Saddle Leather Package: Patina Over Time

[Beowulf]

As you have pointed out, it does seem to be common for saddle to have quite a bit of color differentiation between vehicles. I don’t mind at all as I plan on treating the leather like I would any other high-end leathercraft. By the time I’m done it will be pretty dark regardless of how light it starts out.

 

[Tazzieman]

Might be the sunlight where you are but my saddle leather looks to be a slightly darker shade than yours.
The only pic I have currently to hand

Mine is the same - dark brown.

 

[Tazzieman]

If you don't choose leather there may not be a great choice either. I'm not short (5'-10") and my Grenny does not have side steps ( rock sliders!) so I naturally put one 'cheek' on the edge of the seat and hoist my self in and then slide on the same edge getting out. After almost 2 years and 27k miles this is the cracking I have. Looks worse under 'load' but I can't see it. Dealer took images to see if it was a warranty issue but I'm not holding my breath. View attachment 7920682

My bolster (covered by a sheepskin throw) is under stress as well. People, remove your seat covers and check.
Is it "fair wear and tear" or a warranty item? IDK.
Perhaps we need a separate thread, ir perhaps a separated thread.

 

[Lexx]

Well that's rather disappointing. I generally like cloth seats. They don't get hot in the summer and don't freeze you in the winter. But if the neoprene stuff on the bolster cracks after only a couple of years, that's an expense and hassle I don't want to deal with!

 

[Tazzieman]

Well that's rather disappointing. I generally like cloth seats. They don't get hot in the summer and don't freeze you in the winter. But if the neoprene stuff on the bolster cracks after only a couple of years, that's an expense and hassle I don't want to deal with!

Perhaps after the Recaro scenario they use a different material now? Dunno. Needs to be denim or something similar.

 

[CRH]

Well that's rather disappointing. I generally like cloth seats. They don't get hot in the summer and don't freeze you in the winter. But if the neoprene stuff on the bolster cracks after only a couple of years, that's an expense and hassle I don't want to deal with!

Get leather and put covers on them

 

[CRH]

I’m pretty sure your vehicle does have the saddle leather, in black.

It's my lovely soft manicured hands that have settled the leather in nicely

 

[Tazzieman]

It's my lovely soft manicured hands that have settled the leather in nicely

Metrosexualism never really went away , did it?

 

[Cheshire cat]

I still maintain that choosing the saddle leather was the right thing. Every time I get in the vehicle I love the look and feel. Well worth the £600.00 option that it was at time of ordering.

 

[Happyoldgit]

Funnily enough before I bought mine the salesman said that the brown saddle leather option was not popular. Mine has brown saddle leather.

 

[Chadd7]

For me, a casual driver, saddle leather was a must. It adds warmth and character to an otherwise stark interior. I don’t clean nor treat it. Just letting natural oils from my hands do their thing. I want it to look like WW2 pilot helmet leather.

 

[Happyoldgit]

For me, a casual driver, saddle leather was a must. It adds warmth and character to an otherwise stark interior. I don’t clean nor treat it. Just letting natural oils from my hands do their thing. I want it to look like WW2 pilot helmet leather.

WW2 you say, this was the best I could do given time and late afternoon winter sunshine constraints. Genuine 1940 dated RAF gauntlets and a later war RAF C Type flying helmet comparison with the brown saddle leather in my Grenadier

 

[Bayford]

For me, a casual driver, saddle leather was a must. It adds warmth and character to an otherwise stark interior. I don’t clean nor treat it. Just letting natural oils from my hands do their thing. I want it to look like WW2 pilot helmet leather.

I ordered the bridle leather as on my LC Amazon steering wheel wore through after 20 years and the leather replacement cover felt thick and "wrong" in my hands. Bridle leather seems to last for decades if all of the old bridle leather hunting and shooting gubbins that are still in daily use are anything to go by. Hence worth adding to the specified options in my view. I like the look of it but in 20 years time I will know how well it has worn.

 

[CRH]

WW2 you say, this was the best I could do given time and late afternoon winter sunshine constraints. Genuine 1940 dated RAF gauntlets and a later war RAF C Type flying helmet comparison with the brown saddle leather in my Grenadier

View attachment 7920741View attachment 7920743

At least I'll recognise you if ever we cross paths, I am assuming it is what you whare at all times when in the Grenadier