Got a Price for R/R Seats - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

al76slc · #1 07-07-2006, 07:44 AM

Quoted $1000 from a "friend" with an interior repair shop to r/r front and rear seats, and 4 interior side panels. Replacements are supplied by me (Ebay). No other work. 76 450slc.

Seems high to me.

Comments?

Roncallo · #2 07-07-2006, 09:06 AM

I'm about to do the same job myself plus carpets, interior paint for color change an soft top. I can let you know how difficult it is in about 1 month, but I dont think $1000 labor is out of line for seats and side panels, especially when you supply the materials. Im assuming he is recovering the seats and not just replacing them.

John Roncallo

al76slc · #3 07-07-2006, 10:12 AM

I would agree with you that it's fair if he was recovering the seats. But the $1000 quote is just for removing the old and installing new (used) seats that I purchased on Ebay. So there are no materials involved, just labor.

Richard Wooldridge · #4 07-07-2006, 10:20 AM

I watched while the shop reupholstered my seats and replaced the carpeting, and it's not an easy job. They removed the top for access, then removed both seats and stripped out the old carpeting. Then they spent 1/2 hr or so vacuuming and cleaning the car. The new carpeting was an OEM match with stitched edge material, and they sprayed it and the location it was going on with glue, let it dry, then sprayed the carpeting again, let it dry, then applied it. The seats were a bear to do - it took them over 1/2 hr to disassemble each seat. Then they had to repair the frames (straightened the frames back to new specs), repair the screw hole for the rear cover, fix the seat latching mechanisms, springs, etc. The seat pads are made of horsehair, and they had new ones on hand "just in case". My pads were ok, so they reinforced them with some extra foam underneath, then installed the new leather covers. Believe me, they don't "just slide on"! I'd say they spent at least 2 hours on each seat getting the leather "just right", and these were people that do this on Mercedes SLs for a living! They also spent some time on the slider racks for the seats, cleaning and lubing. I took the car in at 8AM, and two people worked on it all day, they finished it at around 7:30PM. It looks fantastic, just like new now! After watching them, I'm not sure I would have been able to do the job nearly as well. Also, they had a large supply of seat parts, pads, etc on hand and replaced everything that wasn't up to new standards. So, keep in mind that when you get the seat covers off there may be things to fix or replace! The newer seats have a better type of spring than the earlier seats do, and last better. Mine didn't need the springs replaced, but a common problem is that the springs break. Another very common problem is that the driver's seat back bends out of shape on the armrest side.
Good luck with it!

GermanMarque · #5 07-07-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al76slc

I would agree with you that it's fair if he was recovering the seats. But the $1000 quote is just for removing the old and installing new (used) seats that I purchased on Ebay. So there are no materials involved, just labor.

$1,000.00 to remove the existing and replace with seats and panels you supply sounds like outright robbery. Check with any panel beater or Merc dealership on the book time to remove and replace a front seat, rear squab and backrest and a single door trim, then do the math on their hourly rate. Insurance companies work of these approved times when assessing quotes for man hours allotted for repairs. I think you will get a shock at your friends quote, sure he wasn't wearing a mask and that spanner in his hand wasn't a gun? Sounds like robbery and would be here in Oz. Get another quote! Sorry.

al76slc · #6 07-07-2006, 01:55 PM

Richard

Thank you for your detailed answer. It does sound like the job can be a bear, and it gave me stuff to think about.

I understand what you and John are saying, but... I am not asking him to do anything except take the old seats out and put the new ones in. No carpet, no new leather covers, no touching the horsehair pads, no fixing the seat latching mechanisms, springs etc. Just unbolting the old seats & bolting in the new. I am happy with the condition of the new (used) seats, and all the pieces are there.

Am I missing something that should cost $1000? How many hours can this job possibly be?

The ironic thing is that I am a volunteer coach (baseball and soccer) and have coached this fellow's kid. The reason I want someone else to do the job is that I don't have time (because I coach in whatever spare time I have), and I can't let the job drag out.

Jeez, maybe I should just come up with a way to bill out my coaching time ....

onesixthree · #7 07-07-2006, 02:59 PM

It shouldn't take longer than an hour to replace 2 seats. All you have to do is unscrew few bolts! It's a job a 'friend' could do for a sixpack.

what a crook.

Richard Wooldridge · #8 07-07-2006, 04:01 PM

I forgot to mention that the job on my '79 450SL cost $1650 total. That includes all new factory OEM in appearance and material leather seats, carpet and installation. The seats themselves are very easy to pull out. As far as I can remember, there are 5 or six machine screws to remove and the seat is out. The door panels come off in less than 5 minutes. So the price he quoted is indeed highway robbery, at least in MY opinion! You could buy new MB-TEX seatcovers and have them installed for less than the $1000 - the place that did mine said the MB-TEX is really the way to go for an SL, as they last better in the sun than leather does, but my wife wanted leather...

(EDIT) I forgot to mention that the seat belts attach to the seats, they have to be disconnected (one more bolt).