Seat ReCover
 

Got sticker shocked.....inquired about how much it would be to recover 2 fronts and centers..4K.

Not a fan of the dye, but may re-explore it. AFAIK, they need to sand it in order to get the dye to *bite* into the leather. This creates a textural difference between a *grainy textured* seat which is OEM versus a smooth seat

If I recall correctly, the correct resurfacing for an e53 is polyurethane coating, not a dye as such.

The prepare for this surfacing, the normal process would be to lightly scuff with a scotch pad (at most), then clean thoroughly. There is no need to sand the leather when using a quality polyurethane system.

Obviously different systems have different requirements.

Where did u get your estimate from?

Why not look for clean used set on EBAY or CL? I purchased front sports seats (driver and passenger) in like new condition for $750.

I looked on Ebay - did not see much....

Dakota leather has a pretty tough coating jsoto, how bad are your factory seats?


And I agree with ants oz, if anything the seat can be scuffed and a new polyurethane coating applied.

Ldiggs910 I remember about 2 years ago got his seats recovered in a really nice leatherette with some gray piping, at a place in Harlem, said it cost him about $1500 I think? Gotta find some of those good upholstery shops around NYC

I'm hesitant on dye for the following

texture
as well - OEM seats are sand with brown stitching.
I'd hate to lose the contrast color in stiching when re-dying...

Went to a shop I've used eons ago...

Replace front passenger bolster Cover
Replace Full Front Drivers Side Bottom Covers
Replace Center Console Cover
Redye-Blend in the entire front to match similar color of rear
Redye-Blend in Front Door Side Leather

No tears in Any. Just seat worn / arm rest worn on center console.

I will lose the Brown Stiching Over Beige (OEM).
It will all be beige

Leatherette(aka, Vinyl Option )- Grain was a perfect Match for OEM. It might even *wear better* than leather.


$1100 for Vinyl Job
$1300 for Leather Job

I'm sure he will add some filler to both front and passenger outer sidebolsters just to bring them back to *new spec*. Not sure if what I gain/cost is worth 1K+.....

Leatherette wears a ton better than Leather, I can tell you that. My wifes bolsters on her leather Toyota seats are shot with cracks at 3 yrs old and 48k miles. I wish her seats were leatherette, I've seen leatherette seats with 150k miles that look brand new.

Shoot up a pic of the seats and let us give you opinions on it, the price doesnt seem bad, but is he recovering all the seats in leatherette/leather?

Not full recover.
Just passenger outer bolster, center console and full bottom drivers side are new made cover..
4K minimum for new new covers.

You can buy new *non OEM * covers for like 2K and then recover them yourself. And or have the shop do it....as they add filler, etc to make the fitment perfect on the car.
While this works, I would never go this route,. I'd rather spend the extra and have the shop make them, as I know the fitment is more *custom and better* IMO.

The seat dye is just worn. No gashes or anything. Bottom of the bolster has some wearing- thin, but I suspect this is more due to outer bolster, heat units in that.
It's more OCD than anything....I suppose.
Losing the brown stiching may drive me nuts.
But cleaning the car and seeing worn dye is also driving me nuts.

I would not pay anywhere close to that kinda money just for a center arm-rest and a bolster and bottom recover, that's just me. I'd probably spend the money on used seats that were in better shape, and get a new armrest off a parted X (doesn't Mike Aya have a beige armrest from his 4.4?)
I finally found Ldiggs910 thread from when he had his seats recovered (front/rear) 2 years ago, he said he paid less than 1000 for front/rear including center console, in leatherette

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...recovered.html

But then again I have no idea how bad yours looks, I mean at 75k at 11 yrs old my drivers bolster definitely has more wear than the passenger side, but its not bad. I keep it cleaned and protected and just chalk up any slight wear to age. I've seen seats that are so worn that the leather itself is almost worn through.

EDIT: Contact info in the thread, real leather should run you about $1500 for whole interior in real leather.


Suns Auto Interiors at 246 E 125 St between 2/3av in Harlem NYC 10035. (212) 426-5778. The older Asian gentleman Sam that did it is somewhat difficult to communicate with but his craftsmanship is excellent.

The old adage on paying for what you get.....I think for the cost posted, there is a tradeoff somewhere.

My shop has old vintage cars, bentleys, couple of merc for new softops, etc. There is another shop I know out in CT. His prices are similar inline with my shop. Not going to debate about whether a full interior should cost. I choose my shops real carefully......I drive 1 1/2 hrs to my tire guy, even for a simple tire patch.

go to intrack tires in queens next time u need something wheel related

That's a little extreme..:stickpoke

Hemming and Hawing. I'm 50/50 on whether I'm going to do it.

http://www.pingable.net/images/X5/seat1.jpg
http://www.pingable.net/images/X5/seat2.jpg

They have seen better days haven't they?:)I need to recondition mine but I'm thinking to do them myself..buff the dirt out and bring them back to life with Leatherique .
Should look pretty close to new.I might even spray them with an HVLP.

I had the X until 58K. Then it become the wifes.

It's unavoidable ....jeans, etc. Just abrasion wear.
Leatherique is useless on coated leather.
It's like the old wives tale, just like cleaning windows with newspaper. The newspaper of *yesteryears* is not the newspaper of today.

A mild cleaner, foaming cleanser-brush it out to agitate the dirt and then a couple of MF water wipedowns. I stopped *conditioning* coated leather a long time ago....and it's not for a lack-of product. I have shelves and shelves or product.

They look to me like they need cleaning.

I'd just make sure they are UV protected and cleaned (judging by above you know how to clean the coated leather) and chalk it up to age.

My drivers seat is worn on the seat in the usual places. Presumably passenger side and drivers seat parts would be interchangeable? I have seen a passenger seat on ebay and the good side could replace the drivers seat worn parts on mine?

mmm, maybe not looking at this photo. I assumed the seat bottom was in three pieces :dunno:

I guess i could just swap the driver and passenger seat bottom, and then the worn bits would be on the inside and less visible?

I have 'ette seats in my E53. They do wear well, but the drivers bolster has just started to crack. I found a new drivers seat bottom, with the heating element, on eBay for $175. It's still in the bag and the part number matches. I bought it, and it's been on a shelf for the last year. I've reupholstered several sets of seats before (MGs, Triumphs), but nothing as complex as an E53 seat.

Anyone actually replaced the seat bottom and can offer tips? Looks like disassembly is the hardest part.

I had a quote to repair and re-colour the bolster - £100. Bargain!