So, I picked up an M E36 last week and I want to have the upholstery treated kindly before it becomes an issue. In short, I want to have the leather swapped from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat to even out the wear. Thankfully, there are no tears yet but the outer bolsters are more worn than the inners. Additionally, I would like someone who knows what they are doing to clean and treat (dye?) the leather to give me the best shot of getting another few years of wear out of the surfaces without tears or cracks.

Anyone around here have a good recommendation that will not break the bank?

Tal

So, I picked up an M E36 last week and I want to have the upholstery treated kindly before it becomes an issue. In short, I want to have the leather swapped from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat to even out the wear. Thankfully, there are no tears yet but the outer bolsters are more worn than the inners. Additionally, I would like someone who knows what they are doing to clean and treat (dye?) the leather to give me the best shot of getting another few years of wear out of the surfaces without tears or cracks.

Anyone around here have a good recommendation that will not break the bank?

Tal

Tim's Auto Upholstery in Duluth. Right off Buford highway just north of pleasant hill behind Howards. PM me for better pricing than retail.

Tim's Auto Upholstery in Duluth. Right off Buford highway just north of pleasant hill behind Howards. PM me for better pricing than retail.

I 2nd Tim's. I have used them 2x and they did a great job!

there is no way possible to swap them..just get them resprayed...

there is no way possible to swap them..just get them resprayed...

Thanks, that is what I have since been told. I am going to have them prepared and treated.

Tal

actually your incorrect, I have swapped the Upholstery from the passenger side to drivers side, its not that hard to do at all. The directions are available if you use the search function.

Simply put you remove the seats, remove headrests, undo the two screws on the very bottom of the back of the seat, remove tilt handles, the back will pop off, remove leather from around holding clips (this will remove the entire back padding and leather together) repeat to passenger side and your done.

The bottom cushion is a bit trickier, but simply pull straight up and it will pull off. then their are two screws that hold the extender in place. remove and swap.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36419

Thanks Nate. I have seen the "swap the leather from side to side" instructions on the net, specifically in the very thread you referenced, but I am a little leery of engaging in this kind of project myself. The risk of ever so slightly screwing something up is too great, detail stuff is not my cup of tea, so I am looking for someone who works with these kind of materials on a regular basis to do it.

To go ahead and step out in the open as a complete idiot, part of the cleaning that I thought the seats needed was actually the "mulberry" interior.

I have much to learn.

Tal

actually your incorrect, I have swapped the Upholstery from the passenger side to drivers side, its not that hard to do at all. The directions are available if you use the search function.

got ya, ya its a bit tedious for beginners. I just hope they dont charge you an arm and a leg to do it.