123 Sheepskin Seat Covers - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

81Wagon · #1 09-23-2003, 05:26 AM

I've searched this forum and though there have been a few threads about sheepskin seat covers, there isn't very much helpful information in them.

I have an 81 300TD wagon and I'm looking to get some good sheepskins for my front seats - ones that will fit and last (I tried some cheap Costco ones about a year ago that did neither; on the other hand the dog loves them as bedding!). The first set of sheepskins in the car lasted a good 18 years and fit the seats like a glove... I want that back!

Looking around online (at sites companies in other threads here and others I've found myself) it seems in general sheepskin seat covers come in two forms: the cheaper general-fit types and the more expensive tailored types. I'm willing to go with the more expensive custom-tailored ones to get the right fit if I don't hear about a lot of good experiences with the other kind.

So, my questions to all of you with sheepskin seat covers in your 123's: Where did you get them, what kind did you get, and are you happy with the fit and quality? Is there anything I should avoid (besides Costco

)?

Many thanks!

R Leo · #2 09-23-2003, 05:37 AM

About a month ago, we bought the top-of-the-line units for SWMBO's 300D from Performance Products. Damned pricy but they fit perfectly and look absolutely fantastic.

Definitely worth the cost if you can make your budget bend.

81Wagon · #3 09-23-2003, 05:52 AM

These?
Performance Products Tailor-Made

I looked at them; they aren't too much more expensive than the other tailor-made covers I've found so far (though the headrest and armrest prices are). If they're good quality and last long enough the price becomes less of an issue (I'll just have to take a little more time to save up for em)... certainly it'd be cheaper in the long run than buying crappy low-quality ones that don't fit right and need replacing a year or two later!

Thanks for your input!

One more question I forgot to add: Do the covers leave the back of the seat clear so you can access the storage netting?

gasman · #4 09-23-2003, 06:19 AM

I've had a set of covers from sheepskin.com on my BMW for about a year and they seem to be wearing quite well. I just installed the same ones on my 300SD and they fit better than in the BMW, very close to a custom fit. They're the "Luxury Low Back" ones for $49.99 each. If you're interested, they included an coupon for a future purchase in my order that expires 10/24.

R Leo · #5 09-23-2003, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 81Wagon
These?
Performance Products Tailor-Made

Yes, these very ones (except her's are silver). At the time, the price struck me as outrageous...it was something like $650 for two front seats and headrests.

Quote:

Originally posted by 81Wagon

Do the covers leave the back of the seat clear so you can access the storage netting?

Yes they do.

They fit perfectly, leave the nets accessible and don't creep around on the seats either.

81Wagon · #6 09-23-2003, 07:24 PM

gasman, thanks for the coupon offer... However, I'm still suspicious of anything that cheap (for the most part you tend to get what you pay for). From your recommendation i'd be willing to consider it (I sure wouldn't mind saving myself hundreds of dollars!), but they look like they cover up the back of the seat (see my earlier post) which is a bit of a problem for me - though maybe I'll forget the netting and put some kind of back seat organizer over the seat cover, or I could go with the "premium" seats instead (more expensive though).

I'll think about it, thanks for your input!

gasman · #7 09-23-2003, 09:01 PM

I know your concern about cheap but I ordered a custom set from another website for my bmw for over $500, and to be honest, they were not that much better made than my $100 set. I sent the $500 set back for a refund and am very happy with what I have. The $500 set was definitely was not 5 times better in quaility.

clarkb7306 · #8 09-23-2003, 09:43 PM

I've been using Rocky Mountain Sheepskins for years. I get their Custom for about $200 and they have fit my 190E, 300D and Outback. They leave the back open so you can get to the net.

Fit is like tailor made and they have headrest covers too.

lietuviai · #9 09-23-2003, 10:38 PM

I had bought the ones at Costco as well. They were a pain to install and plus the shed all over my slacks. I returned them to Costco with no hassle whatsoever. One thing though, I would recommend to anyone wanting to install seat covers to remove the seats from the car (W123 series). There are lots of sharp metal parts under the seat that will shred your hands like a meat slicer.

81Wagon · #10 09-23-2003, 10:59 PM

gasman: I've been thinking about it some more and looking at the sheepskin.com web site, and the "premium" low-back seat covers plus headrest covers and armrest cover are beginning to look better and better. You may have won those guys a customer :-).

Has anyone else had good experiences with sheepskin.com seat covers?

lietuviai: Costco will happily take back anything - and I mean anything. I know a few people who have returned years-old merchandise... But now that we're on the subject, I have to tell this story:

My friend's dad bought five orange tree seedlings from Costco a few years back. Planted them, and then a month later went on a trip to Italy for five months - didn't have anyone come by to take care of the plants; he thought he could just give them a deadly amount of fertilizer and completely drown them in water before he left.... Of course, when he came back, they were all dead.

He went back to Costco and complained they gave him "bad" trees... The customer service person told him they could only give him new merchandise if he returned the old. He went back home and returned to Costco later with five dead, dry, uprooted twigs - and they gave him five new seedlings!

After I'd had my Costco seat covers for about a year they'd grown so nasty (stuff falling off, fit got worse and worse, and the elastic was totally rotted away) I just had to remove them. I was tempted to being them back (I have no doubt they would have taken them), but the dog just LOVES them. No accounting for taste I guess...

mercedesmatt · #11 09-23-2003, 11:26 PM

the best i have found are from "blue ribbon sheepskin co." i have bought several of their 3x grade skins, i love them!!! only about $300 for a pair. good luck

gasman · #12 09-24-2003, 05:50 AM

The Premium Low Back set does look interesting. The only fitment problem with the Luxury set I got is where the armrest attaches on the driver's seat. Since the back of the seat cover goes way down (obscuring the seatback netting), it also hangs on the armrest bar. I think I can cut it a little to fit better, but not while it's still new

. It really isn't that noticeable anyway. The Premium covers appear not to have this problem.

Here's the coupon code if you decide to go with sheepskin.com, 2puylp4U (expires 10/24 "savings applied when credit card charged"). It's only $10 off $75 or more but at least it'll pay for most of the ups ground shipping.

lietuviai · #13 09-24-2003, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gasman
The Premium Low Back set does look interesting. The only fitment problem with the Luxury set I got is where the armrest attaches on the driver's seat. Since the back of the seat cover goes way down (obscuring the seatback netting), it also hangs on the armrest bar. I think I can cut it a little to fit better, but not while it's still new . It really isn't that noticeable anyway. The Premium covers appear not to have this problem.

The arm rest comes fairly easily. All you have to do is remove the seat's back panel (also comes off easily - 2 screws at the bottom) to access the large nut that secures the armrest. That way you could either make a small hole in your cover for the attachment bracket or leave the armrest off all together.

ck42 · #14 09-24-2003, 04:25 PM

Ordered mine from Sheepskinexperts.com

The pre-made covers I bought fit so well they might as well be a custom fit cover.

Bought the same cover for my Father's Lexus and the fit was also excellent.

They're holding up great so far (about 18 months). The ones I got are here

Good service on the phone too.