Vinyl vs leather vs mohair

Swedenspider · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 12:06 PM

Hi,

It looks like my top is about to pack in, as one of my seats have already done (and a lot of other things lately

) They are both the cheaper vinyl kind, but also original in a -85. Does anyone have any good advise on witch way to go from here. Should I stay with orginal (vinyl) or updragde to perhaps mohair for the top and leather for my seats? Pros and cons and own personal experiance would be highly appreciated. I have a image in my head that leather seats smell and feel and age better but then again maybe not? Still most people that enter ther car asume the seats are leather? And I havent told anyone yet...

**Roadtrip** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 12:16 PM

Joachim - I think it all depends how how much you want to spend. I love the feel of leather, but it's more expensive. However, there's a place "leatherseats.com" that has very good prices on Alfa seat covers. As far as tops go, if you're in a severe climate like northern Europe, I'd probably go with a Stayfast cloth top rather than vinyl. The cost difference between the two is not that much anyway. Since the dollar is so weak vs. European currencies, you might consider a source in the US if shipping isn't too expensive.

Also, you might go to a local upholster shop and see what they would charge to make new seat covers for you.

**Zunige** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 12:17 PM

All series 3 Spider Veloces that were imported to the USA came with leather seats, and cloth tops, as standard equipment. (The brochures also indicate this as standard equipment.) Only the 1985 through 1990 Spider Graduates had vinyl seats and vinyl tops. I happen to prefer the look and feel of leather over vinyl, and also prefer the cloth top over the vinyl. I also don't think that "upgrading" the seats and top detract from the originality of the car...

Best regards,

**vf31rhill** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 06:41 PM

Leather - OEM and looks and feels rich. Requires regular care and maintenance to keep it looking good and make it last. Most people expect to see leather in your Alfa. Vinyl - cheaper looking but easy care and lasts well. If you are not concerned about other peoples opinions, then vinyl is a good choice ware and care wise. If you are concerned about other peoples opinions and want the car to look original then leather is the way to go. You already know the difference in costs. My own car came to me second hand with vinyl seats. They look good. That being said, I will be converting back to leather as soon as money permits. It is just a personal choice. One man's opinion, if opinions count.
Robert

Bob Sacamano · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:40 PM

The real issue with "modern" leather is that the color is on the surface, like a coat of paint. What this prevents is your being able to properly and periodically moisturize the leather. Anything you apply simple sits on the top, and none soaks into the actual leather. I've owned several old Jaguars in the past, upholstered with vat-dyed Connolly leather (I believe Connolly is no longer in business), and it's very easy to maintain. It also feels much better, and over time develops a rich patina. With vat-dyed leather, the color is in the leather, not on top, and the porosity of the leather hasn't been clogged. With regular moisturizing, such leather can last literally for decades, but top-coated leather will always be getting dryer and stiffer all the time, and eventually it fails.

So, while I prefer a leather interior, a really high-quality vinyl interior may last longer than top-coated leather, and many vinyls available look as nice as leather. Tough call.

A cloth top, however, is always better than vinyl, in appearance and longevity.

**backfeeder** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 11:06 PM

Good discussion. You guys have me swaying one way and then the other. I'm at the point that Joachim is right now and I've been reading all these seat threads with interest. I guess my one sticking point is determining what is high quality vinyl. I've walked into 11 plus local upholstery shops and they all seem to have the same swatches. Online there doesn't seem to be any place that talks about one vinyl vs another. Sometimes, in a situation like this I want to assume that price determines quality, and while that may be true to some degree I've visited web stores selling the same fabric at radically different prices. Right now I am considering a marine grade vinyl called DuraTouch Boltaflex that sells for about 45 to 75 dollars a yard. It's pricey and I've yet to make a final decision but these posts help in the long run.