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2K views 35 replies 17 participants last post by  Tony Rome 
#1 ·
What is it about leather interior?

It burns you on hot days, Freezes you on cold days. Its dosn't grip very well, making my wife hate it. It doesn't Berthe well, so on long journeys you get sticky.

And yet it looks fantastic!

I've got the velour trim and its very very good. So why do I want leather interior?
 
#3 ·
I had leather seats in my 156 last year but they weren't heated,in the winter they were freezing.(I remember going christmas shopping and jumping into the car when it was -15 degrees :eek:)

My winter runabout this year will be my 164 super with the blue velour interior,much cosier:)

But your bang on with all the drawbacks you've mentioned but I'm a real sucker for tan leather,a black Alfa GT V6 with tan leather looks amazing.
But if I were to buy another 156 or 166 I wouldn't be too bothered if it was velour or leather.
 
#7 ·
Yeah, it looks better and is easier to clean but is cold in winter and sticky in summer. As I said on another thread, all you need is heated and air conditioned leather...oh, and a massage facility :)
 
#11 ·
What is it about leather interior?
I totally agree. Freezes the ar$e off you on a cold day but is sweaty and clammy on a hot day.

I had it in my 156 and hated it with a passion so much so that I tracked down my 166 with a velour interior. Doesn't look as good but I prefer it.
 
#12 ·
Leather looks great and is easy kept and I am always disappointed by a car that does not have it!

Saying that though when I bought my first 164 my criteria was 3.0, leather, air conditioning and sun roof. I called up one on Auto Trader - No leather so immediately dioscounted BUT then came across the same car in the flesh at an Italian Car Day and knew I had to have it - The V6 growl :). The velour seats were great but I was still envious of those with leather :confused: :( I have therefore insisted on it in my cars since! It does not make sense but it seems to be a must :confused:

If you want to convince yourself then go down the "I am a real driver" route and state that leather is not for you as you need to keep your bum planted to control your V6 beast as you throw it through the corners! Does that work for you :D
 
#16 ·
Personally I don't find it cold in winter
Obviously global warming has got to Leeds, then ;). You wouldn't say that if you were in Berlin, let alone Scandinavia...

no hotter or stickier than velour or other materials in summer - CRANK UP THE AIRCON!!
Again, it depends on the heat. At 40C, even a fully functioning Alfa air con doesn't bring the temperature down sufficiently. Anyway, your back and legs, which are against the seat and cannot 'breathe' will get sticky, even if the air con is doing a good job. Hence, air conditioned seats...
 
#14 ·
It's the smell, as much as anything else, that does it for me!

Being a fat git that rarely (OK never) wears a miniskirt, the coldness in winter doesn't really bother me - and neither does the slippiness as I'm pretty well held by the side bolsters. As for the sweatiness, they shouldn't be THAT sweaty! A lot of leather conditioners and polishes have a high wax (or similar) content. This gives a brilliant shine but blocks the pores in the leather and makes it much sweatier. Well worth using a good, mild, ammonia-free shampoo and then a conditioner with no waxes. I'm very keen on the Gliptone "Liquid Leather" stuff and in their literature, they mention the sweatines thing. I have noticed a definite improvement (and slight loss of shine, it as to be said!) since I started using their stuff.
 
#23 ·
I was thinking of having my leather seats re-upholstered in black latex.......with fishnet window tint film.........

.............I thought it might go real nice with the RED interior lighting.

cheers to All
Peter
 
#31 ·
#27 ·
The answer is probably alcantara material, at least for the centre seat sections - lots of other manufacturers use it but I dont know why Alfa doesnt.........only problem is it doesnt wear as well as leather.
 
#32 ·
It would be nice as another option, I use to have it in my old Lancia Thema 16v Turbo, seats, headlining, doorcards, was lovley, but doesn't wear as well as leather as you say. Some manufactures do a mix of Alcantara main section on the seats with leather sides and back.
Must admit though, I've not realy been bother in the 166 with heated seats for winter and aircon for summer, although don't know how good with black leather rather than cream. I had years ago a vw scirocco storm, mk1, with a full black leather interior, black dash, healining, carpets, no aircon, and that was a nightmare in summer!
 
#28 ·
moan,moan..............I live in the middle east and had no air con last summer....No bother...also we do get down to 0C in winter...no bother also....As leather is definitely worth having..for style,elegance,looks and resale value.......I will never have another car with cloth or velour seats again...Actually I havent had one since 1995 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#33 ·
I had an alcantara interior in a Lancia Dedra SE years ago - Very plush but not a patch on leather and is easily marked and goes all bobbly and thin evntually. I sold my Dedra with 105k miles - Interior was still very good but slightly bobbly on drivers bolster, any leather interiors I have had always looked very fresh even the 164 Super I sold with 120k miles.

When in a hot climate I always use a reflector board on the windscreen and find winter a real non-issue - Never use the heated seats as all is warmed up quickly anyway.
 
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