MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: crashdesk on April 27, 2011, 02:03:51 pm

Title: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: crashdesk on April 27, 2011, 02:03:51 pm
Does anyone here have a preference to seat coverings? Leather or Tartan?

I have been looking for a MK5 Golf for a few months and I have it in my head that the Tartan seats will be better for me. Sticky leather in summer, studs on jeans tearing into them etc. Never owned a car with leather seats and just wanting your opinions.

Main thing is that I like the tartan and adds a bit of much needed colour into the GTI.

Thanks,
C
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: markymark on April 27, 2011, 02:06:36 pm
IMHO your best option is the Ed30 seat combo, leather outers but retaining the tartan inner sections. :happy2:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Snoopy on April 27, 2011, 02:08:10 pm
I agree and its why i did not spec leather, each to there own and all but i was not impressed with the quality of the leather either, what leather there is actually there of cause. :grin:
I find the interior feels like a coal mine with the full leather in, too dark for me.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: hoggj on April 27, 2011, 02:39:09 pm
don't like the colour of the (so called black) leather, much nicer cloth and tartan, but only my preference.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: garrardrj on April 27, 2011, 04:12:50 pm
Only the facings of the seat are leather aswell (not the sides or the back)......go for the leather bolsters and tartan inner.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: crashdesk on April 27, 2011, 04:59:57 pm
Yeah. Loved the seats when test driving an ED30. Now I only have to find a 5 door ED30 here in NI  :smiley:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Greeners on April 27, 2011, 05:01:06 pm
Tartan!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: wigit on April 27, 2011, 05:06:57 pm
leather/alcantara tyre tread ftmfw i say  :pomppomp:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: alexperkins on April 27, 2011, 05:08:42 pm
ED30 seats are a great mix I think  :happy2: On the golf, I prefer half leather alot more than the full leather option. (I had full leather on my old polo, but the golf leather just wasnt particularly attractive as a full interior option)
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: wortho8 on April 27, 2011, 06:52:26 pm
tbh i love my all leather seats but in this hot hot weather i do have to peel myself away when getting out the car  :laugh:

but still if i had the option again with either the leather or tartan fabric, it would deffo be leather all the way  :party:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: diesel junior on April 27, 2011, 06:54:38 pm
I agree, here in Spain leather not a great option, its tartan (not sure of the clan tho.........) for me, just like the Mark I.........
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: GNJ_Motorsport on April 27, 2011, 10:51:25 pm
The amount of people I have heard say they don't like the GTI seats is shocking. I love the tartan seats they come with adds a bit of colour and character.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: MattPoss on April 27, 2011, 10:58:07 pm
The amount of people I have heard say they don't like the GTI seats is shocking. I love the tartan seats they come with adds a bit of colour and character.

Same here, my mate is a VW mechanic and thinks they look crap!

I like it that much it's the background on my PC, iPhone and iPad :laugh:

Matt
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Gene Hunt on April 27, 2011, 11:22:06 pm
IMHO your best option is the Ed30 seat combo, leather outers but retaining the tartan inner sections. :happy2:
.....same here,look great. :smiley:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: SeanyK on April 27, 2011, 11:43:08 pm
Before I changed to full leather, literally EVERY single person used to comment on how crap the tartan seats looked, I had the following kinds of comments;

"looks like a granny's knitting pattern"

"Looks like the top of a biscuit tin"

"Looks like a tartan kilt"

"Looks crap, old, awful" etc etc

My personal opinion, was I thought it looked ok! Quite retro! - Most of the comments were from women as well!

I didn't change because of the pressure of people saying how crap it looked though!

I'd personally prefer the tartan for the summer and the leather for the winter!
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: McKay88 on April 28, 2011, 08:49:03 am
Tartan without a doubt with the winter pack so u have the heated seats as well  :innocent:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: AlanD on April 28, 2011, 09:31:47 am
ED30 combo ones are the best but obviously you need an ED30.

Standard cloth tartan are the best choice imo. Never liked leather, too cold in winter, too hot in summer. Plus the tartan looks quality in the GTI (MK1 style).
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: RedRobin on April 28, 2011, 10:00:28 am

I agree, here in Spain leather not a great option, its tartan (not sure of the clan tho.........) for me, just like the Mark I.........


....It's The GTI Clan  :grin: - That's something else I like about the Interlagos 'tartan' cloth: It pays homage to the first Mk GTI's.

It's also very practical. No doubt that the Ed30 combi with 'leather' sides is even more practical. I was in a Mk4 R32 at the weekend: Very comfy leather seats but somewhat slippy.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: alackofspeed on May 02, 2011, 06:14:06 pm
Leather looks good, but is cold in winter, and likely to catch you off guard in shorts in the summer..... however a friend with a Passat with leather comments, that it's great where kids are concerned, as you can easily wipe it clean.

It's all down to personal preference, but I'd take cloth seats given a choice in pretty much any car.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: StuF on May 02, 2011, 06:22:56 pm
To me leather is always percieved as the "Premium" option although in practice as stated above, its hot in summer and cold in winter.  You can also slide about in leather!  :signLOL:
I love the standard tartan cloth seats as the hold me firmly although that might be more to do with my 16st body  :wink:

Given the choice I would have the standard ED30 interior as the body is cloth - warm and grippy with the leather bolsters - premium feel.

