Has anyone done reupholster on front seats with any good results? Suggestions?

 

Since the seats have airbags...good luck finding snybody who will touch them.
There was a few places selling custom seatcovers for a while with special stitching needed to allow deployment.....

 

I've been looking into this too and if you're thinking of doing leather I've seen a lot of recommendations for Katzkin. There's a design tool to mock up options. Their stitching is airbag compliant.

 

In-seat airbags are common now. I have seen a few threads on here of people getting their seats redone at their local upholstery shop. One guy used Katzkin and the other I can think of just had the bolsters enlarged and made of suede.

 

check your local yellow pages for shops and go get an estimate. you may find it less expensive to buy new seats . . . that's what I determined for my 79

 

"Yellow Pages"? What's that?!!! LOL...You must be my vintage.

 

Yes, you can keep the seat airbags and get new leather in two tone

see
http://www.shopsar.com/mini-cooper-k...tery-s/577.htm

From about $789 and up depending on options- for two rows of seats

Rough estimate on installation $100-150 for one seat and $200-250 for both front seats

About $1000-1100 installed with shipping.

Stock leather MINI seats one seat only $1000 and $1100 for seat bottom and back.

Not really a DIY job as the seat cushion is glued to the seat cover. You may need to replace or enhance the cushions.

Final product looks like stock in two tone (body style) finish.
My lapis blue was brighter than stock but close enough.
Seat seems softer and not as tight fitting as stock.

I had the headliner redone as well to stock light grey for $200 installed.

 

Can you keep the seat heaters with the katskins kit ?


Any pictures of a completed install would be great too.

I need to get mine done soon.

 

If you have OEM seat heaters you can check with your installer but I think it would be OK.

If you don't have heaters you can add Hi/Lo heaters for $165 for driver only or $299 for both front seats.

Katzkin also offers-
Liquicell gel inserts to reduce fatigue from $109 for driver only.
Relaxor inseat massage units 6 o 8 motors from $189-209 for driver only

Pictures soon.

Here is the original lapis blue leather new


New Katzkin leather

Up close


Slightly lighter blue

 

Just changed out my black plastic to red / black leather.
Used a local shop UpholsteryExcellence.com here in Martinsburg, WV - they did a great job and took only a day... And $350!!
Got the covers off eBay for $300 so a good deal all in for front & back seats.

Just one point... If you turn on or start your car with the seat(s) out, your air bag light will stay on.
The only way to turn it off is with a data tool, so that'll mean a trip to the dealer and $200 for them to check it and reset it. OR... Your friendly local, non dealer shop that had the tool will do it for you, for nothing!

 

Zamfield,

I was thinking about getting my front seats done, but I checked ebay for some upholstery with no success on a search. Where did you find yours at?

 

Do it in Katzkin leather.

Find local installers through thier website.....

You totally customize it to your liking - colored inserts - perforated inserts - colored stitching - even custom embroidered designs at no extra cost - anything you want. I had them match my pin striping for the insert embroidery - the installer took a pic of my pin striping - sent it to Katzin who digitized it. Cost for charcoal with red perforated inserts and red stitching for a 4 door crew cab truck was $1,300 installed.

The real beauty of leather is it's so easy to clean. On one of the first touring drives with the MINI - I get out at a scenic view and there is chocolate melted into the seat for miles under my rump. Get out a wet rag and wipe it right off. try that on cloth or fake leatherette. Every 3 months I wipe them down with a good cleaner/treatment. I tried Lexol and others and have settled on Leather CPR worked in with a damp rag on the truck. The MINI gets Meguiars Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Conditioner which is a little faster, just spray and wipe off.




It's actually looks a shade darker today than the red on the truck. These pics are not true to color. 4 years and 53,000 miles later still looks great!

 

You'll find them on eBay... I wasn't planning on doing the swap, but saw them and decided at that price it was worth the change.

The install was pricey, but after seeing what was involved, was glad someone else did it and not me!!