[Steve Tinker]

There was an leather quality article in the British car magazine "911 & Porsche World" a year or two ago, basically comparing the earlier Porsche cars interiors with the later 996/997 models.
The general consensus that the earlier model leather was of better quality - but with the proviso that even the cheaper 996 leathers can last longer & look good as long as they are maintained correctly.
The 997 interior leathers were judged superior quality than 996 leathers.
IIRC the problem child seemed to be the grey coloured leather in the 986/996 models which tended to crack and lose colour for some reason.....