GAT or GAHH: Which seat kit is better?

[Jlaa]

@Jlaa, did you buy headrest covers from GAAAAH as well? If so, what was the cost? Their site implies the $1563 doesn't include headrests but also doesn't specify the additional cost if you want them. I wasn't sure if it was just an oversight.

Yes, the headrest covers were included. I remember the cost at the time in 2016 whatever the going retail rate was (I think I posted the price on this board somewhere) except that I did not purchase them directly from GAHH --- I bought them from the upholstery shop that bought them from GAHH. Of course GAHH gives the upholstery shop enough of a discount to make good margin when they sell it to me. IIRC, the upholstery shop had a long-time-relationship with GAHH...... they had all kinds of books/catalogs from GAHH for me to look through, and there was even a call out about Parchment vs Cream Beige.

 

[maw1124]

Sounds like I would use to do mine ... would be nice if it's painless... good intel @Jlaa.

maw

 

[sheward]

I have had pretty much the same experience. I paid $50 each extra for the headrests and the armrest. I could have likely had them included had I ordered thru Buds Benz just outside of Atlanta but I decided to try my hand at installing them Myself and felt a bit guilty of misleading as I had originally intended to pay them to do the installation and told them so, but changed my mind.

I lost the pictures in a computer problem but I'll post more soon.

If anyone is considering installing these themselves I recommend getting additional 4 or 5mm foam to properly fill out the pockets. The factory heating pads can become compressed and new are no longer available, at least the bottoms. I took the first bottom cover back off to add additional foam and it made a very noticeable difference in look and seating comfort.

Two other shops I'd visited used GAHH as well. One of them was an award winning 2nd generation upholsterer that has been around 35 years.

I'm very happy with the results.

drew

 

[maw1124]

One question... if the heated seats work fine before this work, how big is the risk of them becoming mangled by this procedure?

maw

 

[gsxr]

One question... if the heated seats work fine before this work, how big is the risk of them becoming mangled by this procedure?

maw

The risk is low, IMO. However, you might want to fire up the bun warmers and use an IR gun to check the heat on each of the SIX separate panels on each seat (12 total). I bet you'll find some are not working, most likely some of the side bolsters on the driver seat.

As mentioned earlier in this thread (IIRC), you can swap left to right, which you might want to do anyway as the pads are NLA and the passenger side is usually in better shape. The passenger heating elements are usually all good, the failures tend to be on the driver seat.

Since the center elements are electrically separate, you may THINK they are all working, but only the IR gun will prove it.

 

[PJmak]

I was quoted a bit under 3k for front and rear seat covers and headrests from GAHH.

How much is labor for a job like this on average if you take it to a good shop to have it installed?

 

[gerryvz]

You should probably tack on another $1,500 for labor for four car seats. This is with an EXPERIENCED shop. You may be able to take some off of that if you remove the seats and bring them in yourself.

 

[maw1124]

Thanks @gsxr ... I haven't used them in a while but last I did they burn just like the S55 on 2... just when you look down you're glad it's backed off to 1... but good advice if I ever get there... obviously weighing risk reward as there is no need.

Cheers,

maw

 

[szvook]

GAHH can also do the installation work, but they charge way more than $1,500 for labor. The upside, they have done so many and know the cars.

 

[Whitemamba23]

Spoke with a GAHH customer service agent today on the phone. GAHH acquired GAT but GAT is still ran by the same individual or team as before. I made sure to ask her if GAHH manufactures GATs covers and she said that they do. Makes me wonder about the price difference , especially if it’s the same exact material. I’ll be calling GAT tomorrow to see what other information I can get.

 

[sheward]

I replaced some missing pictures of the final installation of the GAHH seat covers. I'm very happy with the results. I'll take the car to a shop and have the few wrinkles steamed smooth eventually.