Hi all,

Has anyone had any personal experience of the replacement leather front seat covers for XK8s/Rs to be found on ebay for about $600? specifically: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=270556896056

They claim they use original Jag leather and OEM patterns... I'd like to know if anyone else has tried them before I spend that much money.
I'm hoping they will be as good (and indistinguishable) from the original.

Thanks,
Neil.

 

That's $100 less than their website so it's a good deal if they are good product.
http://josephinacustomtops.com/detaillea.asp?id=60

 

Based on the pictures they look correct, but I also noticed they think the correct spelling of "right" is "reight". They spelled it that way twice. Maybe it is nothing, but little things like that always make me leery.

 

Howdy Folks;
I don't know about the spelling of "right"...evidently I didn't navigate that particular page, however, I think the reason for the higher price... ebay is just the 4 piece seat covers, and this outfit says 4 piece seat covers AND...backrest... Since their on the West Coast, I may check them out in a couple'a months for seat covers on my 98 XK8...
Take Care
Fast Freddie

 

Keep us posted, my 97 has a bad panel on the driver's seat. I'm trying to decide if I want someone to do "surgery" on the seat or just replace the entire cover or cover both seats.

I've got a replacement boot cover from josephina. Nice workmanship, not an absolute perfect fit at the snaps but I've been led to believe the 97 is a bit different from the later models at that station. It came with a bag for storage.

Mike

 

Hi OregonJag!!...
My front seats are really "Sun" checked. Plus the outside bolster on the drivers side is worn clear through. The back seats were perfect. I gave the a good dose of cleaner and conditioning, and they firmed right up. But I'll have to replace both front covers to have a matching set. I had my 2009 F-150 Screw "leathered" when I bought her new last year, and the owner said if I bought the covers, he'd install them for a Ben Franklin. I believe I'll take him up on it. It will probably be the end of the year before I spring for the covers. I need to replace the Fog Lamp assemblies and backs for my next project.
Take Care Mike
Fred

 

I looked into replacements also at one time. I asked the vendor if they had the covers for the R model. They said that they would fit the R model, but they did not have the perforated seat surfaces. Just a word to you R owners out there.

 

Was that a change after 2000? My 2000 XKR doesn't have perforated leather in the seats (although I haven't owned it from new so I guess a previous owner could have changed it too).

 

Many changes started with the 2001 models.

 

I wonder if they also sell the cusion, mine does not look as full as i would like

 

Scott, If I were to do this, I'd buy the new leather, then have a upholstery shop do the labor (and add foam where needed), I can't even imagine how they remove the headrests or those seatback release handles...let them break it. Then there is the center armrest.

 

The seat squabs are available, but at a premium cost!

 

Justniz
I read that the perforated seats was a sports option on some models that you could order and came standard with certain upgrades. I don't know when they started offering the perforated seats. They came standard with my 2001 Silverstone option, build date 08/00 I would agree with Matt if you don't have much experience with upholstery let a upholster do it and let him be responsible for any damage that could occur, the plastics get pretty brittle with age.
Doug
2001 XKR Silverstone

 

If my memory serves me (questionable!), the perforated leather was a Ford thing. I had a '90 Thunderbird SC (supercharged), and one of the standard upgrades was a set of perforated seats - black leather - 4 of them. Best, DaleD

 

I bought covers from topsonline.com (they sell on ebay motors) for my 82 380sl and they were perfect. And I installed them myself. They looked fantastic. It is definitelhy a doable DIY, at least on the Mercedes, and I don't know why it would be any more difficult on a Jag. Just don't expect to get up and do it before you go to work. It's the better part of a weekend project. I did get the MB tex rather than the leather, but I've been told that the leather is a little easier to work with. I am very impressed with www.topsonline.com and I will go to them when I need to cover my Jag seats. I only have 40k on my 97 though, so it will be a while. I have just a little cracking on the outside driver seat bolster. Note of interest (maybe): Totaled the Benz this past October, and the other driver's insurance company was very generous. That's how I ended up with the XK8. Totaling a car is usually not a good thing, but that was the best thing that ever happened to me from an automobile perspective.

 

Finally doing mine next couple weeks, skins should be here soon...topsonline also. Good to hear quality is top notch.

 

H20Boy Please let us know how accurate the replacements are. I'm interested to know if someone could even tell that they're not OEM as I sometimes enter my car in local classic car shows.

 

Will do niz

 

I got seat leather from these guys. Two years ago they were $1600.00. They will send you swatches to match to your interior. Their names and Jags names are different. They also have door panels, console covers, top.... they pretty much do it all.
http://www.gahhinc.com/leatherseatcovers.php

Quality is top notch. I had the new leather installed, headliner replaced, carpet cleaned, and rear deck replaced by my upholstery friend for $850.00. I supplied the leathers he did everything else including adding foam to fill out the leather on the seats were it was required.

 

that outfit is VERY pricey, $1000 more than what topsonline offers, and their front seats kit includes the console and cup holder pieces and headrest leathers also. Not meaning anything else by that statement, I am just really happy the skins are more affordable, I wouldn't pay $1700 plus install labor for some dry, cracked and worn driver bolster damage.