I like the leather!

[trevd]

Hi,

My wife and I have been looking at the 5 for several weeks now, and yesterday saw a Pearl White with the leather interior... nice. Really nice. I wasn't sure I'd like the brown, but it looks good and doesn't clash with the rest of the interior like I thought it would. The leather looks a lot better than in any pictures I've seen on the net.

With our new baby and dog that likes to shed all over cloth interiors, we're thinking that maybe the leather is worth the extra $1100 over the cloth interior.

Now, I think we're ready to talk price with a dealer or two.

Am I right in assuming that there might not be much wiggle room for the leather package right now?

I wonder if we'd be better off waiting for a month or so...

Trevor
Ottawa, Ontario

 

[irloyal]

The leather will get hosed with dogs and kids. Trust me I've been there. Solution - Buy seat covers at Pep-boys every year for Christmas. They are always on sale, you can modify the look of the car, and you'll save about $700 if you keep the car 5 years.

 

[NYMZ5]

I'll second that. Leather looks great for the 1st year, then wear & tear (particularly w kids/dogs) takes it's toll. Even the best maintenence routine won't stop it. But I'm also not a big fan of the black cloth so I'm trying to find out cost of the tan/olive cloth OEM covers from Europe.

 

[SpeedyZoomZoom]

Get the leather, but...

Trevd:
I got the leather and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about it.

Feels great, looks great in real life (specially over time, 1st sight was a bit wierd)

But! the main areas of the seats are not solid leather. It has them little holes, so I could see dog hair, and all those "fluids" new and not so new babies produce\project getting in there and starting a smoke kind of biology experiment.

irloyal advice is solid. I would do that too.

But on the other hand, it would be kind of nice to have covers for every day use, and on those occasional night outs with the wife, take them covers off, and it would feel like a new car.

As far as wiggle room, we managed a bit with price and a bunch of accessories.

Best of Luck.

P.S. One last thing, covers that you can remove and wash would be much better from a health perspective, with the little babie, unless you believe in building the immune system from early on (blarf)

 

[trevd]

The leather will get hosed with dogs and kids.

?? I was thinking and have been told that leather is the thing to get when you have pukey kids and dogs! From the reading I've done, it's more durable, and easier to clean.... the dog hair doesn't stick on it, and it lasts better and longer!

I don't want to have to be fooling around with seat covers and stuff like that...

Crap... I had talked myself into the leather... now you're saying I have to talk myself out of it? (ughdance)

Trevor

 

[SpeedyZoomZoom]

?? ....

Crap... I had talked myself into the leather... now you're saying I have to talk myself out of it? (ughdance)

Trevor

IMHO, get the leather, but be ready to get covers.

I have 3 kids, and leather on my BMW since 2000. No covers and they still look, and feel great. Are they showroom look?, no. But personally I think worn leather looks great and is much more healthy. My only concern are them little holes, and that is the only reason why I think covers might be needed..

Listnen, I will go out to the car and take a look and throw some fluids on the seats. Come back for an update.

 

[trevd]

Listnen, I will go out to the car and take a look and throw some fluids on the seats. Come back for an update.

Thanks, I really appreciate you sacrificing your seats for my education!

But make sure those fluids are the consistency of baby puke... in all it's different forms! I'd like to know if the holes are big enough to allow some of the chunky puke to seep through....

Trevor

 

[SpeedyZoomZoom]

Thanks, I really appreciate you sacrificing your seats for my education!

But make sure those fluids are the consistency of baby puke... in all it's different forms! I'd like to know if the holes are big enough to allow some of the chunky puke to seep through....

Trevor

Trevor, are u in the US or Canada?

 

[dommo_g]

I guess I'll be the one to disagree. I prefer leather over cloth when it comes to kids. As for dogs, I wouldn't let them on the seats regardless of leather or cloth. The dog would have to stay in the cargo area with something covering the floor. That's just me. Dog claws will mess up cloth or leather, but probably leather easier. If you let your kids eat/drink in the car, the leather cleans up easier.

 

[JimboNC]

TIP: If not seat covers, then buy inexpensive (US$5 to US$10) fleece throws to put over the seats, such as the middle row. They are washable. Found in most department stores. I use one in my Pro for the back seat for my dog and my car has cloth. Buy a color that goes with your car or a pattern such as plaid, the latter looks like a stadium blanket for games. Good to have in Canada in the winter if you get stuck in the snow until help comes. Fleece throws keep you warm.

 

[G-Papi]

Get what you want.
Unless your dog is a Lab puppy with a leather-chewing fetish, you'll be glad you got it.

Kid-puke is not a problem with normal healthy kids ~ It's the Gummi Bears that get you. You'll appreciate leather when you have to start digging them out.

 

[trevd]

Trevor, are u in the US or Canada?

Canada - Ottawa to be exact.

Why?

Trevor
Go Sens Go!

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Trevd

I have personally seen and love the white with the leather. Mazda leather IMO ages just fine and really looks better as it gets older.

I think kids will be fine on leather as most times when they are young they are in baby seats...just put something under the seat for that long period of time the baby seat is there(ha ha I dont have baby seats anymore la la la (ughdance) )

I have sent you a PM and you can reach me via Email on my profile

Ottawa