Did you put the suede over the speaker itself? How does that work? I wouldn't think it would transmit sound very well.

 

Post some pics when done. Tks!

 

I was watching wheeler dealers on the teli. There's a process called "hydro dipping" or "carbon dipping" that you may find appealing for changing the appearance of your wooden dash to carbon fiber look.
Here's a YouTube video to demonstrate: Hope you like it. I do.

 

I would KILL to have my panels done!!! Still leaves the steering wheel. Ugh!

 

Here's a search link for alcantara steering wheel wrap: alcantara steering wheel wrap - Google Search

Possibilities are endless. If you're going to proceed with red accents on the inside, consider doing the same on the steering wheel - combination of black alcantara with red stitching or red inserts.
Btw, you'll need to cover the airbag panel in it as well.

 

Tried the red. Hated it. Didn't even take pic. I'm picking up some dark tan suede to try. Matched wood tone.
The panel is so tight, it won't fit wight the piping so I either cut it down, or make new panel.
I just found out I can pull out rear speaker covers too. I found a couple metal tabs I can just reach behind the seat, I bent them straight out and pushed a bit, then carefully pulled face off. There are other tabs but I can't reach them so I carefully pulled them out. I think I'm going to cut the lower tabs off and use Velcro to secure the bottom and bent top tabs back.

 

Well, I went with a deep chocolate brown! I was at the Porsche dealership today with a friend and they had a black Panamera with black leather and brown alcantara. STUNNING!!
I found a good color that pulls out the browns from the wood dash. I've already booked him for the seats as well. I'm doing brown alcantara suede inserts with possibly a diamond quilting or at least the existing design in black stitches.
He's going to give me a quote to do the center console also in suede with the top stitching, leaving the lid black leather.
I think this is going to be amazing!! It's VERY grown up and luxury sports car.
Oh, I also found my old bronze XJS growler, cut off the back tabs and used removable 3m tape and put it in the center of the panel above the glove box. Was just an idea but I really like it! That badge color is perfect with my black interior.

 

XJS badge. I'm fond of that badge, after all, the XJS (bless the old girl) paid for the XK8!

 

The growler badge looks pretty good there. But if that airbag ever deploys, it will become a leaper real quick!

 

Thought about that but it should stay on and fly back with the panel! It's stuck pretty good!! I can always get another and screw it on from behind.

 

Better shot. I always liked that random color it came in. Like black chrome.

 

That is lookin pretty dang good. How does the speaker work with the suede over it? Is it muffled?

I'm interested what you decide on the diamond quilting. I think it can look good in certain cars, usually in bigger, more cushy than sporty ones. On the fence about it in an XK.

 

The more I've looked at the seats, you're right. The space is too small to look right in diamond quilting. I'm sticking with the factory stitching. Plus, I'd rather put that extra charge towards the center console. That's gonna be pricy. It's a complicated piece to cut and sew or I'd do it myself.

 

I like the color for the door inserts. I'm not digging the leaper though. In the picture it sticks out too much IMO. Maybe in person it looks better.
About the quilted seats, if done well (professionally), it should look refined. Look at the Bentley Arnage T model interior - they use quilts with double, not single stitching. IMO it looks very nice. However, if you do the seats, you got to do the same on the door inserts.

 

Saw the Bentley pics but there's a lot more surface for the quilting. I'm going to keep with the factory stitching I think and he said he can even sittch pieces for my door panels. But I'm doing in stages so I don't go to far too fast. First doors, then seats, then MAYBE the center console. I am ordering floor mats with brown logo and binding.
We're on the same page with the door panels.

The growler badge is actually pretty subtle. It's almost black if you've ever seen one. Eh, it can come off if I get tired of it. Not permanent. I may add a chrome ring to match the gages. Again, not permanent.
Someone said I should start a different thread "Brown suede interior" lol