Replacement seat covers and carpets

[iftykhan]

I am looking into replacing seat covers and carpets on my recent purchase and am in need of help please.

I was lucky enough to stumble across a two owner rhd 280 which has covered a mere 800 miles in the last 25 years but interior, especially the carpets, is looking tired.

There is a full set available with world.uph.com who are based in California which seems to cover everything but has anyone fitted these products, and what kind of results achieved?

The carpets in my car were black (I think) but have faded to look more like a dark grey. There are a few sets on ebay but not sure as to the quality so any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Apart from the usual suspects, does anyone have a decent upholsterer in the south of England?

[stickandrudderman]

Iftykhan,
I still have your BBB!
PM me for details about where to get your interior.
Stick

[iftykhan]

Will do buddy.
Like the website by the way!

[Paul & Dolly]

If you are not worried about originality, I can tell you from where I purchased new leather seat facings, and a full carpet set, last year,
but you will still need someone to upholster the seats and fit the carpets.

let me know

Paul

[71Beige280SL]

You should look at your data card. If you don't have it, the Classic Center can email it to you if you give them the VIN. It will tell you the original color of both the seats and carpet. It takes a little deciphering but, the Technical Manual breaks the data card down pretty well. If you are interested in a US supplier, PM me and I can tell you who I ordered from. High quality materials. Very pleased.

[Flyair]

This is a very neat and beautifully arranged interior. Congratulations. BTW, the floor of your garage shows that this old lady enjoys a good life in nearly sterile conditions

[ptooner]

I replaced all of my interior except carpeting with leather from World Upholstery.  I'm very happy with the results.  I will post photos soon when I finish the dash recovering.
Gerry

[KevinC]

Yes...please post...what's your interior color?

[zoegrlh]

You might want to also try GAHH in LA, Calf.  They have the top of the ling leathers.  I had World send me a carpet kit, but I was not pleased, and sent the kit back and went to GAHH.
Bob

[Russell]

i am in same boat but in europe to replace:
the entire interior so all seat covers, carpets and a roll of trim to do all the door cards etc etc
i also need a an entire roof kit and whatever that entails so the roof, any webbing and ties etc and any interior cover (not sure if it has one)

someone said cabrio.de

i would like to get as original as possible and i read a thread about the carpet being 7 twill or some such thing but i now cant find it.

does anyone have any advice as to where to go to buy the lot and also any advice about what to buy if there are variations as i am trying to keep her original (ish) if i can without breaking the bank.

[stickandrudderman]

I buy all of my interiors from KHM and the more I buy the better discount I get and am happy to split that discount for multiple orders. There are at least two of you here in the UK looking to buy interiors.
There's also a lot to know about how to order the correct interior but KHM will happily send you samples in the post. I can't speak for American suppliers but you cannot better their quality here in Europe.

[iftykhan]

Hi Guys,

I will try and get my car over to you sometime next week Colin.
Hopefully we can discuss further then.
Thanks to all members who responded to initial inquiry.

Regards
Ifty

[Russell]

well i am very interested for sure

[Garry]

Colin,

I would also be interestedin a bulk order to KHM.  I  am after leather seats and doors panels and soft top for my 230sl if there is some way to work out delivery ex Germany to AUstas part of the bulk buy as I am sure there is.

Garry

[stickandrudderman]

One interior (no soft top) for a 113 comes in two quite large boxes. I suspect what you gain in the bulk buy you will lose in the extra shipping but I'm willing to look into it.
Specifying your interior is no mean task as, as you all know, there's a few subtle differences between models and years as well as market differences and the best leather comes with a 40% premium attached to it.
Carpet choice will also influence the price.

[andyburns]

I need pretty much a complete interior so am keen on bulk purchase.  Perhaps I can combine with Garry.   I need leather seat covers carpet set door card's and covers leather for dash leather for soft top cover and a new soft top.  I have tried a few places in the us but none have been prepared to offer any sort of discount and have ranged from 3.5 to 5k us plus shipping.  Shipping seems to be an additional 500us.

