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Tue Jun 02, 2015 6:39 am

1976 VW Bug Sedan Who's carpet kit would be the best? Never bought VW parts before, so not sure who to order from. Is Jbugs safe for ordering parts like this? Also need door panels. Don't want junk. How about headlights with the turn signal light in the headlight? I see jbugs is out of those. Do we need a different headlight harness for those headlights? Id appreciate best places to order this stuff form. thanks!

Tue Jun 02, 2015 8:20 am

I've bought TMI upholstery and found them to be very good for my '71 vert. I've read that Sewfine is even better but more expensive.

I bought the upholstery from jbugs with no issue. The headlights you seek are available from many sources. The plug for the H4 is standard and should be the same as what is in your car.

Tue Jun 02, 2015 12:25 pm

You do not specify if you want restoration-grade carpeting or custom. Rather than hope that a few people will provide you an exhaustive list of all the companies you may find- do some research on your end.

Read the feedback forums

Read up on the differences between custom and restoration grade- and choose companies whose philosophies about both are plain to see from their catalogs.

Search: Carpet Kit; h4 headlights; etc. in forums and galleries

Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:53 pm

I bought TMI's door panels and seat upholstery. They were made very well. I got both from Jbugs at a good price, compared to some other vendors.

I also bought a carpeted TMI trunk liner. The carpeting was well made, also. I will eventually get new interior carpeting (not that I need it, since mine is fine, but I want to change the color to Oatmeal from Black). When I do, I will get the kit that has a cloth binding--not the wound thread.

Others on here have praised Sewfine; so it seems that either company makes good stuff.

Tim

Tue Jun 02, 2015 5:50 pm

I did both interiors of my 71 and 73 from jbugs. Very happy. Jeff

Tue Jun 02, 2015 7:09 pm

I have TMI seat covers and door cards, but elected to go with Wolfsburg West German squareweave carpet (higher quality). It really depends on whether you want durability.

Tue Jun 02, 2015 8:52 pm

Jbugs carpet kits are TMI, Jbugs is further south in san diego so shipping to you up in Montana might be more than straight from TMI here in Corona.
My parents live in Montana so I know shipping can get spendy depending on the weight and shape. :wink:

Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:55 am

Both TMI and Sewfine make good products. When you are shopping for VW parts, you should forget about the retailer initially and focus on the manufacturer. Look at TMI's and Sewfine's online catalogs to see what they each produce. Although both companies make some stock and some custom interior parts, TMI seems to specialize more in stock, and Sewfine does more custom work.

Many online retailers sell TMI products, and TMI encourages you to buy through one of them rather than from TMI itself. Some companies are manufacturers that don't have the capacity to deal with large numbers of retail customers with small orders. In contrast, you order Sewfine products from Sewfine.

I am not sure to what extent Wolfsburg West makes their own carpet kits vs. sells TMI. When they make something themselves, the website usually says made by Wolfsburg West, and they obtain everything else from other sources. Note that with WW, the side/rear carpet kits are posted on their website, but you have to search for floor carpet, which is sold separately. Jbugs sells it differently, dividing the car into the passenger area and the rear luggage area.

You also have a choice between synthetic carpet and original German square weave. The latter is much more expensive now than it was a year ago, at roughly $1,000 for a whole car depending on the retailer.

Once you know what you want, you can order from Sewfine or shop for price on TMI. If a website doesn't tell you who makes a particular item, then call them first or buy it from someone who is more transparent.

Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:13 am

While in my opinion TMI makes a fine product.........

It's all Vanilla.

If you like flavors, SewFine is your obvious choice.

SewFine's product and their customer service are all great but you do need to wait a bit, it is all custom sewn unlike TMI's stock color choices.

Two different companies turning out two different products, this is not an Apples to Apples comparison.

Dave

Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:20 am

Echoing what has been said - I use both depending on what I am doing. Standard stuff - TMI. Something more exotic and custom - Sewfine. Support is very good for either. Actually Sewfine is better since you usually catch Carol (I think thats her name), but have worked via email with TMI quite a bit and no complaints.

