Has anyone used www.lseats.com?

[Quick4door]

My front seats are in good shape meaning no tears or rips or discoloration, but they have gone hard, unfortunately. I have tried rejuvenating leather several times and talked to a local interior shop who said that they are going to be very difficult to ever get back to the original pliability. So, short of finding a really nice set used which in my neck of the woods is difficult, I’m looking at replacing the seat covers. I found this company that advertises leather seat covers, but didn’t know if anyone had use them directly. For what it’s worth mine is a 400 E with non-sport seats and no heat.

1991-1995 Mercedes E320 Custom Real Leather Seat Covers (Front)

1991-1995 Mercedes E320 Front leather seats cover are manufactured using superior cow leather. These seats are primarily used as replacements for the factory seats cover. If you are looking to replace new seats cover on your car, then you will need to remove the old cover first. The installation...

www.lseat.com

 

[Quick4door]

As a follow up, is there anything that anyone could suggest that I do if and when I rebuild these?

 

[gsxr]

My front seats are in good shape meaning no tears or rips or discoloration, but they have gone hard, unfortunately. I have tried rejuvenating leather several times and talked to a local interior shop who said that they are going to be very difficult to ever get back to the original pliability.

What products have you used to rejuvenate the original leathers, and what process?

So, short of finding a really nice set used which in my neck of the woods is difficult, I’m looking at replacing the seat covers. I found this company that advertises leather seat covers, but didn’t know if anyone had use them directly. For what it’s worth mine is a 400 E with non-sport seats and no heat.

$349 for all 4 is too good to be true, and the reviews posted are not great. You likely won't be happy with those. The old, "hard" leather will probably be much better than the new cheap stuff. And you'll be out HOURS of labor for the swap.

Search the forum for info on GAT and GAHH leathers, which cost 3x-4x but are worth it. Buy once, cry once...

 

[kegmankipp]

In our car’s Homeland this is all they use. Best I’ve tried by far. Used by all the vintage Recaro guys and Museums across Europe.

Use very sparingly.



COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver
wax to restore, care, nourish and waterproof leather car interior, handbags, chesterfield sofas, etc (125 ml)

Amazon.com

 

[Alphasud40]

Mercedes leather of the period is substantial as compared to current trends. Recently worked on a 14 BMW seat. With the cover off I swore it was vinyl material but it was not. The leather was 1mm thick and I’m being generous. Absolute garbage IMNHO.

 

[2phast]

This question has floated around the VW forums as well. To date, no one has reported back if they have bought one of these leather kits and whether or not the quality was good or not.

 

[nocfn]

I have used GAHH leathers for my C126 and they were perfect. I would stick with a known supplier.

 

[ace10]

Lseat is a common budget solution in the Land Cruiser world.
Fitment, depending on skill of installer, ranges from Pretty Good to Eeek!, in my estimation.

Quality has gone downhill. In regularly used vehicles, these kits were lasting 3-4++ years, whereas now, they're breaking down in one. Tears in the material. Seams splitting. Side areas that have faux leather, the finish is flaking off.

Don't do it.

 

[ace10]

1 year



20K miles

 

[maw1124]

This question has floated around the VW forums as well. To date, no one has reported back if they have bought one of these leather kits and whether or not the quality was good or not.

Lseat is a common budget solution in the Land Cruiser world.
Fitment, depending on skill of installer, ranges from Pretty Good to Eeek, in my estimation.
Quality has gone downhill. In regularly used vehicles, these kits were lasting 3-4++ years, whereas now, theyre breaking down in one. Tears in the material. Seams splitting. Side areas that have faux leather, the finish is flaking off.

Dont do it.

Same for the E46M community. Stay away. @gsxr said it best. Too good to be true.

maw

 

[Quick4door]

Thanks for all of the info gents. Looks like I’ll check out the two manufacturers gsxr and nocfm recommended. I agree- the old leather is REAL thick- I heard from an old Mercedes tech j worked with that the lower skirting on leather seats of this age were rumored to be buffalo and not cow as it lasts longer. I can’t substantiate it but it sure makes sense.

As far as what I’ve done, it’s reasonably minute in the grand scheme of things. I’ve used Lexol cleaner with a stiff bristled brush, repeated this after a day, then applied the conditioner and let the car sit in the sun to dry. I’ve done that twice, it gets the soft parts really soft. But, the base on both front seats unfortunately got too much sun on their past. The left side is taught but still some pliability, but the right has gone hard in a few spots. I don’t know how to bring that back around and figured replacement would be the only way. If the elephant hide cream above works or could work, I’m willing to give it a shot.

 

[gsxr]

If the elephant hide cream above works or could work, I’m willing to give it a shot.

The elephant wax is reasonably priced and worth a try. I haven't used it but also want to try it out.

Leatherique is generally well regarded, but costs more, and is a more involved process. Search the forum for more info on that 2-step treatment.

 

[kegmankipp]

The elephant wax is reasonably priced and worth a try. I havent used it but also want to try it out.

Leatherique is generally well regarded, but costs more, and is a more involved process. Search the forum for more info on that 2-step treatment.

View attachment 162753

I have used Leatherique for 15 years but in the last year since I found the Elephant, the Leatherique has just sat on the shelf unused.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

last year since I found the Elephant

The "Colorlock" like this one? https://www.amazon.com/COLOURLOCK-Elephant-Preserve-waterproof-chesterfield/dp/B01FWCAXU2/

Re: LSeat... I have a complete skins for R129 that I've installed, but has not been in the car yet. Overall, the fit and finish for R129 is very good and the set is all 100% leather (there is no vinyl inserts in the set)

$349 for all 4 is too good to be true, and the reviews posted are not great. You likely wont be happy with those. The old, hard leather will probably be much better than the new cheap stuff. And youll be out HOURS of labor for the swap.

