New seat upholstery

[SilentRavens]

Recently decided to start revamping the entire interior of the car. Since the front seats were what need attention the most I started with them.



The car has a tan interior, the exterior is black. Eventually the entire interior will be redone according to color themes set by those seats.

[Avus E30]

when all done it should look nice. I just dropped off my new sport seats to get reupholstered.

[NC325iC]

looks kinda like american car interior cloth

[SilentRavens]

looks kinda like american car interior cloth

shrugs, I choose it more for the fact that its really tough, looks pretty nice, and will wear well. Plus its kinda different which for me is a plus.

Edit: Oh and I should mention the seats are a dream to sit in now.
Edit#2: I should give credit where credit is due, the beautifully straight stitching and worksmanship that went into the seats wasn't mine. I had it done by a automotive upholstery shop in Portland, ~$1000 for boths seats, plus a pile of extra material to do the rest of the car when I have enough money to finish the job.

[Digitalwave]

Reminds me of Toyota Corolla or Tercel clothe... not really a bad thing but it really clashes with all the tan. You did a good job nevertheless.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

I had it done by a automotive upholstery shop in Portland, ~$1000 for boths seats, plus a pile of extra material to do the rest of the car when I have enough money to finish the job.

$1000 for reupholstered non-sport seats?!?! That is the most horrible thing I have ever heard!! I hope that you meant $100.

[SilentRavens]

Yes I really do mean $1000: $450 per seat, $100 worth of extra fabric to complete the rear seat and other parts of the car.

Now before you go giving me crap about how I was ripped off, etc, etc... This wasn't some slap new fabric over the old seat and call it good hack job that would seem to qualify as "re-upholstery" to some E30 owners.

Both seats were completely shot as far as upholstery goes. The only part of the seat that is original at this point is the basic metal frame. The seats are built to my specification of firmness, and the cloth and design of the upholstery is of my own choice. The seat's worksmanship is perfect and the overall quality of the re-build is excellent. As a vouch for the shop I used, their main line of work is in rare and custom cars, notably several classic Rolls Royces Phantoms and classic Porsches. I would actually challange you to find a rebuilt seat for much less at the same exacting level of quality.

As for why I used a non-sport seats, simple, I have never liked the feel of the upper leg support. And for aftermarkets seats, quality ones cost just as much, and expect for fabric and color I wanted to keep a stock look.

[Avus E30]

That is a rediculous price. I was quoted 500 for reupholstering my new sport seats in whatever material I wanted new foam and all. granted this didnt include extra for the rear but still.

[MrK]

Buddy I know you just said not to give you crap about how you got ripped off, but.....

You got ripped off.

I refurbished and re-upholstered all my interior in leather/alcantara including front sport seats, rear bench, four door cards for $800. Granted I got a great deal, but I don't think $1000 for two non-sport (hence easier) seats is normal.

[SilentRavens]

*shrugs* Well, the seats are exactly what I wanted. I don't have the time myself to do the same quality job, and there aren't any other local upholstery places. So, what can I do...

[RedBaron86325]

You didn't get ripped off. Others have just had tremendously good deals. A good custom reupholster job for an E30 will run around $2,000+.

Upholstry work is seasonal like many other businesses. If they aren't busy and their current fabrics have already paid for themselves, they'll charge less money. Shops also charge less money when they hire new employees. New employees have to "prove" themselves before they get the decent money. Another factor is quality of workmanship and quality of materials. Everything looks good when it is first completed. The true test is to see what it looks like after two years of hard use. Something as simple as cheap thread (which many use) will keep you coming back again and again and again........ In the end.......You usually get what you pay for.


EDIT- Looked at your picture again. Double needle machines are pretty rare for most shops to have. Obviously your shop has one and knows how to use it. Another point of quality is the top stitching on the edges....not just one top stitch....a double top stitch....better than our OEM Austrian interiors.