Recaro LS - retrim in leather or sell as is ?

[Topblag]

I'm Looking for sensible opinions on this. I've got a set of Recaro LS E30 Seats, including a standard matching rear bench. The front seats are worn and torn and to create space for a garage wood burner, I've decided to move them on.

The only 2 door I have is my H35 and it came with a barely used replacement set of leather sports seats from BMW, so I have no use for them.

Should I retrim the set in black leather or sell as is ? This is purely a question of getting as much for them as I can. The retrim will cost me about £750. My trimmer specialises in Recaro seats and has done a lot of them over the years.

The seats are mechanically spot on with all trim and covers, and spares.

TIA.

[martauto]

Wow !!
If these are true Recaros (and I have no reason to belive otherwise ) then re-trimmed in black leather will be worth a fortune to any two door e-30.
I bet you could pop 1K in front of what it would cost you and they would be queing up for them.
But I would keep them for the Hartge.

Mart.

[Kedge]

Doubt there’s many who know what Recaro LS’s can fetch with them being so rare.

I don’t know if you remember the seats Barry used to have in his 325i Sport, retrimmed in nappa leather, I paid £1000 for them 5yrs ago. At the same time I sold some VERY tatty Houndstooth LS’s (plus spare good but faded material) for £500 (both deals inc a rear bench).

Judging by what prices I’ve seen for other parts lately, maybe double those figures?

[Cloggy Saint]

I'd sit on them for a while (not literally), they're only going to go up in value. I've got heated Recaros that I had retrimmed in anthracite cloth and if someone put a gun to my head I'd want at least £1500.

[Topblag]

Thanks for the input so far.

Mart - they are genuine. The H35's Seats are like new and I like to keep that type of car totally original, although they would look the shizzle.

Kedge - £2k does sound high when they are retrimmed but as you say, how often are they available. I'd also make them available for the international market, which would help get the top dolla.

Cloggy - I see your point but I’d rather they were getting used and I had more space and coinage to use on other stupid things. I've loads of rare parts and I’m focusssing on the big footprint stuff first.

[pukar]

there is someone selling very good replica alpina cloth, but perhaps that would restrict your market a bit

[flybynite]

I’ll weigh in with a different opinion, sell them as-is

These days whoever buys them will want them in either a particular way or original in whatever condition.

I get put off trim that has been ”˜done’ because it is never done how or to the standard I would want. Anything done is just more work to undo.

I have been looking at recaros myself recently and personally wouldn’t pay more for a trimmed set than one in original condition.

I would say you are unlikely to recoup the cost of a trim job against selling them as-is

[Topblag]

there is someone selling very good replica alpina cloth, but perhaps that would restrict your market a bit

That’s an interesting option. I haven’t seen many genuine Alpinas with the cloth shed LS's though.

I've got a thread listing replica parts just as you mention, would you mind adding the cloth and seller up if you know ? TIA.

[magpie]

nowt like some alpenis LS recaro's bro

[Kedge]

Kedge - £2k does sound high when they are retrimmed but as you say, how often are they available. I'd also make them available for the international market, which would help get the top dolla.

If I post anything in my build thread, I always get a PM or two asking if I'll sell mine, so there's definitely a demand for them. But what people are willing to pay is another question, and it's not a conversation I've had. I'd try selling them as they are for a strong price, then if they don't sell look into the retrim option.

[Topblag]

nowt like some alpenis LS recaro's bro

I’m hearing you pal, that’d be the platinum option and will likely find an international buyer. Chuck in a matching set of doorcards and it’s a very very rare setup.

I’ve found an Alpina cloth set which were for sale in HOLLAND, seats and door cards. Offers over £2500....

[pukar]

there is someone selling very good replica alpina cloth, but perhaps that would restrict your market a bit

That’s an interesting option. I haven’t seen many genuine Alpinas with the cloth shed LS's though.

I've got a thread listing replica parts just as you mention, would you mind adding the cloth and seller up if you know ? TIA.

never used the guy, but i have heard good things...

http://nojser5.wixsite.com/nojser/fabrics-floor-mats

[Topblag]

I've decided to sell them as is. Good feedback above made a point that people spending that kind of £ on an interior want to make them their own.

I'm thinking of throwing in the large type BMW fire extinguisher and mount that came with them and asking for £1200 - does that sound reasonable including the bench and spare tilt levers, which are specific to the seats ? The foam still springs back

(For those who are PMing me, they are still NOT FOR SALE at this time.)

[Cloggy Saint]

I could be wrong but I don't think the oem extinguisher mount works with Recaros .... I'd sell it separately, they go for good money.

[Topblag]

I could be wrong but I don't think the oem extinguisher mount works with Recaros .... I'd sell it separately, they go for good money.

Sorry, should've said, I also think it’s specific to those seats. I stripped it off the seats and it fitted perfectly.

[pukar]

I've decided to sell them as is. Good feedback above made a point that people spending that kind of £ on an interior want to make them their own.

I think that makes the most sense, good shout flybynite!

[Cloggy Saint]

I could be wrong but I don't think the oem extinguisher mount works with Recaros .... I'd sell it separately, they go for good money.

Sorry, should've said, I also think it’s specific to those seats. I stripped it off the seats and it fitted perfectly.

Any chance of a picture? I fabricated one for mine but it's crap!

[M-Sport]

Topblag the spare tilt levers is that with cables? I need a set as currently have 4dr LS's in and m3 lol

[Topblag]

I could be wrong but I don't think the oem extinguisher mount works with Recaros .... I'd sell it separately, they go for good money.

Sorry, should've said, I also think it’s specific to those seats. I stripped it off the seats and it fitted perfectly.

Any chance of a picture? I fabricated one for mine but it's crap!

When I find it, certainly !

[Topblag]

Topblag the spare tilt levers is that with cables? I need a set as currently have 4dr LS's in and m3 lol

The tilt levers only, surely you could just buy some cable and solder it if necessary ?

Before you ask, spare levers are not for sale separately, they will be going with the seats.

[Rav335uk]

It's not that easy to install the tilT lever onto the 4 for seats. If you've ever taken one apart.....there double skinned and the tilt mech is welded between the two.

[Topblag]

It's not that easy to install the tilT lever onto the 4 for seats. If you've ever taken one apart.....there double skinned and the tilt mech is welded between the two.

Sounds like a nightmare. Best to sell the moredoor versions and buy 2 door.

[Rav335uk]

If you can find a set.

[Topblag]

If you can find a set.

[bss325i]

100% sell as is.

And as for £1200 for a pair of ripped LS's?.... no.

FWIW I just paid £1600 for a near mint pair of Uberkro (318iS style check cloth) LS's with matching M3 rear bench.

[Topblag]

Appreciate the feedback, that’s why I put a thread up.

Looks like they'll be getting cleaned up and put up for a bag of sand.

Watch this space, we're about to find out if they're worth 4 figures.

[Satan]

If you invest you'll just break even, is it worth the hassle, nope. Just get rid and use the money for something else.