Got a quote to upholster the front seats (entire bottoms) where your butt sits on for $800 ($400 each side) total. These guys does work for the local Acura dealer and the leather will be the same as original. What do you all think of this price??? I have a 2006 TL with ~100K miles which will be given to my dear daughter soon.

 

I guess nobody here have experience with replacing the leather on their seats?

 

If they are making a new cover make sure it's leather and not vinyl. If the are making the cover and not replacing bad panels in the cover long with install that's not bad, but have you priced a new cover? At the shop I manage we would charge about 2 hours to install a new cover.

 

Whats the price of buying the replacement cover from Acura? Mine was replaced but it was warranty.

 

My original quote is for real leather, the same type of leather as Acura replacement. Just checked with Acura, it's $1300 for them to do it. The young Acura lady told me I should consider taking it to the same upholster that I got the original quote from as they do great work. The question is, does it make sense to put $800 for the front seat covers and another $400 on the back seats on a $7500 car. I'm leaning to a 'NO'.

 

Interesting question...while it's true that your TL may not be worth as much these days, if it's otherwise in good running condition and looks good as well, and you have no plan to get rid of it, then it makes perfect sense to keep it looking good on the inside as well. It's generally less expensive to repair than replace, unless the condition of the car is so far gone that you're better off buying new. $800 for new seat covers will make the interior like new again and it'll prevent you from getting stuck in payments on a new car that likely doesn't do much more than what you currently have. That's my opinion anyway.

 

I could be out to lunch, but for that price wouldn't it be worth looking into getting some seats from a wrecker? The leather won't be brand new, but I'd imagine the price being close to the same and you're getting a lot more than just two pieces of leather.

I've never pulled the seats out on the TL yet (I will in the spring when I shampoo the carpet), but for every other car I've ever owned, it was no more then 15 minutes to pull an entire seat. Just four bolts, a harness clip (for the electrical/airbag stuff) and go.

 

Well said, sir.

 

I've briefly looked into this and if you're patient, this is the best route. Full seats sell for $200 at Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market or Pick-n-Pull » Home. Condition will vary, of course, so that's something to consider...

 

I will look into the used parts market for lower portion of the seats but a pull over cloth seat cover for the lower part of the seats seem reasonable in my situation. BTW, my car does run and look great.

 

Was the $1300 for parts and labor for both seats?

 

$1300 is parts and labor for replacing both seat bottoms with leather covers ($650 each) where the upholster do them for $400 each.

 

Acura leather is paper thin, I would suggest some thicker stuff that will actually stand up to wear....