[Elmo]

Since the leather option will have to be a dealer fit... does any know what the quality of the finish is like?

Is it a quality job the dealers arrange - just wondering if it is substandard to the factory fitted leather - like in the MZ6 Lux Sports.. nice and taut.. looks schmick..

 

[Guest]

Look @ olorins pic, as i believe his leather was dealer fitted...

I dunno if ts true, but i heard the quality isn't soo great and its vinyl like, almost fake.

This was in the US board..

 

[Vormund]

?! Is it possible to get leather in Aus?

I was told by the dealer that it wasn't, when I asked.

maybe heaps of people like me kept asking and they changed their minds?

 

[Guest]

Yes it is...

look at olorins pics...

dealers will state because we have side airbag pockets on our seats, that it is not possible..

But its very possible, just tell em to get off their lazy asses!!!!

 

[samps]

Bare in mind since it's not a factory option, the "dealer fitted" leather is just a preferred aftermarket supplier - just like window tinting, paint protection, and so on, they usually sub contract the job out. I'd be wary of those side airbags not deploying though - after all, you paid for 'em!

 

[Vormund]

Yeah, i'm sort of thinking how would this affect side airbags, if it was done aftermarket.

hmm :/

What's the word on pricing anyhow.

 

[Guest]

All aftermarket jobs are covered under warranty.

So long as the dealership supplys/fits it for you.. and you drive out of the dealership the modification stated on the contract...

Then if anything happens, they'll take care of it for you...

 

[samps]

The fitter would HAVE to affer at least 3 years' warranty on leather, surely...?

Folks, just remember that any options or accessories you have fitted before delivery will add to your stamp duty. That's partly why I'm waiting to see where this cruise control is located - if I like it I'll take the car back to get it fitted. I reckon it will be easier to bargain once the hype has subsided too.

 

[olorin]

Leather is a definite possibility - it just depends on your dealer and how firmly you put your foot down. As samps pointed out, the dealer does subcontract out to an aftermarket company to put it in. Their only concern is re: side airbag deployment if the side zips are not preserved.

I had mine done at Rockdale Mazda and it came up a treat. See:

http://mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2434

I managed to choose the black leather from bmw (as opposed to the type they use the mazda6) and had the seats fitted out in a similar fashion. This fitting will of course be a personal choice - but I like the comfort look rather than the tight sporty seats... The good thing was that when they delivered it I was given the good news that the side airbag deployment was preserved!

And being done by the dealer it is covered by their warranty - as well as the aftermarket place's warranty!

Have to admit that it was only after I had the leather put in that I searched out pictures of how the american leather stitching looked. Lets just say that if that was what was offered then I probably would not have taken it. :wink:

 

[Vormund]

olorin, did you tell them exactly what colour and layout you wanted? I noticed you don't have that middle hump thing that goes between your legs (ooer) on your trim.

I was thinking, if I get it done, black like the US version, but with red inserts.

 

[olorin]

yup, yup vormund. there was one of those swatches (is that how you spell it??) with about 30 different leather types. i chose the black leather that i liked and compared it to the interior etc...)

then i asked that it be done with a certain 'look' i.e. i said "this is the bmw black leather right? get them to do the upholstery like that then... and don't forget the sides, cos i can't stand those stripey things" then i looked in at the mazda6 luxury hatch with the leather and pointed inside and said "and i don't want 2 type leather with those funny little holes, no matter how better they are supposed to make it breathe"

and so it was done... 8)

i've seen some pics of the american leather - they keep the outlines from the 2 tone cloth and have the leather stitched to that pattern... is this what you want? no idea what effect it would be to get red leather as well - but it should look pretty wicked! :twisted:

 

[Vormund]

Yeah I was thinking of keeping the outline,(with red inserts) but none of that textured leather

Btw you've got leather inserts on your doors right? Dunno about putting red leather there, that might be a bit too much :lol:

Good to here you've still got side airbags, i was sort of worried about that.

 

[olorin]

mmm... black car, red leather.

so difficult to keep clean though! if only we could acquire car wash garages!

on a different tack with interiors, i think i saw a 3s interior with a beige trim in leather. but the other internal panelling was also beige! it looked pretty good. does this configuration interest anybody?

(i have to admit that i may have seen it on a european site just trying to look for how the option leather looked like in those countries which offered it)

 

[king chile]

i've seen and sat in the leather and it was pretty stiff in my opinion.. not the plush leather you think of in like a bmw or on a nice sofa.. it's really just 'leather surfaced' vinyl seating.. in fact i'm not even sure if the whole seat is leather 'surfaced' or just certain sections... based on the way it's laid out i would assume just sections.. secondly it's perforated which from other people's accounts (the tsx has perforated leather, and i've spent a lot of time on that messageboard) it's very hard to clean if any kind of liquid spills on it. and thirdly no heated seats! you can tint out yr windows and park in the shade to try and avoid the leather burning yr ass on a hot sunny day but that shit is COLD in the winter.. no buttwarmers = hemeroidal discomfort.. and that's my rant about the leather in the 3, BUT i suggest you go and try and find one on a lot and sit it in and see for yourself..

 

[Vormund]

Well we don't have it as an official option here in Aus. So we're looking at getting it done by the dealer.

Which means we could pick really high quality stuff like olorin did (woo)

As for a beige interior, it looks fine, but that's one of those colours that seems to drift in and out of fashion.

 

[fiordland]

Just keep in mind the SP23 is a sports compact in manual form so the seats are intentionally different to the Neo-max models. The contouring in the SP assists the driver remaining in the seat when performing rapid cornering manouevres, dukes of hazzard ramp jumps and other phenomena. Although leather looks sweet in a cruisy vehicle like my Xtrail you'll never see it in a race car as you slide around on it, especially so without any contouring.

 

[Guest]

i've seen and sat in the leather and it was pretty stiff in my opinion.. not the plush leather you think of in like a bmw or on a nice sofa.. it's really just 'leather surfaced' vinyl seating.. in fact i'm not even sure if the whole seat is leather 'surfaced' or just certain sections... based on the way it's laid out i would assume just sections.. secondly it's perforated which from other people's accounts (the tsx has perforated leather, and i've spent a lot of time on that messageboard) it's very hard to clean if any kind of liquid spills on it. and thirdly no heated seats! you can tint out yr windows and park in the shade to try and avoid the leather burning yr ass on a hot sunny day but that shit is COLD in the winter.. no buttwarmers = hemeroidal discomfort.. and that's my rant about the leather in the 3, BUT i suggest you go and try and find one on a lot and sit it in and see for yourself..

Leather isn't an option here in Australia, so if we want it done, the dealer gets it done aftermarket for us, so we get to pick the type and quality of leather.

Also we don't get near your temperatures here in the winter. It's just our summer's that we worry about here.

 

[olorin]

Just keep in mind the SP23 is a sports compact in manual form so the seats are intentionally different to the Neo-max models. The contouring in the SP assists the driver remaining in the seat when performing rapid cornering manouevres, dukes of hazzard ramp jumps and other phenomena.

:twisted: how i enjoy cornering in this car thanks for that fiordland, i did not realise that the contours were to help in that regard. i merely though they were stylistic issues involved, and failed to recognise the inherent "grip" of contoured seats with that stripey trim.

as for beige - i was only asking as i have not seen an interior trim of any M3 with light colours. it just seemed strange to have the central console in that colour as well.

 

[Guest]

it just seemed strange to have the central console in that colour as well.

The console in beige would like quite strange indeed...

 

[fiordland]

I'm still planning to modify mine with leather, but it won't be until I get the $$$ and it will be conditional on it retainng the contouring.