Replacement leather?
- Thread starter farinvail
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A lot of upholstery shops will stitch up seats for you, but as Shane stated, it might not be as precise and perfectly fitted as a production seats made with pre made patterns. On another note, with my experience in the high end auto upholstery business, I have seen trimmers make seats as if they came right from the Mercedes factory and fit perfectly without any flaws.
Most trimmers nowadays go the easy route, they just buy a pre made seat covers and install the cover, instead of sewing and fitting from scratch.
As far as pricing is concerned for leather vs vinyl, there are a lot of variables. In our case, we buy overrun OEM MB Tex vinyls from the factory in Germany, so the prices are very low. If we were to order the same identical vinyl from the mills standard production, the prices are almost double. Keep in mind that the bulk of the overall cost goes into the labor of putting the seat together, not so much in the material cost.
As far as which is better(leather vs vinyl), there are arguments for both. Its just a matter of preference, priorities and the wallet. In fact, most our sales come from leather, so I have a biased towards leather
In this case, the only reason I brought up MB Tex vinyl is because the poster asked for it.
Most trimmers nowadays go the easy route, they just buy a pre made seat covers and install the cover, instead of sewing and fitting from scratch.
As far as pricing is concerned for leather vs vinyl, there are a lot of variables. In our case, we buy overrun OEM MB Tex vinyls from the factory in Germany, so the prices are very low. If we were to order the same identical vinyl from the mills standard production, the prices are almost double. Keep in mind that the bulk of the overall cost goes into the labor of putting the seat together, not so much in the material cost.
As far as which is better(leather vs vinyl), there are arguments for both. Its just a matter of preference, priorities and the wallet. In fact, most our sales come from leather, so I have a biased towards leather
In this case, the only reason I brought up MB Tex vinyl is because the poster asked for it.
All selling starts at no.
I would ask you, what is upcharge for making them out of mb tex? The challenge is you may never have a return customer because mb tex does not wear out. Ie, the price would be higher so your profit dollars would match the pain of making these one or two off. I think you would sell a ton of these.
All luxury suv's on the used market have terrible looking leather because it was not maintained every 6 months. Switch them all to mb tex. new market opportunity. Busied out. Profits up and rolling.
As stated above, it appears we could get a deal on the mb tex.
My order would go like this, full mb tex kit, all 3 rows and since Shane's company rocks and makes great products, throw in seat heat elements for the second row. Could I find the seat elements somewhere else for less, maybe, but I want to support this business.
Ps - thank you for redone steering wheel! Best upgrade in years to my interior.
Pss - what are the cons of mb tex? A little stiffer? What else? Been around mb tex since 1983. I am having a hard time thinking outside the box.
I would ask you, what is upcharge for making them out of mb tex? The challenge is you may never have a return customer because mb tex does not wear out. Ie, the price would be higher so your profit dollars would match the pain of making these one or two off. I think you would sell a ton of these.
All luxury suv's on the used market have terrible looking leather because it was not maintained every 6 months. Switch them all to mb tex. new market opportunity. Busied out. Profits up and rolling.
As stated above, it appears we could get a deal on the mb tex.
My order would go like this, full mb tex kit, all 3 rows and since Shane's company rocks and makes great products, throw in seat heat elements for the second row. Could I find the seat elements somewhere else for less, maybe, but I want to support this business.
Ps - thank you for redone steering wheel! Best upgrade in years to my interior.
Pss - what are the cons of mb tex? A little stiffer? What else? Been around mb tex since 1983. I am having a hard time thinking outside the box.
Shane is great, and his product ROCKS. I had one of his kits installed in my past 97 LX450 (just sold), and it got compliments from everyone. Leather quality was awesome. Smelled like a brand new car. I will do a LX470 kit someday when the seats are tired in my '05.
