Hmmm, no, I meant what I said. When I bought my car, the dealer put a 'dent' in the little pad under the read collapsable armrest befure I even saw it. They replaced it (not particularly well, but wasn't too bothered and it took loads of hassle to get that far so I left it as is), but trying to squirm out of doing it, they made the argument that it was difficult to match leather with any old piece and might look odd (an argument I understand on the basis of rolls royce and whatnot...) but at least one other dealer said that that didn't sound right as it was only the fronts that were full genuine leather and the rears are just pattern leather, not real at all.

I've always gone under this assumption from multiple dealers, but if it IS true, i'll give you that they certainly look convincing.

Either way, it still looks very noce so not too bothered, just sharing what i've bee told.

I've had my VRS for 3 years now, and one of my reasons for not going for the limited edition of the pre facelift was lack of heated seats. I did tick the leather option & heated seats & I've never regretted it! The Crd is so thermaly efficient that on cold winter mornings it takes ages to get any heat in the car..heated seats are almost a must have with leather for the diesel models IMO.

I've always gone under this assumption from multiple dealers, but if it IS true, i'll give you that they certainly look convincing.

I've just been looking at the Skoda website and it looks like you are right! The leather option for the current Elegance trim costs £600 and says "contains some artificial leather".

But the rear seats on my 2006 L&K look very realistic....so I just had a look through the sales brochure that we got back in 2006......in those days the leather option was £1260....but with no mention of artificial leather.....looks like older cars have real leather in the back and newer ones don't....but with that, the cost for leather as an option was significantly reduced.

Everyday's a school day!

Anyone retro fitted?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-seats-heated-seat-seat-heater-fits-VW-Golf-6-Sagitar-car-cushion-seat-cover-/180949066256?pt=UK_Car_Interior_Accessories&hash=item2a2167a210&_uhb=1

Hmmm, no, I meant what I said. When I bought my car, the dealer put a 'dent' in the little pad under the read collapsable armrest befure I even saw it. They replaced it (not particularly well, but wasn't too bothered and it took loads of hassle to get that far so I left it as is), but trying to squirm out of doing it, they made the argument that it was difficult to match leather with any old piece and might look odd (an argument I understand on the basis of rolls royce and whatnot...) but at least one other dealer said that that didn't sound right as it was only the fronts that were full genuine leather and the rears are just pattern leather, not real at all.

I've always gone under this assumption from multiple dealers, but if it IS true, i'll give you that they certainly look convincing.

Either way, it still looks very noce so not too bothered, just sharing what i've bee told.

I was told by my dealer that the artificial bits are the alcantera perforated panels we all sit on, either way as I got mine free if there is more artificial leather in the back I'm not overly bothered as I won't be sitting in them! I'd rather man up though than have the other 2 options which IMO are rather naff. Some may like them but they're not for me....

I treated all my seats with AG leather balm when I first bought her and interestingly it seemed to go on exactly the same where ever I put it so don't know if that means anything... other than perhaps I've used the wrong stuff!

by "seat backs" do you mean the bit my toddler keeps kicking and wiping dirty feet on?

Yep! My grandkids too! But it wipes off real easy with a damp cloth.

Mine is an Elegance with option leather - so no Alcantra. My bro-in-law has worked in the leather industry for 40yrs. When I got the car he said "You do realise that it isn't all leather" then pointed out the real bits and the faux bits. A look in the car brochure confirmed that it was a mix of real and faux.

All the seat facings, arm rests are real leather - front and back. If you look inside the pockets in the back of the front seats you can see the fabric backing of the faux leather - the whole of the seat back is the same.

The thing to note however that even real leather in all but the high end luxury market (ie RR, Bentley etc) is spray coated with a pigmented polymer to get a consistent colour finish and cover up imperfections in the hide. That is why it is hard to tell the difference.

BTW I worked in the leather industry for a few years too. Long time ago though so the memory is fading.