JPS

Long story short:

I facilitated a group buy for Recaro last year. Over 20 pairs of seats, I think. My discount I applied to a set of custom Toplines, in my Cashmere colored interior.

Porsche sends the leather to Recaro.
First set they screw up and have seams & flaws in obvious areas. Told they don't have enough leather to redo.
Porsche sends new leather to Recaro. This time it is slightly different in shade, but I decide as long as matching, the interior are slightly different shades anyway over the 12 years & 120k miles.
They send me the 2nd set, which has wrinkles & ridges on the seams.
I send back & they try again. Same problem.
I told them they promised me seats, they should deliver, even if they have to outsource, especially considering the group buy.
They are looking at vendors, as they have finally said, "we can't do it", despite it being their own patterns and such. Really pissing me off.



Net net:

Does anyone know a good upholsterer that could take these seats and make the seams smooth? See attached. Are they even fixable?

AOW162435

JPS,
Your image is not showing up.

I completely understand the frustration you are going through. I dealt with a similar situation with a steering wheel a few months ago. It drove me to the brink of insanity and in the end, the product was still not as expected.

I'm surprised Recaro is not doing whatever it takes to rectify this matter.

Andreas

viperbob

I know that George in San Fran had his custom done. His came out great though... He posted some pics some time ago with them. Generally custom and Recaro are mutually exclusive. Post the pics when you get a chance.

porschedog

I'm having custom Recaros installed in a week (already paid for them, of course) I'll post pics. I'm holding my breath hoping they are as good as I hope (in terms of comfort and looks). I hope you get your deal straightened out - after all you did to facilitate sales, they should be busting their butt to make it right.

JPS

Whoops, pics loaded. Please do share your pics too.

JPS

Anyone with any ideas?

Lawrence_P

Honestly, I understand your concern but I think they look really good. I would live with the wrinkles myself but since they bother you, call Coachtrim, 45A Miry Brook Rd, Danbury CT 203-743-6556. They are next door to Farnbacher Loles.

JPS

The top and side wrinkles to me are unacceptable. I am comparing to a stock seat. Take a peek at yours in the car and you will see they are perfectly smooth. Thx for tip on Coachtrim, I have spoken to them already and am awaiting some better pics to send for an estimate. FB did my JIC suspension...

ed devinney

Just curious, but is there any chance those seats will smooth out with age?

IamSMC

Doubt it. Leather will stretch over time and may even look worse than now.

JPS

That is my concern too. Plus, if you get a new 911, they don't show up wrinkled with the dealer saying, "They will smooth out".

Any other shop suggestions, or suggestions of any sort?

David in LA

Depending on the color of your interior (besides cashmere) it may be safer to just take the seats in their standard black leather and do a two-tone look rather than trying to make these look right...it will also be easier to sell the seats if you decide to part your car when/if you sell it. Reasons I got my GT3 seats in black instead of tan were cost/maintenance/looks/resaleability.

RallyJon

The seam is a plastic piece called beading. You can see it's a slightly different color in the pics.

JPS if you give up and decide to sell them, let me know.

GeezC4S

Sorry to hear you're still having problems with your seats.

I know when they "custom made" mine, there were some minor issues. All were resolved though. And I too, have the wrinkles in the headrest, but not to the extent as yours.

I'm curious though, can anyone chime in and say whether the "wrinkles" are noticable with the black seats? Also, I'd assume that you could or should be able to get a full refund in need be.

JPS

They are offering a refund, but frankly they promised me the same seats they deliver (no wrinkles), just in cashmere. I expect them to deliver. They have shipped previous sets with creases & flaws down the middle of the seat...the GM of Recaro NA was embarassed and apparently fired the QA person (not over this alone). With that, I'd expect they would pull out all the stops to make it right. To date, they have not, but I expect them to.

I ordered them last May or June...the refund isn't the issue, as then I'd be starting over with someone else. Also, to make them even remotely affordable, I organized the 20+ group buy...I do feel they owe me getting it right and living up to their commitment.