Loose seat leather on mid 2000's Astons.

[nathandarby67]

I have been on-again/off-again in the market for a Gaydon era Aston (probably a V8V) for a few years now, and have started looking closer here lately. I am noticing seat leather on a lot of the 06-08 cars that seems to have become stretched and loose, and thus wrinkled. It's especially noticeable on the seat back bolsters. It almost looks like the seat covers are a size too big for the underlying foam. I've seen other cars where the leather seems to maybe wear quickly or tighten and shrink (Ferrari dashboards come to mind), but I've never seen anything quite like what I'm seeing on these AM's. See attached pics for a typical example. The leather does not appeared worn or damaged, just loose and the seat cover ill-fitting.

Has anyone else experienced this, and more importantly is there an easy fix? Can the existing leather be pulled in around the cushions and tightened up by an upholstery place? Or would I be looking at a full re-trim?

[Murph7355]

Have seen a few pictures like that - looks horrendous.

Mine's an 07 and the seats are as tight as new leather cover wise (and generally).

I wonder where these cars have been stored, used and by whom (though I'm a larger athlete so lardiness is unlikely to be the issue).

[JS1500]

Can't say i've ever noticed this issue, aside from the white US Vantage I started a thread about recently.
Looks to me like an overweight person has deformed the foam so the leather no longer fits. I'd imagine you could get new foam.

The problem I'd previously noticed was with the pre-2007 seats where the seat backs seem to become 'ribbed' - that is the heater elements (?) show though the leather after the seats have been well used.

[JS1500]

JS1500 said:

Can't say i've ever noticed this issue, aside from the white US Vantage I started a thread about recently.
Looks to me like an overweight person has deformed the foam so the leather no longer fits. I'd imagine you could get new foam.

The problem I'd previously noticed was with the pre-2007 seats where the seat backs seem to become 'ribbed' - that is the heater elements (?) show though the leather after the seats have been well used.

Like this one...

http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/24766/Aston_Van...

[woodsypedia]

I have a 59' V12V with carbon seats and the leather on the chairs itself is fine, but the dashboard (passenger side) is showing signs of rippling. I wonder if its got something to do with heat cycles and the combination of hot sun and then cold nights.

Chris

[IanV12VR]

woodsypedia said:

I have a 59' V12V with carbon seats and the leather on the chairs itself is fine, but the dashboard (passenger side) is showing signs of rippling. I wonder if its got something to do with heat cycles and the combination of hot sun and then cold nights.

Chris

I have had that in the past on both my DB9V and V8V on the passenger side of the dash. Both were easily fixed and never repeated. The thought with both was that it was down to heat cycles but the car didn't spend that much time in the sun as it was garaged when not in use. Mine were slightly different as more large bubbles than rippling and happened within the first two years of ownership

[ds2000]

woodsypedia said:

I have a 59' V12V with carbon seats and the leather on the chairs itself is fine, but the dashboard (passenger side) is showing signs of rippling. I wonder if its got something to do with heat cycles and the combination of hot sun and then cold nights.

Chris

I've got this on my 59 V12V as well. On the to do list this winter or next. It won;t be that hard to sort out

[AMDBSNick]

ds2000 said:

woodsypedia said:

I have a 59' V12V with carbon seats and the leather on the chairs itself is fine, but the dashboard (passenger side) is showing signs of rippling. I wonder if its got something to do with heat cycles and the combination of hot sun and then cold nights.

Chris

I've got this on my 59 V12V as well. On the to do list this winter or next. It won;t be that hard to sort out

According to Ade at BR its a simple job. Mine will be done next month when they service the Tandoori Express

[michael gould]

nathandarby67 said:

I have been on-again/off-again in the market for a Gaydon era Aston (probably a V8V) for a few years now, and have started looking closer here lately. I am noticing seat leather on a lot of the 06-08 cars that seems to have become stretched and loose, and thus wrinkled. It's especially noticeable on the seat back bolsters. It almost looks like the seat covers are a size too big for the underlying foam. I've seen other cars where the leather seems to maybe wear quickly or tighten and shrink (Ferrari dashboards come to mind), but I've never seen anything quite like what I'm seeing on these AM's. See attached pics for a typical example. The leather does not appeared worn or damaged, just loose and the seat cover ill-fitting.

Has anyone else experienced this, and more importantly is there an easy fix? Can the existing leather be pulled in around the cushions and tightened up by an upholstery place? Or would I be looking at a full re-trim?

previously owned by fat gits with big arses ....my 55plate DB9 seats are in perfect order

[ds2000]

AMDBSNick said:

According to Ade at BR its a simple job. Mine will be done next month when they service the Tandoori Express

I may add it to the Lance to do list.....

[woodsypedia]

AMDBSNick said:

According to Ade at BR its a simple job. Mine will be done next month when they service the Tandoori Express

Has any one had this done at a dealer? Do you have an idea of cost? I guess it wouldn't be covered under warranty?

Chris

[BigMig]

I recently had the same "bubbling" issue with my dash, the dog legs bit nearest the screen, and the leather on the back of the instrument cowling had shrunk and so was peeling away. Dealer sent it to their trimming guys who were originally going to re-stick it for about £90. In the end the re-trimmed the 3 panels for £180+VAT as the original leather was beyond saving, plus they reckoned it was the neck of the cow used on the cowling which is why it had shrunk. The new leather is a good match, though not perfect, overall I'm pleased with the result. And no it's not covered under warranty.

[GingerMunky]

The leather in my 07 car is still tight. Those seats look like the leather has stretch from regularly supporting some heavy occupants. Maybe get them recovered.