interior leather set

[Garry]

Here is the interior seat and door trims set as supplied from GAHH (via Buds Benz)

Now for fitting.

Will post some photos as I go.

[Garry]

And a few more of the seats etc

[jameshoward]

Hi, Garry,

Are you going to do this yourself?

Jamie

[Garry]

A mate of mine that did my Kombi wheel cover said he would work with me to do it so I am going to go with that.
He does great wheel covers!

[andyburns]

Garry did you get new seat pads as well.  I spoke to both David Latham and GAHH and the both told me that I would more than likely have fitment issues with 50 year old seat pads.  Sagging leather on places seems to be the general symptom.  I purchased a whole set of pads just to be safe.

[garymand]

I had no problems with my 250SL pads.  Be careful with the welt along the top back edge of the new covers.  You need to pul the plastic bead tight along the entire edge or it will stretch laterally and end up snakey. 

[Garry]

My mate asked the same question on the seat pads, I didnt and may regret it. Neither of them mentioned it and when I did the 280 there were no issues. Will see how it goes or am going to have to adapt something.

[DickLewis]

Since I just posted a question about new interiors are you suggesting that GAHH supplies Buds Benz?  I thought Worldwide Upholstery supplied both GAHH and Buds Benz?  Please let us know how this goes with your installation.  I am anxious to know which of those 3 suppliers have the best fit for interiors and also quality.  I am now in that process. 

[66andBlue]

Dick,
don't forget another vendor here: German Auto Tops, many members were quite pleased with the service and quality:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16489
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=19469.0
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=10146.0

[Garry]

Dick,

GAHH supplies Buds but if you order from Buds you can get them cheaper than direct from GAHH even with all discounts include.  They are shipped direct from GAHH when you order on Buds.   Don’t know about Worldwide Upholstery.

Still looking if I will get mine done professionally or do them myself with help from an Upholsterer mate but with him really busy the commercial route is looking like a go.

Garry

[DickLewis]

Thanks for the links to earlier discussions.  I did notice the prices from some of the posts 4 years ago for the kits.  As they say the price of poker has increased.  If anyone hasn't looked lately the COMPLETE LEATHER kit from World Upholstery (which does include the windlace, the actual kick panels and door panels, the extra leather, the hatch cover leather, or course the seats and the carpets, and the door leather) is now $3,400.

I am meeting with a local installer next Monday who is referred from the World Upholstery site to get the lay of the land and to pose a number of different options since the interior is already out.  If interested I will keep you all in the loop.

[ctm14]

Thanks Dick,

  Please do keep us updated.  I have this project on the horizon as I am sure many others do as well.  Hope everything goes smoothly.

Chris

[Garry]

Dick,

Keep us updated.  I noted on another posting a quote of 160 hours for fitting.  I think 40-60 hours is more likely and as I am not doing the dash, so I am hoping for a lot less that that again.

Garry

[andyburns]

If you included the hard top head lining and a new soft top I think you could very well add another 60 hours at least.  I am dreading the hard top myself and after talking to people who are competent and have done it many times believe alone it may consume 40 hours at least.  I blew 8 hours on the one dash pad yesterday and have to start again.  Some of the time could be mitigated by an experienced trades person but you also have to add familiarity with the vehicle into the mix.  If you dont know the secrets of extracting all the individual components to begin with you could add days and days without the right advice.  Then into the mix if you break anything pulling it out you also have to factor in repairing/replacing it.

[Garry]

Was not including the hard top and soft top.  Having done one hard top restoration for the 280SL, I am not doing it again on my 230SL and the hard top can just sit in its rack for the next custodian.  On the other hand, I have a new soft top canvas to be installed also and will have to add in some hours for that.  Reading lots of other comments here on the forum, it appears to not be a too taxing job. i have not done one yet .

Garry

[DickLewis]

OK guys when I have met with the potential installer on Monday I will share his estimates if he is able to give them to me then.  He was referred by the Worldwide website and happens to be about 25 miles from my home so it would be convenient.  Also his website shows pics of a pagoda that he has worked on and apparently the local MB club has recommended him.  We will see.

[sandcrab59]

Gary:
I just completed my lower seats . I added a second set of springs under the originals and it really stiffened up the seats.
Also I placed a light canvas over the springs to help stop the springs from cutting into the pads. My original springs cut into the pads as well
as the leather. Of course on the drivers seat only. It did not do that on the passenger seat.

As far as leather sets check out KHM in Esslingen Germany. They do a great job.
I was at the factory in August and was impressed.
khm@cabrio.de
www.cabrio.de
Tom