Interior Stitching Mod

[6MT_Addict]

Hey all,

I recently (August 9 @ 1:00 local time, it was a clear sunny day, I remember it well) purchased my 2008 135i M Sport in Sedonna Red. Fell in love the instant I saw it.

With tint, black on black interior and recently added carbon trim the interior is, well, dark. It looks good but I wanted to add some color. Specifically bring the exterior color into the interior subtly to compliment the black but add a highlight.

Enter the 135is.

My idea is based of the Le Mans blue version which has matching interior stitching. I was originally looking at somehow dying the thread, but it's black so this would be hard. I stumbled across an RSX forum while googling away and based off the info there I give you partial results below (Super time consuming, still working on it). I used to work as an installer for car audio, amps, starters, etc so I know exactly how to take interiors apart. I warn you - if you want to do this it is not for the feint of heart. Regardless, without further adieu:

Base door panel removed, disassembled:



Stock thread:



Adding Color:











Installed:





Seats:



This row is done I just don't have pics at the moment. Will add more later. The above work is about 15 hours labour.


Sept 28, 2014 Update:

So to continue with the seat, I decided to pull it to make things easier. This will allow greater flexibility when trying to feed the thread into hard areas and with the side next to the center console will be more or less inaccessible at the edges unless removed. This also made for a good chance to vacuum the carpet from the mess the previous owner left behind lol.









Re-installed, still not complete though:







And one more of the finished drivers side door:

[suspenceful]

Awesome work. I don't think anyone has done this before.

I'd love to do it if it wasn't so time consuming.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by suspenceful

Awesome work. I don't think anyone has done this before.

First I've seen this done too. I think there was one 1Addict who used a white magic marker to achieve the same effect. Doing it with a needle and thread is way better!! Job, well done!

[Esteban]

You've got skill… and patience. Great work.

[MaDoNiOn]

Wow soo cool! Do u think u would be able to do the m colours stitching? So you just weave it under the current stitch?

Great work looks 100x better!

[VMRWheels]

Wow very nice! I don't believe I'd be brave enough to do this one DIY

[AGAV13]

Very nice. It would be awesome if i could do this to the remaining pieces in my 135is which dont have the blue stitching.

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by AGAV13

Very nice. It would be awesome if i could do this to the remaining pieces in my 135is which dont have the blue stitching.

I'm headed to a sewing shop after work to match threads with my 135is. This is too cool.

[6MT_Addict]

Thanks guys, more pics soon! It's been a process so far, going through three types of thread (two broke being too weak).

Originally Posted by MaDoNiOn

Do u think u would be able to do the m colours stitching? So you just weave it under the current stitch?

Yeah, but it would be more difficult/unpredictable until actually tried IMO. It may put excess stress on the factory stitching too. Plus really really time consuming haha

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

I'm headed to a sewing shop after work to match threads with my 135is. This is too cool.

Haha make sure to get either an upholstery or exterior 'rated' thread. Man made, preferably Polyester. Link below is what I used, doubled up (2x threads run through for the thickness. You'll want UV resistant too so it doesn't fade over time. Get a blunt but small needle, something that won't puncture the leather/vinyl. Bend 1/4" of the tip about 30 degrees and the remaining portion like in my one pic of the seat. Tie it off at the end of each run by looping it back through the stitch so it doesn't loosen up later on.

http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-us/exp...outdoor-living

[MaDoNiOn]

Thanx for the info man!

[Diver]

Nice work.

[CAVU]

I just absolutely love your work and the completed project. Great job! I stop back to look at those photos over and over... and this from a guy who chose NOT to get the factory contrasting blue stitching on my 135is.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by CAVU

I just absolutely love your work and the completed project. Great job! I stop back to look at those photos over and over... and this from a guy who chose NOT to get the factory contrasting blue stitching on my 135is.

Haha thanks man, why did you decide not to go with the blue?

Also - more photos added!

[totti84]

That looks unreal! I'll be doing this on all my cars.. thanks for killing my weekends haha

[trap]

Random question, what is under that grill underneath the seat?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by trap

Random question, what is under that grill underneath the seat?

The factory subwoofers. There is one under both the driver and passenger seats.

[AGAV13]

Damn I still can't get over how good that looks. If only I had the time... I mean patience.

[ShocknAwe]

This is great. Not sure if I have the patience for it. Kudos man.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

Haha thanks man, why did you decide not to go with the blue?

Also - more photos added!

I don't like black interiors, especially in the summer. The Oyster has worked out well, but I do sometimes miss the blue stitching.

[EldRick]

Looks great, but I'd be a little concerned that you are tightening up the stitching slightly, and it might cause it to pull a little harder on the leather/vinyl, and perhaps pull through under stress over time.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by EldRick

Looks great, but I'd be a little concerned that you are tightening up the stitching slightly, and it might cause it to pull a little harder on the leather/vinyl, and perhaps pull through under stress over time.

Yeah I thought of that too. It's a little looser in some of the high wear areas. In the end we'll see what happens. If it ruins the factory stitching over time I'll either purchase new seat covers and give my car a factory fresh revival lol or just take them to an upholstery shop and have the stitching redone in red professionally