MX-3.com

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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!!

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??

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

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...

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

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