It happened to me on my 98 too. I doubt anyone notices it mate.

John

 

You've got me. Hinge covers? Did not even know the seats had hinges. Do you mean the seat runner covers that are on the outside edges of the seat?

 

Same here, also the little covers over the upper seat belt mount are both cracked. I'm looking to laser scan the old parts, 3D print a new one out of ABS with more "meat" where they tend to crack around the screw holes, then paint to match (SEM makes a vinyl paint that is a really close match), but currently too many projects on my plate to get to it right now. Luckily no one notices it but me.

 

 

I am running into a similar problem with the wife's 2001 XK8. I re-upholstered both seats and upon disassembly, everything plastic that I had to remove broke! The seat back latch button and its escutcheon broke and I ordered new buttons(EXPENSIVE!!) but the escutcheons are no longer available. The hinge covers tabs broke but I was able to retain the pieces and glue them back on. As much as I love these cars. I an dismayed at the lack of support from the makers to help keep them in order.