I like it. I think it looks better than the leather, but that's just my opinion. The seats in Ryu are perfect minus a crack from getting in and out.
I think the crack is getting common on R53 pleatherette seats. Mine has one too. It bugged me, but as my MINI ages I'm thinking of it as patina.
Is the crack on the bolster of the seat back on the door side? If so, my leather seat got the same thing. I had the cover changed and taught myself to get in without letting my butt drag across the bolster. I think that is what causes it. Jim
I have a sport seat grey leatherette seat pad. it does not have a heat pad in it. But you should be able to swap the heat pad over.