А good cleaning and conditioning would have yielded far better results imo. Putting new leather should be the very last resort in restoring a seat. It is never the same quality nor the same look. This one in particular is wrinkled af and it's sagging way to much around the corners. Such a shame, the OEM leather looked mint...
I swear to god, it's moments like this where I never realize my fascination and nostalgia for "How It's Made", but watching videos like this just throws me back to my childhood. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your videos. No annoying music. Just the sounds of a workshop. You're the only youtuber out there who does this. Keep up the great work and I hope your return to the UK has been pleasant.
@@tadaskizelis he could use parts from other BMWs...not only e30...depends on seat size... i would use heated seats from an e46 or e36...since they can heat beter and just see if they fit the size. Would be nice to have newer technology in an older car like this
Amazing job! I have done this. Prior installing the leathers, I used a clothes steamer on the foam. Just press the steamer directly on the foam and it expands the foam back to factory shape and removes all odors. Thanks for sharing.
@@RestoreIt there is no question that doing something about the leather was needed, but the newer seat material simply doesn`t look as good as the old one.. just I suppose, something to keep in mind in future projects...
Next time use a steam machine on the foam before assembling so the foam stretches back to its original size, the end result is much better and the seats are softer in the end. Also steam the leadher in the end so it shrinks a little and its more stretched or put a wet rag over seats and use a heat gun or an iron. Cheers
Man seriously I LOVE the E30. I LOVE THIS CHANNEL. Been here from the beginning when I just started out binge-watching a ton of restoration videos out there, and this channel just happened to have started and was recommended by youtube. What made it go above and beyond others is definitely the E30 videos!
It’s his car, but I would’ve done a leather treatment to take the sheen off and still keep the original leather. He also left the seat backs untouched, so now there’s two different textures on one seat.
I do admire the dedication, but to be honest; he decided to get a professional paintjob for obvious reasons (it is a realy special car), he should have let this done by a professional also. But, awesome detailled video!
Give it time, after a few hot summers, the dirt & oil from getting in & out of the car, the seats will age just like the originals for another 40 years
I see a lot of comments saying that the old leather was better, but i personally prefer new material more that old one. If i'll decide one day to restore seats in my car, i'll try to find the same material
Thank You for making this vid. It's time for our E30. Inspiration to do it myself for sure. I may just do the disassembly, let the Upholstery fellow R&R the materials, (there will some Foam repair) and I will do the reassembly. I am Super OCD about the now old Trims, nuts, bolts, and screws when it comes to the mechanicals.
Like most, I think the old seats would have come up beautifully, that said if you are looking for "as new" then that is personal choice and the work and cost is saveable. What you want to do is take it apart again, use a heat gun to warm the leather and stretch it considerably more before "piercing" it on those metal tangs, like 20% more. As it is the seats will look terrible after a couple of weeks use. The covers you used seems like a quality product, just installed badly. Really put some muscle into it and stretch it tight and you will get what you are looking for, its an art and a lot of work, but you can get there by re working it.
Ummm.... Not my M3, however the original leather appeared very nice. I believe the young man should have gotten some spare sport seats that truly needed restoration and preserved the originals. Great video showing the work involved in rebuilding the seats👍🙂 After watching this, I am giving my seats a good clean and treatment! Cheers!
After watching this I think I'd rather tackle an engine rebuild than a seat rebuild! What a complex piece of kit... can't imagine a modern unit with motors and HVAC built in as well. No wonder they weigh so much!
My car is a 1988 BMW 750il and uses TEN of these motors. The computer utilizes temperature sensors and motors to open and close plastic doors to mix the interior air. One of the first automatic temperature control systems to utilize such a system to manage temperatures. When you shut the car off, hearing the loud buzzing of the system closing the flaps takes a little getting used to.
