As per above, can anyone actually the difference ?

I read the semi aniline is soaked as opposed to stained or something, therefore giving it a more natural grain, but I must say I couldn't tell the difference when I saw a TDV6 Vogue with Oxford leather compared to the Autobiography with the semi aniline next to it at the dealers the other day....

Is the dye process the only difference ?

Cheers
Jkay

If its any help? In the 322 the Oxford leather was always “Piped” and the Semi Analine was aways stitched where the piping would have been...

Not sure if that was carried across to the 405 or not? Ive never paid any attention

I've never been able to tell the difference

I'm sure there are ways to tell them apart, but I've never got into any RR and thought that the leather was sub-standard - or even any different

My friend owns a leather tannery and makes both leathers - they're prepped differently. Basically, regular leather (windsor, oxford, etc.) is painted by the manufacturer. It's not dyed. It's most often the paint that actually cracks when your "leather" is cracking.

Aniline leather is dyed and is much harder to clean, but it is a far more premium and natural feeling leather. What makes it the most difficult is that any imperfection in the hide will be magnified in the dying process, so only the top leathers can be selected - and even then, the upholsterer needs to trim around things like bug bites, fence run-ins, etc.

Most manufacturers avoid aniline leather in cars because of the inevitable spills or dirt (and the initial expense). But the brits love it - and for good reason.

Alistair wrote:

I've never been able to tell the difference

I'm sure there are ways to tell them apart, but I've never got into any RR and thought that the leather was sub-standard - or even any different

Thanks for the replies

Wonder if the Semi Aniline will age better too then due to it being dye'd as opposed to being painted, despite being harder to clean. Maybe then I'll be able to tell a difference

Ive always looked after the leather in my cars(none have been brand new), normally Treating it with Leatherique rejuvenator 2-3 times a year

I think the difference was a lot more on the L322. The semi aniline leather is softer.

The semi aniline on the L405 is a thing of beauty. A must-have. Touch it, feel it, buy it!!

Quote:

The semi aniline on the L405 is a thing of beauty. A must-have. Touch it, feel it, buy it!!

There was a glitch with mine when I got it and was lent an Autobiography for a week, parked up side by side, doors open on both, could not tell the difference. letters not necessarily in the right order

IMHO, the difference was much more noticeable on the L322.

In fact, I think leather quality was far superior on the L322 to the L405.

Probably supplied by TaTa now rather than bavarian cows

It's from Bridge of Weir.

BlackXKR wrote:

My friend owns a leather tannery and makes both leathers - they're prepped differently. Basically, regular leather (windsor, oxford, etc.) is painted by the manufacturer. It's not dyed. It's most often the paint that actually cracks when your "leather" is cracking.

Aniline leather is dyed and is much harder to clean, but it is a far more premium and natural feeling leather. What makes it the most difficult is that any imperfection in the hide will be magnified in the dying process, so only the top leathers can be selected - and even then, the upholsterer needs to trim around things like bug bites, fence run-ins, etc.

Most manufacturers avoid aniline leather in cars because of the inevitable spills or dirt (and the initial expense). But the brits love it - and for good reason.

The semi-aniline leather is still surface-coated - it would end up looking like an old saddle if it wasn't.

The only factory cars I can think of that have uncoated leather are the US Ford King Ranch pick-ups.