My ultimate seats are still the Pirelli ones purely for look and rariety  :driver:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: diesel junior on May 02, 2011, 06:31:42 pm

I agree, here in Spain leather not a great option, its tartan (not sure of the clan tho.........) for me, just like the Mark I.........


....It's The GTI Clan  :grin: - That's something else I like about the Interlagos 'tartan' cloth: It pays homage to the first Mk GTI's.

It's also very practical. No doubt that the Ed30 combi with 'leather' sides is even more practical. I was in a Mk4 R32 at the weekend: Very comfy leather seats but somewhat slippy.

Thanks Robin, Interlagos couldnt think of the word!! I remember my neighbour back in 1983 had this green and yellow tartan a bit like the Gordon clan i loved it! Whens the next dose of Animal Magic photos due on your photography thread BTW?
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: davegixer on May 18, 2011, 09:09:42 pm
Tartan without a doubt with the winter pack so u have the heated seats as well  :innocent:

Couldn't agree more!!!   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on May 18, 2011, 10:03:24 pm
The interlagos seat material was one of the features that attracted me to the MKV GTI. VW intentionally went back to their GTI roots when creating the MKV and the material design was one of those little details taken from the original icon. The red trim in the grill was another.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Peppermuncher on October 11, 2012, 01:49:26 am
Every time I slide into the car the seats make me smile! :happy2: So much better than leather, leather reminds me of tools with bluetooth head sets in! :stupid:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: d0mokun on October 11, 2012, 03:24:17 am
Having played with all types of seats over the past month or so, I've got to put a vote down for the tartan/ leather combo. The fabric is lovely and soft, and the heating only makes them more comfy.

That said, the full leather seats are pretty nice too- though I do think the hark back pattern is a neat touch on the GTi.

Dan.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: RedRobin on October 11, 2012, 09:19:15 am
.
GTI 'Tartan' cloth, called 'Interlagos' for me. Pays homage to the original GTI upholstery cloth though slightly different:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FInterlagos2.jpg&hash=59cf8a303765b6bc4a36451f6697591c4b3267c9)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FR_logo.jpg&hash=e55fc48b2545e915e982a929866e87cdc1092e87)

The most durable seat upholstery will be the cloth with leather bolsters combo (Ed30 style), but the Interlagos and cloth surrounds are still looking good after 104k miles. Personally, I don't like the slippy feel of leather or its stickiness in very hot weather.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Timi8888 on October 11, 2012, 09:31:38 am
Leather seats are horrible in the summer - too hot and horrible in the winter - too cold.

But saying that I would still always choose leather over cloth!

Just looks and feels classier.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Shewie on October 11, 2012, 10:14:47 am
Personally I think the ED30 half leather works best, although my wife wouldn't sanction it as she thought the tartan seats looked dreadful....

When I was looking for a standard GTi I specifically looked for cars with heated leather as I think they are a big improvement over the full cloth, but that's just a personal choice of course (I'd have make an exception for these bad boys though!!!  http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,54651.0.html )

If you have small kids like, me then the other benefit of leather is that they're easier to keep clean!

Paul
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: RedRobin on October 11, 2012, 10:39:02 am

Leather seats are horrible in the summer - too hot and horrible in the winter - too cold.

But saying that I would still always choose leather over cloth!

Just looks and feels classier.


....I guess you prefer looks to driving comfort. ETTO.

The righthand bolster on my bad boy Recaro driving seat (cloth as my pic posted earlier) is in poor shape but it still supports me well when driving and so I'm not too fussed. Neither am I fussed that the Recaro's logos are .:R rather than GTI. Recaro's are as rare as rockin' horse poo and so buy them when/if you can!

Recaro's for sale: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,54651.0.html

Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: JStav on October 11, 2012, 10:54:43 am
When I was looking for my GTI all I was interested in was leather, "hated" the tartan with a passion.  When one came up that was a brilliant price but had tartan I thought I'd at least go and check it out.

Instantly loved them to be honest, I think pictures don't do them justice and they look so much better in person.
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Timi8888 on October 11, 2012, 10:59:34 am

Leather seats are horrible in the summer - too hot and horrible in the winter - too cold.

But saying that I would still always choose leather over cloth!

Just looks and feels classier.


....I guess you prefer looks to driving comfort. ETTO.


Yes I always go for form over function!
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: RedRobin on October 11, 2012, 11:29:35 am

Yes I always go for form over function!


....So hopefully your beautiful girlfriend/wifey/partner isn't an airhead  :evilgrin:  :happy2:
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Timi8888 on October 11, 2012, 12:42:40 pm

Yes I always go for form over function!


....So hopefully your beautiful girlfriend/wifey/partner isn't an airhead  :evilgrin:  :happy2:

Haha.. Well she isn't an airhead, but she did study fashion at University..
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Kregiel on October 11, 2012, 04:49:41 pm
Tartan/ cloth only for me! I have leather but now wish I had chosen cloth. Leather hot in summer and cold in winter.... Horrible....

Paul
Title: Re: Leather Seats or Tartan
Post by: Peppermuncher on October 11, 2012, 05:32:50 pm
As said a few times before, the tartan adds  a lot of color and character to a quite grey and featureless interior.  :sad1: (Too busy smiling and enjoying the drive to notice too much tho) :signLOL:
 The mk6 did a better job of improving the interior. Steering wheel aluminum trim and and red stitching on every surface possible.  :congrats: