Iq - Leather Seats?

[korinthias]

Having just had my lovely 18 month old iQ2 written off by the insurers after an RTA (sob), I was wondering if anyone has any experience of having seats re-done by one of these third-party companies?

My iQ had the factory-fit 'Kobe' leather, which I found immensely practical. I'm now looking for a second hand iQ2/3, a year to 18 months old, but finding one that matches with leather is proving tricky. When I bought mine the dealership offered a retro fit leather, but I went for the factory option. Are these companies that re-do the seats in leather any good? Can anyone recommend?

Thanks!

[Blue Kingfisher]

Hi,

I've had custom leather seats by Transcal - I chose grey and blue with grey stitiching - looks good in my Island Blue IQ

The quality of the leather seems very good and I cannot fault the quality of the fitting - they are also very comfy, being a bit firmer and more supportive than fabric.

Hope this helps.

:)

[korinthias]

Thanks for that, thought I'd never get a response! I've been racking my brain trying to remember the name of the company that the dealership offered, and I think it was actually Transcal!

Did you arrange it yourself, or was it done through a dealership? This might be pushing my luck a bit too far, but would you be able to take a few pic's? There have been over a hundred hits on this question, so others might be interested too?

Thanks again

[Blue Kingfisher]

Hi,

Yes, I had the seats done through the Toyota dealership - they did the front and back ones.

Lots of choice with the colours and which panels of the seats I wanted in which colour.

I knew I wanted some blue and I now wish I'd been a bit more "daring" - something a bit more unique maybe. However, I had half an eye on resale and didn't want to make it too whacky!

I will add some photos in the next couple of days - that's assuming that I can master the technology!!

Sue

[korinthias]

That would be wonderful - Thanks!

[KATYB]

Also done by Transcal my first IQ

Went for factory fit second time

Good Luck with the search

[korinthias]

Thank you - that's brilliant! The panel pattern is slightly different, but the quality of the stitching etc looks every bit as good as the factory fit, if not better... might make an enquiry with Transcal !

[Blue Kingfisher]

Hi,

I love the red leather seats!!

I have uploaded pictures of the Transcal seats I had fitted in my blue iQ and they can be found in the Gallery on this site in the iQ section.

If anyone can tell me how to insert photos into a forum post I will gladly add them here too - tried but failed so far

Sue

[korinthias]

Thanks Sue, again looks like a really nice job. I will definitely be contacting them for more information!

Their website: http://www.transcal.co.uk/

I think that for inserting photo's into your post, they have to exist on another website, and be linked to using the 'insert image' button in the menu bar... not quite sure though; never done it!

[KATYB]

Just move your photos to an external site like Photobucket ( great for keeping you pics safe too ) then just copy the IMG code onto the reply and the pics will appear.

Love your Blue leather, I also had the gear knob covered to match the seats. I kept this when I changed the car it matches the red stitching on the new interior

[Manxrav]

Love the seats, both the blue and red ones. It must cost a pretty penny to have that done?

Regards Clare

[marcandsebe]

Having just had my lovely 18 month old iQ2 written off by the insurers after an RTA (sob), I was wondering if anyone has any experience of having seats re-done by one of these third-party companies?

My iQ had the factory-fit 'Kobe' leather, which I found immensely practical. I'm now looking for a second hand iQ2/3, a year to 18 months old, but finding one that matches with leather is proving tricky. When I bought mine the dealership offered a retro fit leather, but I went for the factory option. Are these companies that re-do the seats in leather any good? Can anyone recommend?

Thanks!

I have factory fitted plum leather seats and would not be without them now. One of my clients knows a good leather specialist. It's London area. I could find the number if you wish?

[korinthias]

Thanks, that's useful! I too found the factory fitted plum leather indispensible.

For various reasons I found myself once transporting an old lady with 'continence issues'. If the seats had been cloth, my next step would have been to remove the seat, douse it in petrol and burn it! The leather needed a bit of a clean up, but was soon serviceable again!

Transcal (see above) have quoted £1,100 + VAT (£1,320), which seems to me to be well over the top, considering the factory fit is currently £710 ?

I have located a couple of CVT iQ's, (a '2' and a '3') with leather, within striking distance, so may get sorted this weekend. Otherwise I might like to have the contact details you're offering. ~ Thanks

[KATYB]

That seems expensive I paid £650 inc vat all in and they didn't charge me for the gear knob just used left over leather.

If im honest the Factory leather is better quality much comfier and has'nt sagged in the middle of the drivers seat, the red leather did this in no time ( and I only weigh 8.5 stone ) the seats were less comfy due to the leather not being as soft and I did seem to slide on them but ive had no problems with my black ones.