Amazing job really much effort for those chairs but in my opinion it would look better if you just detailed the old leather cuz the old leather looks so great
First of all, I really like Your channel and no hate at all. But to replace all leather parts was wrong. That oem lether was so good and in good condition. Just needed to clean it with some leather cleaner foam and brush (not steamer) to get that kinnda "new leather" matt look. These seats with oem lether has much more value. Even the leather would be with cracks, it possible to restore it. There are special lether glue, filler, paint, balm and all the stuff to fix all the defects. (But anywau, love Your channel and Your Bmw. Sorry bout my english, its not so perfect)
Hello friends, I find all the restorations of the different components of the BMW e30 excellent, congratulations. Please could you make an explanatory video of disassembly, assembly of the car and complete restoration of the front windshield wiper system. Thank you.
Great Job! To be fair the originals weren't in bad shape especially the sponge which was alarmingly good. I was a little disappointed he didn't appear to detail the ironwork mechanisms (or plastic seat backs) given the ideal opportunity with the plastic covers removed.
BMW used compressed horse hair in their original seat foams. Over time, this material becomes hard and brittle and less able to resume its shape. Usually these are replaced with less expensive but more durable seat foam material.
Ha quedado muy bien, para mí y espero que no te ofendas, creo que tenias que haber tensado un poquito más el cuero de la base de los asientos delanteros. Y por cierto, ¿son fundas de cuero ya hechas o las has cosido tu? Enhorabuena por el trabajo.
In my ignorance and utter lack of experience, I thought a good clean could do de trick but just seeing the first pieces of the new leather installed changed my mind. Great job as always!
He did an excellent job! Are you planning on making a summary video at the end explaining the cost of the restoration? And I hope that the move to the UK is going smoothly!
You can use a little bit of Silicon Spray on the Foam, than the Leather goes easy over it and you have no wrinkles. Faboulus work from Antonio. Thumb up
Looks great mate but I wish you went for thicker material like the originals. Not sure how long this will last in comparison. Just so happy to see such an original build Also I think your OCD would have made you refurb the corrosion on some of the parts and I know this hold was time sensitive
Great results looks great mate, my computer chair is an Alfa Romeo 166 red leather front seat converted onto casters, the best PC chair I have ever had.
Nice job... starts to look like a real car again... heard you speak about workshop teardown... you just landed in Spain and already moving back? How come? Good luck! Cheers, Ruud
Thanks Ruud! I was in Spain for a year and a half. I loved it and had a great time... it just wasn't the best environment for work because of so many factors :) Glad to be back in the UK
@@RestoreIt I can imagine... I worked in Spain as well for 18 months... honestly I couldn't get around some of the hmmm let me say cultural differences, business and private. For sure UK is much better (for the most part haha)... good luck again man... Ruud
It's a good instruction video on how to do it if someone needs to replace the upholstery. Although I felt bad when I saw Antonio attacking the old leather with the blade, those covers could have been restored. Worse is that he went through all that work and didn't replace the foam. That foam is 30 years old, and will start disintagratin any time soon. Would have been a better effort replacing the foam and restoring the covers, those new ones are of a doubtful quality... Felt disappointed.
![BMW E30 Dashboard [Restoration]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/s3EotMAZ-I0/mqdefault.jpg)
Old leather was so beautiful....
Many feel this haha
It was leather. Big pieces of real leather...
Exactlly
To be fair a bit of clean and you wouldn't need to change it, new one did look though.
aside from being dirty and having some light cracking, the leather didn’t look too bad. is there a reason he replaced it?
O don't like the new leader, the new don't have the same quality
А good cleaning and conditioning would have yielded far better results imo. Putting new leather should be the very last resort in restoring a seat. It is never the same quality nor the same look. This one in particular is wrinkled af and it's sagging way to much around the corners. Such a shame, the OEM leather looked mint...
I thought the same. Lot of work for similar results. Maybe they just needed to get some more content
Tragic to see him attacking those bolsters with a razor blade
It was just Antonios choice I guess! :)
I swear to god, it's moments like this where I never realize my fascination and nostalgia for "How It's Made", but watching videos like this just throws me back to my childhood. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your videos. No annoying music. Just the sounds of a workshop. You're the only youtuber out there who does this. Keep up the great work and I hope your return to the UK has been pleasant.
Big thanks Zak! Too kind of you :)
There is another CZcamsrs that do not implement music to their videos.
It was the perfect time to add heated seats...
Very true! I might think about this when I do mine.
Would you use original heated seat parts or some aftermarket parts but with original Buttons?
