Has anyone changed there standard rubber gater to a leather one ?
and is it had to fit?,
any tips welcome

Yes, if it's a MY98-MY00 you can get an STi one which is an exact replacement for the rubber one and can be fitted in 10 mins. Quite nice looking, not as good as the Nitosport ones but can be picked up much cheaper if you can find one for sale.

Possibly similar STi item for the pre MY97?

Yea its a my00
Where can i get one ?

Dunno, I got mine off another scoobynetter. You can probably get them off a dealer but I'd imagine at a mega inflated price. Try ringing around a few of the breakers such as grade A, they might have one off an STi.

Failing that the www.nitosport.com (http://www.nitosport.com) ones look the biz but they're expensive.