19 replies to this topic

[wardyxxx]

Early this year, I posted a topic asking if anyone knew any seat re-trimmers. Andy @ Optimise Automotive promptly got in touch with me.

He mentioned to me that he wanted Optimise to broaden its product range, and he wanted to trim my seats for me.

So, I promptly went and bought these bad boys for £50: (Rover 200 Coupe Seats)





I also asked him if I could have some embroidery done (something he had never done, but was more than happy to sort it out for me!)

I then asked the forum for help in designing a special "sticker", and alot of people gave me plenty of ideas, I think it was Juju who gave me the best idea.

I ended up designing several designs:




I extended the laurel and made my own font and picked the first one.


So, in February 2011, I took my existing rear seats and the 220 seats to Andy at the Optimise Automotive HQ. I asked Andy to trim them in red to match Lulu's paint, with white piping and white stitching.

I also designed my own door cards to match - a Monte Carlo style design, but finished with a line of piping at the base.

I also asked Andy to make me some rear bin bottoms, rear bin liners and rear arch covers in the same material.


The first update I had back was a design Andy did for me (IMAGES COPYRIGHT OF OPTIMISE AUTOMOTIVE):




Secondly, we had an update about the embroidery (IMAGES COPYRIGHT OF OPTIMISE AUTOMOTIVE):






By now, I had completely fallen in love with these seats!


Most recently, I went to collect my seats, door cars and accessories from Andy at the Optimise Automotive HQ.

I cannot describe how happy I am with these items and the work done - especially as these are the first seats ever re-trimmed by Optimise Automotive.












I would like to thank Andy @ Optimise Automotive, as well as all the Optimise Team. Andy was very patient with me, and was always available to give me an update or to answer any (no matter how daft) questions. Furthermore, I accidentally broke one of the rear door cards (my fault!!), and Andy was straight on it, sorting me out a replacement.

I love the quality of everything.


Thanks Andy, I cannot recommend you enough!!

Stay tuned to this thread and to Lulu's resto thread to see how good everything looks fitted!!

EDIT: If you like the door card design, Andy has decided to start selling them! *smugface*

Edited by wardyxxx, 16 June 2011 - 09:33 PM.

[m0useYy]

So nice Looking forward to seeing them fitted!

[sonikk4]

Very very nice, what sort of prices are we looking at here for all of that work if its not a cheeky question??

[v21ash]

WOW I love them seats, it makes me want to have mine done, maybe one day

[wardyxxx]

Very very nice, what sort of prices are we looking at here for all of that work if its not a cheeky question??

Andy offers many different materials (Vinyl, Leather, Alacantara, ect), and many different designs are possible.

So, as each set of seats would be unique, costs will differ. But give Andy a call, he's a really nice guy!!

[minilester]

Very very nice, what sort of prices are we looking at here for all of that work if its not a cheeky question??

Andy offers many different materials (Vinyl, Leather, Alacantara, ect), and many different designs are possible.

So, as each set of seats would be unique, costs will differ. But give Andy a call, he's a really nice guy!!

OH. MY. GOD!

..i may just be willing to have Andys babies... i'll even grow the overies myself and everything!

ive got some metro seats that i want retrimmed poss. next year and Andy will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd on my list of people to call.

[wardyxxx]

OH. MY. GOD!

..i may just be willing to have Andys babies... i'll even grow the overies myself and everything!

ive got some metro seats that i want retrimmed poss. next year and Andy will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd on my list of people to call.

Hahaha!

[wardyxxx]

I've got the rears fitted - but my camera lens has just bitten the dust. Ugh.

[stevede]

Glad to see those finished, (saw a part of it mid way), because that means that mine must have moved up on Andy's work order.

My door cards will be similar style too. Can't wait.

Is the covering leather or vinyl?

Look forward to seeing pictures of them fitted

Regards

Steve

[roberts]

They do look seriously sexual - such a nice 'standard' looking interior, it could have come out the factory

I've been going through some photos I took today, I'll get them posted tomorrow.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[wardyxxx]

They do look seriously sexual - such a nice 'standard' looking interior, it could have come out the factory

I think you and me might be a bit biased! But everyone I have shown adores them!

[minimaff]

How much then....

[minilester]

How much then....

yeah.. i know different seats, different coverings... colours.. piping..

how much would you have charged him if this wasnt a "tester"?

as im really loving the craftsmanship and want my metro seats done in a nice hard wearing black on black style but not leather.

.. just a ball park..

[Ruckus]

Andy's work is top class, did my Alacantara roof liner.
Lovely work, fitted perfectly, looks epicly good.

Pics are in the ICE build section...

by the way Andy did you get my pics ? You never replied?

[roberts]

How much then....

How much then....

yeah.. i know different seats, different coverings... colours.. piping..

how much would you have charged him if this wasnt a "tester"?

as im really loving the craftsmanship and want my metro seats done in a nice hard wearing black on black style but not leather.

.. just a ball park..

Hello,

As you touch on it's impossible to quote without knowing in more detail what you are after. But…

As a guide, below are the prices that standard Mini seat upholstery will cost after September time when the service is officially launched (although prices are still subject to change these shouldn’t be too far off), before September you can save up to 35%:

MK1 to MK2 (1959 to 1970) Classic Mini's seats (front & back)
Rigid non-reclining seats.

Vinyl Leatherette: £450
Leather: £750
Alcantara®: £950

MK3 to mid-MK6 (1970 to 1993) Classic Mini's seats (front & back)
Single post headrest seats.

Vinyl Leatherette: £500
Leather: £800
Alcantara®: £1000

Mid-MK6 to MK7 (1993 to 2000)
Twin post headrest seats.

Vinyl Leatherette: £550
Leather: £850
Alcantara®: £1050

So as you can see, the more complicated the seat design, the higher the price. These prices will be for a set design, the more bespoke you make the seats the more they will cost… simples.

Rover 220gti seats
Like the ones above will be as follows (including a Mini back seat, without the embroidery):

Vinyl Leatherette: £650
Leather: £950
Alcantara®: £1150

It’s a full upholstery service that we will be offering - so we strip the seats, repair the foam, paint the frames and re-cover the seats in the covering of your choice. The covers themselves are also backed in foam (into the seat fabrication – it’s not added after).

So in other words, it’s a top notch, top end of the market service, which is obviously reflected in the price. For those of you on a budget we will be offering seat covers and cheaper options for Classic Mini seat upholstery (simple designs) - but that's a thing to promote at a later late.

Once the service is officially launched everything that the service includes will be covered in more detail on the website.

Hope that helps for now, we are still offering seat upholstery at the introduction offers until September, on a first come first serve basis – places (time slots) are filling up quickly so if your interested let me know ASAP.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive