A Question of Leather

Just curious, why don't more buyers choice the natural grey and brown interiors? The leathers are appear to be significantly higher quality than the other Porsche leathers. Now the the natural brown may be too orange for some, and others way want terracotta or green or red interiors. However for the majority who would get a black, grey, or sand interior anyway, why not spend the $1600 extra for the natural leather? It sounds like small change in a car where blue paint costs $3100 and a 1' increase in wheel diameter is $1900. P.S. From what I can tell, the natural leathers are similar to the Heritage Leather on the previous generation BMW M5.

David, That is a great question, and yes I did spend the extra $ on the paint and the 19' wheels but not the leather. It was not because I didn't want to, I tried and it was too late to make any changes. When I ordered my car I just didn't have a clue what I wanted and I had not found this website at that time either! I would have done many things differently, but no sense in looking back! Aloha Russ

I too would have placed my order differently if I had the benefit of all the ideas and comments posted on this site. O well, I guess my second Cayman S will benefit from all this. At least we will all benefit greatly in the future once we all have our cars and can use this site to post all our comments about every issue that comes up before we bother our respective service departments. Of course we all hope there won't be any issues that require the service department. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/help.gif/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thanks.gif

Russ, Just curious/ what would you have done different on spec? Patch

Patch, I would have added the PASM, Sport seatsand full leather. Russ

The natural grey doesn't look too bad. I think it's more of how the interior looks that detours people away from the natural grey and the natural brown. I personally feel along with many others that the black interior just looks the best.

Color over quality?

The naturals are better quality. But not by much in my opinion, full black interior is just as good and satisfies most.

As I recall, I couldn't get the Sport Adaptive Seats if I ordered natural leather. Otherwise I would have ordered natural brown.

Natural leatherslooknicer because they have a finer grain and lesschemical treatment of the hide, but there is a major downside whichis durability. After a few years of use these leathers often look much the worse for wear than the standard leathers. People often make this mistake with leather furniture. Highgradenatural hides must be cared forcarefully or they will stain and are more easily marked with sharp objects. PersonallyI think automobileinteriors are better suited for more durable and less easily injured leathers.

Any opinions on the standard leather? I tried to upgrade to full but too late when I decided. This is really my only disappointment. I can only hope that the standard leather does not disappoint me. Thanks Russ

for me black leather in a car works the best. it hides the wear and tear and the standard lthr will be fine.

I know some of you will probably think I am nuts, but I like to have seat covers at least on the drivers side because of the wear factor of sliding in and out of the car. I will need to find something from Porsche with a nice embossed crest. Russ

I'm getting Sea Blue interior to match the exterior color of Midnight/Lapis Blue. I wouldn't buy the expensive leathers because I wanted an great track car, not a GT. Porsche is about Performance and exterior looks, not interior.

I probably wouold have spent $1600 on Natural Leather, but I didn't know about it. Russ, just to validate you, yeah seat covers are totally insane. And just on one side? What!?

Chris, Yeah I know the one side thing is goofy, I wouldn't do that. I have had covers on my BMW (both sides) since the day I bought it 5years ago. I always thought I will just leave them on during the week going to work and back, but that didn't happen. Now the guy that is buying my car is getting brand new leather sport seats and is overjoyed. I was more concerned with body oils and sweat damaging the leather, and if you lived here you would know what I mean. It might be different with ths car because I won't be using itfor my main transportation. Aloha Russ

That is $1600 above full leather...

I hadn't heard this. TTBOMK, the natural leathers have thicker hides with greater dye penetration and without a plastic coating. Are there reports on the 996 and 986 forums about natural leathers wearing out?