upholstery question

[Bimmer_man]

I am hunting down some sport seats and wanting them reupulstered. I am wanting them done in a Blue suede to match my interior. I have seen it done whith a grey interior and it looks beautiful. My question is what have people paied for front seat re-upholstery and rear the rear seats im going to take from a E30 M3.



And thoughts on this ( Note: this is not my E30 )

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w4/ddonovan101/omg.jpg

[Wardie]

Ive been looking up places in seattle I am getting anywhere from 600 -1000$+ per seat for vinyl and upwards to 1500 - 2000$+ for leather for just the front seats.

Rear alone is 1000$+ in vinyl.

[archie]

My guy in SoCal will do both fronts and rear for $1,500.
Using German Leather

[ELVA164]

I know I got the front seats in my 2002 done for $400 each in vinyl a few years ago.

[Wardie]

My guy in SoCal will do both fronts and rear for $1,500.
Using German Leather

Tell him to move to seattle for a few weeks and have him do my seats.

[Bimmer_man]

Im not looking for leather, Vinyl, or cloth. I am looking for Suede.

[Blackangusinc]

Don't be a dick. Suede is a leather finish.

[Bimmer_man]

wasnt trying to be a dick sorry if it came across that way. And i didnt know that. But from what i hear shops charge more for suede than leather.

[bmw325csi]

Damn you guys get some steep quotes. My cousin got his sports and rear done in vinyl for 650 bucks

[garagewelt]

Recently got a quote from a well known upholstery shop down here in Pasadena, for front seats, rear seats, rear deck, and door cards/inserts. He quoted me $2500-$3000. However he said he was rebuilding the door cards and adding the cloth insterts in a special way, I am also supplying the cloth inserts for the centers of the seats and panels, however he is supplying the alcantara for all the bolsters and rear deck.

Hope that helps.

I also spoke with Archies guy down here in Orange, CA and sent him a few snaps of the interior, he said he'd get back to me early next week!

[kung fu jesus]

I have a few options for you...

Start going to a few hot rod meets, be respectful, look at the cars with the nicest interiors. Ask the owner(s) where they had the work done, compliment them on their taste, etc. These guys are a wealth of info for custom work, if you are genuine.

If you are going to do suede, you are going to get ripped off. Suede is horrible for upholstery because it is susceptible to stains, even water, and is prone to tearing. It also polishes with wear. I believe what you want is alcantara. Alcantara is a bit pricey, but is designed to be used for upholstery. Be aware that it, too, polishes from wear. Other cheaper options include microfiber (cheap versions will pill) and synthetic microsuade. You would be best to learn about these materials before you drop off the seats and give the upholsterer free reign or a ceiling for them to make some unfair profit off you.

A good, reputable upholsterer will work with you to give you what you want. Take some time to learn different stitches used in automotive upholstery, like French seams, top stitching, whip stitching, tuck, etc.

If you have the time and the patience, you can also work on the foam with the upholsterer to add firmness, better lumbar support or reshaped bolsters.

You should also consider using different materials based on where they are. Sometimes perforated materials work best in the center sections for letting heat out. Using vinyl on the sides, bolsters and/or rear sections save money and hold up better to wear. Sometimes a tweed patch on the outer bolsters is effective too.

Good luck!