What's the merlin cloth interior really like?

[JohnC]

All of the cars I saw in the showroom were all in leather. I am very happy with the standard cloth interior in my Golf.

Yesterday, I revisited the dealer (to order my 1:18 model) and was the cloth interior properly for the first time. None of the pictures I've seen fully show the side 'net' material properly.

Is it actually comfortable, and are you happy it will stand up to regular use (does it snag, for example)?

I'm looking for honest answers here, perferably from the cloth owners who've been driving it for a while.

The leather upgrade is a big financial step.....

[shooms]

I've had my car for nearly 2 weeks & can honestly say Merlin looks much much smarter & darker in the flesh than in the pics & I made the right choice for me personally.

Leather was an additional 30 quid a month PUC against my company allowance & I just couldn't justify it (different story if you are buying it I guess as leather will undoubtably improve residuals).

The feeling is supportive yet comfy... very Recaro-esque if you ask me

[chr15]

I have the cloth on mine. Had it coming up to 4 months now. Really impressed with it as it is comfy and looks good.

[adamj]

I am very happy with the merlin cloth on mine

[albertz33]

me too, far more hard wearing than the mk5 golf's was, much tougher stuff, and the side bolsters are holding up well ( again unlike the mk5 golf )

[robjones23]

I've got the merlin cloth and it's great - I've also got heated seats from thw winter pack installed and they're great with the cloth too (I was a little dubious as I'd had heated leather in my TT previously) - I think they do the job just as well as the leather seats *and* you don't get that horrible "hot leather burn" when the car has been sat in the sun for a bit

[squareeyes]

Five months in and my merlin interior is holding up well. No visible signs of wear at all.

[silver130]

Had mine since the end of October and not regretting saving £1535 in the process
No signs of wear at all..

[JohnC]

Thanks one and all for your quick, and very reassuring comments.

My other car has leather, and I actually prefer the coolness of cloth in the summer (but I've ordered the winter pack for the cold, getting old I guess )

The residual value comment is something I hadn't really considered, but if I drive the car to 140k miles as I have with my Golf, I won't need to worry about it for a while, and the >£1000 saving is very welcome...

Must remember to order the sills/mats!

[dchuraman]

had mine for 7 months now, cloth still looks as good as ew, cloth doesnt snag at all

[DafterPunk]

I actually preferred the cloth over the leather. If you change your mind down the line you can always get after market leather covers. You can get them designed for Sciroccos, you get more choice of colour/leather, they don't impede the side airbags and are actually cheaper (~£1000).

I've seen Transform Leather (.co.uk) posted somewhere.