Leather seat covers/skins

[adrianciaff]

Hey all,

I was thinking about buying leather seat covers from overseas to change skins with my worn out NA seats that i currently have..
They still have the OEM cloth trim on them and they look very tired... They are currently out of my car at the moment.

Was just wondering if anyone has any advice on this, anyone ever done this or know someone who has bought these covers from overseas etc
Any heads up on the quality or whether they fit correctly or not would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Old Dude]

Bad bong organised a group buy from a guy in Sydney, and from all acounts everyone was vey happy with the results.
Here's a link
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=38069

Cheers
Dale

[Hammer]

I just replied to the GB thread, but I can't understand how I missed this GB. I would have joined in.

[Old Dude]

Maybe we should organise another group buy . I could be interested after Xmas.

Cheers
Dale

[Gazbo]

My seats were recovered in leather at X-Otic leather in Silverwater (same as group buy I think?)

Very happy with the results, fit is good apart from the seat base being a tiny bit too narrow for the side bolsters, the seams don't quite sit in the same position on each side.

So far it's wearing well - although the car has not had lots of use since the seats went in, it's not a daily car.




You can see where the side boster is a little squashed where the stitiching doesn't quite sit right. Could just be my fat bum though.

[adrianciaff]

wow they turned out very nice,
This is exactly what i am looking for

so was it a DIY job or did you get them done professioanlly
and the cost? if you dont mind i am very eager to find out as much info as possible

[Gazbo]

wow they turned out very nice,
This is exactly what i am looking for

so was it a DIY job or did you get them done professioanlly
and the cost? if you dont mind i am very eager to find out as much info as possible

Originally they just supplied the leather covers ready to install.

I removed my old cloth covers, and tried installing the leather.

Some time later I gave up, it wasn't that hard, but I was wasn't happy with my efforts so took the lot back to the trimmer for a professional job.

Can't remember the exact costs, something like $400 for the leather, and $150 to install. Maybe.

They came from here: http://www.xoticleather.com.au/index.php

[Hammer]

I spoke to Clarence of X-Otic Leather today.

As a lot of you already know from the first GB, X-Otic products are trim covers & not seat covers. This means the OEM seat cloth trims will have to be removed first before fitting these leathers.

I haven’t discussed with him GB pricing as I’m unsure how serious people are from the forum in getting these done.

But his walk-in prices for the NB8B are:

$850 – this includes

- Professional Fitting
- 2x FULL leather seat trims (in any colour in their range)
- 2x Leather door trims (the elbow & tweeter part of the NB8B – can be different colour to the seats)
- A choice of three finish (see website)

Optional (but included in the price):
- Contrasting Stitching
- Perforation
- Embossing (Mazda Logo)

Or as above without fitting = $650

I’m considering getting black leathers with red stitching and perforation in the same areas at the OEM Mazda leather seats. Not sure yet if I’ll get the Mazda logo embossed. Still thinking on that.

He has the templates for all model MX5s (and can quickly make them to order), but he currently doesn’t have any ready-made trims available. Clarence said, ready-made trims are cheaper, but they are sold as is – no choice in styles and stitchings etc.

[MX5-SP]

Do you know if the replacement skins will fit neatly with some of the OEM seat foam padding removed? I'm thinking of scooping some out from the base and also removing some foam from the lower back (...as documented elsewhere on this forum), but I don't want to create a "baggy look".

[Regie]

Hey Alan

i have the seat covers from these guys also, been on the car for clost to 2 years i think now. still look like they did when first installed.

I threw them on myself, was a bit of a pain but can be done, (with zip ties instead of the C clips )

you are welcome to come and check out how they have survived

but ill put my hand up for some door trims if you are keen to get a few people on board

[adrianciaff]

thanks for all the help guys, i currently have NB8A jdm seats for sale so hopefully once they sell i will be able to afford the leather covers

[sliq]

do they make these in vinyl? only reason i ask is that i hear vinyl lasts longer than leather in the sun. don't want the leather cracking after 4-5 years use

[taminga16]

I have recently purchased an 02 Titanium with camel leather (Qld car, 80,000 klms) and apart from a scratch on the drivers seat I cannot see any problems. I think that leather trim has moved on from early European interiors, it even smells different.
Greg.

[Hammer]

do they make these in vinyl? only reason i ask is that i hear vinyl lasts longer than leather in the sun. don't want the leather cracking after 4-5 years use

I think it depends on the quality of leather to begin with. I've had OEM leather seats (from a Titanium) since I bought my NB8B new in 2002, and they're still soft and crack free.

Though I do wipe them with a simple leather wipes from Maguires each time i wash the car - which isn't that often. And if you talk to any detailers, the Maguires leather wipes is a less than ideal product compared to what they use to really clean and condition leathers.

[taminga16]

Perhaps Benny could offer some advice on leather and its care, so if I am imposing.
Greg.