Suedetex durability?

[texevora]

Hi folks,

From the Recaro seatcover thread, it seemed like some MY10/MY11 owners were reporting leather wear, perhaps at a more rapid pace than originally expected. I may be wrong, but I believe Lotus changed leather materials for MY12, so hopefully the MY12s and above aren't in the same boat.

With that in mind, for you Suedetex-equipped Evora owners, how has the Suedetex held up with normal wear and tear? Have the leather surfaces shown signs of wear (particularly on the MY10s/MY11s), while the Suedtex has remained pristine?

I am hoping to pull the trigger on an Evora before year-end, so any input from current owners would help me narrow my search of potential Evoras to bid on. Thanks.

[lotus69f2]

I've had mine for 6 weeks and 800 miles and there is absolutely no sign of wear!

[Lckitty]

My 2011 black leather looks great now but seems thin. I know to treat it kindly given our discussions here. I'm guessing....the suede will show dirt and oils much more over time. Wear durability I'm not sure.

[Ron Avery]

My 2011 2+0 with oyster leather and 4500 miles is good. I am careful when I get in and out of the car. I also condition the leather once a month. And absolutely nothing in my back pockets.
Ron

[Chhirowolf]

I had my headliner and door pulls done in suede-tex back in April and everything looks good as new

[Sven76]

Originally Posted by Chhirowolf

I had my headliner and door pulls done in suede-tex back in April and everything looks good as new

Can you let me know what you paid for that? And have they been able to take out the headliner through the door without breaking it? A pillar and sun visor been difficult? Eats about the plastic parts which hold the sun visor, have they tainted them?

Thanks in advance!
Sven

[Chhirowolf]

Originally Posted by Sven76

Can you let me know what you paid for that? And have they been able to take out the headliner through the door without breaking it? A pillar and sun visor been difficult? Eats about the plastic parts which hold the sun visor, have they tainted them?

Thanks in advance!
Sven

I paid right at $1000. that included removal, reinstallation, and matched double stitching. The headliner was removed throug the door without breaking it. Was told it was a two person job and seats had to come out. I have not dyed the plastic pieces from the visor. to me they do not look bad at all, but may end up removing them and dying them myself.

[texevora]

Have any after pics?

[Chhirowolf]

Here you go

New headliner SuedeTex ,Yes, Alcantara not so much

[Sven76]

Thnx, plan to do the same but dying the plastic pieces is a must for me.

[dmpriso]

Speaking of interior, does anyone know price and availability of 2012 seats & steering wheel?

[invictusmaneo]

steering wheel is about 270-300 USD depending on dealer, for the magnesium frame and leather wrapped portion. Seats I'm sure are ungodly expensive.

[Chhirowolf]

Originally Posted by dmpriso

Speaking of interior, does anyone know price and availability of 2012 seats & steering wheel?

My Lotus Garage

$276 USD

I ordered mine back in early november, but see now my order has been cancelled

[Lckitty]

Originally Posted by Ron Avery

My 2011 2+0 with oyster leather and 4500 miles is good. I am careful when I get in and out of the car. I also condition the leather once a month. And absolutely nothing in my back pockets.
Ron

What product are you using on your seats? Mine are black. Kind of flat black. I'm a bit gun shy to treat them but feel I need to. Don't really want them all shiny.

Thoughts? Mink oil?

[2011 chrome orange]

Originally Posted by Lckitty

What product are you using on your seats? Mine are black. Kind of flat black. I'm a bit gun shy to treat them but feel I need to. Don't really want them all shiny.

Thoughts? Mink oil?

I use Rejuvenator oil by Leatherique and have been very happy with the results: ORDER Products | Leatherique Restoration Products There have been numerous posts on Lotustalk regarding it and it appears to be very well liked.
It keeps the leather soft and it will not stain or discolor leather. It does look slightly shiny after application, but you are supposed to give it time to be absorbed and not just wipe it back off. Within a day or two the shine is basically gone.

I use it on all of the leather in my interior, not just the seats. I have also used it on sun dried leather in old cars and it has softened the seats up considerably. They claim it is all natural.

[invictusmaneo]

lckitty looks like you have the charcoal/black interior combo.

I have used Lexol cleaner and lexol conditioning products with good results.

Lotus specifically recommends against "leather food" type products like the creams you might find recommended by Bentley, Rolls Royce, or Clothing companies, IIRC in the manual.

[hifiandmtb]

Hey lckitty - when are you going to get your airbag cover fixed? ;-)

[Ron Avery]

Originally Posted by Lckitty

What product are you using on your seats? Mine are black. Kind of flat black. I'm a bit gun shy to treat them but feel I need to. Don't really want them all shiny.

Thoughts? Mink oil?

I use Meguiar's leather cleaner and conditioner. I have used there products for years.
Ron

[Lckitty]

Main part of dash and a/b covers are all replaced now (old photo). Backorder on the leather facia then it will be all done.
Thanks for the leather care info.!!!

[brgelise]

Lotus needs to stick to handling etc and leave leather care to the appropriate experts like Bentley, Rolls, Jag etc. If its petroleum based, its crap for leather long term!