A high-quality artificial leather was selected for the seats and door trims, this material had a cotton layer on the back to help reduce heat absorption
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After addressing all the mechanical issues with Sabine, I decided it was time to focus on the interior. While the OEM fabric seats were in decent shape, the foam had begun to feel weak, and the dull black color made the cabin feel rather dull and gloomy. The door trims on all four doors were peeling, likely due to sun damage over the years.
At first, I considered getting a pair of refurbished electric front seats from an F30, but I decided against it. I was concerned they might have come from an accident car, potentially carrying negative energy from a fatal incident. So instead, I chose to invest in high-quality seat covers from a well known car interior specialist. As for the interior color there was only one option on my mind, tan! The iconic Ferrari combination of glossy red exteriors with tan leather interiors has always been something i drooled over!
Having heard good things about OrchisI decided to visit their Powai shop to check out their facility and explore the seat material and color options. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the owner Mr. Anil Shinde, who promptly took a look at my car and made note of my requirements. I was impressed by their large inventory of leather and artificial leather rolls in every color imaginable, along with various seat foams, threads, and other materials. The shop had a team of skilled workers, each dedicated to specific tasks like removing vehicle interiors, measuring and stitching seat materials, coloring interior components, etc. The facility’s professional setup gave me added assurance I was indeed at the right place!
Mr. Anil then introduced me to the shop manager, and we sat down to finalize details like the seat material, color, stitching pattern, and door trim requirements. A high-quality artificial leather was selected for the seats and door trims, this material had a cotton layer on the back to help reduce heat absorption. I opted for a diamond stitching pattern on the seat center to give it a more premium feel, and opted for a high-density foam for better support and comfort. Once everything was agreed upon and the token amount was paid, I left the car at their facility with a promise to return in two days.
On the day of collection, my good friend and fellow BHPian Ajrules joined me. His Zen Carbon was also due for an interior makeover, so he was eager to see the results on my car. Upon arrival at Orchis we were immediately impressed by the transformation on the 1-series! The difference was stunning! We carefully inspected the interiors for any flaws, misalignments, defects, or quality issues, but everything was flawless. The seats felt much more supportive, the color was perfect, and the new door trims added a touch of luxury to the cabin.
We did notice a bit of dust from the work done over the past couple of days, so after settling the final payment at Orchis, we took the car straight to my usual detailing spot, Turtle Wax Chembur (formerly 3M Car Care). The car received a thorough wash, wax, and a full interior deep clean and polish. The combination of the gleaming red paint and the tan interior had me falling in love with Sabine all over again.
While at the detailing studio, I also replaced the OEM fabric floor mats with a set of 3M Nomad mats. The fabric mats never suited Indian conditions—they always seemed delicate and looked dusty. In contrast, the 3M Nomad material is rugged, weather-resistant, and has a clean, premium appearance. The mats are sold by the square foot, and the OEM mats were used as a template for a perfect fit. Extra material was also used to create custom bases for all the cupholders. Once installed, I was thrilled with how they elevated the interior even further.
I’ve never seen a car attract this much attention just because of its interior! Sabine used to blend in as just another old red BMW, rarely getting noticed by those familiar with the 1-series. Now every time she is parked on the street, I see curious onlookers checking out the interiors and walking around the car!
Few other interior upgrades being considered include an M-Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and cruise control, upgraded speakers and damping material for the doors and floor. Overall I feel blessed & I’m pleased with how the build has turned out so far!
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