New Headliner and Carpet

[70roundtail02]

Hey all wondering if you guys can point me in the direction of where to find a new headliner and carpet, I would really like to locate either NOS or a quality reproduction kit. Car has been garaged for the winter and disassembly of the interior is starting so I appreciate all the help.

[74tii]

For carpets you should check out the famous Al Canuk seams perfect
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/

Second to none as far as I know

[vtbimmer]

For carpets you should check out the famous Al Canuk seams perfect
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/

Second to none as far as I know
I second that^^^

[my2002tii]

The original headliner is available through BMW Mobile Tradition sources. It's relatively inexpensive compared to other things.
Al Larson (mentioned above) also makes wool headliners. I've seen one, it was very nice (photos below)
http://www.my2002tii.com/slides/fall2005/images/true_friends_fall_05-%20146.jpg
http://www.my2002tii.com/slides/fall2005/images/true_friends_fall_05-%20142.jpg

[slx]

i'm not allowed to post a link or pic..see my sig for 2 good sources for less money & equal quality

don't be so quick to buy from the 1st hawker...shop some, there are a lot of places that sell aftermarket carpeting & headliners....regardless of popular opinions, others do make and sell quality products for less money.

the cut & sewn carpet sets mention'd already are easiest to install but your car might have the moulded sets which are only slightly more work to install..untill you get into the wool or imported carpeting and fabrics there's not 2 cents difference in quality and or workmanship...if you're told differently, it's sales hype

get samples from anyone you contemplate buying from, the 2 below will send you anything you ask them for..i've purchased from both sources and was very satisfied with the speed of shipment, cost and quality of merchandise

i've been there & done it...several times

[Al Canuck]

74tii, Brent, and Keith, thank you for the kind words. The pictures that Keith posted are from Andy Stuckey's M2 in North Carolina. We did the wool headliner, matched visors, tan square weave carpet, and also the door panels, and seats in it. Since then, We've carpeted several of Andy's other cars. Still one of my favourite interiors.

SLX, although I do take some mild offense to being called a "hawker", I won't let it bother me too much. In fact, you may notice that I did not "hawk" anything at all in this thread. 3 other board members mentioned my name without me ever seeing this post. And as for being a "hawker" at all, I should mention that I have been a very active member of several different BMW communites, LONG before I ever began manufacturing BMW interior and trim products. I actually started my business simply as a side business, so I could provide a high quality, properly fitting carpet set to fellow 2002 enthusiasts for a fair price. That is something that was seriously lacking from the market before I stepped in, or so I felt. After selling a few sets, and having several happy clients, our carpets, and my business, took off. It eventually became a full time business, and has grown to include many other trim items for several BMW models, as well as offering a complete, full service restoration facility. I didn't build this by "hawking" anything, or through pure "sales hype." We offer a superior product to our competitors, plain and simple.

You're right about others selling similar items, but they are not higher quality, OR lower priced. Our nylon loop carpet sets sell lower than World Upholstery sets do, and are of a higher quality. Why are they better? Well, for starters, you're right about the actual quality of the carpet itself. We use the same nylon loop from the same mill that they do. It's inexpensive, and available throughout the entire industry. I can go into a trim shop here in Vancouver, or down in Miami, and all trimmers will know what Detroit Loop is. I'm not going to contest that fact. What makes our sets better, is the way in which they are sewn. When I patterned our 15 piece set, I had the pleasure of using a very low mileage, all original 73 2002 for a template. The carpet was near perfect, and I copied 100% in shape, and location of binding. We allowed only a small amount for shrinkage, and adjusted accordingly. We then bound it in exactly the same locations as the factory. Some of the other sets on the market add extra binding, and will try and tell you that is a bonus. All it does is add extra bulk underneath overlapping pieces, where a raw edge would not. There is a reason BMW did it that way, and a reason I did it as well. On top of that, for our vinyl flaps, we sew a heavy weight, Softside vinyl on, same as we would use on seats. Not some cheaper vinyl that will tear easily during install. Finally, one thing we did modify was the pedal area. I saw how BMW improved that area in the 74-76 moulded sets, by adding a reinforcement panel around the pedals. We added the same piece to all of our sets, unless someone asks for it another way. Something I forgot, we also use the best thread that we can buy. It's a Koban 25, which may not mean anything to anyone right now, but it will actually last longer than the Nylon 69 that most shops use. Koban is $8 per spool more expensive, but it is worth every penny. Ask the competition what they use.

