Thread: Is some of your leather not really leather?

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

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

Originally Posted by Celtoid

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.

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

Originally Posted by SBD4

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.

Originally Posted by Graeme

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 .