Horse Hair or HD foam for seat rebuilds???

[austinmf]

Searched and all I can find is info on a model T... Any recommendations on horse hair vs foam? I am redoing them myself....

[BakesCO]

I recently did the rear seats with HD foam per Eurotrash instructions (search). Came out great and the kids aren't complaining anymore! I'm going to attack my front seats in the upcoming months, maybe sooner. My butt was soar after a 50 mile jaunt today!

[nbcbird]

Neither. Both horse hair and foam will disintegrate over time. I use jute carpet backing (about 1/2" thick) which gives the same amount of cushion as horse hair.

[John_in_VA]

depending on use & environment, before disintegrating as what appears to be pine needles under your seats!

They have the proper shape (obviously) but a skilled upholsterer should be able to craft a cushion with multiple densities and layers of foam to prevent the seat covers from looking "overstuffed."

New original pads were still available recently ($$), and show up in the classifieds on occasion.

[socal73]

I used a product called nu-foam. Made specifically for chair cushions. Used the 2in, found it at the local fabric store. It has fibers and is pretty close to the same density as the horsehair, also doesn't appear like it will deteriorate like foam.

[roadhog0]

My mom just did mine with a 1 inch foam and it came out VERY nice

[esty]

nu-foam

good choice...i've used it many times and unlike foam, it last forever

[carlkkreienkamp]

Nu-foam like stuffing also comes in heavier densities. Think boat seat cushions/ floatation devices.

[Beck180]

I went with 3" foam. But I think anything but horse hair would be great.

[carlkkreienkamp]

Nu-foam like stuffing also comes in heavier densities. Think boat seat cushions/ floatation devices.

[c.d.iesel]

all 02's 'handle' much better with firm seat construction.

When foam products are used, the fabric and appearance of

the seat is of one that is 'rebuilt', over stuffed.

And when driving, your cheeks and body sways

left and right,, requiring you to hang on to the steering

wheel or brace yerself with yer legs - to hang on

during spirited driving. Use firm 02 or modified 320i

original rubberized jute/hemp seat pads. The cost of original

seat pads equals the cost of good used Recaros, or new Cobra

seats. With firm supportive seats, your 02 driving experience

is as it was when reviewers originally raved about the great

handling and feel of control.

Your seats, steering wheel, shifter affects your driving

experience before any suspension, fat tire modifacations.

Your either in contact with the road and in control,

............ or just hanging on

[Ray_73Turkis_OH]

I just spoke with World Upholstery http://www.worlduph.com/ on 5/4/2015 and they quoted:

$360 for the seat pan pad

$360 for the seat back pad

$750 for new vinyl for both.

 

I agree with C.D, but am still heading to the nu-foam store.

 

Ray

[Conserv]

I just spoke with World Upholstery http://www.worlduph.com/ on 5/4/2015 and they quoted:

$360 for the seat pan pad

$360 for the seat back pad

$750 for new vinyl for both.

I agree with C.D, but am still heading to the nu-foam store.

Ray

EDIT - BIG CORRECTION (to the numbers below): I paid $648 for the 4 BMW OEM pads last July: $230 each for the backrests and $94 each for the seat cushions! Sorry for the excitement and misinformation. I recalled the seat cushion prices but not the backrest prices! END EDIT

Ray,

I buy my OEM gummihar pads from BMW: roughly $100 each, or $400 and change for both front seats -- total! The new pads hold up better than the originals -- particularly the dreadful '74-'76 versions -- have the original contours, and the original firmness. Below is a set of the BMW OEM versions recently installed on my '76's spare front seats.

No "customization" required.

And, yes, they used to be more expensive! Talk to Steve (username BLUNT): maybe he can charge you a bit more if that feels better. :-)

Regards,

Steve

Edited May 5, 2015 by Conserv

[jgerock]

Ray,

I buy my OEM gummihar pads from BMW: roughly $100 each, or $400 and change for both front seats -- total! The new pads hold up better than the originals -- particularly the dreadful '74-'76 versions -- have the original contours, and the original firmness. Below is a set of the BMW OEM versions recently installed on my '76's spare front seats.

No "customization" required.

And, yes, they used to be more expensive! Talk to Steve (username BLUNT): maybe he can charge you a bit more if that feels better. :-)

Regards,

Steve

Steve - hold old are your prices?  The front seat back pad is more like $ 200 EACH!  

[Conserv]

Jim,

I must correct my statement -- finally found the invoice: July 2014.

$230 each for the backrest pads and $94 each for the seat pads: $648 total for all 4 pads. I suppose the seat cushion prices left an impression on me while the backrest prices didn't!

I just checked RealOEM.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=2215-USA-04-1976-114-BMW-2002&diagId=52_3395

Their seat cushion prices are somewhat reflective of what I paid but their backrest cushion prices aren't in the ballpark! (I usually find RealOEM prices to be dated, but not crazily out of whack!)

Regards,

Steve

Edited May 4, 2015 by Conserv