I don't think I even need to defend my company against Stock Interiors product. I had a look at their site, and they sell a complete line of moulded carpet sets for all cars. The carpet used is a cut pile, which is not even close to correct for a 2002! On top of that, it's an Eldorado cut pile, which I would not even consider using for any project in my shop, nevermind a BMW. I would be willing to gamble that the sales staff at Stock Interiors have never even seen a 2002. I'm sure they do just fine for most cars, but wouldn't you rather support a company that not only knows your car, but lives and breaths them? We have sponsored 2002, and general BMW events from North Carolina, to California, Washington, Oregon, and Chicago.There are no less than 7 BMW's in my shop right now, from a 67 1600, a couple 2002's, a 323i, an E28, and a pair of 6ers. When was the last time the president of World Upholstery or Stock Interiors posted a message on a BMW 2002 message board? I'm still in the shop, working on a couple different BMW projects, at 1:56am, on a Saturday morning. That is dedication to my work, and to 2002's.

Headliners? I installed a headliner from World Upholstery for a client a while ago. I gave it the benefit of the doubt, but I had some issues with it. It was sewn incorrectly around the C pillars, and ripped during install. Also, it was marked out on the back with ink, which WILL end up bleeding through the front of the vinyl eventually. Any trimmer worth his/her salt would know to use pencil, or chalk. On top of that, it had a rather glaring vinyl repair done to it, after someone obviously poked a hole in it during production. At Seams Perfect, my trimmers would have throw it away. I'm not sure what retail on a 2002 vinyl headliner is, but at $129, mine are MORE than fair! Need I mention that as far as I know, I am the only one to offer a pre-sewn 2002 headliner in wool?

Stock Interiors? They don't even sell the correct type of liner for a 2002. They sell a DIY kit which is fine, IF 2002's used a hard headliner like is common in domestic cars, and most newer cars. All they are selling you is a couple yards of a product called Nyfoam, and a can of glue. 100% completely useless in a 2002. Yet they list it as a 2002 product. Again, I don't need to defend myself against them. Please, if you must find an alternate retailer to me, pick someone that actually has a clue about the car you own, drive, and love. World Upholstery, or even GAHH, but not Stock Interiors.

On the moulded vs. multi piece debate, it's pretty simple. Multi piece is actually NOT easier to install, and that is not why we sell it. It is easier to manufacture, ship, and it will fit better in the end. Also, it covers the vast majority of vintage BMW's. Not much else to say there.

Samples? I have sample pics on my website, and can also forward other pics of available items that are not already shown. If that does not suffice, I am more than happy to mail samples of anything I sell.

Here's some "sales hype" for you to chew on. I am willing to negotiate package deals when multiple items are purchased, and I have the capacity to create custom carpet sets, in case the standard issue does not fit. We have created several custom sets for 02's with E30 sport seats fitted, and we are also the only ones to offer a rear seat delete carpet set, which has proven rather popular. Also, something that you will never be asked when you buy a carpet elsewhere is the year of your 02. Why does that matter? 67-69 1600/2002's have wider seats, but more importantly, they have the handle for the seat slider in front of the seat, not on the side like most 02's. So, if you order a carpet set from most of these guys, it will have a hole cut in it for a slider on the side, which you may not need. Little things like that make a difference to most 02's owners, like myself.

In conclusion, you're right. There are other suppliers of interior items for 2002's. We are not the only game in town. Having said that, you're wrong about them being cheaper, and offering the same level of quality. Well, cheaper maybe, but only in quality, not in price.

