Leather interior

[CJ]

Just wondering what the interest level is out there as regards leather retrims? This is something I've been thinking about for some time - I've been keeping an eye on the FTOOC group buy, they seem to have lots of issues and it appears that the company they were dealing with are closing up shop soon. This is a pity because IIRC the price came in under €700 which was excellent value and the work was top quality.

Dave, I know you're still in contact with the guy who did yours, could you get in touch with him and ask what sort of money he would be talking? (hopefully less that what you originally paid!) It would be useful to know if he requires the car or did he make up a template (know I asked you this before but can't remember the response!).

Speedyboy, did you take down the number of that retrim guy (S. O'Conner) at the Motorshow that time, I deleted it by mistake The prices that his mate was quoting were pretty reasonable. He also made a good point about trimming the rear in leatherette to save a few quid (how often do your rear seats get used anyway?).

If anyone else has any info or experience with other retimmers, post it here.

If we have enough people interested, we should be able to negotiate a discount of some description.

CJ

[Dave]

Ciaran,
best bet would be to give him a ring and see what he does now, guaranteed it will come in less than mine but when he did mine he hadn't been doing a lot so he might have changed routine and take the car or do up the template.
i think DarrenO has a few contacts, should send him a PM and he'll send you on some contact details, there's some guy in Clane that is meant to be fairly crap hot!

[Myfeckin FTO]

Has anyone had any experience of Nolan Auto Care on the Old Naas Rd.
I spoke to these guys in the past re a re-trim - they where able to do it in a couple of fabrics as well as leather.

Also C & L Carlux (I think) in Galway - these guys were more expensive but they really seemed to know their stuff - but would do leather only. My two seats on the Mazda were priced at €800.

Can't find the details for a crew in Cork - & they had the best price by far.

MfFTO

[Dave]

what colour have you decided to go for?

[CJ]

what colour have you decided to go for?

My preference would be for black with grey horizontally stitched centre sections and if possible, a grey FTO logo stitched in the headrests.

CJ

[Dave]

tasty!

[silverfox]

Simon o Connors number is 087-6233236. His work is savage and this is his website.. http://www.zenithautomotive.com/index.html.

[CJ]

Nice one silverfox, just what I was looking for.

CJ

[silverfox]

He is based out in clane behind Fire n ice!! He worked on Dan from Max powers skiline. He retrimmed it all and made a custom sound system from red leather!!

[Mustang]

CJ was there any more feedback from the UK boys on the leather lovers leather trim for the fto?
http://www.leatherlovers.biz/

[CJ]

CJ was there any more feedback from the UK boys on the leather lovers leather trim for the fto?
http://www.leatherlovers.biz/

The company is in the process of closing down AFAIK, they had lots of problems trying to fulfil orders in time, some people were waiting months after paying up before they got their retrims.

CJ

[CJ]

I spoke with Simon this afternoon, you're talking somewhere in the region of €700 - €800 per retrim - that includes all seats, 2 door cards a leather gearstick gaitor for you manual owners out there. The price also includes fitting. He did say that there would be a substantial discount if a few of clubbed together, thats something that could be worked out at a later date. He sounds pretty professional and knows what hes talking about, I mentioned the issue with the foam breaking down on the RHS of the drivers seat, this is countered by adding a layer of foam onto the back of the leather (which is done anyway) and tight fitting covers. He said he would need a car for 4-5 days to get a template (he hasn't done an FTO before), after that, I would guess it could be fitted in one day.

I've also sent a mail to the guy responsible for the FTOOC group buy to see what the state of play is. For those of you interested, can you please add your name to this post so as I have an idea of interested parties.

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

For those of you interested, can you please add your name to this post so as I have an idea of interested parties. CJ

MfFTO would be v interested at this price.

[Dave]

hmmm, i may take this option up as well, i know i have it done already but i'm thinking of getting it re-done, stick what i have in the new one the "mother" is getting! might also get a few other bits done.
i take it that it's real genuine leather!

[CJ]

Ok, update from the UK, Leather Lovers dissapeared and as a result, the guys got another company on board to take up the slack, his prices are slightly higher due to overheads (awaiting new prices) but the work looks top quality, check out this pic of a grey/black interior (the one I'm after). The piping and stitching really helps to set it off.

CJ

[CJ]

Prices back from the UK, a minimum of 4 orders to include 2 tone leather, front and rear, piping, logo stitching, door cards, gaitor and glue all to include delivery will come in just under €800. I need to get back in touch with Simon O'Connor as it works out that another owner has paid a lot more than the figures I received. Lets start off a list:

CJ
MfFTO
...


CJ

[Dave]

provisionally me!

[CJ]

provisionally me!

C'mon Dave, its choice time!. I've another 2 owners offline who are provisionals as well...

CJ

[Dave]

well i need to either sell it on as is or i have to wait till the mother picks up an FTO in the mean time!!!

as long as the cash is right, count me in.

[CJ]

as long as the cash is right, count me in.

You can't argue with 800 quid! I spoke with someone recently and the same work in an FTO cost them nearly €1700, yes, €1700. While fitting is not included in the UK price, its still a fantastic deal if you ask me.

CJ

[Dave]

and what about this guy in clane? i know i would much prefer to get it done in ireland rather than sending abroad for it. you;ve no come back if something goes wrong.

[CJ]

and what about this guy in clane?

Thats were the €1700 job was done, thats why I need to recheck.

i know i would much prefer to get it done in ireland rather than sending abroad for it

Same here, but if the local price is substantailly more then its all down to economics.

you;ve no come back if something goes wrong.

The company will stand over their work, from what I can gather, the UK lads are very happy with the results.

I understand your discomfort, if we decide to go the UK route then you might be better off waiting to see the results first. Bear in mind that the price will be increased somewhat on smaller orders.

CJ

[Dave]

well is that price with Clane confirmed or once off?
i would have my doubts about the UK supplier, seeing that i already have an alright job, don't want to spend a load of cash again and get the same standard, if the Clane guy is astronomical i doubt i will go through the UK.

[Myfeckin FTO]

well is that price with Clane confirmed or once off?
i would have my doubts about the UK supplier, seeing that i already have an alright job, don't want to spend a load of cash again and get the same standard, if the Clane guy is astronomical i doubt i will go through the UK.

CJ,

The fitting price is going to be important - there is no point in spending €800 for the trim and then another €800 to fit - it would make more sense to just get a single company to handle trim and fitting.

If we can find an Irish supplier (like Nolan Autocare off the Naas rd) who can come up with a template and offer the club a deal then we are in business. I would call into Nolan autocare myself only I'm not in Dublin anytime soon. Is there any chance anyone would be passing there one of these days?? - They said they would need to see the car before they would give out a definitive price - they would also be open to discussing discounts on a number of cars as once the initial template is done up it would be easier for them to quote a cheaper price.

[CJ]

The fitting price is going to be important - there is no point in spending €800 for the trim and then another €800 to fit - it would make more sense to just get a single company to handle trim and fitting

Personally, this is not an issue for me as I'd be comfortable fitting it myself, I understand thats not for everyone though. If I can save a few hundred quid by doing the labour myself, I be inclined towards the UK route.

If we can find an Irish supplier (like Nolan Autocare off the Naas rd)

Dave, seeing as you're in the area during the day, what about paying them a visit?

CJ