[drmb]

So if you ship to Australia then to New Zealand you will be up for two lots of import tax.
I usually pay around 250 USD for trim kit shipping ex USA

[Garry]

I did not find any US dealers that sold the correct carpet for the 230, i.e. 7 loop to the inch and used KHM Cabrio who were excellent. My carpet set was  I did not have to pay any duty on them.

I am only after the seat leathers and door covers and nothing else and provided they are under $1000 duty does not apply in Australia so any invoice needs to be below that or the consignment split.  The carpets were around 500 Euro and was about $80 Euro postage when I got them last year, and the leather seats are a little bit more than that so I stay under the $1k threshold. If you added all the rest of the leather items it would be quite a lot and postage would also be considerably more.

I guess the question would be if KHM will split up the consignments on a bulk order to deliver to different places.  When I went and talked to them in person, they were very easy to get along with and went out of their way to try to accommodate what I wanted.

[andyburns]

Agree with you Gary,  all I am after is a bulk discount.  I am happy to settle my own affairs when it comes to shipping and import taxes.  I am sure they wouldn't turn away a 10k + combined order if all they had to do was to spend a bit of extra time with the shipping.

[stickandrudderman]

I'll talk to them. Once I've done that I'll respond to all the messages.
In the mean time, please try and determine for yourself exactly what it is that you'll want.
As I said, they will happily send you samples FOC and the best leather to go for carries a +40% premium. There are about 6 different grades.
I'm currently in the latter stages of a full resto that's having the best grade fitted (black) and it might be prudent to wait until that's finished so I can show you all photos.
Colin

[DaveB]

Sounds great, we look forward to those images.
When you get this underway perhaps you could give KHM a list of participants and each person can converse direct, otherwise it could get a little onerous for you. Still splitting the discount of course - should work out well for all.

[rutger kohler]

Just thought I would weigh into the discussion.  After seeing Garry Marks car in Canberra,(thanks Garry) and getting samples from KHM I ordered a carpet set from them late last month.  They have just emailed me the DHL tracking numbers so looking forward to recieving the carpet set soon. Hope I don't incur customs duty I thought this and or GST only kicked in above NZ1000?

[Garry]

Colin,

Any news from KHM of bulk order?

Garry

[stickandrudderman]

I've been waiting on other interested parties to confirm their instructions before I speak to Klauss.

[andyburns]

I am definitely a starter.  Have received my swatches and picked out my materials.   

Just a quiet warning for anyone buying carpets off ebay, I am 800 dollars down the gurgler after purchasing a rhd set.    The quality and fit were terrible.  The edging was hanging off before I even pulled it out of the box.  The fitment was terrible.  I got a local auto interior guy in to look at it and he confirmed the carpet was ok quality but the workmanship was terrible and wanted another 400 to put it right.  We had to take off all the edging and start again and remake about 3 of the main carpet pieces as they we completely the wrong size.  When I complained the manufacturer and told him the set was a terrible fit and that I would have to re-template it, he asked me if I could send him the template! 

[Garry]

Andy,

They are also the courser square weave carpet for the 280sl and not the 230sl that used Haargarn fine boucle square weave. Alfred, 66andblue, put me on to the correct weave and supplier in Germany.  A little bit extra in cost but their carpets are well made, fit well and are correct. I guess that is why there is so much interest in their interiors, I just need to make sure I get the correct leather set for my 230SL seats.

See here at Item 4, fine weave
http://www.cabrio.de/khm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=12&lang=en#haargarn
 

[andyburns]

Cheers Gary,  I am just going to suck it up and pay for the right stuff this time.  When I brought the last set I wasn't even a member of this forum.  Impatient and eager to get 'quick' fix cosmetic upgrades.  I have decided to go with 406 charcoal fine in my car.  Its probably twice as dense again and has a realy vintage look to it.  Hard to describe.  Sample sitting here on my desk all day.   Have you brought a complete set from KHM in the past?  If so how much did it cost.  I think I am up for a blood bath as I need absolutley everything including soft top!  Am wondering how much its all going to be.  Quite hard to determine from thier price list.

