NC Cloth seats to leather

radar · Postby **radar** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:26 pm

I've read the comments about leather seats being 'too hard."

However, if I buy an NC with cloth trim - what is a reasonable price to pay to have a trimmer upgrade the seats to leather?

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:02 pm

I've researched this. Buy the Katzkins DIY kit;
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... 822&page=2

radar · Postby **radar** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:03 pm

Thanks for that, but I'm past DIY.

Who would be recommended in Melbourne?

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:51 pm

Blackmans for something starting at $1000 for cloth facings on vinyl backs but if the cloth is on all surfaces(front and back) more .Great work, ring them,I have a few mates who have used them and they are very,very good.

Good luck with it.

Peter

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:15 pm

You don't have a car yet?
Buy the kit, give me some $, and I will fit it. It is that simple. Save yourself heaps.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:56 pm

your right about one thing - hardness- I would much prefer the cloth to the leather. The leather in most of the cars is poor quality. If you use the best quality hide it costs heaps - Blackmans do quality work but whether its reasonable is your call. A retrim has to take account of side air bags. There are a number of trimmers in Melb and worth getting a few quotes. Not everyone is using Blackmans for their jag etc. When you do get it quoted do not be surprised if you have to have car off the road while they get around to doing it. Another possibility is to see if Mazda sell a replacement for the OE component ie is the same construction or interchangeable with the fabric cover and see what that costs. You would have to be keen I reckon to go to this much trouble.

rvlovell · Postby **rvlovell** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:39 pm

Why don't you buy an MX5 with leather :?:

When I was buying mine I couldn't even find one with cloth seats which I would have much preferred.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:15 pm

radar wrote:I've read the comments about leather seats being 'too hard."

However, if I buy an NC with cloth trim - what is a reasonable price to pay to have a trimmer upgrade the seats to leather?

There was some concern over the series 1 NC seats being uncomfortable although I cannot recall any owners here complaining about them, and I think that you would be pushed to find fabric seats. The only problem that I have had was burning the back of my leg (in shorts) because I did not give enough consideration where I was parked.
Greg.

neilhr · Postby **neilhr** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:26 pm

I don't have a problem with mine at all. I think they are nice and comfy

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:26 pm

neilhr wrote:I don't have a problem with mine at all. I think they are nice and comfy

The comfort concerns seemed to eminate from the States and a such the seat design was changed in the series 2.
Greg.
I have ratted my files looking for the NC1 spec brochure and can not find it but I feel confident that fabric was not an option.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:04 pm

neilhr wrote:I don't have a problem with mine at all. I think they are nice and comfy

Ditto.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:42 pm

taminga16 wrote:I have ratted my files looking for the NC1 spec brochure and can not find it but I feel confident that fabric was not an option.

Nah, cloth was standard, leather was the option.

I know this info is soooooo old it’s not funny but when I bought my NC it came with cloth seats.
Before I picked it up I arranged for Doyles to do the leather seats as I disliked the all black look of the interior.
The OEM 'leather' seats (leather plus BOSE was a $1,600 premium) only had leather facing to the seats, so I decided to go after market to get full leather seats and door trims covered in Howe leather for around $1,050.

Now 7 years and 145,000 kilometres down the track they are still in good condition. Every couple of months they get leather conditioner worked into them to keep them “soft”, though soft is like someone asking how loud the exhaust is. It’s subjective.

I got the blue panels perforated to stop me sliding and for the seat to ‘breathe’ so I wouldn’t sweat on a hot day, though with all that sponge rubber behind it I’m not sure if it works.

All three MX-5’s that I’ve owned (‘93LTD, ’03 LTD and the ’05 NC) have had leather seats. If you’re considering putting the car on the track in a standard or limited mod class then I’d stick with cloth as you won’t slide around on the seat. Or just get them covered with leather and buy a race seat for track days. Something I have yet to do.

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:48 pm

taminga16 wrote:
neilhr wrote:I don't have a problem with mine at all. I think they are nice and comfy

The comfort concerns seemed to eminate from the States and a such the seat design was changed in the series 2.
Greg.
I have ratted my files looking for the NC1 spec brochure and can not find it but I feel confident that fabric was not an option.

Remember the states used to be the most obese country of earth, maybe that why there was a comfort issue, to many big butts trying to fit into small seats :lol:

Cheers
Dale

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:47 pm

Old Dude wrote:
taminga16 wrote:
neilhr wrote:I don't have a problem with mine at all. I think they are nice and comfy

The comfort concerns seemed to eminate from the States and a such the seat design was changed in the series 2.
Greg.
I have ratted my files looking for the NC1 spec brochure and can not find it but I feel confident that fabric was not an option.

Remember the states used to be the most obese country of earth, maybe that why there was a comfort issue, to many big butts trying to fit into small seats
Cheers
Dale

Thanks Dale.
Greg.