I took a chance on those, reviews are allover the place for sure and as @ace10 said:

Fitment, depending on skill of installer, ranges from Pretty Good to Eeek!

Agree 100% I've seen GAHH looking absolutely terrible, particularly on facelift R129 seats, I'm sure installer has a lot do do with that! An old installer told me years ago, when you work with this older MB and Audi cars, you absolutely have to add additional foam and/or "jute" to compensate for years and years of use/compression of the factory seats under your ass and whoever used those seats before you.

My personal experience (and I'm no professional installer)... I started with ordering their sample card



Stitching is good, all full 100 soft dyed through leather. Fit is good (and yes, I used extra "jute" to compensate. Massaging, steaming and spanking is needed for sure.





I've also ordered extra matching leather bulk for the door panel inserts



Headrests finished as well



There few more pics of installation here Interior - restoration R129

I wanted to try DIY, and at $349, I don't mind, at least, not for R129. GAHH was going to cost me over $2000 for the same pair of covers... W124 looks a little more involved, and for .036 I don't think it's a good option for sure!

Regards,
D

 

[maw1124]

I've been considering them for the M3. But it won't be a DIY, time is important and I don't want to do it twice. The installer is top notch, and complete new factory seat covers in my color are NLA (I know, at under 20 years). So it's either LSeat or factory leather by the yard and have the installer do his thing. "One and done" has me leaning towards the latter. I'm picky and I'm already running the risk of patina mismatch vs the doors and rear seats. If free is too expensive, cheap ain't far behind.

maw

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Im already running the risk of patina mismatch vs the doors and rear seats.

Maw, that I can pretty much guarantee, the mismatch in patina. In 2018, I scored (if memory serves me right GAHH made) a bottom skin from someone who ordered a pair for their R129, had them installed and removed due to patina mismatched.

And he was correct to no like them. After many years of use, factory leather had shine and luster, where these new ones were dull mate finish. I literally had to take the white wool pad, buffer and gently "polish" out the surfaces to make them match the "ass and back" wear of the rest of the interior. Then, after a month of driving daily (or so), it became 100% match...

Regards,
D

 

[kegmankipp]

@Jlaa who/where did you get your front seat covers?

They are the nicest covers I’ve seen for 500e seats. So crispy clean.

 

[maw1124]

Maw, that I can pretty much guarantee, the mismatch in patina. In 2018, I scored (if memory serves me right GAHH made) a bottom skin from someone who ordered a pair for their R129, had them installed and removed due to patina mismatched.

And he was correct to no like them. After many years of use, factory leather had shine and luster, where these new ones were dull mate finish. I literally had to take the white wool pad, buffer and gently polish out the surfaces to make them match the ass and back wear of the rest of the interior. Then, after a month of driving daily (or so), it became 100% match...

Regards,
D

Yeah D, I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it. I was hoping to do new factory fronts and let that be that since the rear seats look new and go basically unused anyway now that the kids are grown. I might end up the same place "the hard way" with yards of new factory leather. Just more labor, supporting the local economy...

maw

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Yeah D, Im still not sure how Im going to do it. I was hoping to do new factory fronts and let that be that since the rear seats look new and go basically unused anyway now that the kids are grown. I might end up the same place the hard way with yards of new factory leather. Just more labor, supporting the local economy...

maw

Shame these NLA from the factory... You have a good point, if your rears look new, then a new set of made to order from the factory style "yarded" leather does not sound like a bad investment...

 

[Jlaa]

@Jlaa who/where did you get your front seat covers?

They are the nicest covers I’ve seen for 500e seats. So crispy clean.

Thanks. I got GAHH and it was professionally installed and steamed on new OE horsehair pads (no need to build up w jute) by Val’s Upholstery in SF who unfortunately is now defunct.

 

[alabbasi]

I was an early adopter and bought a set of seat covers for my Jaguar XJ12C but was not impressed, that was probably 2014 or earlier as I was still at my old shop. They were very flat and lacked the contours the original covers had. I agreed with my upholstery guy not to install the fronts. They have improved since or could be better on other cars. I remember seeing some positive reviews from BMW groups when I did mine.

 

[northNH]

While there is obviously leather that has hardened beyond redemption I have had success with more aggressive use of heat than letting whatever softener you apply dry in the sun.

Carefully using a hair dry to get small areas hot to the touch before applying will allow a much larger amount of oil or whatever to soak in and remain absorbed.

 

[tewfiks]

I have first hand knowledge regarding low cost real leather seat covers. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. I bought a set for my 95 E320 cab and had them installed. When I picked the car up I instantly regretted my decision. Ordered a GAHH set later that week. Enough said.

 

[gsxr]

I have first hand knowledge regarding low cost real leather seat covers. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. I bought a set for my 95 E320 cab and had them installed. When I picked the car up I instantly regretted my decision. Ordered a GAHH set later that week. Enough said.

Just curious - what brand/vendor were the low-cost covers?

 

[tewfiks]

I honestly do not recall, but they look exactly like the ones posted in an earlier post. The leather was questionable, the piping was incorrect and there was almost no padding sewn in. I will try and post images if I can find the covers.