I hope I answered any concerns you may have had, and helped to educate a few people about the difference in quality you can expect from Seams Perfect. Please feel free to ask anything else. I am always happy to dispell a myth.

Happy 02ing,

Al Larson

Quick Edit - Roundtail, I'm not 100% sure where Pullman is, but it is worth mentioning that I am only 10 minutes over the border in Surrey, BC. Also, if anyone here mentions this thread, I will sell them a nylon loop carpet set for $199, wool or German loop for $509, or a non sunroof headliner for $109. Shipping is extra. Regular retail is $229, $559, and $129.



http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Als_02/alpedalsdone.jpg
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Als_02/alcarpetdone.jpg
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Als_seats/alfrontseatsdone2.jpg

[slx]

sorry you took offence AC...i wasn't calling anyone in particular anything, hawker or otherwise, just using the term in a generic sense

you need to look further at stock interiors, i have a set of their moulded, loop, which is same as the original in my 74 o2 and another of my cars

sorry but i feel that when anyone asks, more than one source should be presented for consideration...sorry again but each time this topic comes up, which is frequently, the only sourse for any interior stuff seems to be seams perfect...that's just not the case. i have seen your products, they are beautiful and appear to be of high quality but IMO only, seem to be priced much higher than the same or an equal product can be had for from other sources

nothing wrong with having a loyal following, it keeps the doors open but there are plenty of other options out there for someone looking to save a few $'s and get a good product

i don't care who buys what from where. i have nothing to lose or gain, as you do... just stating facts as they apply to my 20 + years of experience restoring cars

[slx]

yo al, would you mind posting some pics of the low end products, installed...it'd be a more objective comparison to see those pics compared to the ones you always use, which are the hi end carpeting, etc

thanks man for being such a good sport :TU:

[74tii]

damnit Al every time you post pics and talk about your carpets I feel more and more guilty for not getting all the things done on the cars that need done BEFORE I get to the carpet and interior.

One of these days AL.. one of these days..

-zachary in langlois

[vtbimmer]

I would rather buy a quality product from a reliable source that specializes in this certain vehicle then someone who sells "carpet kits" for every make and model. Especially with the great feedback and detailed pictures Al has.
That stock interiors site has a genaric picture that says "The above picture is an example, and may not represent your carpet exactly". Why would anyone trust that? Not me, hopefully not anyone with a 2002.
-Brent

[Lupin3]

Al, those photos have really got me salivating - beautiful work!

Are those carpet sets German loop? They look gorgeous, almost like twill.

I'm planning on redoing my interior sometime in the (hopefully) not too far distant future. My '74 has all original door and rear quarter panels, but they are starting to look a bit tired. Do you have standardized prices for those components as well?

And a more general question: I have often read that the multi-piece carpets were superior to the molded sets, so I wonder what the community's thoughts might be on retro-fitting the 74's with them? Did the euro 02's differ from American models for that year?

I for one would love to see more pics of interiors.

[slx]

I would rather buy a quality product from a reliable source that specializes in this certain vehicle then someone who sells "carpet kits" for every make and model. Especially with the great feedback and detailed pictures Al has.
That stock interiors site has a genaric picture that says "The above picture is an example, and may not represent your carpet exactly". Why would anyone trust that? Not me, hopefully not anyone with a 2002.
-Brentgood reasoning but not logical...if you haven't been there, you shouldn't knock it & can't objectively....i've been there...as i said, i have their rugs in 2 of my classics

i'b bet the local shop on the corner would sell a "carpet kit" for just about any "make and model" if the money's right

[Bluntheadtrauma]

i just received my square weave carpet set and rear seat cover sewn in scheel fabric to match my front scheels from Al at Seams Perfect. quality is outstanding with perfectly matched seams to compliment the front seats. not the cheapest but definitley fairly priced for the quality received. to be perfectly honest i struggled ordering from Al because i also thought he was a bit higher than other places. but after receiving his product i can honestly say its worth the loot. i cant wait to get my wool headliner and sunvisors

[Al Canuck]

Thanks again guys for the kind words. We really do strive to be better than our competition, and I think we achieve it time and time again. There is a reason that I ship things as far away as Sweden, Iceland, Australia, England, Holland, and several other EU countries, not to mention all over North America, and Puerto Rico! For most enthusiasts who want the best, price is not really an issue. A new Kia is cheaper to buy, and maintain than a BMW, but why do we drive BMW's?

