Our 04 MCS was too far along by the time I realized I hadn't ticked the leather option box and it arrived with the space gray/black cloth seats. Which of course have their advantages and have held up quite impressively. However, we're keeping this car long term and let's face it, these cars deserve leather upholstery.

Any recommendations on how best to go about this? I'm sure the local dealer will charge an astronomical figure - and an upholstery place may or may not be up to my expectations. Perhaps a wrecked Mini as a donor, which could be difficult to locate. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I'd look for a donor car, maybe you'll be lucky and get a fresh crash victim.

 

I'd consider red leather. Preferably not blood stained though.

 

I'm in the Puget Sound area and I would suggest calling all the BMW dealerships first. See if they have any leads. Then I'd ask them if they recommend an upholstery shop. There have to be some good ones in the Bellevue-Kirkland area that cater to microsoft and seahawk players.

You could also contact Mini Cooper of Fife, Wa. and see what they have. I understand where you want to go with this and quality is foremost!

Good luck

 

Thanks metaltech, seems like a good course of action. I did buy the car from Northwest Mini in Fife but haven't always been impressed with their service - this is an area where their knowledge could help though.

 

I have to tell you, I've heard some bad things about them in the past as well. However, I drove my new-used MCS there last week and without an appointment, they replaced a weather strip for me while I waited. I was on the road to Olympia in about 35 minutes.

Give them a try and then start making calls. Just like on some of the car shows on T.V. there has to be someone in the Puget Sound that does quality work on all makes.

Keep us informed as to what you find.

 

Most dealers have shops they work through for after market leather. That's how I had mine done. The leather is usually as good (sometimes better) than factory leather. The best part is that you can pick color, texture, and thread color.

Back in '06 I paid $1300 (same price as factory leather). I'm thrilled with the result... You can see part of my seats in my gallery.

-Ed

 

Per your idea, you might want to check with an upholstery shop to do the work, simply to recover your seats in vinyl or leather. I think that is the better way to go. You will be surprised at how good some shops are. Steer clear of the budget places [that can do the work for $400 to $600]. A good shop will charge more but you will be pleased with the results.

Here in San Francisco I had a 1961 Lincoln Continental redone in leather. The shop came recommended. Now mind you that was back in 2002, but I was very surprised that the total price was about $900! And I emphasize the work was excellent.

So it might be way less expensive to simply have your seats done.

And you might want to consider vinyl instead of leather. I had another vintage car done in vinyl because at the time I did not have money for leather [it was a vintage car restorer who charged a lot for work.] It was a temp step simply to get the unsightly seats presentable.

I was very surprised how well the seats turned out.

Plus, vinyl will hold up longer. I don't think leather in a MINI necessarily increases the value. And let's face it, you can get quality vinyl that only an expert knows is not leather.

Check it out as an alternative. I suspect recovering your seats will be way cheaper because otherwise you are paying for the seats, which you do not need to do.

Let us know what the upholstery shops tell you. I am curious.

Bonus Tip: Whatever shop you check out, make sure to see examples of their work in the shop. And also pin them down to a time for the job to be completed. On my Continental I was in no rush, but they got it back to me in about 10 days. They could have done it sooner, but I said no rush and to take their time. It's about a two day job or less if someone spends full time on it.

Bonus Tip: Another advantage of simply covering your existing seats is that you don't have to worry about the quality of the insides, you already know what's inside, your existing seats.

 

Will do - could be awhile, going through a home re-finance.

Looks good - is that solid black with red stitching?

Thanks - yeah, I was thinking the original seats could just be re-skinned in leather. I've loved the smell of other leather interiors I've owned and that's a factor too (over vinyl). Good tips!

 

I would say have them re-done as well. Some of the BMW leather seats I've seen (MINI or otherwise) are not so great looking. I love the punch leather in the new generation but they are just not using top-quality leather for the regular leather option and for the cost...eh. You could spend just as much (or less) at a good reupholstery shop and get better quality results.

 

If your patient....

Find someone putting in racing seats in your area, offer to free up the storage space for them. There are many people who remove perfect condition seats for racing seat to be able to bring their MINIs to the track safely, on a regular basis. If they ordered they may not have paid the premium, but if they took from stock or bought used there is every chance of there being wonderful seats waiting for a MINI.

 

Seats are solid black edges with red stitching; all the seating areas are black perforated (punched?). I had the shift boot and ebrake boot made to match by RedlineGoods.

 

Another good idea I hadn't thought of - thanks!