Hi guys!

Does anyone knows about any store that sells carseat covers that actually fits in the Ba model?
Just send one back that was totally wrong.
Every tips are welcomed!
Thanks!

Can't say I know of any specialist dedicated producers. However in Australia you could look up

[url=http://www.supercheapauto.com.au]Supercheapauto.com.au[/url] to get an idea of some that are universal fit, although you can also get tailor-made ones.

However the sheepskin ones may be worth a try. Just remember you get what you pay for, it won't be the full deep pile, the sides/back will be acrylic (or similar), it's likely patchwork and I'll bet the sttiching comes apart in your hands.

However the real sheepskin ones, from local producers in Oz, are the bees' knees- well, so to speak! However they cost more than an arm-and-a-leg. It may be worth getting just one for the driver's seat if you're the only regular. They are wonderfully warm in winter (perfect for Sweden) yet breathe beautifully in summer so you don't get hot and sweaty.

They'll do mail-oder to O/S generally too. Note you can get ones with synthetic sides/back or 'the full Monty', i.e. sheepskin all around. The price of those will make your eyes water!

cheers,
[b]Patrick[/b]

Sounds interesting even though the winters here in sweden isn't what they used to be.
I see a problem with the high holsters in the seat which made the covers kind of floating above the seat. Even in the back. It doesn't look right.
I also thought about just a pad for the a** but even there the shape of the seat didn't really match the size of the pad. However, maybe it's better to ask my spouce to make one for a price of a fancy restaurant. That saves at least my leg.
Thanks Patrick! I have a friend in Brisbane so shopping from over there is no problem. Are our models as unusual over there as here?
Cheers!

Patrick.
Same style of your seats?

Hi Ghoststrokes,

the seat shape may be the same but the set fabric is different. That's a very 90's pattern/colour scheme you've got there!

As for my seat fabric, you can see a pic of it on the rear seat in my vehicle from [url=http://club323f.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=59095#p743262]my thread post[/url]. As you can see, my pattern's somewhat different- and more boring- but may have aged better fashion-wise!

Note there are seat cover suppliers that will 'make-to-order' i.e. will make custom seat covers (measured to match) in anything from high-grade sheepskin to high-grade canvas! However these are obviously quite expensive. It may be you could just get one for your seat?

In Oz, here's a couple of links incl one in Qld for you.

[url=http://wildram.com.au/car-seat-covers/]Wildram[/url] (Qld- Southport/Gold Coast)
[url=http://www.canterburyseatcovers.com.au/products.cfm?categoryid=333]Canterbury Seat Covers[/url] (they have a R. M. Williams suede option too)
[url=http://www.coverworld.com.au/sheepskin-front-seat-covers-custom-made.html]Coverworld[/url]

And there are many others, just look on google. They all tend to have other seat fabric options too.

Now the other problem is matching the seat shape. If they needed to measure the seats that's an issue (unless I could possibly take my car down for you- if/when I'm in Sydney where the car is, I live ~3hrs away in Canberra) but that assumes the seats are the same worldwide, left-to-right differences notwithstanding. However those left-to-right will make a difference e.g. to the seat controls (height/tilt in particular).

Good luck!
[b]Patrick[/b]

Hi again Patrick!
You are very generous with good tips.
From the pictures of your rear seat it looks similar. Seems a little stupid to change the size
In different countries don't you think?
Yes it's very 90s and I would rather have a simple one coloured cover. Probably black or gray would match the green best. So you haven't sold it yet? Well it's a unique car and it's my fourth year owning it. No problems. Just did a time belt replacement. Not myself though. Surprisingly they said they didn't have to take the water pump cause it could been switch separately.
Have to look around more for cover. Will check your links and see what comes up!
Thanks a lot. Appreciate your help!
Have a great day!
Tommy

Patrick.
Found one finally that actually fits okay. Black and gray. Surprisingly I found it in a low price store so we'll see about the quality. Seems okay though for the cheap price. Put up some pictures when it's all dressed up.
Have a good day!

A little better or what do you think Patrick?

Hi Tommy,

yes, that pattern is better- hope they fit OK and are durable! I wouldn't worry too much about the price...for me "cheap" is more a matter of quailty/performance (or lack thereof) rather than $$$. The main cost in a poor product is usually the inconvenience and time spent finding a replacement...

Actually on second look I think it's quite a good pattern.