The price thing brings up another point. I don't understand where the feeling that we are more expensive than our competion comes from? My 02 carpet sets start at $229, and my headliners at $129. I sell complete, rebuilt E21 Recaros for well under $900/pair, and the matching rear seat kits for $345. My door boards are $80/set, and even my E9 prices are in line with the 02 stuff. My shop rate is only $48/hour, which is downright cheap in this industry. As I said earlier, I am ALWAYS willing to cut someone a package deal, or even knock a few dollars off a set price, if someone asks nice. Most shops won't do that.

My wool products are not inexpensive of course, but that is a direct result of the cost of materials. Wool carpet costs 6x more than a nylon carpet, yet I don't sell it for 6x more! I have those sets priced about as low as I can go, and still scratch out a living. Please guys, compare my prices to my competition, you will see we are in the very same ballpark. Not bad when you consider the extra level of quality I offer. In addition to that, we offer several items that are exclusive to us.

I'll try to answer a few questions now.

Lupin,

We do have complete panel sets available, but it is best to contact me offline for pricing. Nothing truly standardised in the panel section, as there are so many variables. The 15 piece carpet sets can be swapped into a 74-76 02 no problem. The pics I posted were taken inside my 76 02 last year. Finally, the carpet pictured is German square weave. It's not an OE for an 02, but it is very popular.

Steve,

I took offense to the "hawker" term, as you said it as a direct result of 3 posts that recommended my shop. How can I take that any other way? Plus, you have HUGE links to 2 other sources in your sig, and not a single link to mine. It's fairly clear that you have a beef with me or my shop, but I'm not sure why.

I took a deeper look around the Stock Interiors site, and there is zero mention of a loop carpet available. They do have a very pretty "neon cut pile" available though. I bet THAT would look real nice in an 02.:rolleyes

Also, when you say the loop that you bought from them is the same as came in your 74, that is incorrect. The original loop in your 74 is German loop, not the nylon Dorsett loop that they sell. Not even in the same league. I know, as I sell both types, and have studied the different carpets in great detail.

You're absolutely right that my company shows up frequently as a recommended source of 2002interior items. I'm grateful for that. Have you ever asked yourself why that is? Perhaps it is because we are the ONLY trim shop that was founded around vintage BMW's, 02's in particular, and because of that, we have developed the best products available, at several different price points.

You want pictures of our nylon loop carpets? I'll see what I can do for you. Problem is, most of the nylon sets are black or blue, and do not photograph well when compared to the light tan square weave I pictured above. Having said that, here is a dark brown nylon loop carpet in a 73 2002. This is the first carpet we EVER installed, and we've made a few improvements since then.
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Rons_02/roncarpet1.jpg
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Rons_02/roncarpet3.jpg
How about a Golf 76 M2 that we installed a custom fit black nylon loop set in a couple years back? Again, the black is tough to photograph but you can see the custom work we did to fit it around the E30 seat mounts. That is NOT something you will get from Stcok Interiors, or World Upholstery.
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Luis_M2/Luiscarpetpass2.jpg
Here is the first rear seat delete that we ever sewed and installed, in the same car. Another product available only from Seams Perfect.
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/images/Luis_M2/Luisrearseatcarpet.jpg
That's all I have for pics of our entry level carpets. Reality is, most of our sets are sewn, and then shipped out for DIY or local pro install. I ALWAYS ask my customers for pics when done, but I rarely get any back.

