Is some of your leather not really leather?

[Rich84]

I take it to be a FOMOCO cost saving initiative, but I've noticed that only the facings of the seats and armrests are real, actual leather in my RRS. I examined it closely the other day and realised that the seat sides, backs, front pocket, armrest sides and bottom are not real leather. Not even bonded leather! I had noticed that the driver's seat side bolster was cracked before I bought the car, and demanded that it be replaced if the dealer wanted my business. That was done. It all looks real enough but up close it becomes embarrassingly obvious. Touch it on a hot day and you'll see what I mean. It can't be anywhere near as durable as real leather (although admittedly I have already had many spills in the car and it always cleans up to look as new).

Was a bit disappointed to see this in a premium vehicle (and what is otherwise a well designed and built interior) after being treated to nappa leather over EVERYTHING in my Audi S4 and even though the Audi A4TQ I had before that had what appeared to be brontosaurus leather, it still covered everything.

Anyone else notice this on their LR?

[Judo]

It's most likely cost saving, but you might be surprised how many people are against leather because it's an animal product. It's by no means a majority, but they can still influence these kind of product use that are deemed "unnecessary" animal products. As you've pointed out, most people probably haven't noticed, but they've kept another group of people happy. Just a thought. Probably cost saving...

[Graeme]

It appears to be the same on my D4.

[DI5CO]

VW's are the same, leather only on the part you sit in, rest vinyl or whatever the term is.

[101RRS]

The english mobile lounge room - Jaguar is the same - leather on the seat facings, ambla on the rest.

[Geedublya]

BMW 330CI is the same.

[DiscoWeb]

I was advised of this when i purchased my D3.

I have no issues, wears well and looks good.

Gee, if you have to get right up close to realise then does it really matter ? Yes if you were told it was 100% leather.

George

[BigJon]

I take it to be a FOMOCO cost saving initiative,

More likely to be a TATA cost saving initiative these days...

[mowog]

In my Mini everything that looks like leather is actually leather. And the stuff that looks like wood is really wood.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/617.jpg

[jon3950]

Has been that way since at least the eighties and the days of Rover.

Cheers,
Jon

[Hoges]

My 1999 P38 is "real" leather:D

[scarry]

Has been that way since at least the eighties and the days of Rover.

Cheers,
Jon

My D2a was the same,what you sat on was the leather,not much else,maybe gear stick knob & steering wheel as well,that was it.

[tony66_au]

I wouldn't blame MOFOCO as this is probably a marketing thing more than anything else and leather look substitution is as old as the hills.

Most of the mainstream makers do it, some better than others and to date the best I have seen is Mercedes "MB Tex" which outlasts anything even in our hot climate and is so often mistaken for leather its no longer amusing (eBay Benzes all seem to be leather, Most are MB Tex).

The other factor in play is design obsolescence which dictates varying ages for components regardless of their true survival age and this date is usually about 5 years from New.

As for Mini's (Or Bini's)?

They are the exception to most motoring rules and BMW did them proud.

[Beamin]

Nothing new under the sun. 1967 Jag Mark II had the same arrangement 35 years ago, leather on the significant bits and plastic look-alike elsewhere.

BUT... tell me about the dash material on the D4. Looks like stitched leather but couldn't possibly survive in that location without splitting to smithereens. No sign of any deterioration on mine after 3 years in the sun, so pretty impressive material whatever it is.

[Beamin]

... 35 years ago...

Make that 45 years ago. I'm older than I thought.

[Disco_Rock]

Speaking of leather, does anyone know how to make the D2 cream leather look cream again? my seats are starting to look grey :( I have tried leather cleaner and conditioner but they don't seem to work.) P.S worst colour for car seats!

[Mike_S]

You definitely get a different grade of seat covering here in Oz to the UK. Mine has the nappa leather and it's very different to the Oz spec seats, much softer & consequently easy to mark. We had the Oz stuff for a short period in the UK on a limited run 'XS' model that sat between the base S & SE model RRS, think it was about 2009. My local dealer described it as 'farm spec bull leather', as Gary mentioned it reminded us all of Ambla!

[CaverD3]

There is an advantage to the vinyl sides it that they do not crease with age.

[TerryO]

Does it really matter or lessen the vehicle if the backs of the seats aren't leather?

cheers,
Terry

[tony66_au]

Does it really matter or lessen the vehicle if the backs of the seats aren't leather?

cheers,
Terry

Nope

[Dougal]

1988 and 1993 RR classics are the same. Leather for sitting, imitation for the rest.

[The Doctor]

My 2008 Subaru Liberty had beautiful seats and bolsters that were leather, but everywhere else was vinyl. It's cheaper overall but I was very disappointed when I picked up my MY10 D4 TDV6 and saw corrected grain leather and way more vinyl than the Subaru. The D4 'leather' is just not as soft and doesn't have a good handle.

[phl]

I'm actually happy the D4 has harder leather, and opted not to go with the leather upgrade, as in off-road use, the harder leather is more durable.

My Pajero has harder leather, and vinyl where they can get away with it, whereas the Lexus has soft leather all over. Even though the Pajero is 4 years older and has had a harder life off-road, the Lexus is showing more signs of wear.

[Celtoid]

I'm actually happy the D4 has harder leather, and opted not to go with the leather upgrade, as in off-road use, the harder leather is more durable.

