Whelp I’m not smiling and celebrating the installation of my new leather seat covers.

The first go around was with covers supplied by LSeat. I did improve on the appearance once I added some padding and some creative modifications but I was still not satisfied. I ordered another cover from AutoSeatReplacement (also located in Houston) after they assured me they would accept a return if I was not satisfied.

No brainer I thought. I ordered just the driver’s seat cover and received it quickly, three days after ordering. Upon opening the shipping box I was impressed by the softness of the leather and the obviously better padding.

Then it happened.

I went into my critical mode, which was a mistake. The following is a short summarization.

The leather is thicker and a bit more supple ASR:LS

The padding is thicker and a higher quality ASR:LS

The accuracy of the panel sizing is ‘closer’ to OEM, ASR:LS
but still off

The lean back mounting approach is ‘closer’ to OEM LS:ASR
in fact the ASR mounting would need to be significantly modified in order to mount like OEM. (and this would result in the cover not being returnable; the seat bottom suffers from missing the correct mounting dimension)

The Airbag provision of LS matches OEM; ASR does not offer an Airbag provision.

Thread count; OEM = 6spi, LS=4spi ASR=3spi

The 4spi looks good both externally and internally, the ASR might hold in high stress areas but I wouldn’t trust it especially around the seat back release.

I concluded that since I was and am still prepared to pull the seat once more I’m going to order some OEM quality foam padding and fit it to the currently installed LS leather cover. ASR has been gracious to a fault and will be refunding me for this purchase.

If in the future I can’t tolerate what I see every day, that will be more motivation to find that forever xkr as a replacement auto.

For those wanting an okay leather seat cover , either would probably suffice,. LSeat will take some patience as they manufacture per order, various colors, expect 4~5 weeks. ARS has seats in stock ready to ship, SEP color. if you want oem quality the price will jump to @ $1500 (in a box) from Richmond Auto Upholstery https://leather-auto-seats.com

Your seats, your money

So:
LSeat = $400 for both front seats + head rests
ASR = $700 for both front seats, no head rests

RAU = $1500 both front seats + head rests

wj

 

Maybe you need to buy a 2015 with very few miles? Or at least the seats in their entirety from one...
Me, I'm evidently nowhere near as .......... what's a good word......... particular.. about my seats and the stitching. Some black duct tape and I'm good (not really tho).

 

to be honest, if the second set had better mounting I wouldn't have worried about the non-air bag or 3spi. I think it would 'naturally' fit better than the LSeat but since it looks like I'd still be tugging and pulling one way or the other I chickened out.
Life needs to go on.
I'd really be satisfied with a 50K, 2007~2009 XKR of my color choice. Willing to do all the suspension and a few tricks.
Really need to get off of this and finish updating my xk100's suspension.
wj

 

The foam in OEM seats, especially 15 years old, is going to fatigue which’ll contribute to leather looseness/sagging even with new seat covers. Genuine seat covers would
have been quite expensive. I agree with the idea of finding some seats from a 2013-2015 with low mileage, preferably from a coupe.

 

There is a near mint 08 xkr portfolio on cars .com at the moment. In PA I think.
Pvt seller. Nice guy, just “too old to get under and into it” anymore.

 

@wymjym , thanks for the link of Richmond Auto Upholstery.

 

thanks for that...saw the advert sometime back, not on my 'must have' list.
@ 76 I guess I better quit crawling around my cars,!
wj

 

yep, everything gets loose with time. Extra padding will hide some of the creases I dislike.
Not prepared to try and make a 2008, XK, 120k mile auto, that I really like but don't love into a major money pit.
wj

 

I get that! Which's why I (and other) said the replacements you fitted looked great for what they were and IMHO you just confirmed that here.

 

okay I give, the jag forum was right!
wj