To those of you who really want MB-Tex, I guess find a local shop, have it done, and be happy. I really don't "get" the whole appeal. Yeah, 'tex is undoubtably more durable and resistant to abuse (if you're beating it up that bad, why not just use seat covers? All 3 of my vehicles have leather, I've got a 2 and 6 year old, and my cars look great). Personally, I'd rather have real leather that smells like leather and feels like leather in my "once cost XX amount new" Lexus. I've seen/felt the leatherette/MB Tex/vinyl, etc in various cars over the years, I can tell the difference, and I don't like it.......I want the "real" deal.
Ya know, for the added cost of having a 1-off interior done at a local shop in MB-Tex, you could probably have one of Shane's leather kits installed now, and have enough money left to buy another one 10 years from now
To each their own
To those of you who really want MB-Tex, I guess find a local shop, have it done, and be happy. I really don't "get" the whole appeal. Yeah, 'tex is undoubtably more durable and resistant to abuse (if you're beating it up that bad, why not just use seat covers? All 3 of my vehicles have leather, I've got a 2 and 6 year old, and my cars look great). Personally, I'd rather have real leather that smells like leather and feels like leather in my "once cost XX amount new" Lexus. I've seen/felt the leatherette/MB Tex/vinyl, etc in various cars over the years, I can tell the difference, and I don't like it.......I want the "real" deal.
Ya know, for the added cost of having a 1-off interior done at a local shop in MB-Tex, you could probably have one of Shane's leather kits installed now, and have enough money left to buy another one 10 years from now
To each their own
Shane is great, and his product ROCKS. I had one of his kits installed in my past 97 LX450 (just sold), and it got compliments from everyone. Leather quality was awesome. Smelled like a brand new car. I will do a LX470 kit someday when the seats are tired in my '05.
To those of you who really want MB-Tex, I guess find a local shop, have it done, and be happy. I really don't "get" the whole appeal. Yeah, 'tex is undoubtably more durable and resistant to abuse (if you're beating it up that bad, why not just use seat covers? All 3 of my vehicles have leather, I've got a 2 and 6 year old, and my cars look great). Personally, I'd rather have real leather that smells like leather and feels like leather in my "once cost XX amount new" Lexus. I've seen/felt the leatherette/MB Tex/vinyl, etc in various cars over the years, I can tell the difference, and I don't like it.......I want the "real" deal.
Ya know, for the added cost of having a 1-off interior done at a local shop in MB-Tex, you could probably have one of Shane's leather kits installed now, and have enough money left to buy another one 10 years from now
To each their own
I don't think anyone said anything derogatory about the quality of Shane's work. Quite the contrary, I asked him to do some work. It just turns out to be something he doesn't do. No dealio there.
I don't abuse my seats. Unless you call no gooping them up every 6 months abusing them. The 2nd row has never been sat on and looks new and feels new.
The fronts are in very good looking shape, just some cracks that go all the way thru the leather on a few panels, and the rubs you get on the drivers seat. I could sell my old covers most likely. Repair a few panels and you'd be good to go, kinda.
I'm a Leather snob just like the next guy. However, I'm managing 2 cars with Leather issues presently and trying to save the seats in both, the LC has cracked thru on the drivers seat. The front passenger has hard areas, but still looks pretty good. Overall, I ain't in terrible shape.
But I'm irritated with it, and I know MB Tex will put this issue to bed forever and the difference in,look between 1 year old MB Tex and 30 year old MB Tex is little if any at all. Leather gets a Patina, crease, rubs, cracks, MB Tex doesn't do this.
I have a rough quote now from a local guy presently. By the time I get this done and source the MB Tex, it's obvious I ain't doing this because it's cheaper. The local guy will install, so that makes it cheaper in the long run. If I did Shane's covers, I would do the install myself.
For looks, smells, and admission to the Leather Club, Shane's stuff is the pinnacle, no doubt. Very, Very beautiful stuff.
But if he can offer different Leathers, why not MB Tex? I don't see the difference. But it's his deal and that's that.
What if we get mb tex for a deal from the guy above?