@@insaneiceage9719 in my opinion just use original parts, except if it's really expensive, then aftermarket ones should work fine
@@tadaskizelis he could use parts from other BMWs...not only e30...depends on seat size... i would use heated seats from an e46 or e36...since they can heat beter and just see if they fit the size. Would be nice to have newer technology in an older car like this
Amazing job! I have done this. Prior installing the leathers, I used a clothes steamer on the foam. Just press the steamer directly on the foam and it expands the foam back to factory shape and removes all odors. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the info Mike!
Those seats would have looked better with a makeover rather than a mismatch of leather.
I'll be sure to do something like this on the channel!
@@RestoreIt there is no question that doing something about the leather was needed, but the newer seat material simply doesn`t look as good as the old one.. just I suppose, something to keep in mind in future projects...
Next time use a steam machine on the foam before assembling so the foam stretches back to its original size, the end result is much better and the seats are softer in the end. Also steam the leadher in the end so it shrinks a little and its more stretched or put a wet rag over seats and use a heat gun or an iron.
Cheers
Cheers for the solid advice Domen!
Can he still steam the leather after they are installed?
@@R2D2trashcan yes, but its easyer when they are out
His old leather was like aged wine. It didn't need to change. :(
Man seriously I LOVE the E30. I LOVE THIS CHANNEL. Been here from the beginning when I just started out binge-watching a ton of restoration videos out there, and this channel just happened to have started and was recommended by youtube. What made it go above and beyond others is definitely the E30 videos!
Oh, don't cut the old leather out, someone would love to buy decent bolster leather to repair and original seat !
This is true.
As someone with a torn bolster I feel this lol
It’s his car, but I would’ve done a leather treatment to take the sheen off and still keep the original leather. He also left the seat backs untouched, so now there’s two different textures on one seat.
I do admire the dedication, but to be honest; he decided to get a professional paintjob for obvious reasons (it is a realy special car), he should have let this done by a professional also.
But, awesome detailled video!
You are 100% correct
Each to their own I guess Bosroamer, thanks for watching!
I believe a really good quality conditioner and some cleaning would have been the best
The quality of the old leather was superb as the upholstery....
a lot of work,but it looks fantastic 👍
So much work!
Was new seat foam not in the budget? I think new foam would have filled those seats out nicely. also why not just recondition the leather?
It was not no :( Well, he wanted new leathers instead.
Bravo, Antonio! Good job!
A classic "Restore It" episode?
Yay
Cheers ElectricDragon :D
Sorry, but I liked the before much more. The new seats looks very cheap compared to the OEM.
Yesss I thought I was the only one hahah
Don't be sorry :D Each to their own!
Weren't they ordered as spare parts from BMW? The leather appears to be genuine. Only the way it was assembled may be a bit non-professional.
Agree, not the level of attention to detail I am used to seeing here
Give it time, after a few hot summers, the dirt & oil from getting in & out of the car, the seats will age just like the originals for another 40 years
Oh my god...what have you done!? There are so many posibilities to refresh old leather!
Restore it boy told antonio don’t change but he didn’t listen!!! That old leather was beautiful
Excellent
My favourite part, the interior
It's great to see these seats come back to life!
The best part is a clean interior
Pure artistry.
Well done, plan on doing this to my e28. And with all the negative comments, just ignore. Last time I checked, it’s your project.
I see a lot of comments saying that the old leather was better, but i personally prefer new material more that old one. If i'll decide one day to restore seats in my car, i'll try to find the same material
They look so much better in the old leather
I like that old leather 😁
many have said this :D
By watching the video you show others how it’s done and helps in their projects,keep doing what your doing.👍👍😎😎
Cheers Tom! :)
The Bob Ross of everything E30!!!
Cheers Cam!
You are the best, more E30's restauration project 😉
Loads more to come! :D
E30 M3's are hitting the $100k mark in the states
Really waiting for the completion :-)
Thank you, was just finding how to put back that plastic part on the side
Needs a coat of leather balm rubbed in to it to look right I reckon, nice work
lovely restoration...
