Leather Seat Covers
 

Hi guys,

I have read a number of threads here on leather seat replacement covers and how some fit great and some others don't.

A friend of mine recently had his W109 front seats replaced and I got to watch the person doing the job for a little while. He used a steamer (looks like a clothing steamer but much more powerful) to moisten the cover after it was on the seat. He explained that allowed him to stretch it in order to get the correct fit. My buddy's seats look AMAZING!

I want to get my seats done and have seen prices for leather ranging from $800 on Ebay to $2000 at a local MB parts store for the two front seats alone (I need to do the back seat also).

Could it be that some members here are not achieving a good fit because they are not steaming the seats in order to be able to stretch the material properly?

Looking forward to your thoughts,

Jose

I replaced the seats in my 1972 280SEL 4.5. I believe I paid $1,200.00 for leather seat covers from GAHH in 2008 and then paid $800.00 to have them installed. The install included new custom foam to replace the original horse-hair that was turning to dust.

The seat covers were a perfect fit and indistinguishable from brand new OEM seats when the job was done. I watched the workers put the covers on and was impressed with the way they pulled the leather over the foam covered frames. I do not recall them using steam. There was some punching and beating as I recall.

If I was doing the job again today. I would do the same thing; buy leather seat covers from GAHH, I had the installing shop buy them to get the commercial discount, then have them professionally installed.

I got leather upholstery for the rear seatbottom from GAHH. Fit perfectly without using any steam or undue stretching.

Guys, thanks for the info. I guess prices have skyrocketed. GAHH's price for front seat set is $1,383 and for the back seat set is $1,287. Total $2,670 for new leather covers.

Good Lord:eek:

I am guessing you got a retail price quote. If you have identified the upholstery shop, ask them to get a price. There is a healthy discount available to resellers.

Yes, as a reseller I got the rear seatbottom for ~$400.

Steamer method is probably for vinyl. It's common to stretch vinyl with heat. I've not seen a steamer before but I have seen hair dryers used.