Leather console
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 65
From: Austin, TX
Factory leather bits are expensive but the non-leather visors were driving me nuts. I was initially shocked and P'd that Porsche had so many non-leather bits in a "full leather" optioned car... vinyl visors in a $100K car? and then I discovered that the after factory add on cost was $1,100 if I DIY'd the install! But I count myself fortunate in finding another RLer who had leather visors he was willing to give up for a reasonable price. Eric at bumperplugs.com is another option if you'd like a painted center console instead of leather.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
I've been to the factory and have seen what they do to the leather, and it is simply amazing! The cow hive used, the way it's checked for imperfections, how it's cut with laser and sewn is something no one outside of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lambo, Jaguar, etc... could do.
No matter what, the leather by 3rd parties will Never match the rest of Porsche leather items.
So, I highly recommend to instead just paint the center console, I did mine and it looks fantastic! Bumper Plugs do it and it's quite reasonable.
No matter what, the leather by 3rd parties will Never match the rest of Porsche leather items.
So, I highly recommend to instead just paint the center console, I did mine and it looks fantastic! Bumper Plugs do it and it's quite reasonable.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 990
Likes: 129
From: Boston-ish
Porsche leather is available for purchase. I know because I had a shop sew up some CF sport bucket cushions in natural brown. Perfect match to the factory nat brown pieces in my car. mind you that there isn't any visible stitching on these pieces, but the color isn't an issue.
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,737
Likes: 289
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Clearly, the trick is to buy the leather console and the visors and everything else you want when you order the car( like I was fortunate to do) but the aftermarket stuff is much less expensive. Some aftermarket guys are pretty good, but the problem I see is that most start out with inferior leather. Any time someone does something (in the manufacturing process) to make leather look more like leather you are getting away from the Porsche look. Their natural leathers look so good that you would be tempted to think they were fake--that's just really high quality leather.
Rolls Royce used to brag about their Connolly hides, and then add little disclaimers about the cow rubbing up against a barbed wire fence, or being bitten by an insect or another animal, adding a little 'realism to the leather.' BS. They can chose to use only the premium hides or not. The seconds can go to BMW.
Rolls Royce used to brag about their Connolly hides, and then add little disclaimers about the cow rubbing up against a barbed wire fence, or being bitten by an insect or another animal, adding a little 'realism to the leather.' BS. They can chose to use only the premium hides or not. The seconds can go to BMW.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
Porsche leather is available for purchase. I know because I had a shop sew up some CF sport bucket cushions in natural brown. Perfect match to the factory nat brown pieces in my car. mind you that there isn't any visible stitching on these pieces, but the color isn't an issue.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 385
From: Oklahoma City
I've been to the factory and have seen what they do to the leather, and it is simply amazing! The cow hive used, the way it's checked for imperfections, how it's cut with laser and sewn is something no one outside of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lambo, Jaguar, etc... could do.
No matter what, the leather by 3rd parties will Never match the rest of Porsche leather items.
So, I highly recommend to instead just paint the center console, I did mine and it looks fantastic! Bumper Plugs do it and it's quite reasonable.
No matter what, the leather by 3rd parties will Never match the rest of Porsche leather items.
So, I highly recommend to instead just paint the center console, I did mine and it looks fantastic! Bumper Plugs do it and it's quite reasonable.
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
I wouldn't use that word..."never." I have bought 3rd party trim pieces from a reputable seller that nobody would have been able to identify as 3rd party. Granted, I have not purchased after-market pieces the size of a center console, but plenty of other parts. You may very well be right in a lot of cases, but I can attest to the fact that some can be indistinguishable from the originals. Parts with which I have experience, and which contain stitching include the door pull trim, mirror triangle, and the dome light cover.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 219
From: Milwaukee, Wi
I would go with OEM. Yes it is more expensive but with OEM leather parts the leather grain, color, stitching, and fit and finish will match your car. Aftermarket parts tend to look "aftermarket".
Also if you decide to sell the car remove the console and sell it here. I guarantee you that it will be sold in less then a day and you will get your money back!
I still think the leather console and the sun visors should have come standard with the "Full Leather Package" instead as added options.
Also if you decide to sell the car remove the console and sell it here. I guarantee you that it will be sold in less then a day and you will get your money back!
I still think the leather console and the sun visors should have come standard with the "Full Leather Package" instead as added options.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 27
I would suggest Exclusive Option. I used them for my leather inner mirror triangles because a Porsche OEM leather option for this isn't available. Their work is very good, but I can tell it's not OEM. The leather color and thread color is maybe a 95% match, but the quality is very good. If your interior is black, the match maybe easier compared to some of the other Porsche leather colors.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
Here is some samples:
http://www.bumperplugs.com/index.php...product_id=173
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
From: NYC
i have a carrera red interior and wouldn't even think about a non-OEM option. A complete color match is impossible for pretty much all non-black interiors if you go aftermarket. The price to play though...ugh. For the cost of a full leather console and a couple other leather bits i could buy a decent 928! Gulp