17 replies to this topic

[thissideofparadise]

I ordered a new interior for our 96 SPI from Optimise. So far the quality has been top notch and the bespoke work they did was great. They were easy to work with and the custom work was exactly what I wanted. Only complaints was how much shipping was to get it across the pond. Not Optimises fault but it still hurt the pocket book.

 

We ordered:

Seat covers front and back

Door cards

Door cappings

Boot liner

Gear and hand brake gaiters

Headliner

 

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Day 1 Boot liner and a new carbon fiber boot. I will take more photos next time.

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[RedRuby]

Looking good, will be worth it when done and then we forget the pain and expense.

[Steve220]

Hopefully you won't have issues with the front door cards like most others!

[ajperry]

Looks great! Love the quilted leather. Carbon bootlid is super cool!

Edited by ajperry, 08 April 2019 - 04:58 PM.

[thissideofparadise]

Hopefully you won't have issues with the front door cards like most others!

what issues should I expect?

[Steve220]

Hopefully you won't have issues with the front door cards like most others!

what issues should I expect?

Too thick to get into the door upper recess. Mark Sharrock (total Car reviews) had real issues fitting them.

[roberts]

I ordered a new interior for our 96 SPI from Optimise. So far the quality has been top notch and the bespoke work they did was great. They were easy to work with and the custom work was exactly what I wanted. Only complaints was how much shipping was to get it across the pond. Not Optimises fault but it still hurt the pocket book.

 

We ordered:

Seat covers front and back

Door cards

Door cappings

Boot liner

Gear and hand brake gaiters

Headliner

 

 

Day 1 Boot liner and a new carbon fiber boot. I will take more photos next time.

 

Boot looks great, please make sure to send us over more photos once you have it all in!

 

And with regards to the front door cards...

 

Tom didn't have any problems with the front door cards, yes they took him longer than he was expecting (Tom thought fitting the door cards would be an easy job, it's not). He did have problems with his rear quarter panels though, but that is because his Mini has tubed rear wheel arches (meaning standard rear quarter panels don't fit).

• You can check check out his "fitting the interior" video here: LINK

Also, whilst we are on the subject of front door card fitting:

• Please find our door card fitting guide here: LINK

On the fitting guide you can find tips and advice with regards to the trim-clips that we recommend using and also advice with regards to getting the door cards to fit under the retaining lip (if you do have a problem with it).

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[Steve220]

Odd, as they were still hanging out at Bingley, and last I saw the other week. I advised JCS custom trim to shave a shamfer in the card material at the top where it slots in to the door, this made mine fit perfectly and still retain the new overall thickness of the card. I believe Jon now does this to all his cards?

Edited by Steve220, 11 April 2019 - 01:37 PM.

[thissideofparadise]

DAY 2 the rear interior.

 

Beautiful spring day here in Canada, so I took advantage of that and got stuck in. Goal finish the rear interior installation. I am nervous about doing the interior as I have never done anything with cloth in my life.

 

Started by taking out both front seats and gutting out the old interior.

 

Before I got started

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Old yucky door cards

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all empty, so far so good.

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Door cards are a pain to get in but the fit is fantastic. They slipped right under the retaining clip

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I shoulf of taken more photos but the bottom cushion needs to be stapled into the foam. It went well but needed a second set of hand

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the fit in the car was easy

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Now the rear back seat is attached with evil little clips. I had no idea if a special tool should of been used but ended up using pliers with one end taped up to not damage the cloth. The seat was easy to put in.

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Here is Rosie so far

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Edited by thissideofparadise, 13 April 2019 - 09:43 PM.

[ajperry]

Those rear seats look ace! Very nice.

[thissideofparadise]

This evening I had a look at the front seat. Anyone know how to remove the leather from the old headrests? Also how do you remove the headrest button and know that allows the seat too lift. In other words how do take off all the plastic bit I need to remove to reskin the seats. Any videos?

[thissideofparadise]

Day 3

 

Rainy day here so I moved into the garage. Tackled the front door cards and door caps. 

 

Old door cards

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At first the door cards were a little too tight to fit under the slot. A quick pull on a metal ruler covered in painters tape as per Andy @ Optimise suggestion. I ended up pulling it about 1mm.and voila they fit right in. Next I used a longer tree style retainer clip which made the job super easy. About 1 hour per side including the door furniture.

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I got door caps and installed them with heavy duty Gorilla mounting tape. I got the door caps as my drivers door came badly chipped. Not sure I love the but they door clean up the car nicely.

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[thissideofparadise]

Day 4 Front seats

 

Since you would see them the most I really wanted to do a good job of the seat. I emailed Andy(Optimise) with a few questions that he quickly answered and gave a few tips to help me get started.

 

Striped of the old leather

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Started by trying to attach the hog clips without the right tool, 30 minutes later we had only one on. Reached out to local Miniheads and someone(Hoopz Hooper)

was nice enough to lend me their pliers. I would of bought them but it is a bank holiday!

Once home we had them all on in 20 minutes

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Time for the clips

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Bottom done

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Now the top half was easy but frustrating to get the black plastic paddle in.

 

Voila. The wrinkles on the pipping came out after about 2 hours. 

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Headrests and other seat tomorrow.

[Wiggy]

Top work. That interior looks good enough to eat.

[thissideofparadise]

Day 5
Head rest and second seat.
 
Head rest are easy strip the old leather and pipping off and slowly slip the new cover on.
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First seat took 2 hours to finish, second took us 35 minutes. Guess we learnt how to do it properly.
Still have the head liner to do but I will wait until the summer for that.
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So far I would say the product is excellent and we just came back from a local show and everyone was impressed with the quality and the look. Andy if you get a few requests for seat from Canada you have me to blame!

Edited by thissideofparadise, 21 April 2019 - 06:46 PM.