Replacement seats E28 M5

bhz1 · Post by **bhz1** » Aug 25, 2006 9:21 AM

The seats in my M5 are really worn and cracked after 141,000 miles. In looking at various options, it seems that most folks have them reupholstered or use leatherique refinishing. I know that I could just go out and buy Recaros, but was hoping there was a less costly alternative. Do any seats from other (newer) BMW models fit the E28 M5 without major modification?

ricky-b · Post by **ricky-b** » Aug 25, 2006 1:26 PM

Any sport seat from an e28 chassis car will fit.
Some are manual rather than electric though. I've heard of e30 chassis seats being fitted with minimal modification.
My m5 needs front seat help as well, and the best option I found was to go through "the Artisian" on this board.
He makes pre-stitched upholstery kits for our cars.
Someone on this board had a thread going a while back chronicling his procedure with this kit.
It seemed to me a better deal than hoping to find a nice set of Pearl Beige sport seats and paying out the nose for them.

Steve Haygood · Post by **Steve Haygood** » Aug 25, 2006 5:35 PM

pm atrisian on this board and tell him I sent you

Kenny Blankenship · Post by **Kenny Blankenship** » Aug 25, 2006 7:43 PM

Are you anywhere near San Diego? There is an upholstry shop there several members have used which is very reasonable. I think the shop is called Jim's.

bhz1 · Post by **bhz1** » Aug 25, 2006 8:38 PM

I believe I have already e-mailed Artisan if he's who I think he is. Going to take a look at my seats and figure out if I want to attempt installation on my own. If any of you have doen this, how hard is it? Is it easy to get them to look right? The pictures I have seen look great. I'm fairly handy but have never done upholstery. I have painted my hood and trunk after my 11 year old scratched them "helping" to remove a sheet of ice last winter.

And, no, sadly I'n not near San Diego, I'm all the way across the country near Philly.

Steve Haygood · Post by **Steve Haygood** » Aug 26, 2006 10:03 AM

the job is completely doable

bhz1 · Post by **bhz1** » Aug 27, 2006 3:47 PM

Question for any of you who have installed the seat upholstery kits. Do they have padding in them or are they just leather? Do they go right over the top of the exisiting leather or does that come off? How does this effect the functioning of the seat heaters?

Sorry for all the questions but want to make the right decision.

Steve Haygood · Post by **Steve Haygood** » Aug 27, 2006 7:48 PM

Comes with just the leather, Remove the old and replace with new. Padding is not included, with Kevin's kits anyway.

ricky-b · Post by **ricky-b** » Aug 27, 2006 11:47 PM

If your foam is in decent shape you may be able to just " fill in" deformed areas with foam, cut into small bits. Or use cotton batting from a fabric supply store. I did this to repair a shot drivers side seat bolster when a buddy of mine sewed a leather patch in for me. Quick fix until I can do the whole sha-bang. Gives a good dose of charachter!

The OEM foam may still be available from BMW
Check
http://www.realoem.com

bhz1 · Post by **bhz1** » Aug 28, 2006 1:57 PM

Wow! thanks for the tip on realoem.com. This will save me so much time whenever I need to look up part numbers! I must have spent an hour trying to find the part number (unsuccessfully)for the plastic seat side trim pieces I would like to replace when i re-do the seats. Both are broken. In less than a minute I located the number on this site.

cga · Post by **cga** » Dec 23, 2006 8:24 PM

I also need a kit for both of my front seats, after 204,000 mile they are worn. Can someone help with getting in contact with who make these kits.

Thanks

Chris
88M5
Huntingtown,MD

lkfoster · Post by **lkfoster** » Dec 24, 2006 9:49 AM

Kevin's site is here. Everything I've heard is positive about the quality of his kits. From what I understand he uses oem hides.

http://www.creativeoptions.info/Leather.htm

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Replacement seats E28 M5

Replacement seats E28 M5