While I love my Jags, the seat leather quality is just abysmal. I've got a 1999 VDP and 2003 XJR that need replacement driver's side leather seat covers. The XJR seat has perforated leather. Neither seat cover can be repaired.

I've seen options for XK8s, but none for XJs. I don't even really care if the replacement for the XJR is perforated. The car is not a show car, just a daily driver, but the seat leather is on the verge of just falling apart just as the VDP's did at similar mileage (120K).

Compare that with the seat leather on my 1999 BMW M3 with nearly 190,000 miles on it. It certainly doesn't look new, but it isn't falling apart either.

Any tips appreciated.

-Mike

 

Personally, I would go to a local car trimmer (with a good reputation) and have them repair the seats.


Or use the local breakers/pick and pull yard!


Once repaired or replaced, treat them to some hide food regularly, as that seems to be the root cause of your problem.... lack of care/maintenance!

 

+1

My 2000 XJR got almost 110k mls on the clock and the leather trim still looks quite good. I bought it with 92k mls and the preowner probably has taken good care of the leather.
At least every 3-6 months I apply some leather care - works great and is worth it. It isn't costly and just takes a couple of minutes, if you're doing the driver's seat only (apply with a cloth, gently rub and let it dry for half a day). I'm using kind of a milky lotion which keeps the leather smooth and soft so that it doesn't dry out and prevents the leather from getting rough or cracked.

Cheers, Alexander

 

I think it has more to do with Texas heat. Leatherique and other similar products were used regularly - didn't make a whole lot of difference.

-Mike

 

I think Mike is right. I remember years ago visiting a girl friend in League City Texas outside of Houston where she worked on the International Space Station (made the regrettable mistake of marrying her twice!). She had a towel on the front seat to cover the steering wheel when parked, and another under the seat, in case she forgot. All Texans use a two finger touch on the wheel due to the intense heat. I think it was 112* that weekend.

Who in their right mind . . . . HTTR!

 

My method for dealing with the heat is simple, I ain't shoveling snow. Cars here don't rust, but ones that work for a living as opposed to garage queens, take a beating on both the interior and exterior finishes.

-Mike

 

I recently saw 2 excellent condition front seats on E-Bay.

 

Living in FL I have a similar heat issue as you TXE36, ...I just have 110% humidity to deal with in accordance.
I had my seats repaired and dyed (front/back) just over a year ago. A full replacement was $2600 (2 quotes) w/install. I took them to this other guy (Lane Dickey) and he said he could replace the bad panels (center and front lip driver and 1 side passenger panel) and sand down the bad spots and dye all for $800 plus a little extra pad for my but....and they dyed the steering wheel to match. Still looks awesome and I thus recommend what Andrew lowe says. Don't give up thinking your seat is unrepairable until you get a good upholsterer to look at it.