My Pajero has harder leather, and vinyl where they can get away with it, whereas the Lexus has soft leather all over. Even though the Pajero is 4 years older and has had a harder life off-road, the Lexus is showing more signs of wear.

I agree. Three years on and my seats still look great.

I recently looked at a new LC200 with every conceivable option, including some very, very nice looking soft leather. You just could not afford to get it dirty....you'd never get it clean again.

Also, I don't know what all the fuss is about RE: the non-leather....I recon it looks great, not cheap at all. It also cleans very easily with the same leather cleaner I use on the seats.

My two bobs....

Cheers,

Kev.

[SBD4]

I agree. Three years on and my seats still look great.

I recently looked at a new LC200 with every conceivable option, including some very, very nice looking soft leather. You just could not afford to get it dirty....you'd never get it clean again.

Also, I don't know what all the fuss is about RE: the non-leather....I recon it looks great, not cheap at all. It also cleans very easily with the same leather cleaner I use on the seats.

My two bobs....

Cheers,

Kev.

Yep, I'm with you and phl. Which leather cleaner do you use Kev? I use Mothers and it does not get the all the blue jeans dye off the seats:(

[Graeme]

Also, I don't know what all the fuss is about RE: the non-leather....I recon it looks great, not cheap at all.
I hope its a better product than what was on the sides of my D2's cloth seats because the side panels cracked with usage and age yet the cloth parts were still in good condition.

[Tote]

I'm pretty sure from my investigations when buying my D3 that the electric seats in the HSE are all leather. Mine are leather facings only on the SE and I can't say that it is a concern.

Regards,
Tote

[Celtoid]

Yep, I'm with you and phl. Which leather cleaner do you use Kev? I use Mothers and it does not get the all the blue jeans dye off the seats:(

Hey mate,

Sorry for the slow reply, been away with work.

I haven't had too many staining issues as I have ebony leather. Over time it was starting to get dull and whitish in the grain and other places. I used stacks of different kinds of cleaners and even a detailer but it always looked dull or cloudy.

Years ago I bought a Leather Care Kit made by Oakwood. It's actually for quality leather furniture....but I figured that leather is leather.

I only used it once shortly after I got the D4, as it's really messy, like using dubbin and leaves the car looking like the Turkish Olympic Wrestling Team have been in your car.

I tried it again the other week.....it's still messy....LOL.....but after a fair few hours and a wipe down with a dry cloth, my car looked new again....looked great.

I treated the car late in the afternoon, left the windows open overnight. Wiped it down the next morning and I was amazed how refreshed the leather looked. It's a pain but it does work.

I've heard Autoglym products are great, especially for exterior surfaces but I have never tried them.

Cheers,

Kev.

[Celtoid]

I hope its a better product than what was on the sides of my D2's cloth seats because the side panels cracked with usage and age yet the cloth parts were still in good condition.

Only time will tell I guess...D4s have only been in Oz for just over three years.

Mine shows no sign of cracking or wear. The leather, where my arse goes, has gone a bit smoother though :D.

[Rich84]

If your leather is starting to get a bit hard, try rubbing in Vaseline intensive care - this doesn't work so well on sheep leather with smaller pores/graining (nappa, etc) but works great on the cow hides we have in our LRs. I have used a variety of products but always find good old Vaseline leaves the leather softest! Give it a go! :angel:

[Canaussie]

Oh the poor cows.......has anyone thought about the cows! Lmao

[Epic]

Can anyone comment on the dash and door arm rests? Are they leather?
I've just bought a McGuires leather cleaner and additional leather conditioner, and plan to do the lot as it's safe* on plastic too.

*non clear plastic and as always, test a small surface before applying (who does that?)

[Tote]

Seems Toyota may be in trouble for suggesting that their leather faced seats are all leather
Toyota busted for faux leather seats by ACCC | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/national/toyota-busted-for-faux-leather-seats-by-accc/story-fncynjr2-1226576092582)

Regards,
Tote

[Rohan]

Seems Toyota may be in trouble for suggesting that their leather faced seats are all leather
Toyota busted for faux leather seats by ACCC | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/national/toyota-busted-for-faux-leather-seats-by-accc/story-fncynjr2-1226576092582)

Regards,
Tote
Looks like toyota have had to pay a massive price for mis-leading up to 100,000 customers...."$200 off the purchase of your next toyota...." Pffft.

[scarry]

Looks like toyota have had to pay a massive price for mis-leading up to 100,000 customers...."$200 off the purchase of your next toyota...." Pffft.

Read that in the paper today,what a friggin joke................!

[roamer]

Seems Toyota may be in trouble for suggesting that their leather faced seats are all leather
Toyota busted for faux leather seats by ACCC | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/national/toyota-busted-for-faux-leather-seats-by-accc/story-fncynjr2-1226576092582)

Regards,
Tote

Wonder if LRA will change their wording of "leather seats", seeing their not all leather either, and seem to be confusing some.

[Rich84]

"We apologise if any customer felt they were misled as a result of our advertising.''

They might as well say 'we apologise that our customers are stupid enough to think that'.... Love it.

And there's no way in hell this vinyl stuff is as durable as real leather. When (not if) it degrades, I'll get the panels retrimmed in the real stuff. That said, mine is all still looking like new.

[chuck]

I had the Toyota "leather" in my 150 Prado no where near as nice as the D4 or D3.