rmw8322

2003 CLK 320, A208 body, Cabriolet. Need to find supplier for replacement of the front leather seat covers which are badly cracked and torn.

Serndipity

http://www.gahh.com/clk320-cabriolet..._272_3629.html

At $492/seat cushion + shipping + installation (e.g. not DIY, understand installation requires stitching), not cheap (e.g. but much less than dealer pricing).

Alternatively, consider a set of custom front roll seat covers.

http://www.coverking.com/custom-seat-covers

Their leatherette covers for both front seats would be around $300 and are installed over the existing seats DIY.

Given present value of 10 -15 year old W208s, comes down to return on investment and how much money to put into cosmetic repairs of this nature.

averageclk320

Option A- Is that replacing the seats entirely and having a local company install them?

Serndipity

That's just to replace the seat cushion cover, not all of the seat surfaces.

Each Gahh leather front seat cushion cover would be $492, plus shipping and local local installation. The total for each seat cushion, would be around $700 - $750.

If required, they also have covers for the rest of the seat (e.g. seat back, head rest).

beefstallionAMG

I have no idea where you're located but do you have local upholstery shops? There are typically auto shops that specialize in upholstery. These shops redo interiors on cars and convertible tops. They mostly work on old cars being restored but I'm sure they would be able to source a leather match to yours. Typically their quotes are free.


If you want a cheap temporary fix there is Magic Mender
http://www.leatherrepairkits.com/

You can repair holes, cracks, rips and stains. This is a temporary fix that if you want the interior to look perfect will have to be re-touched annually. Also in hot climates the repair compound can become tacky. Light colored interiors will re-stain quickly.

To have the interior come out well it will be a day project.

Serndipity

I decided to go with an upholstery shop solution.

They stitched in 4 new panels on the seat cushion top and restitched the seat back seam for $190.

Very happy with the end result and price.

Attached are before and after pictures.

The color and texture matches are perfect, the difference between before and after picture are due to time of day lighting.

averageclk320

For $190 that's winner. No doubt! Looks good.

Serndipity

averageclk320.....I'm really trilled with the outcome.

For a car going on 14 years old, with the exception of the condition of the driver's seat, my 2001 cabrio has been very well taken care of and maintained, in pristine condition, with low miles (e.g. 86,000 miles).

So........I've been looking for a solution, for the ugly driver's seat, for some time.

The Gahh replacement seat cover solution would have been $750 installed (not including the re-stitching of the seat back).

Probably the a very good solution for a MB less than 5 years old, but unfortunately 10 - 15 year old MB are only worth 10% of their original cost (e.g discounted due to the very high cost to repair).

The $300 CoverKing set covers were initially of interest, but probably would have looked baggy, given the CLK seat contours (e.g. specially given the seat back side boasters) and only a coverup.

PS: To make the needed repairs, the seat needs to be removed.

Neither of these would return the money invested.

If and when I ever decide to part company with my CLK, I have no question that I'll get my money back and more than likely, much more.

Hint: Make sure the shop is familiar MB seat repairs. The seat does need to be removed in order to make these repairs, which involves disconnecting numerous electrical connections, some of which, may set off fault codes, unless done properly.

FrB

Pls share company name. Are u located on the east coast?

Serndipity

ABC Upholstery (Auto, Boat & Custom)
Melrose MA (Boston suburb)
Joe Mapes (Owner)
781-956-7877
Website: ABC-upholstery.com
Email: ABCupholstery@comcast.net

Notes:

The seat has to be taken out to make the repairs. With all the electricals involved (e.g. power adjust, heated, SRS sensor etc.), I was concerned. He assured me that he was very experienced with MB. Post repair, there were no warning codes and everything worked properly. Dropped off car at 8 AM, on a wait basis, and had my car back by lunchtime.

marko69

He is obviously an extremely experienced upholsterer. He is certainly a keeper.
I do upholstery as a hobby and that would have taken me at least a weekend.
I just bought an '01 CLK 430 cab and plan on doing the front seats. The driver seat is hard as a rock. Probably take me a month to do it.

Hk91308

Amazing , any suggestions for a shop in Northern CA... I have the same tear on my 2002 CLK outward seat seam..