I won't go into why I'm considering doing so, as it's an issue that's part of another thread. I'm seriously considering dying the Space Gray Cloth part of my Space Gray/Panther Black Cloth seats an ALL black color. This would make the seats look exactly like the currently unavailable (in the US, on sports seats) Octagon Black Cloth seats.

I wouldn't try to do this myself. I'd get it done at an auto upholstery repair shop. It's not the sort of thing that's normally done, doing all or most of a seat (or all of the seats, in this case), but these places do this kind of thing mainly to correct bad, unremovable, stains on cloth and leather materials. Though it's usually more commonly done for leather.

I'm not asking so much if this is a good idea, as far as modifying my (incorrect) seat color, but more from the the point of view of my wondering if any of you have had any experience with getting this kind of job done? Is it truly possible to do? Was it cost effective compared to a complete re-uphostery? Did it turn out ok?

If anyone out there has any knowledge about getting this kind of dye job done, please let me know. Thank you. :smile:

 

MINI does make OEM covers in panther black for $125 each right and left and for $199 for the back seats.

Compare that with your cost of removing the covers, dying them black, putting them back on and risking fading of the color over time to who knows what color. I have alot of black clothes and notice that sometimes the dye for black will fade with wear and washings to other colors like a dark green or dark brown.

If you deal with an upholstery shop then ask them about fading (from UV light and heat), cleaning, and wear. Ask to talk to a customer who had similar work done from a year or two ago and see how it is holding up.

 

Not to mention that the dye might come off on your clothing/skin! Sounds like seat covers are probably the way to go... it'll save the condition of the seats and help resale value for when you eventually sell it.

 

Yes, I suspect you are likely right. I'd actually been thinking in terms of having the cloth dyed ON the seats. I suppose if they had to remove it, I'd just go ahead and re-upholster, if I could afford that...but I can't.

I'm not so sure you'd have to worry about the dye fading anymore than you worry about the dye that's already there fading. (Isn't that how MINI colors the cloth in the first place, with dye, or am I missing something here?)

It's kind of irksome to me that everyone that's seen the car has thought the seats look great. And, I suppose they DO, but they were not what I ordered, so...they DON'T. Strange, eh? (Ok, maybe not so strange. )

 

"What is poison to you is another man's medicine"

 

Yes cloth seats look dumpy. Faded cloth seats would look worse. Keep an eye out for what you thought you were getting .For sale listings here or e-bay. People are always putting racing seats in their cars. Now, cloth seats are comfortable year-round,breathe,nosign of wear on mine after 30k. they just look blah compared to the rest of the interior/exterior.

 

I have seen almost all your posts on this subject. (I have the Space Gray Cloth seats and LOVE them by the way . . . but this isn't about me!!)

Anyway, I would save up for seat covers -- it's the easiest and probably the most reasonable option. It gives you exactly what you are looking for and could end your dilema. It's much cheaper than buying a new MINI or reupholstering. (Not that either are bad, but giving your monetary situation, your choices are limited.)

Part of me says you'll won't be happy with your seats regardless, but I am hoping that won't be the case.
Check them out, you might even be able to return them if you don't like them.

Hang in there . . . I hope your happy soon!

 

Gosh, it's been awhile since I first posted this thread. I'm a little surprised to still be getting responses to it.

I feel it's somewhat late to go the car seat cover route, and I was never entirely happy with the idea anyway. I think it reminds me of my grandparents always covering their nicely upholstered sofa with white sheets, or even plastic at times, to protect the cloth from stains, etc. They left the sofa that way all the time, even for guests!

Of course, custom manufactured cloth seat covers in a nice color and pattern, that don't slide around much, would be an entirely different thing, but somehow I can't shake the wrong feel of it. I suppose, if the seats were what I'd wanted, I'd be more paranoid about protecting them. Since they are not what I wanted, a part of me could care less about investing more to protect them. Make any sense?

Anyway, I've long since decided to order another MINI, perhaps even an MCS, that will be somewhat differently configured, including the seat upholstery, more to my taste. I'm just waiting for my current car loan pay off amount to drop down to a point where I can sell the car privately, without ending up "upside down". The high resale value of MINI's makes this possible, and I'm looking forward to, and excited about, configuring another MINI, ordering, and picking up the new beast. My payments will even turn out lower, though I'm still "losing money" in the long run...or the short run. Well...one or the other, I forget for the moment which.

Because I planned to keep the car for a long time, and still do with the newer MINI, I wanted to be truly satisfied. Even more so, now that I've come to enjoy so many other aspects of the vehicle. If this was an "off the lot car", this would be less of an issue, and I'd likely just have gotten seat covers, and some other mods, and been done with it. But this is a whole other ball game with a MINI, so going that route doesn't get me the least bit excited, as it might with another type of car. (Remember those day...of other cars? :smile: )

Although I don't like the "silver/gray" cloth, I do like the dual-tone look of the seats, and I'll be getting the Gray/Black Leatherette sport seats with the new MINI, assuming I can for sure get black door casings with it. Otherwise, the Black Leatherette will be just fine. And then...in order to protect something that I wanted...I may get cloth seat covers! (My grandparents, may they rest in peace, would be SO proud. )