I cannot speak with any experience relative to "pleather", but I'm a fan of "leather" because of how readily it adapts to body temperature and it's general durability. So for me, the seating surfaces, at least, need to be leather. Matching synthetics are very often used these days on other surfaces for cost control.

While I know it's not right around the corner from you, there's a thread here somewhere by a fellow who did the Katzkin and had the install done in Horsham PA. The outfit seemed to be well priced and I hear many dealers use them for this kind of work.

 

I made the comparison to fake leather bc that is what is used in lower end bmw's and Mercedes and such, so if anyone had one, I just wanted to take their temp on how it feels.

Otherwise, yea, I figure if the delta between prices was $200 or so, I would just go with the leather, bc, well, its leather.

 

Here is the scoop on the Katkin products.

Options #1 leather on the front seating surfaces and the backs of the seats are vinyl. The back seats a primarily vinyl with a small amount of leather.

(This is very similar to the OEM set up in the laredo X with leather)

Option #2 (Premium Leather) The front covers are almost completely made of leather. While the leather content in the rear is increased substanially.



The Option is fine for 90% of everyone out there. I personally prefer vinyl because it is easier to care for.

I have also had a lower end Mercedes C class with the "MB Tex" or pleather and for the most part it held up pretty well in the 6 years I owned it. In fact my cousin now has the car and the seat are still fine, but there is some cracking on the driver's door panel.


If you went with a the basic OEM gathered look katzin interior you would be happy. You could alway dress it up with piping or contrast stitching as a $65 option.

 

Yea, thats what I was thinking.. Part of the seat has leather while other parts don't. Guess I just have to do some price comparisons and see who has the best price.

 

I did test runs on several vehicles before deciding on Jeep GC. Mercedes ML at higher price points than GC comes standard with MBTex (pleather). Its vinyl and doesn't breathe so you sweat. The $1600 Mercedes leather upgrade is a rough cheaper grade of leather than the GC uses. It is like the bottom of the line in a StressLess chair. A Stress Less store is a great place to see and feel all the different grades of leather. So go leather but be sure you know what grade you are getting so you will be happy with it long term.

 

Seriously? So the ML always has crappier leather than the GC leather?

Also, can someone shine light on the Summit's leather vs the Overland's?

 

I've owned a few MB with their mbtex and I prefer it over leather. They weren't low end MBs either, sticker info at over $50k. The most recent time I looked at the E class (2013) was a premium 2 with the mbtex. So don't think that the pleather is necessary bad.

But to the point- I liked it more. It felt the same but was easier to clean, didn't crack and maintained its fresh appearance throughout my ownership as well.


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I've owned a few MB with their mbtex and I prefer it over leather. They weren't low end MBs either, sticker info at over $50k. The most recent time I looked at the E class (2013) was a premium 2 with the mbtex. So don't think that the pleather is necessary bad.

But to the point- I liked it more. It felt the same but was easier to clean, didn't crack and maintained its fresh appearance throughout my ownership as well.

I've seen very similar comments about BMW, except that they make it harder to get the synthetic (real leather is part of option packages that are on almost every car). I've never done any serious comparison, but I'm pretty sure I've sat on both without noticing any difference.

You probably need to touch and sit on the ones you're considering to know how you feel about them.