Leather re-trim
Moderator: martauto
-
capri_rob
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 9681
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: South Staffordshire
Most leather re-trims look bloody awful.garfield wrote:
Any thoughts.......
Spend the money on a set of original seats in which don't need a re-trim.

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
You obviously haven't seen decent ones then?capri_rob wrote:Most leather re-trims look bloody awful.garfield wrote:
Any thoughts.......
Spend the money on a set of original seats in which don't need a re-trim.
Buying a set of original seats is a great idea but with the e30 approaching near 25 years of age there is not many decent replacement interiors out there.
These don't look too good IMO, mass produced seat covers as oppose to custom bespoke retrim.garfield wrote:Has anyone ever used these chaps?
http://www.autoleathers.co.uk/index.asp ... =lr_BMWE30
Any thoughts.......
You wont replicate OEM leather look, but you can get pretty darn close, but you have to be prepared to spend the money...
A £600 to £700 retrim will not even get close, not in materials used (hide) or in workmanship... its ok if you want a custom jobbie with piping and other bits and bobs, because then the objective then is to obviously to be different from OEM... but workmanship can be shoddy in that price bracket.... Iv seen some horror shows, but also been pleasantly suprised as well.
As mentioned above mint clean original leather is getting harder and harder to find, so retrims eventually become the only route....
I use D:class in Surrey, expensive but worth the money....
A £600 to £700 retrim will not even get close, not in materials used (hide) or in workmanship... its ok if you want a custom jobbie with piping and other bits and bobs, because then the objective then is to obviously to be different from OEM... but workmanship can be shoddy in that price bracket.... Iv seen some horror shows, but also been pleasantly suprised as well.
As mentioned above mint clean original leather is getting harder and harder to find, so retrims eventually become the only route....
I use D:class in Surrey, expensive but worth the money....
-
pac1982
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 5330
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: isle of wight
Those seat covers are the closest thing you will get to a factory finish, a bespoke retrim will not look the same as a factory finish, not saying it wont look good it just wont look factory.330-singh wrote:These don't look too good IMO, mass produced seat covers as oppose to custom bespoke retrim.garfield wrote:Has anyone ever used these chaps?
http://www.autoleathers.co.uk/index.asp ... =lr_BMWE30
Any thoughts.......
The seat covers do have an exact factory finish which is why BMW dealers actually fit them to new or nearly new cars upon customer request.
where the seat covers fall short is they need very good foams under the leather to compete the factory finish if you do use a seat trim kit like this I recommend making sure all your seat foams are in good condition.

1991 BMW E30 318i Neon Design Convertible (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 325i Touring (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 318IS (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 316i (RIP)
-
capri_rob
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 9681
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: South Staffordshire
I guess I havent seen a decent one as the vast majority of the ones I've seen on here and in magazines/at shows etc look non standard and as a consequence they look sh1t.330-singh wrote:You obviously haven't seen decent ones then?capri_rob wrote:Most leather re-trims look bloody awful.garfield wrote:
Any thoughts.......
Spend the money on a set of original seats in which don't need a re-trim.
Buying a set of original seats is a great idea but with the e30 approaching near 25 years of age there is not many decent replacement interiors out there.
You do get sets of superb original sports leather seats appearing from time to time at £500+ ( Simon13's spring to mind ) which IMO are a much better bet than spending the same or more on a retrim which will stand out like a sore thumb and will still not be as good as the factory BMW job.