I will NEVER get this kind of stuff from Mid-America. Long story.

Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:51 am

Unless you want something custom TMI is fine.

I go with Sewfine on early bugs, that's where Sewfine rises above the pack. There's much more detail in the interior upholstery on early years. I wouldn't spend the $$ on a daily driver.

Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:13 am

Be aware that TMI sells 3 grades of carpet kits

Economy
Deluxe
German square weave

CIP1 sells the economy grade for less than TMI direct ( notice the product numbers, CIP1 adds a T to the beginning of TMI's numbers)

T34-F1115-407 - 54-56 1/2 STD BEETLE 7PC CARPET SET -SALT&PEPPER GREY WITH HEATER GROMMETS
Our Web Price US $99.99

These are the 3 grades from TMI's web site

$129.95
VW Carpet Kit 7pc. (Without Footrest) W/Heater Grommets 1954-56.1/2 VW Bug Sedan
Salt & Pepper Loop
Part #: 34-F1115-407-Salt/Pepper Loop

$182.95
Deluxe VW Carpet Kit W/Grommets 7pc. (Without Footrest) 1956-57 VW Bug Sedan
Salt & Pepper Loop
Part #: 34-F1163-407-Salt/Pepper Loop

$1,287.95
Deluxe VW Carpet Kit W/Grommets 7pc. (Without Footrest) 1956-57 VW Bug Sedan
German Squareweave
Part #: 34-F1163-German Squareweave

My economy grade just came in from CIP1 and it's OK for my low rent Frankenstien but, if I had nicer car I would have gone with the Deluxe. If I had a full on restoration, the German square weave !!

Steve

Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:11 am

lavo56 wrote: Be aware that TMI sells 3 grades of carpet kits

Economy
Deluxe
German square weave

CIP1 sells the economy grade for less than TMI direct ( notice the product numbers, CIP1 adds a T to the beginning of TMI's numbers)

T34-F1115-407 - 54-56 1/2 STD BEETLE 7PC CARPET SET -SALT&PEPPER GREY WITH HEATER GROMMETS
Our Web Price US $99.99

These are the 3 grades from TMI's web site

$129.95
VW Carpet Kit 7pc. (Without Footrest) W/Heater Grommets 1954-56.1/2 VW Bug Sedan
Salt & Pepper Loop
Part #: 34-F1115-407-Salt/Pepper Loop

$182.95
Deluxe VW Carpet Kit W/Grommets 7pc. (Without Footrest) 1956-57 VW Bug Sedan
Salt & Pepper Loop
Part #: 34-F1163-407-Salt/Pepper Loop

$1,287.95
Deluxe VW Carpet Kit W/Grommets 7pc. (Without Footrest) 1956-57 VW Bug Sedan
German Squareweave
Part #: 34-F1163-German Squareweave

My economy grade just came in from CIP1 and it's OK for my low rent Frankenstien but, if I had nicer car I would have gone with the Deluxe. If I had a full on restoration, the German square weave !!

Steve

Those are some early years you listed, but not really 3 grades. The 1st two are just showing with or without grommet/ plastic foot rest sewn in. Just depends what kind of floor mats you're using or not using. I don't know if TMI sells wool German weave for late Bugs but either way more suited to an early year car that worth far more than a late std/super and not a DD

.

Wed Jun 03, 2015 8:28 pm

Personally, I believe the WolfsburgWest carpet kits are the best available. They cut their own. I've been there and have seen them do it. I have their German Squareweave in my '69 and their Perlon in my '79. Top quality stuff. What sets them apart is not only the quality of the fabric but the precision of the cut. I've seen a lot of less expensive kits that appear to be a one size fits most. They often look a little sloppy while the WW kits fit really nice.

The German Squareweave is pricey, about $600 for your '76. Personally I feel it's worth it, however, if you are on a budget, their synthetic version for $220, which is cut from the same pattern, fits just as nicely.

They also sell TMI seat covers and door panels too.

-jeffrey