Luxury leather seats on a base model

[tonysalib]

Hi All,

I am currently looking at an set of oringinal leather seats from a luxury model Euro for my base model Euro and just wondering if I will have any problems with fitting them in. Has anyone done this before? Anything I need to know?

My initial concerns are obviously air bags. Given that the luxury seats also have side air bags I'm assuming there shouldn't be any problem, right? Worst case I maybe need to reset the air bags ECU?

Other concerns are around the fact that the luxury model has electric and heated seats while my base model doesnt. Would there be any problem there? The heated seats don't concern me much but the electric seats are obviously important and I would need them to work, so would they?

Thanks for any advice from any previous experiences.

[denot]

My Friend Civic FD got "upgraded" to leather on the VTi model. So I think it can be done, but she spend like 3k for it through the dealer...

[HunterZero]

There would be extra connections required for the wiring harness to the seats for the electric adjustments, heater and airbags. The controls for the heaters are on the center console between the seats, not on the seats themselves, so that's another issue with operating the heaters. It also has a sensor in the back of the seat, which disables the airbag if the passenger moves out of position (OPDS), which I would imagine is linked into the airbag system via the harness.

So getting the electric seat adjusters to work should not be too difficult, but getting the heaters and airbag to work will be tricky.

Have you considered having the standard seats retrimmed in leather? Would probably be cheaper.

- HZ

[tonysalib]

There would be extra connections required for the wiring harness to the seats for the electric adjustments, heater and airbags. The controls for the heaters are on the center console between the seats, not on the seats themselves, so that's another issue with operating the heaters. It also has a sensor in the back of the seat, which disables the airbag if the passenger moves out of position (OPDS), which I would imagine is linked into the airbag system via the harness.

So getting the electric seat adjusters to work should not be too difficult, but getting the heaters and airbag to work will be tricky.

Have you considered having the standard seats retrimmed in leather? Would probably be cheaper.

- HZ

Oh yeah it does seem like a lot of hassel. Around how much would retrimming in leather cost? Coz the seats am looking at are under 1 grand.

Oh and would retrimming not void the airbags?

[white_ep3_civic]

It would cost heaps to get all the seats re-trimmed especially with the air bags. It would cost way over a grand. Probably around the 2.5-3 grand mark I reckon. The leather seats you found are they the ones on eBay?

[SPQR]

...It also has a sensor in the back of the seat, which disables the airbag if the passenger moves out of position (OPDS), which I would imagine is linked into the airbag system via the harness.

The Standard Euro comes with seat mounted side airbags too. Presumably it would just be a matter of plugging the wiring connectors together.

[tonysalib]

It would cost heaps to get all the seats re-trimmed especially with the air bags. It would cost way over a grand. Probably around the 2.5-3 grand mark I reckon. The leather seats you found are they the ones on eBay?

Oh would it really cost that much? My brother works for a new car dealer and he said they pay around 1500 for after market leather retrim they sell with brand new cars (that is obviously airbag safe).

Yeah the seats are the ones on ebay? What do you reckon of the price?

[tony1234]

For $1500 I'd just get the seats retrmmed in leather..Organise it with your brother.It's the safest/easiest option.

[white_ep3_civic]

For $1500 I'd get your brother to do it. For $500 extra you get brand new leather. The one on eBay is probably worn.

[praja6]

Oh would it really cost that much? My brother works for a new car dealer and he said they pay around 1500 for after market leather retrim they sell with brand new cars (that is obviously airbag safe).

Yeah the seats are the ones on ebay? What do you reckon of the price?

Ah haaa, the dealer paid 1500 to get the brand new car trim with leather and charge customers 2500 or 3k... with 50% profit on it..

I remember i was looking for Gen 4 Subaru liberty before i was looking EUro, and the dealer told me he can do leather trim, excatly same as from factory for an extra 3k...hmmm

[tonysalib]

Ah haaa, the dealer paid 1500 to get the brand new car trim with leather and charge customers 2500 or 3k... with 50% profit on it..

I remember i was looking for Gen 4 Subaru liberty before i was looking EUro, and the dealer told me he can do leather trim, excatly same as from factory for an extra 3k...hmmm

Well surely you don't expect them to charge you what it costs them, they are there to make money. I agree though, almost 100% profit is a bit steep.

[cheapdouchebag]

reviving this topic

im picking up a full set of leather on tuesday.
Was just wondering, is the airbag wiring separate from other wires. and is any other wires like 2-in-1 together on the seat? would be nice to have electric seats but not too fussed if its well n truly possible to swap over the manual leavers to the leather seats