Cheers,

[b]Patrick[/b]

Yes you are totally right! I bought just one piece first to see if they actually fit okay. Then I took it back to the store and change to the whole set.
It fits as good as possible with this holsters we have. You can't get around that the cover will float above to some degree but as long as it looks okay and not sloppy I can live with it.
Good thing is that its divided in two pieces even for the front chairs. So now it's just to find out how to get the headrest off in the backseat
Skål!
Tommy

Patrick.
All dressed up! (Sorry for the bad pictures)
Had to improvise and cut a hole so I could drag the cover over the headrest. Couldn't get the damn thing off. Think the result was okay. One negative thing is that the holsters back is undressed because of the function that you can lean the seats forward. But how often will someone think of that? It's better (in my opinion) now than before so i'm satisfied. Next is to clean all the interior to get it in shape for the spring.

All very nice!

I'll have a look-see at my rear headrests when I'm next near the vehicle. I have noted some vehicles prevent you from removing adjustable headrests- at least easily.

You may also find a few sittings in the seat and the cover will start to mold to the shape. You may need to do some adjusting of the straps to tighten/looses it up as it stretches/moves.

And once it does fit properly, do no remove it (e.g. for cleaning) until *absolutely* necessary. They never go back on the same way twice!

[b]Patrick[/b]

Thanks Patrick!
Yes it will slide some and I guess the intention to keep it tight will slack some too as it often does after a couple of weeks or so. The tolerance for the not totally perfect seems to increase by time. At least for me.
You just don't inspect things the same way as when you just completed a job I guess.
But the overall impression is a lot better and less 90 s so thumbs up for that at least.
So you just use your mazda 323 sometimes or is it for sale? Got that impression checking your other thread.
by the way, the name of the cover is "Le Mans". Ha ha!
All the best
/ Tommy

HI Tommy,

yes I was going to sell it but then my Dad let me keep it at his place so I've kept it. As it was my Dad's car for ~18 years I think he likes it there...

Just take it out now on the occasional weekend, just wish for a brighter 'look at me' colour. The white paint is good and could probably last 100's of years when looked after as it's a solid colour I think, not clear-over-base so it won't delaminate the top lacquer the way the metallics do.

The only thing I really miss driving this car is a cruise control.

Cheers,

[b]Patrick[/b]

Hi Patrick!
Good choice to keep it! Guess your dad want to have it around The car I had before this was a Volvo 340 in light brown from -84
Four speed ahead with a small B 14 engine generates 84 HP. Looked like shit but very reliable .

At that time people looked at my car and laugh, now it's different, a mix of admiration and curiousity, and that for a car that is just standard with no modifications. This car seems very appropriate to do mods on. Have seen some cars here that is absolutely stunning.

Haven't missed cruise control for natural reasons, never had any

After a second thought I can't say I miss anything on this car. It's stiff and bumpy, especially on our shit roads but the road maintanance compensate that in my opinion.

I like the white colour on your car. I think they have come up with a lot of nice colours on this car.

ATB!

TOMMY

[quote="Ghoststrokes"]
All dressed up! (Sorry for the bad pictures)[/quote]
Nice covers you found man,nice.My seats are the same spoted patern.I dislike them,but i couldn't find any suiting covers.What brand are they if i may ask?

[quote="Ghoststrokes"]Had to improvise and cut a hole so I could drag the cover over the headrest. Couldn't get the damn thing off. Think the result was okay.[/quote]

I will be forced to make a "how to" for the head rests on the back seats.. soon..

[quote="pitrack_1"]The only thing I really miss driving this car is a cruise control.
[/quote]

You can put a cruise control on the BA!I think couple of guys have done it.Not sure if they are members of the forum..

[quote] Nice covers you found man,nice.My seats are the same spoted patern.I dislike them,but i couldn't find any suiting covers.What brand are they if i may ask? [/quote]
Hello and Thanks!
It's just a seatcover from a low price store here in Sweden that calls Biltema and the name is Le Mans Unfortunately they have no web store. They fit okay but with the holsters on our seats and with the "one size covers" they will kind of float above to a certain degree.

So it's just a matter of choosing the less worst alternative. Stay with the ugly pattern and colour or accept some covers that gives a fresh total feeling but doesn't fit like a second skin.

I don't think this fits better than any other one size covers I just came to a point where I accept the not perfect. They will be a little loose on the seat after a while but not as much as it looks too sloppy.

Thanks for asking!

Tommy

[quote] I will be forced to make a "how to" for the head rests on the back seats.. soon.. [/quote]
Seems like an excellent idea! Stupid construction to not have the same function as in the front seat. I gave it up and cut a hole in the covers but would have preferred the option to take the headrest off.
Tommy