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
Ratch's retrim (not seat covers) are one of the closest i have seen to replicating the factory look.
http://www.b-trim.co.uk/
Have a look through their work including the E30 M3 Sport evo.
They have even replicated the extended leather as seen in Motorsport cabrios and M3's to a very high standard.
Same people who did mine.Royalratch wrote:Then a trip to the trimmers to pick up some goodies.
Leather gaiter / handbrake to complete my leverz.
And the interior was STILL not finished but the drivers seat was so I grabbed it as I was getting tired of fabric Comfort seat lameness.
These have been totally refurbished. New foam all round, mechs all set up and greased and new legs/rails. They work super smooth now and the riser lever actually lifts with me in the seat!
Heated of course.
Still have new mech covers to fit on those too.
In the harsh daylight...
Colour match is perfect - with my Anthracite headlining the interior is transformed into smooth dark badicalness.
Rear seats are getting there.
http://www.b-trim.co.uk/
Have a look through their work including the E30 M3 Sport evo.
They have even replicated the extended leather as seen in Motorsport cabrios and M3's to a very high standard.
B trim have been around of over 20 years with the same two guys. They also used to trim cars for some BMW dealers back in the day including the Chandlers group i used to work for.
Epically so!Low_E30 wrote:And this is an example of one of those bad retrims that i alluded to earlier...
tragic.Tay wrote:
![]()
-
B7
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15846
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex
Who the f*ck trimmed that?????! David Blunkett?bss325i wrote:Epically so!Low_E30 wrote:And this is an example of one of those bad retrims that i alluded to earlier...
tragic.Tay wrote:
![]()
B7's Motto. "If it's French, BURN IT!!!!!!"
Thanks for the advice chaps, those are a particually epic fail!!!!!
I've looked long and hard for a good original leather interior and cannot find one.
I'm meeting a local trimmer monday who comes recommended, he's offered to show me previous re-trims etc etc I'll also contact B-trim Monday there work seems to be top drawer!
I've looked long and hard for a good original leather interior and cannot find one.
I'm meeting a local trimmer monday who comes recommended, he's offered to show me previous re-trims etc etc I'll also contact B-trim Monday there work seems to be top drawer!
-
pacerpete
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 18168
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Iver heath. South bucks.
B7 wrote:Who the f*ck trimmed that?????! David Blunkett?bss325i wrote:Epically so!Low_E30 wrote:And this is an example of one of those bad retrims that i alluded to earlier...
tragic.
That back seat has 'Downs syndrome' !
-
DanThe
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 28641
- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Staffs
- Contact:
I would say 'should have gone to specsavers' but even they would have prescribed euthanasiapacerpete wrote:B7 wrote:Who the f*ck trimmed that?????! David Blunkett?bss325i wrote: Epically so!
That back seat has 'Downs syndrome' !
At least seat covers can be removed! Looks like that back seat has been done with a staple-gun and swiss army knife
Pics or it didn't happen Marc, you know the rules.zaust wrote:Not b trim mate. They have produced some shocking work.
Everything I have seen come from them has been good.
Got any pics of hood glamour? I just googled them and nothing came up.
You sure you're not getting A-trim mixed up with B-trim?
You sure you're not getting A-trim mixed up with B-trim?
If their gallery is anything to go by i'll pass thanks.zaust wrote:I spelt it wrong as usual ↓↓↓
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 4-1qCJIt-A
To sum most of them up in one word. Baggy.
- Kos
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15546
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: London / Cyprus
- Contact:
B trim are consistent and ok by all accounts
Barry, out curiosity why didn't you use them ?
Barry, out curiosity why didn't you use them ?
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
Kos, those boys you know in Isleworth, who do all the old Rollers and other high end stuff, really come recommended.....
I think familiarity also helps in this field, b-trim seem to have been doing E30's forever so know them seats like the back of their hands, this can only help matters....
I think familiarity also helps in this field, b-trim seem to have been doing E30's forever so know them seats like the back of their hands, this can only help matters....
- Kos
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15546
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: London / Cyprus
- Contact:
Agreed about B trim, they know e30 seats so they will be spot on
The guys you mention and who I'd use for all trimming and conolising are
www.strongandturton.co.uk
expensive but the workmanship is excellent
The guys you mention and who I'd use for all trimming and conolising are
www.strongandturton.co.uk
expensive but the workmanship is excellent
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
-
pacerpete
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 18168
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Iver heath. South bucks.
Kos wrote:Agreed about B trim, they know e30 seats so they will be spot on
The guys you mention and who I'd use for all trimming and conolising are
www.strongandturton.co.uk
expensive but the workmanship is excellent
I have never seen a really bad job from B trim unlike the above crowd !
- Kos
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15546
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: London / Cyprus
- Contact:
'bob the trimmer' used to work there pete, he's now left and been on his own for a few years. he's the guy that cocked up the SL seats.pacerpete wrote:Kos wrote:Agreed about B trim, they know e30 seats so they will be spot on
The guys you mention and who I'd use for all trimming and conolising are
www.strongandturton.co.uk
expensive but the workmanship is excellent
I have never seen a really bad job from B trim unlike the above crowd !
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
I did use them, i thought you knew that?Kos wrote:B trim are consistent and ok by all accounts
Barry, out curiosity why didn't you use them ?
-
pacerpete
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 18168
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Iver heath. South bucks.
Kos wrote:'bob the trimmer' used to work there pete, he's now left and been on his own for a few years. he's the guy that cocked up the SL seats.pacerpete wrote:Kos wrote:Agreed about B trim, they know e30 seats so they will be spot on
The guys you mention and who I'd use for all trimming and conolising are
www.strongandturton.co.uk
expensive but the workmanship is excellent
I have never seen a really bad job from B trim unlike the above crowd !
Sorry, my mistake ! Bob the roofer more like it !
- Kos
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15546
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: London / Cyprus
- Contact:
i thought you sent them up northbss325i wrote:I did use them, i thought you knew that?Kos wrote:B trim are consistent and ok by all accounts
Barry, out curiosity why didn't you use them ?
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
- Kos
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 15546
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: London / Cyprus
- Contact:
pacerpete wrote:Kos wrote:'bob the trimmer' used to work there pete, he's now left and been on his own for a few years. he's the guy that cocked up the SL seats.pacerpete wrote:
I have never seen a really bad job from B trim unlike the above crowd !
Sorry, my mistake ! Bob the roofer more like it !
Bobs work is hit and miss, the black e24 highline on e bay with the 'orange' interior was his work and that was pretty good
he also did some work on the macau e24 on air that does the rounds at aces. some bits of it are good some are not so good.
i bet he let his son or an apprentice loose on the SL seats, hence they were cocked up
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
No, i was going to used a crowd up north but they never replied to my emails.Kos wrote:i thought you sent them up northbss325i wrote:I did use them, i thought you knew that?Kos wrote:B trim are consistent and ok by all accounts
Barry, out curiosity why didn't you use them ?
I got a good deal from B trim though your best mate Ratch.















