Fabric Seats

[STONEWALL]

This just a bit of a moan really and to see if anyone else feels the same way.
I have an A4 with grey cloth seats. I have had the car for nearly a year and I have thoughts of getting rid, just because of the fabric seats. They drive me mad. Why, because you have only got to open the doors when it is raining and they stain. If you put a damp hand on them, they stain. Clean the stain and you end up cleaning the whole seat. A bit of a mark that will come off with a damp cloth. You do exactlly that in a small area, when dry, it leaves a water stain. The Germans seem to be unable to produce decent fabric seats. BMWs and VWs are the same. I can honestly say, that I have never come across anything quite like it, with any other make of car I have had. The answer would be leather, but you either like it or you don`t and I do not.
I can say that my daughter had a Sharan and her cloth seats were the same. The seats wore very very poorly and for all the trumpet blowing about German build quality, this is one area that they seem to fail badly.
Rant over.:zx11:

[chancer514]

Mine look terrible at the moment. I am about to have them steam cleaned, prior to selling the car. I also have to get the side bolster repaired as it has worn a hole in it. The stains show up as soon as you go near the seats.

[STONEWALL]

Thanks for that reply, it is nice to know that at least one other person has suffered the same problem. I can say that my A4 Sport is quite an eyecatcher and the last thing I want to do is get rid, but I can see it happening, because I am not spending much more time on cleaning the seats, every time the slightest mark gets on them and the material is such that you end up cleaning the whole seat. It is very frustrating and a complete let down on such a quality car. My other problem would be finding something to replace it, that looks so nice.

[chancer514]

Yes I agree. My car looks stunning outside, but I am almost embarrassed to open the door and let anyone see the interior.
It seems to even mark just from sitting on the seat with Jeans on.

[STONEWALL]

I think that it is fair to say, that all the German makes suffer the same problem, having spoke to owners past and present of Mercs, Bmws, who have had them with fabric seats. I have only tonight had someone sit in the front passenger seat with slightly wet clothing from the rain and it has made a wet mark and I know that by the time it dries, there will be a water stain left. It's OK but now the winter months are upon us, it is a devil of a job to get them dry, after cleaning them. I do not believe in seat covers, unless you have a dirty job that would require the use of them and I have a pair of the slip on ones like the ones garages use, for that purpose. In any event, I have airbags in the seats that should not be covered with seat covers.
Come on German manufaturers, you are spoiling other wise well built cars for the sake of using decent durable fabric, that does not stain so badly.
Other makers manage to do it, and whats worse, it's putting me off the car and ever going near another Audi with fabric seats:aargh4:

[Outlawstar]

I just want to agree whole heartedly with this thread! i have owned four VAG cars now and the seats have caused nothing but annoyance (with the execption of the golf mk4 recaros) I hate water stains! is there any protective sprays or treatments that can make them go away?

[WhiteWasher]

I bought my 2000 VW Polo 2 years ago and polished it up like new. Decided to clean up a small stain on the front and rear seats and now they look a mess. I thought I'd done something wrong (basic cleaning with slightly soapy water) but now I know I didn't. Cheers!