Leather seats, yes or no? Advice welcomed.

[donweather]

My MkII has heated seats!!! Never thought I'd use them in QLD but I must admit I'm pretty partial to em now.

[bobski]

After 4 years and nearly 80000ks on our VRS Octy and the leather mostly still looks new. It looks a little daggy on the right hand driver side at the bottom, but that is because of the plastic around the bottom of the seat causes the bolster to get scrunched up (don't think that exists on the NE). However, when it has been cleaned and left over a couple of days, without my big @rse sitting on it, it comes up pretty good. Much to the amusement of friends and family, I use Mr sheen every 6 months or so. I've used expensive treatments and I don't think the bang for buck is there.

My XR6T *did* have wear on the pleather on the bolsters. Perhaps its luck of the draw, entry exit method or position of bum on seat? Dunno... However, that material is definitely going to have wear problems on edges if you slide over it with abrasive material, its just doesn't seem as tough as a good leather.

I also have a good tint and to be honest, I have more problems with the chrome on the gear knob getting hot than the seats... Cold in the winter in Bathurst means you are usually wearing long pants so...

On yes/no to leather.... My wife likes and prefers the cars have it. So big tick for that side of the equation. I think it looks nice, but not sure if its worth the money. Carseat covers are how much?

[spud75]

Love heated seats, have them on my mini gp, I don't believe the octavia has the option for heated seats in australia so leaning towards the cloth so far. Hope the cloth seats don't stain easy.

I can guarantee the leather has heated seats as standard. Toasty......

[woofy]

The RS used to have seat heaters by default but thought they aren't included now in our Oz spec. OUr driver ones stopped working a year back after moving the seat up and down. The dealers can't figure out what's wrong with it as it comes and goes.

[Stiv]

So confirmed the latest octavia rs doesn't come with heated seats as yet unfortunately. They do offer this option overseas. I think in the near future it will be offered. Also thanks to spud75 on your info today and contact. The leather still looks great even though it's not top quality I reckon it looks better than the cloth, but again, the cloth still looks good too...so it's really up to wether or not I want to add 1k to the price. Or the mrs tells me to add it to the price lol.

[dportaz]

Might be an idea to ask some interior places to see how much it would cost to re-upholster the car with good quality leather...

I know of a guy that has done this in his last 3 cars... costs him around $3k from memory, but top quality leather on all seats, doors, steering wheel etc with colours of his own choice...

I think I may go down this path next car as better quality leather breathes better so will be much better in the summer also..

[GeeMatt]

I've had leather in my Subie with the big sunroof and not noticed it to be hot or uncomfortable. (Mind you I haven't jumped into the seat in the middles of summer with the budgie smugglers on !)
Not sure if the quality is similar but the wear and tear on the drivers seat is minimal after 200k and 9 years.

I've ordered leather for my RS.