I am not rough on my leather, it just does not last. The LC was built to be durable and the leather is not durable at all. Mb tex is better for me in this application.
Mb tex type material should have been in the LC from the start. Similiar to a real metal key and key housing. A 4 pinion front diff, etc. Any weak link needs to be elimanted.
The armrest and center console cover in mb tex will make the biggest difference.
I am not rough on my leather, it just does not last. The LC was built to be durable and the leather is not durable at all. Mb tex is better for me in this application.
Mb tex type material should have been in the LC from the start. Similiar to a real metal key and key housing. A 4 pinion front diff, etc. Any weak link needs to be elimanted.
The armrest and center console cover in mb tex will make the biggest difference.
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I think if you get the MB Tex for free, the price will be about the same as Shane's Leather. Unless you can find someone real "CHEAP" or do it yourself. "CHEAP" being the operative word here. Gotta be careful with that word...
There's a lot of Labor time here and a one off is considered "Custom" work and is priced accordingly.
Even I have a hard time substituting Vinyl for Leather at the same price or there abouts. But I know how good the Vinyl is.
I understand someone who doesn't get the MB Tex thing. It's a rough swallow. Best case scenario I see is you break even with the Leather kit price.
hntashdjian said:
Send me a yard please.
I can send you leather samples of tan, gray and brown I use to match if needed.
Are you wanting only the seat face in MB Tex or 100%
This thread is giving me a headache and if you know me I get migraines weekly and they shut me down.
- Thread starter
- #49
6 months after install, I am very pleased with the results and quality of the materials. I regret not having done the install earlier. Sorry for the delay in posting pictures, but children and work have a way of making the time pass quickly. Enjoy the pics and let me know if there are questions. I did the install myself in the living room while watching TV. Took 3 evenings. Hands didn't hurt that much, but I remember thinking at the time, "I wish I had the money to pay someone else to do this"
Also replaced factory carpet and installed new mats. I liked my other brand floor mats better. Truck looks and smells great inside, not at all like the 15year old baby vomit catcher rig it actually is.
Also replaced factory carpet and installed new mats. I liked my other brand floor mats better. Truck looks and smells great inside, not at all like the 15year old baby vomit catcher rig it actually is.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Looks awesome, I need this....but I think some cheap covers are in my future....
This reminds me that I never got that MB Tex sample.
Wow, the gray looks great! First time seeing that color kit installed. How hard was it to disassemble the seats? That's my biggest fear when I tackle this someday.
- Thread starter
- #53
Pretty easy really. remove seats from truck. remove plastic parts. unbolt seat cushions. Leather has plastic clips and hog rings that hold it all on. Use hog ring pliers to put it all back together was easy. Hands geting sore from squeezing pliers is about the worst of it.
TrekboxX
Supporting Vendor
Not to hijack, but I'm unfamiliar with MB Tex. I am interested in an alternative to leather, if it would wear better and stop some of the leather creaks. Anyone know if it will be quieter?
I'm not sure it would be quieter.
I'm sure it wears a lot better. Seems to be Lifetime.
TrekboxX
Supporting Vendor
I'm traditionally a real wood, real leather kinda guy. But, this stuff does sound interesting... On another note- the wife and I were looking at the new Ford Fusion because it is an option for her company ride. The seats were some type of textile, but looked waaaaayy better than regular cloth. Almost like a neoprene/cordura mix. I really liked it. Sorry for the sidetrack. I'll probably buy from Shane when it's time, leather or other.
how much does a complete set cost front/back/center in that nice gray leather
TrekboxX
Supporting Vendor
Hmmm. I can't say what it was, but it was nothing like suede...
Fwiw I had my leather restored and the results were incredible. I paid $250 to have my front seats and middle row done. My fronts had surface cracking, and I thought for sure it needed replacement. The guy sanded it down and recolored the seats. I cannot believe the results and I highly recommend you try and find a local leather restorer before anything else if you leather isn't completely torn up.
