Need Advice - Upholstery Shop or Audi Tech Able to Change R8 OEM Leather Seat Covers!

[z356]

I recently purchased a MY2011 R8 v8 Spyder (3847 miles) with 'Black/Alcantara' seats. I then placed a 'Wanted Ad' for a 'Red' interior in the R8Talk Classifieds! I was contacted a few days ago by someone that had a full set of 'Amulet Red' R8 interior for sale - leather seat covers, headrests, door panels (see attached photos). It came from a California owner who recently changed the interior of his almost new '11 v10 (with only 700 miles of use) to 'Black w. deviating red stitching'! His R8's 'Red' interior was too close to the 'Red' cabin of his Mercedes SLS Gullwing! This is an incredible find! Needless to say, I am extremely delighted to have them! My 'Lava Gray' Spyder will look extra nice with this 'Amulet Red' factory interior!

Now I need to find someone in Northern California that can put this interior in my R8 correctly and at a fair cost!

1) Can anyone that has done this before on an R8 give me an idea of the hours of work needed to do this job and an estimated overall cost?

2) I live in Carmel, CA. Would like to have recommendations on an experienced upholsterer in the San Francisco Bay / San Jose Area that can be trusted with this type of work. I prefer someone who has actual experience previously exchanging covers on the Audi R8 seats. I have a good upholstery shop here in Monterey area but they have never done an R8 seat to date.

I have read in other internet forums (including Audi TTRS) and have heard of labor costs from $300 to $1000 to do this work. Installing the door panels is relatively easy. Exchanging leather covers on the seats is the trick! An experienced reupholster or Audi technician that has done an R8 seat before should be the ideal candidate to do this job! I would love to hear from any of you that have had actual experience in doing or paying for this 'exchange' of interiors using the original factory sport seats underpinnings!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel, CA

PS. I will have 'Black Leather & Alcantara' Seat covers, headrests and door seats for sale shortly. Let me know if anyone needs this low mileage / lightly used set!

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[kedaR]

Is there any potential issue with the Airbag function when changing the seat covers?

[carolinacat]

Im interested in the alcantara stuff pm when ready to sell.

[Audi-OEM]

z356 - amazing find !!
Needle in a haystack story.

Got your PM on the seat covers. I honestly have no clue about how long this would take. I normally use a locally based specialist re-upholsterer. Would take them about half a day to swap over. This is not an Audi specialist job...this is much more of an upholstery specialist job.

I really think that your local upholstery shop should have no problems in doing this.

[z356]

Is there any potential issue with the Airbag function when changing the seat covers?

No. This is done quite often. First thing to do is disconnect battery. But seat covers are exchanged all the time - due to wear, tears, etc!

Im interested in the alcantara stuff pm when ready to sell.

Carolinacat. You are third in line after Radek (kedaR) and T-bone. They sent PM's at 7:00 and 7:07 respectively. I still have to exchange the covers successfully and price my used 'Black/Alcantara' set!

z356 - amazing find !!
Needle in a haystack story.

Got your PM on the seat covers. I honestly have no clue about how long this would take. I normally use a locally based specialist re-upholsterer. Would take them about half a day to swap over. This is not an Audi specialist job...this is much more of an upholstery specialist job.

I really think that your local upholstery shop should have no problems in doing this.

Thanks, Osman. Needle in the haystack indeed!

Saludos,
Eduardo

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[slammedr8]

Wow,,

Nice find....

[NavySubOfficer]

That'll be a unique combination - haven't seen the Lava with red before!

[z356]

That'll be a unique combination - haven't seen the Lava with red before!

Thanks Chris. I have only seen it once since I have been looking - on a v10 Spyder for sale currently in the Boston area.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...&&aff=national


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I think it will look pretty good!

Saludos,
Eduardo

PS Need R8Talk forum members to make recommendation re: a shop or Audi tech that can do the switch of interiors! So far I don't have any suggestions!

[carolinacat]

Its no biggie.

[z356]

Its no biggie.

I understand. But I just wanted you to know that other folks contacted me first via PM's. It is just the courteous modality by which we operate in forums like this. If they pass when it goes for sale, I will let you know. Thanks for your interest in any case.

Saludos,
Eduardo