Replacing front seat leather skins

[jnmip]

I've tried searching the forum to find if anyone has replaced the front seat skins but couldn't find anything.

Has anyone done this? Is there a DIY around. I'm looking for tips, pointers or trouble spots.

Thanks

[632 Regal]

no write up yet, my skins sitting patiently in the other room. Looks to be pretty much plug n play as long as you have the patience to deal with them little circlips or whatever they are called.


I've tried searching the forum to find if anyone has replaced the front seat skins but couldn't find anything.

Has anyone done this? Is there a DIY around. I'm looking for tips, pointers or trouble spots.

Thanks

[Kibokojoe]

Where did you get them?

[Ross]

I did this on an E28. The replacements were also old but better than the torn ones I had.
If you use old skins don't even attempt it if they are dry and stiff. They won't fit properly and you'll need to remove the thin foam layer that is part of the upholstery to get them on.
The upholstery mostly is just pulled tight and secured by prongs that penetrate the leather, some of the holes are punched already I think.
The seat must be disassembled of course. There are wire rods sewn into the covers that are hog ringed on in the creases, don't miss these or the cover will be loose fitting.
If you have new or VERY soft covers to work with go for it. It's too much work for marginal covers though.
I've done this a few times on various cars so have a little experience and it takes me a couple of hours to do a seat. The leather is pretty strong and can take a strong pull by hand, if you use pliers you are asking for a tear.
There is a fabric covering on the cushions that is usually shot, if you replace it the covers go on easier, any thin smooth fabric will do.
The seat back hinges were a little tricky I recall. A good time to do the cable fixes while you're at it.
Like I said, old stiff covers are prone to tearing and a waste of time unless you wan't to invest a lot of time for a small improvement.

[shogun]

maybe this helps
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/SeatSwapping/SeatSwapping.htm

[Ross]

Nice write-up. I wonder if the E28 seats had the clips to release the seatback, I spent a lot of time farting around there.

[swenpro]

maybe this helps
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/SeatSwapping/SeatSwapping.htm

woah! know THERE'S fancy idea... seat swapping, hmmmmm :p

[jnmip]

maybe this helps
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/SeatSwapping/SeatSwapping.htm

Thank you, very clear and seems simple enough.

[jnmip]

Where did you get them?

I got them from www.vinesauto.com for $450 with armrests but no headrests. The leather seems very supple and flexible. I couldn't find decent dove gray seats.

I spoke to:

Martin
Vines Automotive
800-214-4839
205-426-2697

[632 Regal]

got mine here for 50.00 :D
Where did you get them?

[Kalevera]

I got them from www.vinesauto.com for $450 with armrests but no headrests. The leather seems very supple and flexible. I couldn't find decent dove gray seats.

I spoke to:

Martin
Vines Automotive
800-214-4839
205-426-2697
Good god, man.

I just sold a complete set of near mint memory + heated + driver's lumbar seats, with the harness to make them plug and play in any E34, for less than that.

[bissellh]

I've tried searching the forum to find if anyone has replaced the front seat skins but couldn't find anything.

Has anyone done this? Is there a DIY around. I'm looking for tips, pointers or trouble spots.

Thanks

Another tip that can help is to spray the leather with leather cleaner/conditioner before doing the job. I replaced my driver side seat bottom with a used but, in much better condition seat bottom. I ripped the leather in a few spots trying to stretch it to fit with pliers. I ended up having to sew rips in the leather back together. I then thought to spray the leather with cleaner/conditioner before trying again. It worked like a dream.