Leather seats ... well, mostly leather

[RIS00]

I'm just a bit pi$$ed that I've been spending my time putting leather treatment on the vinyl bits of the seat.

I got a product called X Pack leather protection when i bought mine, it lasts a lifetime and has a lifetime warranty, and if you do get scuff marks included in the price is a bottle of rejuvinator which you put on.

Its already paid for it self, the girlfriend forgot to put the lid on her 600ml coke bottle on properly put it in her bag put it on the back seats, bag rolled over coke spilt all over the bag seats, we didnt notice till we got home, it cleaned up like a dream, not sticky, didnt stain looks perfect.

[BigMan]

Did you read the brochure where is shows what is optional on the car as it clearly explains that electric adjustment is extra and only available for the drivers side. It also shows this on the list of options with their prices.

When i test drove the GT, it was not leather and the dealer didnt have a leather GT for me to take a look.

Regardless of whether it has electric or not, for the price we pay i expect at least electric full leather seat without reading the brochure in details.

At the end of the day, i'm very happy i went Leather and the seat warmer is excellent!

RIS00 where did you buy the X Pack leather?

Cheers

[BarneyBoy]

Most manufacturers have a disclaimer somewhere in the brochure that states that 'leather is used only in upper surfaces', or 'some surfaces not leather...'

Even Holden & Honda do that in their brochures - don't remember seeing such statements in the Golf literature.

[RIS00]

RIS00 where did you buy the X Pack leather?

Cheers

you are only meant to be able to get it through a dealer at the moment but i found out who did it for dealers in brisbane and went to him direct saved my self $500 by not getting it from the dealer.

If you live in brisbane send me a PM if not try and find out who does it in your area.

[ozgriff]

I'm not too worried about the bottom or inner side not being leather - but I was quite surprised at the $3K option having no electrics (edit: not including the heaters).

[Tim]

electric seats are just an annoying gimmic. Its much easier and faster to adjust your seat manually. Im glad theyre that way.

[Maverick]

I'm not too worried about the bottom or inner side not being leather - but I was quite surprised at the $3K option having no electrics (edit: not including the heaters).

What about the electric lumbar support?

[mikep]

FWIW.

The works code build sheet from the Oil Shop website (which I don't think is available anymore) for my VIN shows some interesting items as follows:

Item PS5, "Alcantra/leather combination with frontsports seats".

Item N7F, "partially leather seat covering, fine embossed

Item WL2, "leather trim "Fine Napa Colour" this item

Item 2FP, "leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel for Tiptronic with decorative aluminium inserts"

Item 6PC, "leatherette hand brake lever handle"

Seems the factory makes no secret of the fact the seats are not 100% leather.

Obviously the VW marketing/sales people have picked up solely on the word "leather" as a marketing tactic.

Re Alcantra this is a quality material and was used by Lexus on their IS200 "Sport" model seats. So I certainly am not concerned about it being used on my seats.

[Klaus Hergersheimer]

I'm still waiting to hear what is so wrong with leatherette on the doors and the back of the seats etc.

So many posts here about the use of vinyl and yet this Maverick guy gets stuck into another guy because he thought there should be leather on the armrest:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=27832&page=2

We should respect Maverick's fondness for vinyl. And vice versa.

In the same post Maverick also has a go at the guy for desiring tilt adjustment on the driver's seat:

Take a look at the forums and you'll see about no complaints about the GTI seats and the lack of adjustment.

Where I am from some Golfs do have tilt adjustment and I too wish they had it on Golfs here. I guess no one suggested it to Maverick before and he took personally a comment about how the seat could be made better. He must really love VW.

But just because no one else posts here about an issue does not mean there is no issue. To believe otherwise would be a bit arrogant. Even when someone raises the issue Maverick still argues there is no issue. This I do not understand.

Klaus

[HiTorque]

FWIW.
Item 2FP, "leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel for Tiptronic with decorative aluminium inserts"

The quality of VW leather is questionable, I have no probs with seats, but my steering wheel revealed some little white dots after 2 years -perhaps 40-50 all around. After I complained to Denlo, they said it's normal wear, so f.ked them and I had to cover the wheel.

[locosam]

so what should we be protecting with our leather conditioner?

from what i can tell, this is the real leather
-the seat and side bolsters for the front seats
-back seats back and cushion cover (including the middle bit with the leather going all around till the bottom of the cushion)
-steering wheel
-handbrake, auto shift knob, the leather bit under the auto shift knob.

non leather bits
-side of front seats
-armrest (this one kinda sucks)
-door trims
-head rest for all seats
-rear of front seats including the map holder
-the cushion trim under the top bit (ie under your knees) for front and back.

so really, the leather is just on the back and top of the seats.

do we have to do anything for the vinyl bits to keep them looking ok?

[Guest212]

you can use normal leather products on them without too many issues. You may just need to wipe excess off as it might not soak in very well.

Buy a good natural product though..not one of the ones which recolours/stains your seats to keep them dark or whatever.

[KWICKS]

The panel on the seat lining nearest to the transmission tunnel is not leather on ours, some are, some not depending on year of manufacture. Suppose it's a wear area that is out of sight and may be better in vinyl, but the sceptic in me says its penny pinching.

[Maverick]

The panel on the seat lining nearest to the transmission tunnel is not leather on ours, some are, some not depending on year of manufacture. Suppose it's a wear area that is out of sight and may be better in vinyl, but the sceptic in me says its penny pinching.

It's there to prevent noises from leather/leatherette from rubbing against the plastic and thus making noises when the seat is adjusted forwards as it sits closer to the console.

[Splashalot]

Has anyone used the VW-branded leather conditioner? If so, any good?