katzkin vs. soft classic trim
 

whatup guys, I trading in my 04 for an 05 in a couple of months, I dont want the monroof or the sound system so i dont want the gt package. I am planning on installing aftermarket leather, so far the names that have been coming out the most are katzkin and soft classic trim. I am undecided between these two, anyone have any imput on

-price
-quality
-waranty
-installation speed and overall service
-colors

thanks alot, all input will be very helpful

I just ordered Classic Soft Trim leather thru the dealership today, should be installed Friday if the schedule holds. I have a Velocity Red '04, got graphite seats w/ medium red inserts, and medium red door panel inserts. Also got RX-8 embroidered in black on the seatbacks. Installed price from the dealer is 1050+tax.

I'll know Friday how that all actually turns out.

I actually dropped my RX8 off at the dealer yesterday to get Katzkin leather. I checked out Classic Soft Trim and they were ok, the dealer I used said she use to use CST-but the workmanship has gotten sloppy (at least at the install station down here). Quality wise, I believe both leathers are comparable. I have a Nordic Green '04, I'm going with black seats with tan inserts and tan door panels, with custom logo embroidered in door panels. I'll take pics once I get the car back. Price installed was $1400 including tax, CST quoted me a similar price. The work is warrantied for 4 years 50,000 miles. From my inspection of both manufacturers quality--go with the cheapest, but make sure the install shops are good though.

Got my leather today
 

There will be pics as soon as there is sunlight to shoot them in. It's dark out right now (as I type this), so just chill. :)

Sure enough, my leather was installed today (a Friday), and I ordered it Monday. Dealership guy was supposed to call me the day before so I'd know to bring the car to the dealership, but I heard nothing the day before, so I just went to work. This morning at about 9:30 the guy from the dealer calls and says the transporter is there to get my car. I told him to send it to my office and send me a loaner car. 30 minutes later the flatbed wrecker is pulling around back at my office w/ a demo 6 on the back. I swap the 8 for the 6 and off it goes. Fast forward to about 6pm and the guy from the dealer says the transporter is on the way back to Classic to get my car and take it to the dealership. I head out from work a little later and hit the dealership at about
7:30pm. My car is there, I pay for the work ($1050 total) and drive home.

The car looks kick ass. The graphite and darker red were a good choice. I like that the graphite is a contrast to the black plastic trim in the car, so you can see the lines of the seats pretty clearly. The black embroidery on the seatbacks looks nice. I considered asking for red embroidery for a stealth look, but then chickened out because i didn't know how well they could match the reds.

The only flaw I can find is that on the driver's side seat, on outside edge nearest the pedals, there is a gap between the plastic trim and the seat cushion. Not sure if my plastic is deformed from me sitting on it(my guess - yes), or maybe the leather was cut just a little small and squeezes in the padding too much. It's a pretty minor gripe, and once I sit down, it's not visible. The passenger side is perfect.

oh yeah, forgot the other gripe.

they seem to have forgotten the back seat side panels. they are on the drawing but mine didn't make it into the car. i'm calling the dealership back tomorrow to see about getting them.

My leather is done also--i'll post pics asap

i have the black/red seats in my 2004 RX-8 but i don't like how the seat back panels are a big piece of plastic on the leather seats. i like the way the cloth seats look. i want to know if i just take off the seat backs and put new leather on from Katzkin will i run into any complications.
do i have to have the cloth seats for this

major thread bump!!! and to answer your question i think you will run into fitment issues because the seat size without the trim is different to the stock cloth seats so the seat covers will be looser

Man, I've been waiting to see pics of these guys' leather for over 5 years now. lol

Here is my six years old thread showing pics of the Classic Soft Trim leather: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/aftermarket-leather-interior-done-19867/

Cool thanks! Your seats look great. I'd like to have leather too.....someday.

hows that holding up now tamas? i remember seeing your thread a long time ago, the smooth leather on the black sections look much better than the ribbed vinyl that comes on the grand touring package. overall the material looks much better than the stock leather too. i have the gt package and like the red/black color scheme but want to eventually re upholster

I went out to the garage and snapped a few pictures... it's doing pretty good. I added the photos to the other thread, but here is the post:

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...3&postcount=48