Why Do People Prefer Leather?

offal spokesman on 24/11/2014 - 15:13

Just interested, i just read a question about buying a car and there were comments about the leather seats etc.

I am intrigued as to why people prefer to pay extra for leather? In the olde days, leather was the best becuase it oulatsed other options, but that is surely no longer the case?

As i understand it, it wears less well then most fabric these days, for me it is uncomfortable to sit on, and particularly in Perth it is SO DAMN HOT when you sit on it (same applies for the steering wheel).

Does leather really make something more valuable or is it perception?
Will you pay more for leather and do you think it adds to resale?

Just wondered.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2014 - 15:18
    +4

    Leather is sexy, works on a body.

    • mad__llama on 24/11/2014 - 15:29
      +2

      Works even better off a body (especially if that body belongs to a cow)…

    • Speckled Jim on 25/11/2014 - 13:10

      Skin-on-skin, let the fun begin!

  • ShamelessBargains on 24/11/2014 - 15:24
    +1

    Depends on the car too. A leather trim in a car is a symbol of luxury and wealth so generally people will fork out more to have it. It generally adds value to cars as its part of a higher spec version but depends on how well it is maintained over time.

  • p1 ama on 24/11/2014 - 16:00
    +4

    Exactly the same as why people prefer metal over plastic, despite plastic being generally better than metal for most things, e.g. phones.

  • kt on 24/11/2014 - 16:10
    +4

    So much easier to clean with kids, dogs, husbands ….

    • tomleonhart on 24/11/2014 - 16:29

      husbands ????? Hey I'm not that dirty !

  • xyron on 24/11/2014 - 17:12

    i would rather not have leather in my car unless it was otherwise a luxury car (i.e. it would feel weird to have leather in an XR6 turbo, but it would be weird NOT to have leather in a G6E turbo).

    if the car includes it when i buy it then i'll take it happily, as leather does feel better - but i certainly wouldn't tick the box to option it if i was buying the car new.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2014 - 17:13
    +1

    Tactility

  • Hotpotcorn on 24/11/2014 - 17:22

    leather lasts longer…….

  • Kkuba on 24/11/2014 - 17:40
    +1

    Interesting question, I think that it is to do with the ambiance. When you get into a leather seat, I think it feels nicer (tactility - as mentioned above), it also smells nicer, and has a nicer appearance (when you open the door to get in for example- similar to nice door sills) . All these things add up to a more pleasant place to sit, I think.

  • Charity on 24/11/2014 - 18:22

    If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

    Besides, I doubt you even want an explanation. Your mind sounds convinced that synthetics are better, and you are looking for people to affirm that view.

  • horseshoe on 24/11/2014 - 20:07

    I wouldn't pay more for leather seats.

    kt is right though, leather seats are easier to clean, which is why taxis have them.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/11/2014 - 00:10
      +3

      Yeah, I think you'll find thats not leather buddy.

      • Kkuba on 25/11/2014 - 16:35

        Correct. And that is the same material that is used on a top of the range Ford Falcon for the surfaces which you do not regularly touch. Something like 40-60% of the seat is real leather.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/11/2014 - 16:51

          Not in taxis. That is pure, cheap plastic. Most cars that claim to have leather actually have plastic or pleather or mbtex or whatever you want to call it. Pretty much every BMW, Mercedes and Audi under 100k has plastic seats.

        • Kkuba on 26/11/2014 - 11:36

          @thorton82:

          Yes, I think I did not state myself clearly. What I meant to say was that what the taxis use on 100% of their "leather" seats, is the same material that is used on 40-60% of a top of the line Falcon seat.

          Can't speak for BMW, Mercedes and Audi though. But either way, if that is true, they do a FAR better job of hiding (pun not intended) the pleather, as I can't tell the difference between the panels. And I have worked in seating in the automotive industry.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/11/2014 - 13:03

          @she_spools_180:

          It's not panels, it's the entire seat on any German below $100k eg, x3's, ml250s, E200s, all plastic.

        • Kkuba on 26/11/2014 - 14:51

          @thorton82:

          Very interesting. I am both surprised and disappointed.

          Thank you for opening my eyes. I did not expect this of high end auto manufacturers if low end ones are using real leather.

          Even a Ford Ranger pickup truck uses real leather for all contact surfaces.

          I bought a BMW recently (second hand) and now you have me questioning whether mine has real leather. I think it does, going by the descriptions of the 'leatherette' as they call it in BMWspeak.

          When did this really take off? I mean specifically the full replacement of leather with pleather on prestige vehicles (not just selected panels)?

