I had already repaired a crack in the e-brake gaiter, and another one was forming, so went looking for real leather replacements for the factory pleather pieces.

I found youtube videos that covered removal of the old pieces and installation of the new:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ly9AcOaGgw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ly9AcOaGgw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlMzHICf2k" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlMzHICf2k

Ebay revealed a nice set of "Italian leather" gaiters from The Tuning-Shop Ltd, for a very reasonable $20 plus shipping (couldn't have been included in the $1200 leather interior option?).

It took about a week for shipping, and without having to review the videos that I'd watched a week earlier, I installed the new pieces in about an hour.

The leather is jet-black, not quite matching the dark-gray "panther black" seats, but the interior has at least four different shades of silver, gray and black, so the slightly different color doesn't stand out.

It's a nice upgrade, and even though it's easy, there's a nice sense of accomplishment in seeing, and smelling, the new bits.

After six weeks, I'm getting sort of tired of the smell.  I love the smell of leather, opening a box containing a new belt or holster is a distinct pleasure, but if the car has been in the sun for any amount of time, these new leather pieces really smell. 

I certainly don't regret replacing fake leather with real, but the staying power of the smell is truly remarkable.