Thank You for making this vid. It's time for our E30. Inspiration to do it myself for sure. I may just do the disassembly, let the Upholstery fellow R&R the materials, (there will some Foam repair) and I will do the reassembly. I am Super OCD about the now old Trims, nuts, bolts, and screws when it comes to the mechanicals.
Like most, I think the old seats would have come up beautifully, that said if you are looking for "as new" then that is personal choice and the work and cost is saveable. What you want to do is take it apart again, use a heat gun to warm the leather and stretch it considerably more before "piercing" it on those metal tangs, like 20% more. As it is the seats will look terrible after a couple of weeks use. The covers you used seems like a quality product, just installed badly. Really put some muscle into it and stretch it tight and you will get what you are looking for, its an art and a lot of work, but you can get there by re working it.
although I prefer the OEM leather, it was a very nice thing to see... must have been a hard job! Cheers from Sao Paulo, Brazil
That was a lot of work, requiring constant focus, and very well done. Great job Antonio-really making progress now.
looks great bro 👍👍👍👍☺☺
Cheers Shiva!
@@RestoreIt thank you brother
You can get hog ring pliers to make fitting those rings much easier and neater. A few dollar a pair.
It looks like the tools and equipment in the description are maybe from another video? Great video non the less!
Danke für die ausführliche Anleitung zur Demontage der Sitze. Das wird mir helfen👍
Big job that would drive me crazy...
Well done!
Me too haha cheers!
Ummm.... Not my M3, however the original leather appeared very nice. I believe the young man should have gotten some spare sport seats that truly needed restoration and preserved the originals. Great video showing the work involved in rebuilding the seats👍🙂
After watching this, I am giving my seats a good clean and treatment!
Cheers!
Pleace make a full workshop build series 😌 we love this videos
I hate doing upholstery but good job!!
It didn't look the funnest thing to do!
Omg yes finally... Thank you... First... And kicking the wife out... I wanna watch this on my big screen!
Haha, poor woman! Cheers dude!
Theres nothing like the feeling of new seat leather
And the smell!
@@RestoreIt especially the smell
Yes new video
This is definitely going to add value to the M3,👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌
That company needs to get into the Pontiac gto seat leather business, those look great!
Ask them :D
After watching this I think I'd rather tackle an engine rebuild than a seat rebuild! What a complex piece of kit... can't imagine a modern unit with motors and HVAC built in as well. No wonder they weigh so much!
My car is a 1988 BMW 750il and uses TEN of these motors. The computer utilizes temperature sensors and motors to open and close plastic doors to mix the interior air. One of the first automatic temperature control systems to utilize such a system to manage temperatures.
When you shut the car off, hearing the loud buzzing of the system closing the flaps takes a little getting used to.
Tell me about it! haha
Amazing job really much effort for those chairs but in my opinion it would look better if you just detailed the old leather cuz the old leather looks so great
I'll find a bad set and do this on the channel to make up for it don't worry :)
I love this whole process and each video greetings from León GTO México
Thanks Georch!
Good job
Nice work, thanks for sharing👍
Thank you Dimi!
Most informative. Thank you!
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!
First of all, I really like Your channel and no hate at all.
But to replace all leather parts was wrong. That oem lether was so good and in good condition. Just needed to clean it with some leather cleaner foam and brush (not steamer) to get that kinnda "new leather" matt look.
These seats with oem lether has much more value. Even the leather would be with cracks, it possible to restore it. There are special lether glue, filler, paint, balm and all the stuff to fix all the defects.
(But anywau, love Your channel and Your Bmw. Sorry bout my english, its not so perfect)
Wow perfect Job now it's new very great Job 👍❤️👍
Thank you very much!
tu est un excellent réparateur bravo pour tes vidéos
This looked more challenging than the engine restoration!!
It's a great wonderful job. Cheers
Cheers Sony!
Hello friends, I find all the restorations of the different components of the BMW e30 excellent, congratulations. Please could you make an explanatory video of disassembly, assembly of the car and complete restoration of the front windshield wiper system. Thank you.
Nice one, I am really looking forward to seeing you new workshop!
Great Job! To be fair the originals weren't in bad shape especially the sponge which was alarmingly good. I was a little disappointed he didn't appear to detail the ironwork mechanisms (or plastic seat backs) given the ideal opportunity with the plastic covers removed.
