I finally got around to cleaning the black leather after I bought the damn thing. haha. I had some Lexol conditioner so I just used that after I cleaned. Worked fine. I might put another application on it soon too.

But my question is have you guys found a way to soften up the leather? Or are we 03 owners stuck with stiff leather. Seems like the newer sedans have better leather quality. If I can use a product that will soften up the leather, that would be great. Is the entire seat leather? Or just the inserts?

 

um...the leather IMO is just the right softness. I guess leaving in the sun will make it soft? hahaha. Anyways, I doubt the newer G35's have higher quality leather....they have redesigned seats...but i've sat in both and feels the same to me. Maybe just the fact that the newer G35 is in fact "newer" so its been sat on less which will make the leather appear to be higher quality.

 

+1............The leather is just fine IMO!

 

I've only noticed that my 05 black leather was stiffer than the 03/04 sedans with beige leather that I've been in.

As far as seats, I've only noticed a difference in the coupes, sitting in an 04 than 05, the 05 felt much more plush and the leather felt a bit softer, but I think it was because the 04 had about 25k miles and the 05 had 5k miles.

 

keep massaging in the lexol conditioner and they will get softer but really that hardest leather I have ever felt was in my Mother inlaws 98 maxima

 

I've sat in quite a few graphite and willow 03/04 G35s and the willow leather seems to be a lot more supple. I've had two graphite loaners and I was suprised at how rigid the leather is compared to my 03's willow. They're almost like two different types of hides. I've also had an 05X with the wheat interior and revised seats. The leather felt about the same as my 03's, but surprising, the seat felt more soft and less supportive. The wheat also shows a lot more wear.

 

The leather on my '03 is not too stiff, but it is VERY thin. I know because when I first bought my car one of the guys detailing it managed to slash the driver's seat with a razor. How, I don't know. You could see how thin the leather was. My dad swore it was vinyl.

 

my 05x has 10k miles and the graphite leather is in horrible shape. cracks everywhere, and i condition it with zaino(its very soft, but cracked up)

the g35 imo is very soft leather compared to like bmw or other german brands.

 

LOL, he should have seen the leather on my Mustang GT, or my Lariat, the leather on the Lariat was rather rigid, and got big creases in it the first day I drove it home, like 35 miles from the dealer, IMO the leather on either of my G's is way superior to either of those vehicles.

 

I find the willow leather in my 03 to be along the same lines as my friend's 02 330 and he agrees. My leather isn't showing any cracks or creases. All I do is whip the leather down with a wet rag monthly and then use a leather soap/conditioner about 3-4 times a year.

I know exactly what you're talking about with the graphite though. All the graphite leathers I've seen show scuffs, scratches, cracks, and quite slippery. And many of these cars were newer too. It's really odd.