Imola Red Interior E92 M3

[shakywarrior]

Dove into this project a little bit over the Valentines Weekend. I think the color option suits the holiday

I'll be posting some pics of the progress I make over the next few weeks and maybe months. I'm taking the process slow and steady.

This is sort of bitter sweet for me since my M3 actually needs a motor and is just stationary at the monument.

But I decided why not make the best of a horrible situation right??

Car: 2008 E92 M3 AW 6MT

[Blindside_137]

Lovely, can't wait to see how it turns out. Sorry to hear about the engine.

If I ever have an opportunity to go with Amarone interior I wouldn't hesitate. Definitely my all time favorite shade of red for the interior. Imola is an excellent choice as well.

[shakywarrior]

Update: Coming out great

[SAMM3Y]

You dying them?

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

You dying them?

I am.

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

Lovely, can't wait to see how it turns out. Sorry to hear about the engine.

If I ever have an opportunity to go with Amarone interior I wouldn't hesitate. Definitely my all time favorite shade of red for the interior. Imola is an excellent choice as well.

Checked out that Amarone. I'm gonna need to find someone to let me do that color next

[SAMM3Y]

Cool beans

I watched a yt the other day on a company doing an e39 5 series in rust/cinnamon it was very impressive.

[Blindside_137]

That seat looks amazing!! Nice job. And yea only seen one or two pics of amarone. Not a popular individual choice by any means but goes so well with black/white/silver/gray exteriors.

[BlueM3Wagon]

Following! Looking to do my interior Rust brown Individual. Working with a shop now for dye match. Are you spraying or applying my hand? I assume it's being sprayed, looks amazing

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

Following! Looking to do my interior Rust brown Individual. Working with a shop now for dye match. Are you spraying or applying my hand? I assume it's being sprayed, looks amazing

Spraying! First time spraying anything also. Seems the water based dye is very forgiving. But I'm getting better!

I'm doing the rear seat cushions and backs today. I'll be back with another update later if all goes well.

[Maseroche]

Would love to see the results! Best of luck OP.

[tdott]

Always looks good when first done, but starts to look like crap after they wear/crack/chip.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by tdott

Always looks good when first done, but starts to look like crap after they wear/crack/chip.

When done properly, the finish will last just as long as OEM. And is the exact same product the OEM use to paint the leather.

If it cracks, chips etc, it was very poorly applied. It's pretty hard to screw this up unless you're using some cheap dabbing, or brush-on product.

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by tdott

Always looks good when first done, but starts to look like crap after they wear/crack/chip.

Just like any leather that wasn't properly taken care of.

[shakywarrior]

Small updated. Got the passenger seat back in the M3. Lookin good. There are a few spots where the dye peeled up some because of the masking tape, but I've learned and will adjust.

Also! If anyone knows how to remove the actual seat backing from the bottom cushion that would help a lot for the drivers seat process!

[tdott]

Originally Posted by doogee

When done properly, the finish will last just as long as OEM. And is the exact same product the OEM use to paint the leather.

If it cracks, chips etc, it was very poorly applied. It's pretty hard to screw this up unless you're using some cheap dabbing, or brush-on product.

Starting from raw materials is different than dying 10+yr old leather.

I stand by my statement I haven't seen a re-dyed interior last and hold up, by all means prove me wrong, best of luck to the OP.

[W///]

That looks really good! I've got Imola Red leather on my Alpine White Z4M Roadster and it was a big reason I picked that particular car. I prefer it to Fox Red personally.

I'd love to pick up a used interior in the distant future and try my hands on this. Wouldn't want to do it on my completely original interior which is in good shape for its age. My choice would be Cinnamon. I think Sparkling Graphite/Cinnamon would be a pretty cool and classy combo.

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by W///

That looks really good! I've got Imola Red leather on my Alpine White Z4M Roadster and it was a big reason I picked that particular car. I prefer it to Fox Red personally.

I'd love to pick up a used interior in the distant future and try my hands on this. Wouldn't want to do it on my completely original interior which is in good shape for its age. My choice would be Cinnamon. I think Sparkling Graphite/Cinnamon would be a pretty cool and classy combo.

Now that you mention that, my leather was in great condition....BUT my car has 140k lol. And from the Fox Reds I've seen in person, this Imola really is a deeper type of red. I love it.

Cinnamon in an E9x M3 would be so cool man. I lusted that color when I had my E46! I just love that all these colors are possible, just takes time and patience, or a lot of money haha

[W///]

Originally Posted by shakywarrior

Now that you mention that, my leather was in great condition....BUT my car has 140k lol. And from the Fox Reds I've seen in person, this Imola really is a deeper type of red. I love it.

Cinnamon in an E9x M3 would be so cool man. I lusted that color when I had my E46! I just love that all these colors are possible, just takes time and patience, or a lot of money haha

I'm at 92k miles and the rear seat has barely been sat in. Driver side bolster has some wear, but pretty minimal. Passenger seat is pretty damn near perfect. I think BMW did a pretty damn good job with the durability of these seats compared to some other ones.

I'd consider getting something like the grey interior. and dying them Don't think those are too desirable. If you don't me asking, what's this little project running you?

And I'm assuming engine got destroyed by rod bearings?

[doogee]

Originally Posted by tdott

Starting from raw materials is different than dying 10+yr old leather.

I stand by my statement I haven't seen a re-dyed interior last and hold up, by all means prove me wrong, best of luck to the OP.

That's like saying painting a car a second time doesn't last as long as the OEM.

What you've seen was obviously done by a novice using some cheap over the counter product.

If you're referring to something like what Anuk did to his E46, that is not a redye lol. That's slapping paint on leather, that'll never work.

Real leather dyes are 2K products and insanely durable.

[shakywarrior]

Originally Posted by W///

I'm at 92k miles and the rear seat has barely been sat in. Driver side bolster has some wear, but pretty minimal. Passenger seat is pretty damn near perfect. I think BMW did a pretty damn good job with the durability of these seats compared to some other ones.

I'd consider getting something like the grey interior. and dying them Don't think those are too desirable. If you don't me asking, what's this little project running you?

And I'm assuming engine got destroyed by rod bearings?

Cost of product was just over $500 however I did purchase extra product just in case. I also purchased an HVLP spray gun on amazon which was about $100. Plus cost of other masking materials and sand paper etc. Autoleatherdye . com is where I got everything, and they are great helpful people. I'd highly recommend them, just off their customer service support alone.

And yes, bearings went

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by doogee

That's like saying painting a car a second time doesn't last as long as the OEM.

What you've seen was obviously done by a novice using some cheap over the counter product.

If you're referring to something like what Anuk did to his E46, that is not a redye lol. That's slapping paint on leather, that'll never work.

Real leather dyes are 2K products and insanely durable.

Interesting. Your painting a car analogy is operating on the premise that the the existing clear coat, paint, primer, are stripped down and the process is repeated from the ground up.

I fail to see how applying dye and clear on top of existing dyed and cleared leather is the same as repainting a car.

FWIW, I actually used OEM grade leather dye when I redid my E46 seats, including scuffing the top (cleared) layer of the stock black Dakota leather enough to promote adhesion. I didn't just " slap paint" on them

The end result looked good, but did not retain the feel or texture of the original leather.

I've yet to see redyed leather look and feel identical to the original product. Durability is another question.

I'd love for OP's project to prove these experiences wrong though - really.