My local Acura dealer ruined my original drivers seat by splitting the bottom of the seat with the razor while changing the state inspection sticker. To top it off they denied it, and although they replaced it (a form of admitting guilt), the color of the seat is gray instead of silver, and it does not fit tight as the rest of the seats. The dealer ordered part number 81531-SEP-A31ZC and claim they cannot do anything else for me. As I continue to fight with the dealer to get it right I wonder, who else has had a similar experience?

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blows man ... but the thing is leather comes from different hides so it wont match a hundred percent. when i had to get my passanger seat done it was a pain cuz i had to keep goin back to get it done (get the top replaced to match) ... its gonna be a pain but dont give up ... call acura corporate if u have to

 

how much new covers cost anyway...id love to change up my TL's seats to a Typs-S interior

 

You would need to redo the seat heaters as well since they are different due to the stitching pattern.


For the OP, hides are different and as well dye batches so the leather won't match that well. As well it won't fit as tight since the foam has already been worn a bit from people sitting in it...

 

I see. I guess I will have to continue my fight with the dealer then. Hey after all, they promissed luxury service which they did not deliver, and this qualifies in my opinion.

 

Anywhere between 135.00 at acuraoem.com to 540 plus at crazy dealers like mine

 

Yep, it happened to me on my '06 TL this year, the leather was starting to crack so the dealer replaced the Driver's side seat bottom cover, the color is different AND the grain is different (as in more noticeable), said there's nothing they could do. I suspect the original hides were being cut thinner to make them feel like they were higher quality than they really were and that was causing them to crack.

Something else I noticed recently, I moved the rear shoulder harnesses out of the way to wipe the seat down and the buckle has had some kind of reaction with the leather seat back causing the leather to crack. (there has never been anyone or anything in my back seats)

 

It looks like the vendor, manufacture or supplier is cutting corners. As far as I'm concern this is a problem Acura needs to address. After all, Acura prides themselves for bringing quality/luxury into the segment. So far my dealer is working to schedule an appointment with the Acura rep. I really hope he is on point and not full of crap. If he is full of @#$% I can guarantee a long day for the individual.

 

The hides differ depending on the cow it came from. Simple as that, you can't control nature.

 

Listen, I truly understand the property of hides. I own two other vehicles with full leather, and in my house all my couches are covered by Natuzzi Italian leather. The texture of the leather changes, as it may have the skin imperfections and imprints of veins, scars, etc..., but the color matches. On the Acura replacement seat covers, the color is completely OFF. Are you sure you do not work for Acura? If I wanted cheap leather I would have gone with a lesser brand. I fully understand texture, but when you have a unique machine like the Type-S you get it. The color matching is not even close as it looks like a light gray and the original seats look SILVER as silver can be. Trust me, they are OFF, and Acura is putting it to all of us. Do not be complaisant and stand up for quality; my two cents minus taxes.

 

I wouldn't think that they'd get enough material from one animal to make ALL of my original covers and they all were a very close match to each other especially the color, the new cover is not even close to the old covers, it is much lighter and has way more grain.

The fit of the new cover sucks too.

 

^make sure to ask them to replace the foam as well so you get a better fit

 

As a follow up, the dealer agreed that seat covers were different and have gotten the Acura folks involved. My car is now in the shop getting a second seat cover installed. Will let you all know of the outcome. However, if the difference is to great for comfort I will write Acura headquarters and bring the issue to their attention.

 

true, but you have to remember that the leather comes from the same dye batch so at least the color will match up. Plus the factory has the ability to swap covers in a few minutes to get the best match.