..suppose problem is... these are crappy cows... ;-)

Leather may not be the best but after over three years an 40,000 miles mine's looking fine. I do give it regular treatment though.

Sarge.

Leather may not be the best but after over three years an 40,000 miles mine's looking fine. I do give it regular treatment though.

Sarge.

Sounds more encouraging! Thanks.

Leather may not be the best but after over three years an 40,000 miles mine's looking fine. I do give it regular treatment though.

Sarge.

Yes cleaning and feeding the leather is very important as it does dry out and crack otherwise. But don't skimp on poor quality feed, buy a good quality product such as Zymol which is 100% natural ingredients and apply at least twice a year, as a minimum.

My wife bought a new Octavia 1.6TDi to replace a Volvo C30, in February 2013, as more space and access was needed for our grandchildren.

The car has proved to be brilliant. Comfortable, spacious, economical and reliable. It rides superbly and feels 'planted' on the road.

So, on this basis , I decided to buy a nearly new Mk3 Octavia Elegance.

On the 18inch wheels, the ride was what only could be described as harsh! So, oddly, some might say, I had the 'standard' 16 inch put on instead. This has improved the ride a little, but on our rutted and pot-holed roads, it still crashes and bangs (especially the rear end). Skoda may have improved the handling, but at the expense of the ride.

Another issue is the 'leather' seating. Which bits are actually cow? They are awful in hot weather, especially the seat-back. I have had proper leather seats before and they were not like this! Come on Skoda.....if you want to be seen as more upmarket, sort out the 'leather' on the seats!

On the positive side, the 1.4 TSi engine is a gem! It's quick, responds instantly and is returning up to 65mpg on longer runs! The boot's huge and passenger space excellent!

Sorry this has been a bit of a rant, but it's the details that make a good product into a great one!

Go round any second hand car sales lot and look at the leather seats which are generally in 60-70% of what will be there, and just about every one will exhibit degrees of noticeable creasing, cracking and scuffing.

 

Years ago, leather seats were 'premium'. They only came on high end vehicles, at great cost, and were made from the finest materials, such as Connolly, but even these suffered unless regularly treated.

 

I would say, and please educate me if you have such statistics, that it's likely that 85-90% of people never [ever] treat the leather in their car, always believing that it's nigh-on indestructible, but like anything, it needs care.

 

Every car I've ever had with leather (with the exception of the piece of **** MY2013 Kia Sportage I just couldn't wait to get rid off and sold within 8 months of purchase due to it's appalling build quality, handling and fuel consumption) has been treated immediately, and yearly thereafter, with a quality product, and so far every seat and steering wheel on every one I've ever sold on has, apart from very minor creases, looked like new.

 

Shiny leather is also one of my pet hates, and there's a simple reason for it… it's dirt and oils from clothing and hands, but it's unbelievably easy to keep at bay with just basic regular cleaning. 

 

Nowadays, leather seats are widely available as an option, or standard, in just about every passenger car (and a lot of vans) on the road, and just about everywhere else a human being can park their backside…

 

I think it's safe to assume that just about anything that goes Mooo, as well as anything else bearing a similarity now ends up as some form of seat further to its natural or enforced demise, so demand dictates that unless you're willing to pay £2000+ for a true premium leather upgrade (rather than what I believe to be the very realistic £600 Skoda are charging), you're going to end up with a lesser product, but which will with care retain its looks if cared for appropriately!

 

My experience and opinion!

Edited 24 May, 201412 yr by Nookiebear

Go round any second hand car sales lot and look at the leather seats which are generally in 60-70% of what will be there, and just about every one will exhibit degrees of noticeable creasing, cracking and scuffing.

 

Years ago, leather seats were 'premium'. They only came on high end vehicles, at great cost, and were made from the finest materials, such as Connolly, but even these suffered unless regularly treated.

 

I would say, and please educate me if you have such statistics, that it's likely that 85-90% of people never [ever] treat the leather in their car, always believing that it's nigh-on indestructible, but like anything, it needs care.

 

Every car I've ever had with leather (with the exception of the piece of **** MY2013 Kia Sportage I just couldn't wait to get rid off and sold within 8 months of purchase due to it's appalling build quality, handling and fuel consumption) has been treated immediately, and yearly thereafter, with a quality product, and so far every seat and steering wheel on every one I've ever sold on has, apart from very minor creases, looked like new.

 

Shiny leather is also one of my pet hates, and there's a simple reason for it… it's dirt and oils from clothing and hands, but it's unbelievably easy to keep at bay with just basic regular cleaning. 

 

Nowadays, leather seats are widely available as an option, or standard, in just about every passenger car (and a lot of vans) on the road, and just about everywhere else a human being can park their backside…

 

I think it's safe to assume that just about anything that goes Mooo, as well as anything else bearing a similarity now ends up as some form of seat further to its natural or enforced demise, so demand dictates that unless you're willing to pay £2000+ for a true premium leather upgrade (rather than what I believe to be the very realistic £600 Skoda are charging), you're going to end up with a lesser product, but which will with care retain its looks if cared for appropriately!

 

My experience and opinion!

 

Shiny leather also one of my OCD things - both on seats and especially the steering wheel.  

 

I clean the steering wheel about 4 times a year, it's amazing how quickly it goes back to feeling like new after a quick treatment of leather cleaner.

 

Have had various cars with leather seats in the past 10 years and have just handed back a Yeti Elegance which had decent leather seats that still looked great after a years' ownership, but honestly I've never seen the attraction of leather at all, and always actively seek NOT to have them where possible.

 

Had an '11 plate Superb SE Estate that had leather and alcantara and the seats were brilliant, just taken delivery of a new Octavia Elegance that has the same upholstery.  Nice to be back in this finish of seat as I prefer it to leather, but the seats in the Octavia are not as substantial or as well finished as those on the Superb.

What leather products do you recommend?

Products like Raceglaze Leather Balm, and Raceglaze leather cleaner if your seats are already in need of a good clean (http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/leather-cleaners-and-conditioners.html) work superbly.

 

Follow the any top detailer's website and recommendation (or forums such as detailers domain) and use what they use!

Edited 24 May, 201412 yr by Nookiebear

I have factory leather on Mk3 vRS, I suppose treating them early is key.