SNOWBIRD

I need to replace my seat covers. Would like them as close as I can get to the original stuff. Suggestions really appreciated!

Brandon-FL

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say on the subject. I just went through this with a set of older BMW sport seats for my 912. Once I priced quality seat covers and looked at a ton of threads on prepping seats for installation, it made more sense for me to find a local upholstery shop to make and install new covers. The price was about the same ($400 in my case), I had a large choice of textures for the seat inserts and pleating, and I got to see an album of completed projects. I am sure that this is one of those projects that you could do yourself, but after reading all the threads it looks like some replacement cover jobs come out better than others (your mileage may vary). For me it came down to having "custom" covers made locally, versus ordering and installing covers. Might want to ask around in your area and visit some shops. Could just be the economy these days, but I found three shops that were all within $25 of each other on quotes.

SNOWBIRD

What I haven't found yet is a shop that offers the smooth leather seating surface (not grain) that my car came with, it's just so 'rich' looking.
I have looked at Classic 9, World Upholstery, Automation, GAHH. Of those, I'm leaning towards Classic 9. Prices $1100-$1500 for the two seats. I am thinking of pulling the seats for a local guy to do the recover installation, and doing the carpets myself (a PIA from what I've read) while the seats are out.
I've been procrastinating long enough, now I gotta do it...

cobias1

have you checked on just buying good conditioned used seats ?

olly964T

The replacement leather covers from this place are very good. Only available in black on their site, but you could try giving them a call.

http://www.lakewell.com/en/products/...-911-964-89-93

SNOWBIRD

olly... Thanks, they show other colors and even the piping I have on 964's in the photos.. email sent to them. Great pricing on the standard black BTW..

hawk911

i have samples from a place in Oklahoma- http://leatherseats.com/. they had nice prices, and you could add things like colored piping to get that factory look.

MAHack

What about Autos International?

I've used their 356 seat covers with excellent results. I'm thinking their 911 covers are probably just as nice.

www.autosintl.com


-Mark

SNOWBIRD

emails sent to leatherseats and autosintl... Thanks guys!

hawk911

mike, they sent me a bunch of leather/color samples when I looked at this project years ago. The leather was pretty nice. Price was like $5-600 for the front seats, but you install it yourself. If you find a local shop willing to do it for you, add $$ for that. Let us know what you find for price comparison, would ya?

SNOWBIRD

Well, I pulled the trigger today finally. After much soul searching and after hearing countless times about how difficult it is to DIY, I decided to talk to a upholstry shop here in Stuart FL that has a great following among the locals (there are a LOT of car people here) Kellys Custom Trim. Told him I'd been shopping yada yada yada, and was thinking I might ask him to do the seats and I would do the carpeting while they were out. He convinced me that I should first put a real effort into cleaning the carpets as they are not badly worn, and his installed price on the seats to match what I have was $1600+tax out the door. He is making them in his shop. DONE DEAL... Material will be there in about a week and he'll need the car for 2 days. We matched up the colors together (piping was a biotch).. I feel pretty good about it. I will report back when it's complete. BTW; I mentioned that I had been looking for a little piece of the covers under the seat to cut off and send to a supplier and he pointed out that would NOT be the way to do it. Instead we had to match the door panels as they would be what remains in the car... DUH.....

SNOWBIRD

Got the call that the material is in, it goes in Monday for the re-do. I bought a new 'Green Machine' to do the carpets with last night, going to give it a try before it goes in to the shop.

-nick

I would recommend a pro detailer to do the carpets. It's amazing what those guys are able to do and for a pretty reasonable price - usually around $100.

Good luck with the seats. While you have them in the shop, you could always ask about adding ventilation to them, if possible (I see your in FL).

SNOWBIRD

Dropped it off Tuesday, stopped by to check on it this morning. I think it's looking pretty good...

hawk911

Mike, it does look good. Did you ask them about having the carpets done while they had seats out?