The Official Mk6 Golf Seat Thread

[gokartgti]

Easiest way to answer your question. Find a Mark 5 with leather or a mk6 if there's any in the 2nd hand lot (not many really). This is the best indicator I guess. I had leather in the mk5 gti I previously owned. In the 2 years before it was traded I had done 57000 K's (so a fair bit of driving) Yes the leather softened up, there were no blotch issues, I did a leather treatment personally probably every 8 - 12 mths. There were never any rips or loose stitching that required any form of bolster issues.

Remember the leather is easier to clean in the long term in the case of drinks spilling etc....

[Noonan]

Thanks for some of the input

The brother in law has a Mk V GTi with leather and we've sat in them many times without issue. So, I think the leather option will be fine if I'm willing to pay the extra $3,300.

Would still love to hear from anyone who has had their seat re-contoured. I guess the next step is to see if there are any leather, Red Tornado, GTi's available for drive away pricing, then try to work a deal on the leather.

Do I need to get floor-mats, boot liner, and ipod cable at time of purchase or can we buy off the 'net for cheaper?

Thanks again,

Noonan

[kamold]

What about the option of getting the clith seats re-uphosltered aftermarket?
Would possibly be cheaper than factory and with the added benefit of you being able to specify your requirements. Plus the finish would likely be better than factory.
I had a mate who used to have a Citroen C3 that he had clad in leather aftermarket and the result was great. Not too sure on cost but I could find out.
Just another option perhaps?

[jords]

Sounds daft, but was the seat bolster turned all the way up to maximum. This does make quite a difference. Maybe re-try the seats and check/adjust the seat bolster to the minimum.

I have the cloth seats and find them very comfortable (as does the wife).

[Noonan]

Sounds daft, but was the seat bolster turned all the way up to maximum. This does make quite a difference. Maybe re-try the seats and check/adjust the seat bolster to the minimum.

I have the cloth seats and find them very comfortable (as does the wife).

jords! You're a legend, mate. I didn't even think of that. We didn't make any adjustment to the bolstering and the salesman didn't mention it. Will have to go try again, with the bolstering adjusted. I think you have just sold me a Golf GTi. Where do I send the commission cheque?

[jords]

Ha Ha! No problem mate, glad to help out. Hope the purchase works out.

[gokartgti]

after market you'll miss out on the heated seats and the wiring is all worked into the climate control dials so a messy job. pay the $3300 or negotiate the dealer down a fraction and get them. You wont be dissapointed....

[Ryan_R]

Don't know anything about reupholstering, but while the retro GTI cloth seats might look good in a retro Golf GTI, I don't think they look that great in the Mk6 imo. Plus since I'm almost always in a suit I prefer the leather (seat warmers are nice as well). The leather seats have electronic bolster/lumbar adjustment which makes a big difference (when driving for more than a few hours I'll push it into my back a bit more for better support), not sure how you control it with the clotch seats (electric or manual).

[Ideo]

Aren't they the exact same seats, just with a different covering?

[AdamD]

Aren't they the exact same seats, just with a different covering?

That's my understanding too (at least in the GTI). I've jumped straight from my GTI (leather) to a mate's (cloth) several times, and haven't noticed any difference in terms of bolstering or padding.

Leather gets the heaters of course, and the electric lumbar adjustment (which I assume is on the cloth seats too).

[ParaBul]

Can't help with the re-contouring, but:

1. Floor mats are supposed to come standard in GTI, GTD & R. (I was charged for them until I read the brochure).
2. My GTD cloth seats are all manual.

[walbjj]

ah women and their irrational thought processes.
i too thought that the leather seats were exactly the same size and shape as the cloth seats. i actually am not a fan of leather, something about hot summers and sweating and sticking to leather/vinyl seats has always put me off. as far as seat warmers go, cloth seats in winter are nowhere near as chilly as a leather seat is when u hop in a car thats been sitting outsiode for a few hours.

ive owned many cars, and i would say the gti seats are one of the most comfortable ive come across, well bolstered and supportive, maybe ur wife has spina bifida and has a crooked back, cos thats the only explanation for her not being comfortable in the gti seats

[anglo_dude]

We went with the leather seats. Whilst the bolstering is similar my other half found the foam on the cloth seats too soft and preferred the extra firmness of the leather. You also get electric lumbar and heating which we both liked.

Personally i was happy with either seat, but went with the leather and paid the extra.

It is a personal choice as to what you're happy with. My partner didn't like the cloth, and I had concerns that the cloth on the bolster would wear more quickly as it did feel thinner than the seat cloth that was on the Jetta TDI (i.e comfortline) seats.

Hope that helps.

Anglo

[walbjj]

im actually ok with the cloth seats wearing out, it just means i can re-upholster the ****ty tartan with an awesome alcantara/suede/cloth combo with red/white stitching in a few years time.

[ParaBul]

i actually am not a fan of leather, something about hot summers and sweating and sticking to leather/vinyl seats has always put me off. as far as seat warmers go, cloth seats in winter are nowhere near as chilly as a leather seat is when u hop in a car thats been sitting outsiode for a few hours.

After 20 years of old cars with sheepskin covers I finally bought a car with leather seats. Cold in winter, hot & sticky in summer, cleaner, conditioner. I really don't understand the attraction.