Well for the next couple of days i have an Oct'y 1.4tsi SE Estate, whilst mine is in for a new Duel mass flywheel.

Now i know that the SE is equivalent to the old Ambiente spec, but because it has the Small leather pack fitted ie Steering wheel and gearstick, it just feels alot more plusher, now i know the dash plastic's are all the same, but the perceived quality from the leather, just feels as if it lifts the cabin up and just feels nice in the hands.

On another note, having just washed the above mentioned car ( i know it's sad )Just looking at it on the drive, although it looks very nice i just can't see how it can be worth £10,000 more than Lynsey's mk1, apart from being new and having 40,000 less miles and a new design stereo, i can't see what i'm getting more for my money, the equipment levels are near enough the same. I know it's the having the new car feeling. But with my sensible head on, it's just not worth changing to have another car that will do the same as the one it replaces.

Off to look on ebay for a leather steering wheel and gearstick for a mk1!!

I like small leather pack, but if the car is not equipped with it, then I am not too fussy about it.

Looking on ebay and autotrader, it looks like Skoda and VW's leather steering wheels are generally good condition, which means the leather must be of good quality.

Our old 3 series had leather steering wheel but after only 3 years of use, it is no longer black, and turned grey - hated it!

The MX5 is fully leathered up and I agree it makes

a cars interior feel special.

I will do the seat surgeons thang with my Fabia next year.

It feels sadly lacking compared to the Mazda :yes: