Hmmm, Leather orrr??????

[Lenie]

No, it's a leather alternative. It's not the cost I'm debating, it's a few things. Value of the car, wear, comfort, smell, oh, and maybe alittle cost? But I don't want to take short cuts that will be less appealing if that makes any since.

[BigVin]

Italian leather and forgetaboutit.

[XcYZ]

Ultra leather is synthetic. I think it's really nice. The advantage of ultra leather is that it can be stretched in 2 directions, where as real leather can only really be stretched in 1 direction.

Maybe one of the experts like Tracy from Recovery Room will chime in.

[Garage Dog 65]

Ultra leather the seat inserts and lower seat surrounds - and leave everything else real leather. That eliminates the leather wrinkles in the stretch zones - while the rest of the leather gives the look/smell your after. That's what Tracy recommend to me at Columbus - and I'm sure he'll set us straight when he jumps in.

Jim

[ccracin]

We have very similar concerns for our project. Great Question! How bout it Tracy? Thanks.

[HRBS]

We use Ultra leather (vinyl) for our projects.
The "alternative" material:
-stretches easier.
-more flexible
-wears better
-cleans better
There are good and bad vinyls. Some wear and clean better than ones that stretch better etc. and some have better (more realistic leather like) grain.
The only thing missing is that awesome leather smell

[dookie]

So what to expect expense wise on the Italian leather , for a single interior , Who is a good supplier?

[sniper]

Originally Posted by lenie

I've been researching leather for my interior and was wondering what to go with, leather or ultraleather? So, I'm thinking, what are the pros and cons of both? Those of you that have either or have used both in the past, lets hear your opinions.

Pros of leather:
It's a real.
Smell
Feel
easier to work with.
Color choices

Cons:
expensive
maintenence intensive
Must keep it conditioned or it'll dry out

ultra leather:
Pros:
Most people don't know the difference
Ease of use.
easy to clean and maintain
has a good feel
Cheaper than most leather

Cons:
Not real leather
Is more difficult to lay than leather on curvy surfaces.
Color choice while pretty good is limited

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Ultra leather is synthetic. I think it's really nice. The advantage of ultra leather is that it can be stretched in 2 directions, where as real leather can only really be stretched in 1 direction.

Maybe one of the experts like Tracy from Recovery Room will chime in.

Ultraleather is a 2 way stretch. Real leather will stretch any way you want it. Pro is to leather.

Originally Posted by HRBS

We use Ultra leather (vinyl) for our projects.

Not to be a stickler for details but ultraleather is not vinyl, it's a polyurethane.

Wear on ultraleather is superior to vinyl for wear. Most vinyls wear out at 100,000 double rubs ona wyzenbeck, whereas ultraleather goes for a healthy 400,000 double rubs. Impressive!

Either way is good. Think budget and how much use it's going to get.
Personally nothing does it better than leather. When you get in a car like mone that is nothing but leather, the smell is just awesome.