"Semi-Leather" Interiors

[ethand]

Hi guys, I saw these the other day while trying to find another part on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LEATHER-MAZD ... 4cf9f083eb
I initially thought they were leather, but when I read more closely it says it is 'semi-leather' or 'leather-look'. It says it's high quality (but guess how much of that I believed?!), and they look to fit pretty well. I didn't think too much of it, because it's not legit leather, but since then I have seen a few people on various forums with fake leather interiors, and their comments seem to make semi-leather sound pretty decent. And at approx 1/8th of the cost of getting my car kitted out in leather, (I have had quotes for it), it's damn tempting!
So I just thought I'd put it out there: Has anyone bought some of these "semi-leather" type things, or have mates that have, and are they any good? Do they feel, look and wear nicely?
Cheers
Ethan

[Daninski]

Probably naugahyde. Takes a lot of nauga's to make one seat cover. Use to be endangered like the chinchilla but they're gradually making a come back. Unless they make covers for your exact seat any other cover may not fit well additionally synthetic vinyls don't breath at all making for a pretty,,, sticky experience.

[ethand]

Hahaha... yeah, they say "Our seat cover is specifically designed for a make & model of car and all of them always come with Nice Double Stitching.It is not a case of "One Size Fits All".Each our seat cover is "Tailor Custom Hand Made" to suit only the car it is designed for.We can guarantee it will be 100% Perfect Solid Fit & 100% Perfect Tight." So I assume from that & the pics that they actually do make them to fit properly... But I guess you're right about it being a bit sticky - They actually don't tell you exactly what they use, they just say "We never use cheap quality Vinyl, Leatherette or PVC", and call it "Semi-Leather" pretty much the whole way through...
I might try researching a little more online... (not that I'd be able to afford this anytime soon, but hey, it's good to know it's there! haha!)
[edit]: yeah, it seems to get very mixed reviews... They all say it fits perfect, but less than half were happy with the quality/"scratch-resistance" of them... I'm not sure where most of them were getting their covers from, but I'm not sure I wanna risk it...
I seriously don't get why they can't just make them out of real leather... it's actually not that expensive, real leather, it's just the labour costs that make this stuff expensive...

[Hoodzy]

Not sure how the market is for places there. but i'd cough up the extra bucks for a local place.. For full leather. That can probably give you a better warranty.
Something like this I can see not working out too well. You may save a few hundred dollars but in the end you'll probably be replacing it in a few years and have sub par quality from the get go.

[mitmaks]

From the pictures they don't look good, they look all baggy

[ethand]

Just found this thread:
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77747
The website suggested there is real leather & doesn't seem any more expensive, really... My best quote from a 'local' place was $3300, which isn't worth spending on a $4-5k car!!

[Hoodzy]

Really!! OUCH!! A guy had them done here in Vancouver for I believe 1000 bucks for front seats and side panels.. maybe even the rears.
Plus I believe they were the actual skins and not 'covers'

I would maybe suggest finding a set of seats from a different car.. and retro fit them in? You could probably snag a nice mazda speed 3 seats or any infiniti leathers for under a grand and pay someone 200 bucks to fabricate some rails??

[MrMazda92]

s---, make them yourselves guys... Make 20 sets, slap a bulkbuy together, and I'll pitch.

[ethand]

haha I'm pretty hopeless with a sewing machine! And I think the interiors are different from area to area - my rear bench is different to all the others I've seen here in Australia, anyway...

[MrMazda92]

I know somebody who used to do upholstery, but I haven't worked up the nerve to ask her what she'd charge. She has all her equipment still, I just feel awkward asking, especially since all of my money is promised out for a few months to come

[ethand]

haha feel like asking on my behalf...?!? hahaha