R36 microfibre seats

[nivek]

Hey all,

Was just wondering if any R36 owners have experienced wear and tear issues with the microfibre seats? Do they fare better than full leather seats?

I was thinking of using Scotchgard to give some form of protection, but not sure if it's compatible with microfibre??

Personally, I can keep the driver seat in good condition, but it's the passenger seats I'm more worried about.

[Jayse]

Hey mate,

Got my R36 in Nov '08 and all the seats are still looking great. Can't help you on the scotchguard Q though.

Cheers,

Jayse.

[Steve]

I've had mine since June last year and the seats are still in perfect condition - no obvious signs of wear anywhere.

[sloutch]

I believe the seats are made out of the material called alcantara? It's pretty hard to maintain these seats. Best to ring up VW dealer to ask them. I'm sure they have solutions to your questions.

[R36 Dreamer]

Hey all,

Was just wondering if any R36 owners have experienced wear and tear issues with the microfibre seats? Do they fare better than full leather seats?

I was thinking of using Scotchgard to give some form of protection, but not sure if it's compatible with microfibre??

Personally, I can keep the driver seat in good condition, but it's the passenger seats I'm more worried about.

I have been going since June 08 with no issues.

I have cleaned them once with a bucket of warm water and Softly laundry liquid. cleaned them up a treat no hassles.

[Luminary]

I've been thinking of getting *gulp* some car seat covers though I've never had them before.

Anyone know of a compatible nice set. I know that there are custom sheepskin type ones that they make for some car makes. They're expensive.

I am just worried about the drivers seat and back side support areas facing the door which tend to become worn out over time with entering and exiting the car.

[kgbAgent]

I've been thinking of getting *gulp* some car seat covers though I've never had them before.

Anyone know of a compatible nice set. I know that there are custom sheepskin type ones that they make for some car makes. They're expensive.

Then you need to get a matching girlfriend called Baa-BaaRa

[Pana]

I've been thinking of getting *gulp* some car seat covers though I've never had them before.

I thought seat covers on seats with side airbags was a no-no.

[gregozedobe]

You can get covers designed for seats with airbags that come out of the side of the squab, just make sure the ones you buy are compatible with the location of the airbags on your particular seats.

Also some of the materials used for the backing (inside - the bit that touches the seat) on some seat covers can break down over time and leave a sticky residue on the seats. I found that out the hard way with some lambswool seat covers on a car I sold last year, was very difficult to clean off.

[Jayse]

Then you need to get a matching girlfriend called Baa-BaaRa

Don't you mean Brahbrah? The sexy lady with a slightly lazy eye?

Sorry, FOTC reference.

[Wolfman_36]

Alcantra maintenance

Was just wondering if any R36 owners have experienced wear and tear issues with the microfibre seats? Do they fare better than full leather seats?

Nivek. I had an 850R which had black leather with Alcantra insets in it - generally as per the R36. When I sold it the car had over 200,000 kms on it and the Alcantra was still fine. You will probably have to look after the leather more.

So, based on my previous experience, I will not bother to treat the seat Alcantra inserts. Thinking of occasionally giving the leather some treatment tho. I used the AUDI leather tratment cream when I had an A6 with leather and it was great. Maybe VW sell the same stuff re-badged.

[R36 Dreamer]

Nivek. I had an 850R which had black leather with Alcantra insets in it - generally as per the R36. When I sold it the car had over 200,000 kms on it and the Alcantra was still fine. You will probably have to look after the leather more.

So, based on my previous experience, I will not bother to treat the seat Alcantra inserts. Thinking of occasionally giving the leather some treatment tho. I used the AUDI leather tratment cream when I had an A6 with leather and it was great. Maybe VW sell the same stuff re-badged.

200,000kms

You must be on the road a fair bit eh?

[nivek]

I used Meguiar's Leather Care once a summer on my previous car and it seemed to work quite well.

I thought it made the leather more supple and less prone to creases, especially on the sides where it is raised and bottoms are always scraping the seats.

[Wolfman_36]

200,000kms

You must be on the road a fair bit eh?

Um, picked it up at 140k second hand and do the 65k kms in 3 yrs, so not excessive me thinks.

Put a chip in it and it was a 1/2 decent car. Convinced me that 4WD was the way to go tho - 200+ kw thru front wheels doesn't work too well.

[Wolfman_36]

I used Meguiar's Leather Care once a summer on my previous car and it seemed to work quite well.

I thought it made the leather more supple and less prone to creases, especially on the sides where it is raised and bottoms are always scraping the seats.

IMO - the trick is to find a leather treatment that doesn't make the surface shiny or slippery - hence my comment about the AUDI stuff - which did neither. I think I have used the Meguires stuff, and from memory it did leave the surface shiny - am I wrong about this?