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maloo97
10th January 2007, 12:34 PM
Hey guys thinking of getting retrim for my car. Leather seats door trims and hand brake an gear stick surronds. What colours would you recomend or think will suit. remember the g's have a black dash so like a bown, brown or white wouldn't really be that good. I thought Silver / grey or even blue.
Whats ya think ?

PaulyJ
10th January 2007, 12:43 PM
Silver/grey... it'd look more classy.

rjastra
10th January 2007, 01:16 PM
Be a bit adventurous

How about red?

http://www.fpv.com.au/media/29998/force_full06.jpg
http://www.mercedesbenz.com.au/gifs/photogallery/14_large_17x06x2005120437PM.jpg

Brown can be done with black interiors

http://www.alfaromeo.com.au/images/gallery/2006/medium/med_Alfa%20Romeo%20159%20interior.jpg

http://www.mercedesbenz.com.au/gifs/photogallery/4_large_17x06x2005104203AM.jpg

maloo97
10th January 2007, 01:40 PM
Thanks rjastra for the pics.

I suppose some of the astra converts come with red so that might be ok.

Geebs
10th January 2007, 01:43 PM
I had a silver SRI G. Had black n red leather interior. I loved it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/geebs87/DSC0027311.jpg

NXA-16H
10th January 2007, 03:00 PM
Be a bit adventurous

How about red?

http://www.fpv.com.au/media/29998/force_full06.jpg
http://www.mercedesbenz.com.au/gifs/photogallery/14_large_17x06x2005120437PM.jpg

<snip>

I second that. I thought once upon a time of doing the same to my barina, but thought better of it.

NXA-16H

Wraith
10th January 2007, 03:01 PM
IMO Maloo, definitely the red as used in the convertible looks fantastic........

Got it in mine and I couldn't be happier, really looks the goods :)

It's more of a dark red and along with the black inserts in the door panels, it suits both the interior dash black colour and the exterior star silver.

Or if you want to be different/unique, either a nice shade of dark blue or silver grey, overall on the seats and split up with black inserts on the door panels/cards.

Shaun
10th January 2007, 03:55 PM
Silver with Black

maloo97
10th January 2007, 04:33 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys

CAL.16V
10th January 2007, 04:47 PM
burgandy ..

ope126
10th January 2007, 07:43 PM
Tan leather or Maroon. I have Maroon Leather in my 2002 Holden Vectra CD 2.6L Hatch, Lovely!!!:D :D :D

dustbug
10th January 2007, 07:44 PM
Deff go the red/black or burgandy as said. This looks awsome on a silver car. a mate has a gunmetal silver SP23 with burgandy leather. Looks awsome, but since yours is normal silver, maybe stick with the red/black.



I'll probs be looking for a retrim in feb / march so let me know what you find and prices.

CAL.16V
10th January 2007, 08:35 PM
better option is save the 2k or so and buy a turbo whihc has leather

digifish
10th January 2007, 09:41 PM
Whats ya think ?

Come resale time a black, dark-grey/charcoal leather interior will be easier to sell.

digifish

maloo97
10th January 2007, 09:53 PM
burgandy ..

Yeh i think thats the colour.

rjastra
11th January 2007, 07:38 AM
Just keep a look out for cars with red leather.

Usually the darker tones suit silver better. Alfa Romeo usually have a nice red leather. Just don't over do the red in the interior. Leave the handbrake/gear gaiter in charcoal (red stitching perhaps).

I'd steer clear of blue.

Beige?

http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2006/12/medium_330010423_047a5b9e91_o.jpg

Wraith
11th January 2007, 07:43 AM
Yes, I agree, with a silver coloured car a darker shade of red will look better, see if you can check out a vert, they have a darker shade of red in them, burgandy is also a very good choice, but you'll have to check out the different shades available, some of them I've seen look a little purple-ish :)

maloo97
11th January 2007, 09:18 AM
All the convets iv seen are a light red.
Colours im leaning on are burgandy or a sliver grey.
Any more pics or info would be great thanks guys.

Wraith
11th January 2007, 12:45 PM
Light red ?? mine must be different :)

In pics mine actually comes out lighter/richer looking than it actually is - maybe that's why Maloo, check one out in the flesh if you can.

The red 'Linea Rossa' verts did actually have a light red in them, but it's only that variant.

maloo97
11th January 2007, 01:18 PM
Light red ?? mine must be different :)

In pics mine actually comes out lighter/richer looking than it actually is - maybe that's why Maloo, check one out in the flesh if you can.

The red 'Linea Rossa' verts did actually have a light red in them, but it's only that variant.

Thanks for the info Wraith.

Misguidedangel
11th January 2007, 02:29 PM
purple :D :D

maloo97
11th January 2007, 02:34 PM
purple :D :D

OMG! never!
:rolleyes:

Misguidedangel
11th January 2007, 02:38 PM
How could you not? :eek:

hahaha

maloo97
11th January 2007, 02:41 PM
Pinks or purples are out for me , but what ever flotes your boat is fine! :p

Misguidedangel
11th January 2007, 02:55 PM
oh stop being a pansy and dooooooooooooo iiiiitttttttttttt!

