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So we can speculate on what leather is on 2LT vs 3LT based on that list of suppliers. I speculate the 3LT's softer touch with shallower grain won't hold up to wear as well as the 2LT's rougher, deeper grain finish. If fabrics can be custom tailored to varying degrees of durability, then supplier name becomes more of trivial importance vs knowing the durability rating which, judging by appearance, are likely not identical between 2LT vs 3LT even on panels beyond the seats. I guess that's the point I'm ultimately trying to make.
Not saying one is better than the other. It entirely depends on what you want. Premium luxury and finish vs longevity and durability (mind the difference seems to only apply where it matters--on high traffic/high load areas). I'm in the camp for the latter.
I have a 3LT and honestly can’t tell the difference between the “Napa” and “Mulan” parts of the interior. It all feels the same to me. What I do notice is it’s everywhere. There’s only like one piece of plastic at the door threshold and otherwise it’s got some kind of soft leather everywhere. Huge upgrade from the C5.
Full disclosure I have dash bubbling issues at 5k miles in a garage kept car, but I’ve owned Napa interior dashboards before that lasted well over 120k miles. What my issue looks like is an adhesion issue that has nothing to do with material: Otherwise I suspect the dash of a 3LT and 2LT are identical.
I do tend to exaggerate but your steering wheel cover looks crap. No offense. If you need to save a paltry $5k then go with the ghetto steering wheel cover option.
Seriously though, the 3LT and mag ride would be the first to go if I was in a budget pinch. I say that tongue in cheek because a 2 seater 500 hp sports car just “cause I want it” isn’t a logical investment either.
Pal, I didn't get to the point where I can buy anything I want, by buying things I don't want.
You still didn't post a photo of your wheel?
Full disclosure I have dash bubbling issues at 5k miles in a garage kept car, but I’ve owned Napa interior dashboards before that lasted well over 120k miles. What my issue looks like is an adhesion issue that has nothing to do with material: Otherwise I suspect the dash of a 3LT and 2LT are identical.
Sorry you have bubbling of your 3LT dash. BUT it's not made from Napa leather! It's probably made from GM's coined name Mulan faux leather. I say probably as although a publication on the C7 said themsoft touch materials used were Vinyl (polyvinyl chorine) Mulan and Napa leather. The only time Napa was used with the C7 and now published for the C8 is the "Seating Surface" on the top of the line seat. Even the bolsters on the Top Line GT2 seat are their faux leather Mulan- see pic.
It was leaked for the C7 that Mulan was Vinyl with ground up real leather scrapes as a filler, called bonded leather. Most leather furniture is bonded leather and there are warnings by the furniture industry of keeping it out of the sun etc. However a member bought a C8 3LT dash part and it said it was Polyurethane not Polyvinyl Chloride. That is a more expensive faux leather, softer etc.
Both Vinyl and Polyurethane are made on backings. They are different backing materials. Could be bubbling is caused by the attachment glue not holding on the backing as you note.
Other than the seating surface and now bolsters GM doesn't say what is used where. They try confuse the issue by using the word "leather" but other than when it says Napa leather that is their coined name Mulan faux Leather. Just like Chrysler's Corinthian "Leather." BUT we don't know what the 3Lt, 2LT or 1LT are made from. Perhaps like the C7, over time when only the 3LT had shrinkage around the vent etc and 1LT and @LT did not did we know they were different!
How common is for 3LT dash to delaminate of or otherwise fail? I prefer the look of the 3LT interior, but its not worth dealing with issues if it is any more than a very small chance.
How common is for 3LT dash to delaminate of or otherwise fail? I prefer the look of the 3LT interior, but its not worth dealing with issues if it is any more than a very small chance.
According to some members - 100% likely.
In reality - is probably not that common, 10's of thousands of 3LT dash boards have been sold, but like many issues people take to the forum to broadcast what an issue it is, especially if they don't have that spec.
Everyone should just buy what they like, and what they are comfortable with given their budget, but you should try to look at all the options before deciding...
How common is for 3LT dash to delaminate of or otherwise fail? I prefer the look of the 3LT interior, but its not worth dealing with issues if it is any more than a very small chance.
I counted two C8 dash delaminations reported in that thread including the one you posted, did I miscount?
Just one of many examples posted here throughout the forum...This is a well-known common problem that 3LT corvette dashes have had going on for years even in past models...
Just one of many examples posted here throughout the forum...This is a well-known common problem that 3LT corvette dashes have had going on for years even in past models...
I think I've seen more reports of a LT2 engine needing to be dropped/replaced than I've seen reports of C8 3LT dashes delaminating. But I don't consider LT2 engines a common problem.
I think I've seen more reports of a LT2 engine needing to be dropped/replaced than I've seen reports of 3LT dashes delaminating. But I don't consider LT2 engines a common problem.
Sorry you have bubbling of your 3LT dash. BUT it's not made from Napa leather! It's probably made from GM's coined name Mulan faux leather. I say probably as although a publication on the C7 said themsoft touch materials used were Vinyl (polyvinyl chorine) Mulan and Napa leather. The only time Napa was used with the C7 and now published for the C8 is the "Seating Surface" on the top of the line seat. Even the bolsters on the Top Line GT2 seat are their faux leather Mulan- see pic.
