MSGGrunt
New member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
I am by no means an upholstery expert, but as an amateur I have discovered a few things while redoing the upholstery in my 240 wagon in black vinyl and in my BMW E30 in leather. Having worked with both my third go around in my new to me 1991 240 will be in leather. The vinyl kit for the wagon was purchased off EBay for $109.00 plus shipping per seat, so pretty inexpensive.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/380851326687?rmvSB=true
The leather company I used for my BMW seat covers was Lseat.com and I was very happy with their product, especially at their price point. The standard kit for a pair of front seat covers in a tan leather is $299.00 plus shipping and a bit extra if you add piping, which I did.
https://www.lseat.com/products/1986-...ers-front.html
My observations... Though the vinyl is less expensive than the leather kit there is a reason for it. I found that I had to be especially careful with the vinyl kit with how much I stretched the covers and how much stress I put on the sewn seams. I started tearing one out, thankfully in a hidden location, because I was stretching it too hard. Probably my fault for pulling too hard. Also, the aftermarket vinyl kit wasn't as thick as the original vinyl covers. With the leather the material is much thicker and the thread used in the sewing of the seams appears to be of a much higher quality. I am replacing my front cloth seat covers because they are pretty worn and decided that going with leather would give me better durability than the aftermarket vinyl. The vinyl seems like it would also be easily punctured compared to the leather. Currently Lseat.com does not sell a rear upholstery kit, but that is about to change. I contacted them and am sending them my rear covers to be used as a pattern for future leather kits. You will have to cut your own holes for the headrests and side adjusters, but I had to in the vinyl as well. And I advise using proper hog rings for installation vs zip ties that I have seen others use.
My biggest advice with the leather kits from Lseat.com is to order their sample swatch card before placing your order. The leather samples in person do not look ANYTHING like the pictures depicted on their website, especially the browns. The S0013 Beige is a perfect match for the tan interior in my dark blue 240, but you would never think so by looking at that color on the website as it looks more grey. The S0024 Sapphire looks like it would be a good match to the blue cloth in my other Atlantic Blue 240.
You can order matching leather by the square foot from them as well and I ordered enough to recover my rear parcel shelf in matching leather.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/380851326687?rmvSB=true
The leather company I used for my BMW seat covers was Lseat.com and I was very happy with their product, especially at their price point. The standard kit for a pair of front seat covers in a tan leather is $299.00 plus shipping and a bit extra if you add piping, which I did.
https://www.lseat.com/products/1986-...ers-front.html
My observations... Though the vinyl is less expensive than the leather kit there is a reason for it. I found that I had to be especially careful with the vinyl kit with how much I stretched the covers and how much stress I put on the sewn seams. I started tearing one out, thankfully in a hidden location, because I was stretching it too hard. Probably my fault for pulling too hard. Also, the aftermarket vinyl kit wasn't as thick as the original vinyl covers. With the leather the material is much thicker and the thread used in the sewing of the seams appears to be of a much higher quality. I am replacing my front cloth seat covers because they are pretty worn and decided that going with leather would give me better durability than the aftermarket vinyl. The vinyl seems like it would also be easily punctured compared to the leather. Currently Lseat.com does not sell a rear upholstery kit, but that is about to change. I contacted them and am sending them my rear covers to be used as a pattern for future leather kits. You will have to cut your own holes for the headrests and side adjusters, but I had to in the vinyl as well. And I advise using proper hog rings for installation vs zip ties that I have seen others use.
My biggest advice with the leather kits from Lseat.com is to order their sample swatch card before placing your order. The leather samples in person do not look ANYTHING like the pictures depicted on their website, especially the browns. The S0013 Beige is a perfect match for the tan interior in my dark blue 240, but you would never think so by looking at that color on the website as it looks more grey. The S0024 Sapphire looks like it would be a good match to the blue cloth in my other Atlantic Blue 240.
You can order matching leather by the square foot from them as well and I ordered enough to recover my rear parcel shelf in matching leather.