soft. My mate has an S3 with leather and after a few years it started to look very worn. My dad has a 1.6 A3 SE with alcantara which was better all round. Most people won't agree with me which is fair enough, each to their own. My car has Nappa leather (2k option I think), and in no way would I ever consider spending this unless it was necessary for resale (which on an E class it probably is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I am swinging towards leather again although i agree it is expensive. From what you have been saying if you treat the leather regularly with cleaner/conditioner it should not crack. My wife thinks that leather will look the part and my son keeps saying "Just get it ordered"!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGK512 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 whose toy is it then ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevjohn Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Went for leather, feels much classier, plus with kids in the car, very easy to clean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB32 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I went for cloth because leather was too much and I only do 6-7k a yr. I wld have gritted my teeth and gone for the leather if i did more (as i did on the family car the 20k pa disco) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] whose toy is it then ! [/ QUOTE ] The way we normally run our cars is that I srart off with the new one and then pass them on to my wife!! Consequently she has a definite interest in the specification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRR Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I went for leather in my 3dr mk5 GTI, and then again in the mk5 R, I don't have any kids, but have transported my 7 year old niece around on the odd occasion, and can confirm child applied chocolate just wipes off the leather I didn't give the chocolate to her in the car , she already had it in her pocket (As a non parent - I hadn't learnt to pre-check child for food on entry ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 The chocolate problem is very nasty! I have a 6 year old child and I am forever wiping the stuff off my black cloth recaros! The culprit is not my wife or even my son. It is the grandparents who sneak some of the stuff into his little hand. Not when I am there might I add but when my wife is in the driving seat!! So grey cloth seats seem a mistake even though I keep saying not to give sweets in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlT Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I have cloth in my GTI (Recaros). It is plenty durable and I have treated them with Supagard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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