BMW used compressed horse hair in their original seat foams. Over time, this material becomes hard and brittle and less able to resume its shape. Usually these are replaced with less expensive but more durable seat foam material.
Cheers! and, I agree!
Another quality video! :)
Thanks Andrew! :)
Ha quedado muy bien, para mí y espero que no te ofendas, creo que tenias que haber tensado un poquito más el cuero de la base de los asientos delanteros.
Y por cierto, ¿son fundas de cuero ya hechas o las has cosido tu?
Enhorabuena por el trabajo.
In my ignorance and utter lack of experience, I thought a good clean could do de trick but just seeing the first pieces of the new leather installed changed my mind. Great job as always!
Thanks!
It's almost the same as the original craftsmanship, especially the pleated leather.
I would’ve changed the old foam and put some heating elements in! Great video !
That was a beautiful restore from the old leather seats & a nice smooth leather seats! 👌
Фантастично. Круто. Если бы я это делал, я бы не собрал точно 😂
Thanks!
He did an excellent job! Are you planning on making a summary video at the end explaining the cost of the restoration? And I hope that the move to the UK is going smoothly!
Quite interesting! I need to do the same on my interior
Thanks Fran!
Lo llevas a la itv verdad?muy buen trabajo,espero que la pase sin problemas,vives por Alicante verdad,un saludo
Good Luck with the move!
Q buen trabajo,sois espectaculares
Thank you!
You can use a little bit of Silicon Spray on the Foam, than the Leather goes easy over it and you have no wrinkles. Faboulus work from Antonio. Thumb up
Great advice thanks Matthias!
Perfect...
Thanks!
wonderfull :)
Looks great mate but I wish you went for thicker material like the originals.
Not sure how long this will last in comparison.
Just so happy to see such an original build
Also I think your OCD would have made you refurb the corrosion on some of the parts and I know this hold was time sensitive
What does the lever near the leg support do?
Hello great job
Where did you find the leathers because I am looking for the e36 model
Link in the description :)
I'll bet Antonio's hands still hurt from doing this - did my Saab seats a while back !!
It looked like an awful job to do haha
Loved this series, can't wait to see the engine back in and the car complete. Great work 👏🏻
Finally!
Enjoy!
Great video as always! One thing I understood after seeing Antonio's work - he is more brutal than you :D
Haha! I am very overly gentle perhaps
I wonder if these were hand built when they were being made I’m pretty sure but must’ve been cool..
Great results looks great mate, my computer chair is an Alfa Romeo 166 red leather front seat converted onto casters, the best PC chair I have ever had.
Haha sounds sweet! Cheers Dave!
It was worth cleaning the foam pillows too. They are usually really filthy.
I’m surprised the inner foam didn’t get a deep cleaning before putting back together
I would have done this yes :)
Nice job... starts to look like a real car again... heard you speak about workshop teardown... you just landed in Spain and already moving back? How come? Good luck! Cheers, Ruud
Thanks Ruud! I was in Spain for a year and a half. I loved it and had a great time... it just wasn't the best environment for work because of so many factors :) Glad to be back in the UK
@@RestoreIt I can imagine... I worked in Spain as well for 18 months... honestly I couldn't get around some of the hmmm let me say cultural differences, business and private. For sure UK is much better (for the most part haha)... good luck again man... Ruud
Is the car finished? Would love to see it running.
It actually is now. The trouble is I'm no longer in Spain, me and Antonio are planning to meet soon to film a final episode.
my seats are absolutely messed up haha, really need to fix them up eventually
schönes video!
Thank you!
It's a good instruction video on how to do it if someone needs to replace the upholstery. Although I felt bad when I saw Antonio attacking the old leather with the blade, those covers could have been restored. Worse is that he went through all that work and didn't replace the foam. That foam is 30 years old, and will start disintagratin any time soon. Would have been a better effort replacing the foam and restoring the covers, those new ones are of a doubtful quality... Felt disappointed.
how about the door panels? are you going to restore them also? :) but nice job again after all
Very nice work!!!
Cheers!