96LE Tan leather trim

[pcmx5]

The outside bolster on the drivers seat of my 96LE (tan leather) needs replacing,as do most of that age.Considering doing black perforated re-trim on the outer trim of all seats but does anyone know of a source for the original leather?

Any help appreciated,

Peter.

[Mr Morlock]

I would be checking to see if Mazda can sell you a replacement cover.If a cover is available you can replace it yourself. I reckon it would be cost effective to buy the originals and replace yourself rather than paying a trimmer to make new covers- they have no patterns and merely make from sample. Insofar as original leather is concerned this would have been available to the original equipment supplier only. A trimmer may be able to approximate a match maybe in vinyl or maybe leather. I reckon vinyl actually wears better than leather. Benny knows his leather so maybe drop him a line.

[pcmx5]

New cover for the drivers seat upper is $1200 from Mazda (trade).
Think I will re do all the side bolsters upper and lower in black perforated leather as the interior is already a mixture of tan and black.High quality vinyl might also be the go.
Very few trimmers in Geelong so might have to go to Melb to get the job done.
Then again somone may prefer to buy it as is!!

Peter.

[Mr Morlock]

wow that is an horrific price. With the trimmers it is worth asking who can do but at reasonable rates and with a quick turnaround. Another option might be to go to fabric and use OE covers??

[Benny]

Many trimmers, especially those are familiar with MX-5's, should be able to re-upholster the seats for you in leather for around $1,000.00 all in.
Check out the club websites for trimmers that know what they are doing.

You may not get an exact match in colour, but I'm sure they can come close.

Nothing wrong with a good vinyl either, especially in a convertible, and the material can last for many years.
The only problem with vinyl, is that you will stick to it, and the fact it takes a lot longer to cool down if it's been in the sun for any length of time compared to leather or cloth.

Personally, I wouldn't be putting black vinyl on the sides of a tan leather seat, it may end up looking terrible and will definitely affect your resale value downwards.

[pcmx5]

Thanks for the responses.I am tending towards the black leather on the 8 side bolsters.
Need to find a trimmer who use leather all the time as the few in Geelong will have to buy in a hide when i don,t need anywhere near that much and don't want to pay that much.They are quoting almost as much as Benny reckons for a full retrim just for the bolsters.

Thinking of Olympus in Brunswick st Fitzroy so will have to take a trip there next week.

Peter

[Mr Morlock]

the guys with the contacts on trimmers are the ones with the old classics- MGs TR's Jags Healeys etc. Your contacts might be able to get you some alternatives to try. The Healey factory will know some candidates - they are just down the road from Dick Richeys place.