Upgrade Leathette Interior to Leather

mojo_78613 · 09-18-2010, 10:20 PM

Greetings!

Has anyone upgraded their leatherette interior to leather? I think a good upholstery shop can do this, but this may be a bit pricey.. In any case, I've attached a photo of a customized 2011 M3 with 2 interior colors, Fox Red and Black.. IMHO this combination of interior colors would look great on a LMB.. Thoughts?

Not sure if there are any good shops in Austin, TX where I can get pricing or not...

Many thanks!

HeyMoe53 · 09-18-2010, 10:39 PM

I can't say for sure, but I think that pricey may be understatement. If it were me, I would save the dough for the next BMW, or maybe mods. Though, I would admit that you could get a nicer grade of leather by going that route. My Boston leather is OK, but not as nice as the pricier BMWs.

It does look nice, though. I suspect that in person, the Fox Red has a bit more of a rust-colored tint to it. The photo almost looks like my Terra interior.

If I were buying an M3, I'd be seriously thinking about this interior.

If you pull the trigger, I will want to see the result!

UdubBadger · 09-18-2010, 11:03 PM

youre talking about $2-3 grand minimum.

youre better off trying to find seats through auto recycling places. try here
www.car-part.com

mojo_78613 · 09-19-2010, 08:58 AM

Thanks guys for your input. It's just a thought I was considering lately. Still waiting on more details for the new 1M's before I do additional work on my 135i. But will def post photos if I decided and go ahead with this modification. Cheers!

MikeinAlexandria · 09-19-2010, 09:34 AM

You could talk to BMW Individual and see if they would send you leather covers for your seats. But yeah, $3000 would not be unreasonable.

You might try an upholstery and restoration shop in your area that socializes in nicer cars or exotics. I did that with ine of my MINIs, and had custom, color matched leather installed with yellow stitching. The car looked fantastic.

mojo_78613 · 10-02-2010, 07:00 AM

I just saw the interior of a used E-46 online that's offered for sale and it looks really different. Not sure if that was customized or OEM. This is a 2003 330i. May pay this dealer a visit and see for myself. Cheers!

UdubBadger · 10-02-2010, 09:19 AM

thats OEM in the 330i ZHP package

mojo_78613 · 10-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Thanks!

Cheers!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

thats OEM in the 330i ZHP package

Dackelone · 10-02-2010, 06:58 PM

I would check around your area. Ask your dealer who they use for upholstery repairs. They must outsource those repairs. Chances are they will tell you who they use.

I don't think it would all that much dough. IF we are just talking the two front seats and maybe the door pannels. I would say under $1.5K. Maybe even less. You won't know until you ask around though. IF they deale ris of no help there is always the yellow pages.

mojo_78613 · 10-02-2010, 09:24 PM

Thanks for your input... I thought if BMW can do such an excellent job with interiors for their cars, why not for our little beasts

But as far as getting this done, I still have to do my research and see if this is something I can get done locally in my little town... I'm pretty sure there is someone in town who can do a good job similar to the guys from "West Coast Custom" show on the Discovery Channel... The yellow pages or yelp! are probably better than my dealership....

Cheers!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I would check around your area. Ask your dealer who they use for upholstery repairs. They must outsource those repairs. Chances are they will tell you who they use.

I don't think it would all that much dough. IF we are just talking the two front seats and maybe the door pannels. I would say under $1.5K. Maybe even less. You won't know until you ask around though. IF they deale ris of no help there is always the yellow pages.

onefastman · 10-07-2010, 11:50 AM

Get seats from the e60m

After sitting those nothing compares, nothing...

R1100S · 10-07-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefastman

Get seats from the e60m

After sitting those nothing compares, nothing...

Agreed. These are known as the "Comfort Seats". They are 20-way adjustable, and available as an option on all 5 and 7 series.

Too bad they don't offer them on the 1 or 3 series. I LOVE the comfort seats in my wife's 550i.

RPM90 · 10-09-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

1er seats are just leather faced. $3K for complete leather would be good, and between Austin and San Antonio, I bet you could find someone good.

Unless BMW changed things for 2011, the leather seats in the 1 have leather all over, seating surfaces as well as bolsters, tops and sides. The rears are fully covered in leather as well.

Judging from the wear a lot of sport seats drivers have, leatherette on the sides and bolsters may have been a better choice.
I would have gotten leather seating in coral with black leatherette for the sides and bolsters, that would look really cool.

1speedbike · 10-11-2010, 09:00 PM

It would be expensive to redo everything in leather.. I personally wouldn't do something that extreme just for the aesthetics..

but if you're willing to spend money, why not just swap out the seats for recaro racing seats? Lighter, look cool, comfy, and while you can't get the nice fox red leather, they'll still be an "upgrade" over 'ette in my opinion. I'd take cloth seats if they were available in the US..

Hexley · 10-11-2010, 10:57 PM

Get some Alcantara surfacing if you're gonna spend the $

Diver · 05-26-2012, 10:13 AM

I would not mess with the interior on a 1M. Just drive the living piss out of it.

dtwyim · 05-26-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexley

Get some Alcantara surfacing if you're gonna spend the $

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo_78613

Still waiting on more details for the new 1M's before I do additional work on my 135i. But will def post photos if I decided and go ahead with this modification. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

I would not mess with the interior on a 1M. Just drive the living piss out of it.

OP was not driving the 1M when he started this thread. I guess he did get the alcantara!