        • [Deactivated] on 26/11/2014 - 21:17

          @she_spools_180:

          It's been going on since the 1970s. The cheapest mercedes e class with real leather is the E250, which retails for about $116k without options, as an example. I think the cheapest C class with leather retails for high 80k. I doubt most 3 series have leather if that's what you have bought. Probably the 328i is the lowest model with actual leather.

        • maybeamacy on 26/11/2014 - 22:47

          @she_spools_180:

          Leatherette is code for faux leather. Leather is standard on BMW 5 series and above, Nappa comes at an option.

          My 2010 E350 didn't have it standard, even after I equipped the AMG sports pack I had to add the exclusive pack on top to get real leather (the seats are real leather but the dash and top of the door trims are MbTex vinyl. Leather is now standard on the C250 and above.

          I actually prefer Lexus leather to the germans - it's semi-aniline dyed throughout with a partial coating on-top vs. the cheaper top layer dyed and fully sealed (when you scratch it you see white marks underneath). It only comes on the Sports Luxury variants though.

          I never find that leather gets hot - I had seat coolers added to the options list because I just tick all the boxes but have never found a situation where I desperately needed to turn them on because my bottom was burning.

          Funny though, we have a 2008 Hilux workman and the vinyl on that literally doesn't have a single crease while all our $80-150k cars have them on the bolster closest to the door (gets squished as you get in and out).

          Sunroofs though - I could do without, burns my head but leather seats for me are a must.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/11/2014 - 19:51

          @maybeamacy: Jeepers, an E350 with that many options would have an rrp of like $170k. I hope you ozbargained them down.

  • goosegog on 24/11/2014 - 20:35

    Leather lasts longer, is more durable ,easy to clean,luxurious to look at& comfy. Two of our cars have leather seats - 1 is a 1979 mercedes sport & the other a 1999 Jaguar ( both luxury cars I know - but old now ) However the seats have tested time & still look great. Don't think normal fabric covered seats can.
    Same can be said for leather furniture - have had 1 of our lounge suites for over 27 years - still going strong & looking good.
    Forgot my day in day out 2001 Subaru Outback - beige leather seats - pristine condition. Tend to forget as it's a workhorse car which also takes the dogs out to the park.

  • roastchook on 24/11/2014 - 20:46
    +1

    A good leather wallet (proper leather) lasts 20X longer than a bad 'leather' wallet (fabric covered in something that feels like leather, and can probably legally called leather, but isn't.

  • boccos on 25/11/2014 - 08:05

    Leather is not good in humid tropics. Sweat damages it. It is great in dryer cooler areas in Aust if you can get used to the initial cold feel of it when you sit in the car or couch. Considered a premium product and its value is of a commodity like silver or oil and its price is governed by international markets.

    • cpho on 27/11/2014 - 00:24

      only if it's really dry in summer. There's nothing worse than wearing shorts on a hot day, and having your legs stick to the leather. Also on the otherside of the year, leather is friggen cold in winter, unless you have seat warmers.

  • Speckled Jim on 25/11/2014 - 13:25

    OP, as you're in Perth, I assume you've seen used cars with leather interiors? Most I had seen there were UV damaged to varying degrees. There were cracks and visible wear patches in most. A while back the motoring press would point the finger at Euro marques, contending their leather wasn't up to our harsh conditions.
    But it's a question of time and exposure, so it's hard to know how recent models fare.

    If it will be left in the sun for extended periods, I'd suggest as much aftermarket shading (tinting, sunshields etc) as possible.

    As leather is an attractive feature to many people, it's not a bad idea to get the model that has it. Just because you and I don't like the feel of it, doesn't mean a future buyer won't. So while you own the car, protect it! Get seat covers fitted. When you want to trade or sell it, simply remove them.
    A quick clean and they should look great.

    If you don't cover them, you must account for leather cleaning/conditioning products. That is, unless someone in the know can shed light on a cheap home-made solution that does the job. I expect there would be.

  • altomic on 26/11/2014 - 22:21
    +1

    I prefer leather because I hate cows.

  • indianregulator on 06/12/2014 - 13:57

    is it just me or does aged leather make a car looked older? I have been car shopping before and seen cars 4-6 years old with leather that hasnt been maintained, and it looks terrible, whereas cloth on my current 6 year old car looks like new

  • branners on 08/12/2014 - 09:22

    I find a leather seat more comfortable and with modern window tinting and aircon, I don't feel that is gets much hotter than fabric.
    But the main reason is, as someone who has bought nearly all his cars used and not new, IMO the cars I have had with leather have been looked after better than the ones with fabric seats.
    But, having said that… Alcantara is WAY better. Easier to clean, feels like suede, lasts well. Deffo the way of the future.

  • TheOneWhoKnocks on 08/12/2014 - 16:36

    Sex is better in the back seat with leather.

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