Just my opinion!

[korinthias]

Thanks For that - have gone for a black iQ2 on an '09 plate from a dealership in Sussex with factory-fit Kobe Plum! Thanks to all for the info, which helped a lot with decision making... My next problem is what to do about 'carwash scratching', which shows up a treat on the metallic black... hey-ho, life goes on !

[s44gtw]

Enjoy it.

Please what ever you do 'dont' put it through a car wash, the black paint will not stand it.

Its not tough paint anyway when it comes to stone chips.

The swirls will not show with it being metallic & not solid black, but the lacquer will not last long with the amount of automatic car washes it would need.

It will need hand washed every 2 days tho if you want it to look half decent.

A good polish used then waxed & then its just a 5 minute sponge over needed every couple of days.

If you cant be bothered waxing with good stuff,

'Ice' polish applied with the applicator without putting on too much will have it shining & not have white residue all over the dimpled/matt plastic.

(Sparing with 'Ice' or it leaves horrible smear marks on black, best watch the Youtube video on how to apply & remove excess before buffing. It really is quick to do.)

My next iQ will be Silver.

I am a spray painter & normally only use quality polish & wax, but its a bit wasted on the iQ with it needing washed so often.

i should have known better than have a black one myself, but i do think they look best in black & it is the easiest car there is to wash & polish.

george

[KATYB]

Thats great that you've found a car with leather!

Ive had black cars they just seem to need washing more often but look great when clean.

[korinthias]

Thanks KatyB and S44GTW! Actually S44, perhaps I could pick your brains a bit? I have no intention of subjecting it to the carwash, I'm a bucket and microfibre mitt with Autoglym kind of person! Issue I've got is the car I've bought has been carwashed and has those kind of swirly/streaky marks all over, (admittedly only strongly apparent in direct sunlight). Can anything be done to remove these? I don't think a simple wax polish, or heaven forbid 'T-cut', would be the answer. Don't mind paying a bit for a professional solution... auto body shop?

[korinthias]

PS - your car looks just like I would want my new (second-hand), one to be!

[s44gtw]

Sorry that was it brand new straight from the dealers without much of a shine.

They dont waste money on good products on a new vehicle.

(cant take pictures of it now with the reflection! non funny joke.)

Please do not use T-Cut or any Colour Match type abrassive products yourself, there really is not the thickest of lacquer on the iQs.

Maybe have a look at something from 'Meguiar's,some very good products IMO like 'Swirlx'.

(worth going online & getting their UK product brouchure & excellent detailing guide.

phone maybe & ask for some samples.)

Dont go with all this 'clay bar'stuff tho, the coatings can only take so much rubbing.

If it doesnt polish up your self without too much effort & shine with Autoglym polish & then Wax I would look at a professional doing a

'machine polish' for you.

A trustworthy vehicle valeter rather than a body shop possibly.

£30-£50 should be enough if its a straight forward buff out.

Possibly ask the dealer who finishes their vehicles for sale & say its not really to your usual standard.

If they dont take offence,!! they may be able to recommend someone.

*ask who does the Managing Directors car.*

(preperation is not always done in house these days, often the showroom/sales vehicles never see the paint/body shop its done by mobile & freelance companies & dealers have to have vehicles re-finished/prepared for sale to a price.)

george

[korinthias]

Okay - thanks George. I don't collect it from the dealer until next Saturday, so perhaps I'll have a word with them, see if they have, as you say, a reliable vehicle valet who could do the job. You've been really helpful!

Cheers,

Simon.

[PumpkinSteve]

Enjoy it...

What's the story with the Jimny? It looks amazing :D

[s44gtw]

Sorry to go off topic 'again'.

I have a couple of them for play, both automatics, the orange one was built into a pickup for me a couple of years ago & gets used only offroad now.

Exact same seating position as an iQ but slightly less elbow room, & uses more than twice as much fuel..

george

[PumpkinSteve]

Excellent I love Suzuki.

[bokkie]

I spoke to my local Mr. T dealer to ask if it was possible to have cloth seats refitted. We have the leather seats and we don't find them comfortable (too slippy). If I understood him I got the impression that there are airbags in the seats which prevents trying to source some from a breakers yard, assuming there are any out there. Are the leather seats the same as the standard cloth seats, that is, they'll fit the same rails?

We did try using a cloth-type overlay we got from Halfords. Trouble is, Halfords being what it is, the quality was !Removed! awful. If someone out there wants to trade "up" to leather we'll happily take cloth seats in exchange if they're in very good condition. If anyone has any other idea what we can do to our seats it'll be much appreciated.