Just the leather cowl cover or the whole enchilada?
 

I'm partial to leather dash but could not find a car with one when I was looking for a 981 S. I settled with a CPO car without all the options I had wanted and have been adding some after the fact. So far, I have added the PSE and the 911 Turbo wheels along with a few other minor items. I know it is more money doing in this way but I'm okay with it. I started looking into the OEM leather dash and the best price I could find was $600 for the leather cowl cover and $2,300 for the leather dash. I know I could save about $1,100 by going aftermarket but figured I could probably sell the original cowl cover and dash for a few bucks to make the difference smaller. I'd prefer to stay OEM unless it is either ridiculously more expensive or requires a lot more efforts.

I am on the fence either I will do the whole leather dash spending $3,000 in parts alone or just do the cowl cover for $600 which I can probably DIY. I'm not sure if the leather cowl cover alone will satisfy my want for the leather interior. My car has a black interior that came with leather seats, leather door arm rests and leather console lid. I think the leather parts blend in with the plastic parts just fine but am not so sure about the dash because it will be right in front of me at all times.

Does anyone have a leather cowl cover with the plastic dash? If so, how does it look to you? Are you happy with it or you wish you went for the whole leather dash? Any opinions are welcome and appreciated.

I vote for the whole enchilada. It sounds like you're a man who knows exactly what you want -- an OEM leather dash + cowl -- and I sense you won't be fully happy with anything less.

I agree that OEM is the way to go, despite the cost. My advice: bite the bullet, save up and get exactly what you want. You've got a great car that you love so don't cut corners. As you say, the dash is a high visibility item in the interior. We look at it all the time. It will bring a smile to your face to see that broad expanse of leather each time you glance at it. Just breath in all that leather goodness. Can you smell it? :D

Life is short. Don't deprive yourself.

Good luck with the decision.

Thanks SJ! Guess I just needed a little push on the shoulder considering it's a lot of money for a minor aesthetic upgrade. But you are right, I don't think I will be happy with anything less. I can almost smell the leather. :D

Too bad you have a 981, or I'd be willing to work out a deal and trade. I hate the leather dash... It's just unnecessary weight.

I say go for the whole enchilada if you can swing it and are going to keep your car for a long time. Who would
​ you have do the work, your local dealer? Love to see before and after pix if you go for it.

Now that is interesting! I was under the impression the rubber was a few pounds less.

I guess I will keep mine now. :D

Ha ha, but I can relate. I autocrossed at the national level for over a dozen years and saving weight was one of, if not the, most important agendas. As a matter of fact, I managed to shave over 500 lbs in my Street Prepared Miata and it weighed a tad less than 2,000 lbs in its final form. Now that I'm all retired from any form of motor sports, I am not paying as much attention to the weights. :)

I will make it my birthday present. :D I am thinking about having a dealer to do the work because I do not want to end up with a rattling dash. The car is still on the CPO warranty for another 1.5 years. It is my understanding that it will be covered by the warranty if I use OEM parts and let the dealer do the work. I'll definitely take the before and after pics.

I think I will keep this car for a long while unless a 991.1 S or GTS in PTS Meissen Blue with all the right options and very low miles magically shows up in my near future.... :D

The dealer who was the cheapest when I did the 4-yr/40k service got back to me with a quote: 7 to 8 hours @$159.88/hr = $1,119.16 - 1,279.04 minus 10% PCA discount plus tax. Ouch! :( I'll have to call all the dealers in my area.

You know, somehow I don't mind the doors. That's probably because I don't look at them much.

I think you are right. I'm going for the whole enchilada. :D Call me crazy but it looks like I'll be spending $4k just to get a leather dash in my car. :p