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I would appreciate thoughts and suggestions on the driver seat bolster on my SC300.
I have been told that the only solution is to have the bolster leather piece replaced. I got prices from three different shops, ranging from $150 to $300 to replace the bolster leather on the driver seat.
I was surprised that this apparently can't be repaired.
For what it's worth, most interior leather repair comes down to re-skinning seating and other surfaces. I've had individual arm rests re-skinnined in custom leather with the correct hue and with seats I've used an upholstery shop that goes with off the shelf replacement leather options for SC's (and MKIVs). I don't know how common pulling seat leather just to remove and replace one section is. I've never heard of that being done but I guess it can be(?).
My shop spec'd me new leather seat skins from Katzkin which is one of the bigger suppliers of leather seat skins in the USA.
Looking at your pictures I have seen far worse before a big job like this was tackled. There is also some early wear on your seat bottom as well. It just hasn't become as advanced yet. It can be pricey to redo car seats in leather, I'm sorry to say... but it is not an uncommon thing with these and other cars that came with factory leather.
Look up leather repair kit videos. That tear is small enough, it can probably be salvaged by you or a mobile upholsterer.
I found a mobile upholstery guy who was able to repair the bolster on my driver seat.
He charged $90 and I think he did a nice job. I will be very careful when getting in and out of my car, so I think this repair should last a long time.