seat replacement or just recover?

[gozer61]

i have a 2004 mazda 6 whose front seats' upholstry is damaged. the tan cordoroy fabric is frayed and worn out in places. i would rather not use aftermarket seat covers. a local dealer's parts department quoted me $320 for the seat upholstry and $570 for the back seat upholstry FOR ONE SEAT! i'm inclined to think that he was misreading the parts list. surely the entire seat can't cost almost $900, let alone just the upholstry.

can the upholstry be replaced, or is it glued to the foam and othera seat parts such that you can't just pull it off and slip new upholstry onto the seats?

if it can be replaced, where can i get it if not from the dealer?

if it can't be replaced, i'll have to replace the entire seat assemblies. the driver's seat is pretty worn, and the wire backing pokes through in spots, so that wouldn't be such a terrible thing.

if i want to replace the seats, i want to go OEM. where is a good place to look for them? a quick search of ebay motors turned up only one pair of rather dirty ones that didn't look very appealing.

is posting a WTB type of add in a forum here likely to turn up anything?

thanks for your help.

 

[Mistersix]

you could try the WTB, but your gonna pay a lot in shipping. if it were me, i'd stay frequent at local salvage yards, want ads, craigslist, etc.

i dont see any reason why they cant be rebuilt and recovered. you'll need to get in touch with re upholstery shops in your area. they would know more than anyone, if it can be done. they should even give a quote.

dealership prices are ridiculous. so 900 for a stock seat is probably right.

 

[gozer61]

thanks! good suggestions. i have a line on a local pick and pull shop but can't get there until this weekend.

the $900 quote was what i got for just the seat and back upholstry fabric. it was rediculous and undoubtedly a quote for the wrong part. i don't think $900 is out of line for the entire seat assembly, but that's neither what i requested, nor what i was told quote was for. obviously there was a disconnect.

 

[Mistersix]

keep in mind that some models have weight sensors and air bags IN the seats. this is something your gonna wanns make sure is compatible, and also if your car is so equipped.

one problem you may run into is the weight sensor in the passenger seat. once the seat is disconnected to be removed, this sensor is reset and therefore needs to be "re-calibrated". its my understanding that this has to be done at a dealership. i know this to be true in my speed six.

it has something to do with sitting weights (90lbs iirc) on the seats then adjusting the proper settings in the ecu. it basically tells the airbag rather or not the passenger is big enough to be protected by the air bag in the event of emergency deployment.