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I cannot seem to find any original outer window trim for my Sapphire in any better condition than what is currently on the car. I can see that east Kent trim sell a replacement for £38 a corner new and wondered if anybody has bought/used this on their car. Of course original trim would be nice but if it’s not about and at a reasonable cost, this seems like a sound alternative but it does state on the site that it doesn’t look like the original but is tried and tested.I’m sure it will do the job, just wondered what it would look like? Any pics or comments would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
hi i thought you were on about windscreen rubber sorry.. if your on about door ones if its them on ebay there horrible i wouldnt even fit them to anything mate.. are you after door ones
Yeah, it’s the ones around the door windows....I managed to get some mk1 Sierra seals in great condition but they won’t fit....so these are soon to be sold on. I’ve contacted breakers and the ones they have are all rusted, so no improvement on mine....don’t suppose you know where to source a set? Cheers
Ok - bit of a development. Although I've considered some pre-owned seals, I asked East Kent to send me a sample of the trim they advertise for £38 a corner. They were very accommodating and although would like to make these look like the originals, they explained that it has become difficult to replicate the recessed line, but said with confidence they would look fine as a set and do the job.
Although it does look different, and you would need to buy a set so the car doesn't look odd, the sample fits the car really well and as its new stuff and looks very well made I think it will last a long time.
Besides based on the sample, you would have to be pretty critical to think this in not in keeping with the car....but this is just my opinion.
Sadly until somebody can start making them look exactly the same, this stuff looks like it will do a good job and I sometimes feel far too much emphasis is placed on originality when in reality if using pre-owned stuff either costs too much or won't last, surely buying the alternative makes sense. At some point this stuff will be the norm....might as well embrace it now, and I can't say it's something I pay too much attention to....well only if its bubbled and rusty, like the originals.....grrrrr.....
I have done some shopping around as-well which has made my decision firm - an Rs Breakers up North wants £72 a corner + postage and the examples they have shown me are green with algae and already bubbling at the edges. And another Sierra shop have quoted £85 a corner + p&p. At nearly three hundred pounds for the lower end and four hundred at the upper, this is just insane and seems to be exploiting people.....don't get me wrong certain things cost a lot and this is justified (engines, interiors etc) but weather strips for four hundred pounds...madness. Once lockdown has ended and my delivery comes through I will share pics and show you that the alternative is a good option. Cheers to those that have been in touch....but hopefully more of you will join my way of thinking.
Ok - bit of a development. Although I've considered some pre-owned seals, I asked East Kent to send me a sample of the trim they advertise for £38 a corner. They were very accommodating and although would like to make these look like the originals, they explained that it has become difficult to replicate the recessed line, but said with confidence they would look fine as a set and do the job.
Although it does look different, and you would need to buy a set so the car doesn't look odd, the sample fits the car really well and as its new stuff and looks very well made I think it will last a long time.
Besides based on the sample, you would have to be pretty critical to think this in not in keeping with the car....but this is just my opinion.
Sadly until somebody can start making them look exactly the same, this stuff looks like it will do a good job and I sometimes feel far too much emphasis is placed on originality when in reality if using pre-owned stuff either costs too much or won't last, surely buying the alternative makes sense. At some point this stuff will be the norm....might as well embrace it now, and I can't say it's something I pay too much attention to....well only if its bubbled and rusty, like the originals.....grrrrr.....
I have done some shopping around as-well which has made my decision firm - an Rs Breakers up North wants £72 a corner + postage and the examples they have shown me are green with algae and already bubbling at the edges. And another Sierra shop have quoted £85 a corner + p&p. At nearly three hundred pounds for the lower end and four hundred at the upper, this is just insane and seems to be exploiting people.....don't get me wrong certain things cost a lot and this is justified (engines, interiors etc) but weather strips for four hundred pounds...madness. Once lockdown has ended and my delivery comes through I will share pics and show you that the alternative is a good option. Cheers to those that have been in touch....but hopefully more of you will join my way of thinking.
I think you have the right attitude, buying used ones which are probably not much better than yours for a rip-off price makes no sense. At least you will have well made long lasting replacements which as you say most people won't realise they are slightly different.
Cheers for the positive attitude 👍....yes, so they’ve only recently populated the trims on their online shop, and haven’t popped a picture up yet, however here is the sample they sent me to give you an idea....also a comparison with a Sierra mk1 seal I bought in error. As I said there is a slight difference in appearance but actually it’s a damn good compromise....if you want to find them on the site, just search Sierra and they are advertised at £38....I think the last thumbnail in their selection of goods....
So what you can see is that it’s totally flexible and has a flocked edge, which is really good quality. They said they sell oversized pieces so when you order a full set they’re all the same size and you simply cut them to the right size. If anything they are a mm less wide as you see from the comparison with the mk1 but you really would have to be pretty anal to notice. Order is going in on Monday, however pics of them fitted will be a little while as the car is now in storage 20 miles away 😩....but I promise pics will follow. I’ll show before and after 😊 all the best
Seen these fitted to a car before and they look awful, glad I kept a nice stock of good ones from when I was breaking them.
I agree imo its just universal kit car edge trim nothing fancy or custom made but i guess ita each to there own at £39 each its not cheap imo eather as ive a good used set in sale bit for £250 ono
Hi there, sadly not yet as the car is in storage with somebody who is shielding but as soon as things have settled down I’m going to get them fitted. Really very pleased with the quality of the product and can’t wait to get them on the car! Pics will follow - just have to wait a little bit longer, cheers 👍
Hi All, so it’s been a little while but the car is out of storage and back on the road! I’ve started to replace the seals however sadly the old ones have been hiding a very small amount of rust which I have booked in for repair locally - just on the edges, no holes thank god - that being said I don’t want to fully fit the seals until the rust has been taken care of. I have however taken a few pics to give you an idea of before and after - full pics will follow when I’m happy with the bodywork first and then fully fitted the seals. As you can see the old ones are well past best and are now pushing out the corner triangles badly so this fix couldn’t come sooner - the old ones have also split and now push out metal dust....I think I definitely made the right decision....some originals are on eBay at the moment at nearly double the cost, and they look like mine did 6 months ago....so it’s only a matter of time before they go the same way 😩. Anyway, would very much welcome your thoughts. Honestly at a distance you wouldn’t notice with or without the lines. Cheers Sorry - haven’t fully pushed this one in place, so it will fit slightly lower but not much more After Before Before
Cheers for the replies - much appreciated. I know what you mean about the join but actually it’s much better/closer when pushed on fully....much the same as the side pic. Double bonus is that I sold the Mk1 seals I bought in error which has covered the cost of the new ones! Again, will post pics when fully fitted.
East Kent trim - outer window seals