[rutger kohler]

I said I would report back when I had fitted all my KHM carpets, for my 280SL. Although I haven't finally fitted them, have had a dry run and they are perfect. very very pleased.

[Garry]

Andy,

Don't feel too bad,  I threw out an original Hershman electric aerial on my first Pagoda about ten years ago as I did not realise they were originally electrically operated nor had I found this forum either.

 Internally I have so far purchased and installed the carpet set for the 230SL but am looking at purchasing a set of front seat leathers and also the door leathers and will also replace my soft top, hopefully all within the next 12 months. Havent sat down and worked out the total cost of that yet and I noticed that Colin Ferns (stickandrudderman) talked about several levels in quality of leather but the KHM site does not mention different qualities as far as I can see. I am hopeful that Colin is able to negotiate with KHM for a bulk discount and I will purchase with that group when they are ready to do so.

 I am not going to do anymore after that to the car as I am leaving boot/trunk as original, its in very good condition. (where have I heard that before ) I have replaced the soft top hatch with new leather and re-colorised the dash as well and have enough leather left over for the Kinda seat in the rear.  After that the car is or should be in a 9/10 condition having already won the MB Club, Victorian Concourse for best engine bay this year.

Garry

[Valvechatter]

Garry, before too long I intend to reupholstered the soft top cover. Any tips to offer. PM me if you like.
Thanks very much.

Lin

[sandcrab59]

Gary:
Contact Helen Krajcevic at KHM.
She speaks perfect english. I was there 3 weeks ago in Esslingen and met with here for an hour.
She can answer your question about Bulk.
Phone # 0711 35 70 000
Fax # 0711 / 35 79 00 14
Also ask her to send their catalog.
I ordered floor mats for my 280SL this week.
Tom Mrowka

[Garry]

Tom,

Have already visited the factory last year and got carpets, and am just waiting for the outcome of a possible bulk order with the UK members from KHM to get the leather for seats etc.

[Bob G]

Why did you replace the factory Hirschman. I am looking for a good one to put  back in the right front fender. My father screwed up and put a Manny Moe 7 jack unite in the left rear quarter. I want the  car original not for show but for display purposes and for my wife and I to take a Sunday drive.
Curious what you replaced thee antenna with. PM me.
Bob Geco
1968 280SL

[Bob G]

Gary:

Why did you get rid of you Hirshment antennas I am looking for the original electric one fore a. USA 280SL, did you replace it 
With a different antenna. I have a European delivered 19968 Pagoda.
I read you post on carpeting and seat covers is your vendor better than GHH.uckyfor me I have MB Tex, I wam trying to fin the original snap in front carped mats. Would you know we're I can get the
Iorginal driver' for mat with the factory number and star.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Bob Geco
Long Beach section USA

[Garry]

Bob,

Like your father, I screwed up in the early days of ownership not knowing what I had and thought it was a modern aerial that worked with the modern radio fitted. Threw it in the bin and went and purchased a replacement Becker radio and a manual aerial.  Now that is bad, mind you this was late  last century. I have since purchased a no name replica electrical one but now sold the 280SL that it was fitted to, so I can concentrate on my 230SL.

For carpets, interior leather (or MB Tex) and soft top I am using KHM Cabrio ( http://www.cabrio.de/khm/index.php?lang=en ) as I think they are the best makers available of these items at this time.  That is just my opinion but I suggest there are quite a few who will agree. I have no affiliation with then other than having viewed their factory and used their products.

You could contact them and ask about the snap in carpets.  I have not seen a mat with number and star, maybe this is something specific to the American market?

Garry

[sandcrab59]

Order from KHM in Esslingen Germany.
They do it right.
KHM@cabrio.de.
Attn: Helen Krajcevic
Tom Mrowka