Completely Hypothetical...

Bluefoam

Asking for a friend... 🤣

If there were two almost identical cars (pre-owned) sitting on a dealers forecourt but one was the year and mileage you want and one has the lovely red leather interior... What percentage chance would you have that the dealer would swap out the interiors... And if they did, would you have any concerns? Note, they are both electrically adjustable and heated... In fairness, the original interior is a nice alcantara, but I really want the red for the craic…

Seth Brundle

Given that you could easily change your mind after they do the swap, I can't see them doing it for you.

Plus, by making the car you want more desirable, they possibly are making the other one less desirable

3DataModem

A smart dealer would want a non-refundable deposit on the car you are proposing to buy before undertaking the work.

User1998

Zero

Bluefoam

They agreed to do it... The swap is being done today 🤣🤣🤣

I thought it was an extreme request, but happy days...

magicbastarder

Had they agreed to do it before you posted the thread? Or they were already open before 7am?

bcklschaps

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058403378/completely-hypothetical

Presuming you are talking about two standard-ish modern cars. I imagine the dealer will politely decline your request. Perhaps bring a friend to record the conversation, in case he is not soo polite, (soo we can all have a laugh) 😂😂

Swapping the interiors on two modern cars with all the safety and electronics is a pretty big job and would need to be done by a specialist. I would think it would also invalidate the manufacturers warranty on both.

The salesman will probably just refer you to a car interior specialist who will be able to pimp out your interior what ever way you want it.

Bluefoam

They agreed to it already... I just wanted to see what the reaction would be without giving the conclusion... I was delighted they agreed to it, but wasn't sure they'd do it...

copacetic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280333#Comment_123280333

impressive. Not overly surprised though, sales guys will agree to anything. Depending on the car though it’s a nightmare job, sales probably budget a days labour for one or two people, but I’d check it carefully.

GPoint

What car and year?
I would not buy a car that was ripped out and seats and door panels swapped out. Assuming door panels are matching color to the seats. Air bags etc . Potentially seat electric adjustments and generally quite messy work to do.

cml387

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280373#Comment_123280373

In other words trolling us. Not nice.

Bluefoam

I just wanted genuine responses...

CalamariFritti

It would be a lot of work and possibly coding for the seats, everything is coded to the control systems these days. And I imagine there would be more than just the seats? Side panels, dash and centre console elements? Floor maybe, head lining, things I cant think of right now? It will also invalidate factory config records for both cars.

If they are going to do it they would want extra money both for the 'upgrade' and the work carried out. If they would do it at all. I personally think they will not go near it. Maybe if you offer to pay big.

Edit: I'm seeing now they agreed and are doing it. Clearly I didnt expect that. Shoulda read the whole thread before replying. Fair play and good for you. Out of curiosity did they agree to do it for free? If for free I imagine its quite a high price car?

Bluefoam

Nah it's a relatively cheap car. They did say it was about 3 hours work, but weren't budging on the sales price or trade in, so it's a nice bonus to have thrown in. The swap is unlikely to be too complex, no door cards or dash trims... They're all black. It's seats are heated and electronically adjustable but not complex and controls are on the seats, not the dash. I'm interested to see how smoothly it goes.

Henry Ford III

What car is it?

kirving

It depends on the car model, the cost of the car, and their profit margin.

But there's a bigger, more obvious question here…

If a dealer is willing to take on such a job, which on 90% of cars is a total pain in the ass to do properly, why are they so desperate to make the sale?

The answer is - they are either making so much profit on the car that it's worth it for them to do it, or there is something else wrong with the car that doing the interior is a worth it just to be rid of the car.

mk7r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282056#Comment_123282056

Red Leather is almost unsellable so maybe they were delighted to get shot of it

Sam Russell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282125#Comment_123282125

That occurred to me. Who would want a red leather interior - apart from the OP and someone wanting a Mk 2 Jag?

Bluefoam

LoL, I've always wanted a white car with red leather interior… the car is cheap enough that it won't negatively effect resale.

Bluefoam

Mean girls are out in force today 🤣

delly

Why stonewall the make/model request? I'm sure there aren't too many dealers swapping out seats today, so it's not like you have to keep it on the down low.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123282450#Comment_123282450

I had a white Passat CC with red leather interior and I absolutely loved it

Hellrazer

We did it before for a customer (Alfa 159 - swapped red leather for cream suede) and believe me the pain it gave us while the car was under warranty wasnt worth what the customer paid for the swap over.

The amount of times they were back with creaks and knocks from the door panels, seats - it was a job we never did again.

No amount of butyl tape or panel tape would quiten some of the creaks.

bcklschaps

Because the OP is being soo tight lipped about the make/model/year but has explained its not an overly complex job means that the car is pretty old and the red leather is a give away that it's a sporty type of car. I am guessing we are talking about a 20+ year old "classic" German or Italian car and yes....

The profit margin is soo extortionately high that the dealer was prepared to undertake this rather messy job just to guarantee the sale.

PS. If the door cards don't match the seats 🤮

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280318#Comment_123280318

I’d agree with you generally but to an extent a red leather interior is fairly niche. It might be a point at which it could be considered to make the other more desirable.

GavPJ

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123283145#Comment_123283145

That would be my concern too. Rattles and squeaks that were not there before.

Once you hear one, you can't unhear it.

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058403378/completely-hypothetical

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123280333#Comment_123280333

So, it wasn't a "Completely Hypothetical" then! 😁

I like the concept of a red interior but the outside of the car would have to be black for it to work (IMHO). Glad your friend got sorted though. Make and model would be nice to know as we are all very curious now.

Bluefoam

It wasn't even vaguely hypothetical

Bluefoam

Picked her up today. Very happy with the interior, no squeaks or rattles.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123297555#Comment_123297555

Reminds me of my white CC with red interior. Great combo IMO. Enjoy👍🏻

JoeA3

it’s really not as big a job as some here are suggesting! Especially when it’s 2 identical cars and assuming both cars have similar spec, e.g. if both have heated/electric seats. Especially the front seats as it’s generally just a case of undoing a few bolts from the rails and out they come. Rear bench and armrest would be a bit more fiddly.

I see the door cards are still black. Doesn’t look out of place / mis-matched but were the door cards red in the donor car?

anyway, looks good imo. Red leather works well in an Alfa Romeo.