[slx]

Steve,
I took offense to the "hawker" term, as you said it as a direct result of 3 posts that recommended my shop. How can I take that any other way?
Plus, you have HUGE links to 2 other sources in your sig, and not a single link to mine.
It's fairly clear that you have a beef with me or my shop, but I'm not sure why.
I took a deeper look around the Stock Interiors site, and there is zero mention of a loop carpet available.
Also, when you say the loop that you bought from them is the same as came in your 74, that is incorrect.
The original loop in your 74 is German loop, not the nylon Dorsett loop that they sell. Not even in the same league. I know, as I sell both types, and have studied the different carpets in great detail.


sorry that you took offense....i was not speaking of you, in regards to the posts previously made...i was mentioning anyone that hawks their wares....again..in a generic term


perhaps, i phrased my remark about the carpet being the same, improperly...it's like the carpet that came in the car
i link'd to those in my sig because for whatever reason, i'm not allow'd to post URL's so i cheated and place it in my sig


dude, i don't know you, never met you, never spoken to you, wouldn't know you if you knocked on my door...to state that i have a beef with you is a bit paranoid, wouldn't you agree? i was gonna buy from you once but i ran into something you had listed on ebay & took exception to what i viewed as some creative price juggeling you were doing.... rear seat deletes, maybe, i don't recall, it's been a while


the image is a piece of the 02 moulded set i bought last year from Stock Interiors...they may have stopped using loop for moulded, it's been a long time since i've been to their website


is this what's known as a pissing contest?

[noproblemq]

Al,

I just installed your carpet kit today. I bought it over 6 months ago or so, but I just now finished welding in seat brackets for my Recaros. The kit was very easy, and everything fit VERY nicely.

I promise to get some pictures during daylight hours, and post them here for you.

Thanks again, for a GREAT product. Looks awesome.

FQ

[Al Canuck]

Steve,

The comment is what it is, and we can't change that now. I suspect I'm not the only one who felt it was a jab at me, and my company. I am not paranoid in the least, I just do not enjoy being poked at by someone who I have never had any dealings with.

It is the same style of weave, as in loop, but certainly not the same quality as OE, or the same material. That carpet in the photo has more in common with the carpet in my office, than in an original 2002. Either way, doesn't look like they sell it anymore.

I'd like to hear more about the "creative price juggling". In my Ebay auctions, and on my website, my prices are very clear. I always list an opening bid, and sometimes a Buy It Now. No reserves, and no inflated shipping. Shipping is always flat rated, as I have done enough of it, I know what things cost to ship. Always very easy to see that on my auctions. On a related note, I think I have only ever listed work related items on EBay 3 or 4 times. I do not use it as a big selling service, but I will occasionally use it to feel out a price on an item. Always under my name though, not Seams Perfect. Nothing shady, and no "juggling" going on, whatever that means.

Not a pissing contest at all. I am merely clarifying some mistruths, and accusations that are wrong, and unfair. Nothing more.

Al

[Al Canuck]

Al,
I just installed your carpet kit today. I bought it over 6 months ago or so, but I just now finished welding in seat brackets for my Recaros. The kit was very easy, and everything fit VERY nicely.
I promise to get some pictures during daylight hours, and post them here for you.
Thanks again, for a GREAT product. Looks awesome.
FQ

Thanks for the kind words. Again, I really appreciate it. I would love to see some pics whenever you get the chance to post them.

Al

[HarryPR]

Just chiming in here...

On the subject of using multi-piece on late cars, I say GO FOR IT! I find it easier to install and, in case you need to replace a section, it's also more practical.

My only experience buying replacement carpet was with World Upholstery about 12 years ago. I was definitely dissapointed from day one with the quality of the set I received. They even sent me a different color from what I ordered and that's why my car has tan seats and a carpet in a darker shade (sort of like the brown color on early '02 interiors). It took forever to get them, so I didn't risk sending them back and wait for a replacement.

All I've heard about Al's carpets has been very positive. I will see them in person soon when Pablo, a local '02er, finishes his car. It is undergoing a cost-no-object restoration which will make it one of the sweetest Schwarz 02's around. Pablo bought all his interior from Al.