Looking to buy a  used MkIII  150PS Octavia saloon but putting me off are the views of the drivers seat that look like they have really greasy appearance due to this alcantara … fake suede I think. What trim levels do not use this material. On the other hand can they be cleaned ?

 

Regards

They can be cleaned and the material is lush. I wouldn't describe it as greasy. 

Very easy to clean Alcantara just wipe with a damp cloth like you would with leather. As a material it costs more than leather, is more durable, feels warmer in winter (only rarely do I use the heated seats) and cooler in summer. IMHO it looks more luxurious than leather but I appreciate this a very personal thing. Most people express a positive feeling to the interior on my car and if you get a car with the ambient lighting option on the 4 doors and maxidot it feels really special. My interior looks like brand new after 17 months and 18,812 miles.

Agreed, alcantara is a nice fabric, but then I dont like leather seats. It’s similar to a good micro fibre cloth. 

 

Part leather / alcantara (faux leather at least on the FL) is standard on the Elegance (later renamed  SE L) trim level, lower trims get regular cloth. The runout prefacelift special SE Sport had nice seats actually, essentially cloth VRS Seats. VRS I’m not sure, I think cloth, leather or alcantara but someone will know better. 

 

Do take a look at an Elegance / SE L if you are considering something other than a VRS, it’s a nice spec, particularly in facelift with the  LED headlights. The seat size and shape could be a little better but the material choice is spot on. 

Edited 19 January, 20197 yr by uchuff

Thanks Guy 

Generally the drivers seat shows the first signs of wear and is a good indication along with the general tidiness  of what sort of previous life a second hand car has had. (Other peoples views will be different).

Its just that most of the cars with this alcantara panel I have viewed have looked greasy / grubby and tired looking compared to the passengers side. My 16 year old elegance Octavia looks better. 

 

 

Regards

The Oct 2 VRS seats had half alcantara and it was grey, most ones I've seen look fairly poor as the material gets real grubby.  As for the darker colours it hides the dirt more so doesn't look as bad.  If the leather is shiny (indicating it's dirty) a clean with some leather cleaner and a leather cleaning brush will remove the dirt and make Them have a matt appearance again.