Diver · 05-26-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtwyim

OP was not driving the 1M when he started this thread. I guess he did get the alcantara!

Since he has a 1M now he must be a happy camper.

mojo_78613 · 05-27-2012, 08:32 AM

Thanks fellas for the replies and advise. I used to have a 2010 135i in Le Mans blue and currently drive a 2011 1M Coupe and it's just an amazing piece of art not to mention somewhat of a powerhouse.... Cheers...

TMR013 · 05-27-2012, 09:31 PM

Why?
Honestly everybody that has sat in my 1 think the 'ette is leather. And it holds up a hell of a lot better. I see no downside.

instalher · 05-30-2012, 07:20 PM

www.katzkins.com. 1999.00 good price. or call derick at 1-604-823-6777. does a kick azz job!

09-18-2010, 10:20 PM	#1
mojo_78613 Private First Class 11 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 1M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (0)	Upgrade Leathette Interior to Leather Greetings! Has anyone upgraded their leatherette interior to leather? I think a good upholstery shop can do this, but this may be a bit pricey.. In any case, I've attached a photo of a customized 2011 M3 with 2 interior colors, Fox Red and Black.. IMHO this combination of interior colors would look great on a LMB.. Thoughts? Not sure if there are any good shops in Austin, TX where I can get pricing or not... Many thanks! Attached Images
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09-18-2010, 10:39 PM	#2
HeyMoe53 Captain 64 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '17 M240 AW/Coral MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	I can't say for sure, but I think that pricey may be understatement. If it were me, I would save the dough for the next BMW, or maybe mods. Though, I would admit that you could get a nicer grade of leather by going that route. My Boston leather is OK, but not as nice as the pricier BMWs. It does look nice, though. I suspect that in person, the Fox Red has a bit more of a rust-colored tint to it. The photo almost looks like my Terra interior. If I were buying an M3, I'd be seriously thinking about this interior. If you pull the trigger, I will want to see the result!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-18-2010, 11:03 PM	#3
UdubBadger Banned 631 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	youre talking about $2-3 grand minimum. youre better off trying to find seats through auto recycling places. try here www.car-part.com
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09-19-2010, 08:58 AM	#4
mojo_78613 Private First Class 11 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 1M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys for your input. It's just a thought I was considering lately. Still waiting on more details for the new 1M's before I do additional work on my 135i. But will def post photos if I decided and go ahead with this modification. Cheers!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2010, 09:34 AM	#5
MikeinAlexandria Lieutenant 44 Rep 567 Posts Drives: 128i M Sport Convertible Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0)	You could talk to BMW Individual and see if they would send you leather covers for your seats. But yeah, $3000 would not be unreasonable. You might try an upholstery and restoration shop in your area that socializes in nicer cars or exotics. I did that with ine of my MINIs, and had custom, color matched leather installed with yellow stitching. The car looked fantastic.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2010, 07:00 AM	#6
mojo_78613 Private First Class 11 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 1M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (0)	I just saw the interior of a used E-46 online that's offered for sale and it looks really different. Not sure if that was customized or OEM. This is a 2003 330i. May pay this dealer a visit and see for myself. Cheers! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2010, 09:19 AM	#7
UdubBadger Banned 631 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	thats OEM in the 330i ZHP package
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10-02-2010, 06:58 PM	#9
Dackelone European Editor 10532 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	I would check around your area. Ask your dealer who they use for upholstery repairs. They must outsource those repairs. Chances are they will tell you who they use. I don't think it would all that much dough. IF we are just talking the two front seats and maybe the door pannels. I would say under $1.5K. Maybe even less. You won't know until you ask around though. IF they deale ris of no help there is always the yellow pages.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2010, 11:50 AM	#11
onefastman Major General 159 Rep 5,689 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 2011 e92m dct Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (15)	Get seats from the e60m After sitting those nothing compares, nothing... __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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10-11-2010, 09:00 PM	#14
1speedbike Brigadier General 732 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	It would be expensive to redo everything in leather.. I personally wouldn't do something that extreme just for the aesthetics.. but if you're willing to spend money, why not just swap out the seats for recaro racing seats? Lighter, look cool, comfy, and while you can't get the nice fox red leather, they'll still be an "upgrade" over 'ette in my opinion. I'd take cloth seats if they were available in the US.. __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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10-11-2010, 10:57 PM	#15
Hexley Can't Stop Lovin' Blue 1 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 128i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 128i [0.00]	Get some Alcantara surfacing if you're gonna spend the $ __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue 128i Step • Gray / Glacier Aluminum • M-Sport • Premium (Ordered 9.7.10 • Delivered on 10.23.10)
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05-26-2012, 10:13 AM	#16
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I would not mess with the interior on a 1M. Just drive the living piss out of it. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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05-27-2012, 08:32 AM	#19
mojo_78613 Private First Class 11 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 1M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks fellas for the replies and advise. I used to have a 2010 135i in Le Mans blue and currently drive a 2011 1M Coupe and it's just an amazing piece of art not to mention somewhat of a powerhouse.... Cheers...
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05-27-2012, 09:31 PM	#20
TMR013 Opus Angelus 423 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2018 LBB M2 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Why? Honestly everybody that has sat in my 1 think the 'ette is leather. And it holds up a hell of a lot better. I see no downside.
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05-30-2012, 07:20 PM	#21
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	www.katzkins.com. 1999.00 good price. or call derick at 1-604-823-6777. does a kick azz job!
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