There's a difference btw Japanese and European luxury leather seating styles
I was wondering what the actual difference was between standard leather and premium leather. I love everything about the interior of the LR4, but one thing that stands out is the lack of perforated leather. The first car I owned with leather seats caused my back to sweat on hot days, and road trips of over 1 hour left me in need of a change of clothes. My latest vehicle has perforated leather, and those problems have disappeared. Anyone here have a problem with breathability of the leather seats on their D4?
ihatecats,
I think there is a different trend between Japanese and European luxury cars. I'm still waiting on my 2011 LR4 HSE so I can't comment on the seating. I never sat or test driven a LR4 and ordered my on the phone from overseas. So I'll tell you from my other experience and what my Land Rover dealer told me. Long story short, my infantry days in the military and all them situps put a toll on my back. So therefore I'm suffering from a minor herniated back. Before I bought my BMW, I sat and test drove many vehicles from Japanese, to American, to German cars. Once I sat in the bimmer, I knew that these were the perfect seats for my back. The lumber supports were firm and comfortable. My family felt the same way. I can drive long trips and not have to pit stop to stretch out. Plus, the firmer seats are much more durable than plush, cushony seats with soft leather. They also hold up better in time. My friends that own Mercedes Benzs told me that their seats are more plush and softer than BMW leather, BUT are still firmer than Cadillacs and Japanese luxury cars.
When I asked the dealer to describe the difference between the HSE vs. LUX seats in detail, he told me that the premium leather was more plush and softer, but in time it would wrickle faster. He also recommended me that if I have young kids, which I do, to just stick to the standard leather. He said the standard leather was more durable, firmer, and would look newer for a longer time. I agree with him because even in my 2008 BMW, the seats show no signs of aging. Besides, I like firmer seats because of my bad back. There is a reason why firmer seats make my back feel comfortable...because firmer seats support your back better in general. That's my two cents and hope that helps!
V/r,
Chris