It was leaked for the C7 that Mulan was Vinyl with ground up real leather scrapes as a filler, called bonded leather. Most leather furniture is bonded leather and there are warnings by the furniture industry of keeping it out of the sun etc. However a member bought a C8 3LT dash part and it said it was Polyurethane not Polyvinyl Chloride. That is a more expensive faux leather, softer etc.
Both Vinyl and Polyurethane are made on backings. They are different backing materials. Could be bubbling is caused by the attachment glue not holding on the backing as you note.
Other than the seating surface and now bolsters GM doesn't say what is used where. They try confuse the issue by using the word "leather" but other than when it says Napa leather that is their coined name Mulan faux Leather. Just like Chrysler's Corinthian "Leather." BUT we don't know what the 3Lt, 2LT or 1LT are made from. Perhaps like the C7, over time when only the 3LT had shrinkage around the vent etc and 1LT and @LT did not did we know they were different!
Not sure if maybe I didn’t get this across correctly, but I suspect 3LT and 2LT dashes are identical regardless of what it’s made of. GM marketing doesn’t even attempt to convince anyone otherwise. The only claim between the two is suede headliner, GT2 seats (available on 2LT) and more leather surfaces on lower panels.
Why 3LT dashes seem to get bubbling and 2LT doesn’t while the two seem identical doesn’t make much sense but there’s no evidence of shrinkage or otherwise material failure unless it’s the backing as you’ve mentioned. My guess is 3LT comes from a different supplier who either uses a bad adhesive or applies it incorrectly.
I think I've seen more reports of a LT2 engine needing to be dropped/replaced than I've seen reports of C8 3LT dashes delaminating. But I don't consider LT2 engines a common problem.
You bring up a good point but I think it’s more the DCT that has the bad rap over the LT2 engine.
That being said, I find it strange some people avoid the 3LT just in case they might have a dash issue but aren’t deterred by far more notorious DCT that can leave you stranded. We all have our risk tolerance quirks I guess.
The dash in my 3ZR ZR1 peeled and changed it myself, bought the part from GM parts giant. My 3LT Stingray dash didn't peel yet but knowing GM it will peel eventually. It will not deter me from buying another 3LT as its not the end of the world imo as I prefer the options.
You bring up a good point but I think it’s more the DCT that has the bad rap over the LT2 engine.
That being said, I find it strange some people avoid the 3LT just in case they might have a dash issue but aren’t deterred by far more notorious DCT that can leave you stranded. We all have our risk tolerance quirks I guess.
If you are too scared of getting DCT issues, the only solution is to not get a C8.
If you are scared of 3LT issues all you have to do is get a 2LT. Problem solved. Easier solution than not having a C8 altogether.
To be honest I didn't read all the comments, so this may have been covered already. But I would say the question isn't really 2LT vs 3LT. The real question is if you are planning to order GT2 seats and any custom interior colors like 2 tone seats or colored seat belts.
The 2LT seems like a better deal than the 3LT, but the 3LT includes the GT2 seats and allows you to choose additional color interiors that are not available with the 2LT. If you want those 2LT features, then sticking with the GT1 seats and standard color offerings is the way to go. Most people seem to insist on the GT2 seats, which ups the price of the 2LT. Adding those seats in two-tone adds $2000 to the price, and colored seatbelts are another $600. Then the 3LT is only $3k more than the 2LT. For $3k you get nicer leather and suede interior trim, nicer looking steering wheel trim and cover, and many more interior color combos. You also get a more upscale feeling interior... not that the 2LT is bad, and for that matter the 1LT is still pretty nice. But the 3LT does feel noticeably "nicer" inside.
I wanted the Tension Blue interior, so I got the 3LT, and I do not regret it. But if I was shopping price, I would not have even bothered with the 2LT, I would have gotten the 1LT. Thats the real bargain, IMO the price of the 2LT is high for what you get. The 1LT lets you choose red seats for free, rest of the interior is black with red threading, it looks amazing, and its free. The rest of the 2LT stuff is nice to have, but now that I have it, I can confirm it isn't very important. The camera mirror is dumb, the blind spot monitoring is, as suspected, not really a big deal, the stereo upgrade isn't super important, same with the PDR. The front camera is the thing I was most worried about having, and now that I have it, it's just not that great. The angles are lousy. So I would choose between 3LT and 1LT if I were you.
I do tend to exaggerate but your steering wheel cover looks crap. No offense. If you need to save a paltry $5k then go with the ghetto steering wheel cover option.
Seriously though, the 3LT and mag ride would be the first to go if I was in a budget pinch. I say that tongue in cheek because a 2 seater 500 hp sports car just “cause I want it” isn’t a logical investment either.
Sorry, but the steering wheel is the same in all, unless you go for the sueded microfiber which I think is only available in 3LT. However, that is fake suede for durability. They are all leather wrapped otherwise. I'm sure it is Mulan.
Sorry, but the steering wheel is the same in all, unless you go for the sueded microfiber which I think is only available in 3LT. However, that is fake suede for durability. They are all leather wrapped otherwise. I'm sure it is Mulan.
Hes referring to the airbag cover in the center. Its only wrapped in "leather" on a 3LT.
