Cosmetic wear of light coloured leather interior

[jammers]

I am in the market for a second hand D4 and noticed this option is popular but I have a concern on cosmetic wear with kids and off road work. What have owners experienced? Do you use protection to help? Simple maintenance is enough?

Thanks

[Ashes]

The only real wear part of our D3 (now over 6 years old) is on the drivers seat near the door (some cracking). Sliding in and out every trip takes its toll on the leather there. A good scrub with some leather cleaner every 4-6 months keeps it relatively clean. We have 3 kids so they do give it a workout. A professional cleaner/detailer would probably get it very clean. If I get another D3/D4 I will be looking for a dark leather.
I'm sure a leather upholsterer would be able to repair that section if it really worried me but I don't think I'll be bothering to do it.

[~Rich~]

I had the same wear on the edge of my 2005 model drivers seat, seems to crack more down the side of the seat where it is squished against the plastic side trim.
Mine was already cracked when I bought the car 4yrs ago, it is the light coloured "leather" so last year during one service I had it fixed. They replaced both the side panels, top side panels and front panel. Cost me $300.
Upholster said it's not real leather used in these cars, he got the leather to be pretty close in colour but not exact.
I'd buy the light interior again - not that hard to look after.
I don't like the dark interior look of the black leather.

[LGM]

I am now almost two years into ownership of my D4 with the light leather interior.

So far so good.

Mind you it does take a little effort to keep it clean. I have seat covers on the front seats mainly to cater for the continual use they get.

Only myself and she who must be obeyed in the family now! No rugrats to add to the workload of vehicle cleaning. I do however live on a farm and dust and dirt are part of the daily experience.

The other D4s I have had the pleasure to travel in have all had the dark interior. Not in anyway meaning to offend the owners of those vehicles, the thing I have noticed is that the dark colour (black) seems, IMHO, to show every speck of dust and little bit of dirt! :wasntme:

No matter the colour the driving will be great!

[Graeme]

Only myself and she who must be obeyed in the family now! No rugrats to add to the workload of vehicle cleaning. I do however live on a farm and dust and dirt are part of the daily experience.

X2 although in 3.5 years the driver's seat has only been cleaned twice so looks a bit grubby at the moment. Light colour is a good match for the dirt.

[Ashes]

The only problem with cleaning the seats is that once you start you need to do the lot.