Apex
11th January 2007, 03:26 PM
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/32156317_full.jpg (http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/32156317_full.jpg)

Red looks good to me, pinched this image from trade-me. This inertia is from a Jap import 2.2 Coupe.

Wraith
11th January 2007, 03:57 PM
That's a good pic there TTEETT.

And yeh, it is a brighter/richer looking red colour in the pic that what it actually is.

Mine is the same, for some reason it looks much lighter in pics.

Agree with Maloo about the purple - yuuukkkk, no way, you'll turn it into a gaymobile :D

Not that there's anything wrong with that :D

maloo97
11th January 2007, 04:23 PM
Wraith whats the name of the colour is your convert ?

imay
12th January 2007, 09:02 AM
Just do black!
It hides a multitude of sins, and ages well. If you get a good leather and its all put together by a good upholsterer you will be more than pleased with the result. Use the centre console color and a bit of chrome/aluminium here and there as highlights. That's all you really need. Colors are OK, but tend to look "aged" much quicker than black IMO.
Also be aware that not all parts/panels can be covered in leather, so the upholsterer has to match leather to vinyl. The leather/vinyl fade rate will be different and will look like 2 totally different finishes. I've seen 2 year old red interiors on convertibles that had totally different color red from seat front-to-seat back-to-door panels, etc.

Basically . . . get the advice of several good upholsterers and use their advice to help make the decision. The end result will depend entirely on his expertise in putting it all together.

Wraith
12th January 2007, 09:08 AM
Wraith whats the name of the colour is your convert ?

I've got no idea what the colour code or name is :confused:

However if you like I'll try and find out, should hopefully be as simple as making a call to GMH service and spares maybe :rolleyes:

Hi Ian, my vert is exactly 3 years old now and the red interior is brand spanking, although usage is low, alot depends on how you traet and look after it.

I always have a seat cover on the drivers seat (bottom part only) and 'do not' use any leather treatments at all, this most definitely assures longevity.

Also darker, more conservative colours won't necessarily date, I do agree lighter brighter ones will though :)

I also think black leather interiors are probably the best choice for an everyday used/driven vehicle, because it'll hide wear tear better, but they get sooooo hot on a hot day, you gotta keep it out of the sun :)

maloo97
12th January 2007, 09:12 AM
Yes indeed. And thanks imay great info :)

imay
12th January 2007, 09:42 AM
I've got no idea what the colour code or name is

Astra (Opel) interior trim code is on the sticker inside the drivers door jamb. Usually starts XX?? (from memory). I have a list of leather codes on my home PC, so I'll try to chase it up and post it here later, although if you are looking at a re-trim, just make sure the upholsterer uses all the same stock. Not forgetting, of course, there is leather, and then there is leather. The quality, finish, pattern, etc. will vary hugely. Your upholsterer should be able to buy in hides from the same stock, but remember, no 2 hides will ever be the same (a natural product, so it can't be!).


Hi Ian, my vert is exactly 3 years old now and the red interior is brand spanking, although usage is low, alot depends on how you traet and look after it.
I always have a seat cover on the drivers seat (bottom part only) and 'do not' use any leather treatments at all, this most definitely assures longevity.


I agree, Wraith. Fade and wear factors depend hugely on how, when, where you use your car. My convertible is an everyday driver. No rain, no roof. So it sees a fair bit of the SA sun, and already (after 12 months) I can see signs of fading. The main point is to avoid the temptation of using cleaners and leather "restorer" products that can simply damage the leather further.
I wasn't knocking red leather interiors as such, but if you get the chance to check out any others in the car yards, you can see how much the leather/vinyl fade difference can be. Haven't seen the same on beige, but I'm sure it is similar. And I'm sure black does the same, but being the darker color to start with, it's just not as noticeable.
My leather is just one part of the enjoyment I get out of driving my convertible, so I'll gladly accept the inevitable.

wyx56
12th January 2007, 09:45 AM
I DESIGN'D MY OWN INTERIOR......soft black nappa rouge leather with the vxl logo stitched in to the top of the seats .............

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r232/wyx56/awsomeint.jpg


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r232/wyx56/lipoi.jpg

Wraith
12th January 2007, 11:34 AM
Custom black leather interior above looks excellent.

Agree Ian, have seen plenty S/H ones in car yards, your correct, most of them looked shabby, regardless of the colour and yes the red ones looked worse because it stands out more.

However I think Maloo will look after his better than the average Joe and possibly adopt a higher quality leather, as you've stated there are leathers and then there are leathers.

I don't think the leather used in our Astras is of a very high quality and remember being told by a couple of dealers that later batches have better leather than earlier cars, I know that the finish of my leather does indeed look different to that of earlier verts, it's not as smooth or shiny and has more pattern on the surface.

I'll have to check this weekend and see what the trim code says as you pointed out.