Best upholstery source? Need to re-do all seats in my 1977 450SEL

[7CATS]

What's the best place to get new MB Tex seat upholstery? Prices look great on German Star but that scares me. Maybe it's because it's in Alabama and not CA? Of course it could be quality related. Need some recommendations.

[ptashek]

World Upholstery or GAHH.
In my case World Upholstery had a perfect match both for colour and grain, at least in moss green / avocado. Finish and overall quality, not so much though.
The original MB-Tex is perforated, theirs isn't. It's embossed instead. I just drove 2000km on those seats in >30*C heat, and because of the lack of perforation they were brutal at times. No breathability whatsoever.

Also, stitching leaves much to be desired. It was finished rather poorly in a few spots providing for excessive stress on the seams.
Fit was very tight on a brand new set of seat pads, both front and rear, and extra work was required to make sure the stitching doesn't come apart in use.

I have no experience with GAHH.

[floyd111]

There's been a lot of talk on the forum about this. Just type GAHH in the search box and read some older posts about this. Depending on your needs, you may not have to go all-out and replace everything.

[UTn_boy]

Stick with GAHH.  They have the correct materials and their fitment is usually excellent. GAHH's fitment is very tight, and you'll say several choice words i the process, but when it's completed it'll look wonderful. 

Regarding world upholstery, what Ptashek said is spot on.  Everything I've seen that comes from them fits horribly, and often times looks even worse. 

[Malaysian]

Just to make sure...LHD and RHD models share same upholstery...? Yes? Unlike carpets...

If you are looking maybe we can block buy and save a buck? Maybe?

[karmann_20v]

Last winter when I was doing research on replacement front leather seat covers, I got the following suppliers:

GAHH  $1287 + 90 for the armrest
World upholstery $1200 + headrests and armrest
German Auto Tops (GAT)  $895 complete
Germanstar $875 complete
Topsonline $695 complete

I am sure they all supply MB TEX covers as well, which may even be the way to go for me from a durability/economy standpoint.

I've been doing alot of reading on R107 forums, because these cars outnumber the remaining W116 by 20:1 (or more IMO) and there are people who were perfectly satisfied with the fit/material quality and customer service provided by the cheapest supplier and others who said that the most expensive one used very thin leather that may deteriorate very quickly and everything in between. The info is there in the 107 circles, I wish there were some 116 comparisons going beyond GAHH and World Upholstery.

[UTn_boy]

I'm currently working with HYDES leather Inc.  I've sent them factory W116 leather samples.  They'll only be a supplier, but the point is that we'll no longer have to put the incorrect leather on the seats.  All of the places listed, except GAHH, only sell the modern vat dyed leather.  GAHH currently offers "old timer" leather, which is supplied through Hans Reinke in Germany.  However, until Hans Reinke receives the leather samples, GAHH, HYDES, and Hans Reinke will not be able to supply the correct orange bamboo.  Most people don't realize that the bamboo used prior to the W116 era was a different shade of bamboo, and most places, like GAHH, world, etc. only offer the early shade of bamboo, not the later W116 orange bamboo.  In addition, the "old timer' leather is geared more towards the pre W116 era, so the embossing, or the "pebble" look, will not be present.  No worries though, HYDES has the ability to emboss the W116 graining on to the correct surface dyed hydes. 

The problem with all of the places mentioned except GAHH is that when a MB Tex cover lit is made, they don't give the material a true embossing...it's only a surface depression and not all of the way though....just like Ptashek mentioned.  Some things we just can't cheap out on.  Often times we'll be sorry.  I certainly have been in the past. 

[Malaysian]

We will wait for Hydes then as I am in desperate need of the orange bamboo. Good luck!

[7CATS]

This car is in amazing condition because it is a garage find that sat inside for 20 years. I just got it towed to my house and it actually has leather seats so I will be going with leather. It is Parchment color, seat covers quite dried out but the headrests are fine.

[daantjie]

Aaron, do you have an update on Hydes?  I just realized that this guy is pretty much down the road from me here in BC Canada, wow small world indeed...

[UTn_boy]

Daantjie, yes, the leather from Hydes passes inspection, and is worth every penny.  Contact the owner, Aaron Lathewait at (604) 671-0379.  Tell him that I, Aaron Householder, sent you, and that you're looking for some surface dyed Parchment leather for your Mercedes.  Let us know how it goes. 

[daantjie]

Cool thanks Aaron. Yup already emailed him and he came back super quick. Still so weird that such a specialist shop is pretty much in my back yard

[floyd111]

I am also looking forward at the data, especially as to what they would charge for a complete outfit in (bambus) leather, as to compare costs with GAHH.

[UTn_boy]

Stan, I think HYDES only sells the the leather.  I don't think they make up kits.  When I buy from HYDES or Aeristo, I have to send the leather to GAHH to have the kits made up.  However, I do believe that HYDES will do the period correct perforations.  Just be aware of what year your car is when ordering.  Before 1975, the hides were full grain, (smooth look about the leater) and after 1975 the hides used in W116 cars was embossed to give what we refer to as the "pebbly" look to the surface.  Obviously, the embossing isn't a necessary item if one isn't concerned about originality. 

Also, I have a sample of their bamboo, and it's so close that even I can't tell a difference.  Though, if one isn't happy with a particular color, Aaron Lathewait will custom match colors for you and not stop until you're happy. He's a hell of a guy that is underappreciated.