Ok so I'm looking for idea's on what to do. Some background. I bought my EVO IX with very worn EVO VIII seats front/rear. The previous owner was trying to trade up from the SSL leather to MR/SE alcantra seats. Long story short he got screwed by a reputable member here so he/I ended up with EVO VIII seats.

THis is what I'm currently looking at options wise.

Get SE/MR seats: THey fluctuate between 1000-1500 for both front and rear.

Get the current seats recovered: This would be my first choice but I can't find anyone that sells Recaro seat material. I'd like the material straight from the manufacter so I can have the Recaro logo on the seats (ok so I'm a little vain). I would do something a little different color wise. Like I said I can't find a vendor that sells the material so I can have a local recover for me.

Get Sparco seats: (Torino). I've always like Sparco but they are pricey for what you get.....if I was going to spend that kind of money I would go with a better seat maker. The plus is the seat material is easier to find so I could have the back recovered in the same color and match it.

Get knockoff Bride's: Obviously the price is the motivator but I usually buy authentic stuff so this kinda goes against my buying habits. They are a 3rd the cost but it would bug me knowing they wern't real. I don't knock anyone who buys them (I have seen them in person and honestly you can't tell the difference), I just know myself and I would want to the real deal eventually. The material is available for purchase so I could recover the backs and make them match (There is someone selling his car on this site and he did with the gradient and it looks SICK).

Get real Bride's: No explanation needed. Baller status (Not that i care), authentic real deal, NICE FRIGGEN seats, material is avail for the rear so like the knockoff's I can make the rear match. Cost is the only problem I have. I mean 2G's in seats is a little ridiculous.

What would you guys do? If I rank them in order of what I wanted to do then I would say, 1) Recover with Recaro material and keep the current seats. 2)Knock Off Bride's would be the second cheapest (might even be THE cheapest option). 3) SE/MR seats. I would love to do this but if feel like if I'm going to spend 1G or over then I want to go aftermarket. 4) Read deal Bride's...I would do this no question if Wife was working but between that, side work drying up and raises/bonuses being held for the 1st half of this year...money-wise that wouldn't be wise.

What would you guys do in my position?

I know the X factor is how much I could get for the current seats...that would offset the cost of options 2 through to 4.

 

I would get used MR/SE seats or Sparcos. Bride is too $$$. Fake Brides are a liability in an accident.

 

i got priced from the dealer for just one seat for my IX SE and it was close to $7K

sooooo, im gonna get some sparcos prob to replace em

 

and if i come across nice SE seats for 1K for front and rear, best believe im stockin up on them

 

Contact Recaro (they are out of MI). They might be able to get you materials to recover, or at least know who can.

 

i guess what I've been seeing was a steal.

 

I don't know why i never thought about that. I guess i thought since they don't list it on their website like Bride or Sparco they didn't carry them but I'll call them today (if they're open) or on Monday. I didn't know their head (US) office was in MI.

 

there was a company i saw that sold the recaro material for the 8 seats. I mean like the strange blue part that is in the center. i dont have a link but im sure if you search your little butt off you can find it if you really want to redo them

 

I did search and I found a few places but they either stopped carrying it or they had limited options. I would just want one solid color to make it easy to recover.

 

Just an update. Recaro does sell material. The person I spoke to said they could re-wrap it themselves....they aren't authorized to use OEN style and color as Mitsubishi owns the rights but they can do anything else I want them to. Price isn't terrible either. 249 each for the front. I forgot to ask about the rear. After I get my car back together then I will look into this. I will post pics when I'm done. Thanks for the idea Smike.

 

i would do just that and have recaro rewrap them. they are probably the only ones that would wrap them perfectly. it might not be the same as OEM, but the quality would be the same. how bout doing the suede on the outer part with a darker material or black or grey on the inner part. i would rather pay a bit more $$ for Recaro to redo their seats vs a shop order material and have a shop tailor the material and it's off a bit.

 

Thats def what I'm leaning towards. I have an EB EVO with black suede headliner. I'm thinking Black and blue suede/alcantra.

 

def a good option to have recaro do it. i'd go for something along the lines of the evo 9 or maybe jdm style a bit... just a bit different than ours

but like you said you would have to throw in your own twist

 

damn, its 7k for one seat from the dealer???

 

That's a good idea. I may give Recaro a call in the future. Good to know that's an option, and its cheap compared to some of the alternatives. It's also a good way to do a little customizing.