Difference BTN Domestic and German Carpet Worth it?

[asphaltgambler]

At the point in my resto that I need to purchase a complete carpet kit. Is the quality difference between the two worth the huge price diff??

To the tune (here) of $350+ more for the German stuff?

I am particular and want the car to look right; as in the way it should look. Not a 70's disco plush mohair foot trap.

I have had a few people say that initialy the two look the same. The big difference is after a while the good 'ol domestic stuff starts to "pill" and look shaby.

Anyone here have first hand experience with either one and why you choose it would be greatly appreciated.

[Por_sha911]

A friend of mine bought the cheap stuff. Said it was thin and didn't look as good but when it went in the car you didn't notice it as much. If the car is a keeper, spend the money and get the stuff that will last.

[asphaltgambler]

Bump - Anyone else have experience?

[randywebb]

thre are a bunch of different types -- wool plush is one I think

then there is sliverknit; square weave...

not even sure which ones are US vs. German

you could also use carpet types from newer Porsches or MBs...

[Mysterytrain]

I think for the 86 you are talking about sliverknit. I have the same concerns on material...but also on who's carpet kit is truely OEM in look and quality.

[asphaltgambler]

There is a guy on ebay that sells both "genuine silverknit" and the "domestic cut"

He has good feedback and the price is much better than most others

[Zeke]

Randy, square weave is for 356's. Neat stuff and I've seen it in some early 911's for a real "period" look. AFAIK, the silverknit is a longer cut pile. It's pretty lush.

[randywebb]

Yes - but one _could_ use any type of carpet in a 911 -- if you can find &/or cut the pieces yourself, right?

That's my thought - since I need to do this eventually and am not exactly a concours type guy.

[asphaltgambler]

Most of the carpet pieces have a sewn leatherete edge. It would be hard to duplicate on you own W/O a commercial sewing machine.

[walt]

Several years ago I got the domestic cut from Autos International. I was a little dissapointed at the quality but after throwings some nice Llyods mats inside I never thought twice about it. Ask for some samples and compare.

[shbop]

It's impossible to tell from the photos exactly what you're buying. To make it worse, different vendors use different terminology. Sure would be nice to put a thread together on this with real photos and feedback.

[Bobboloo]

The German wool is diffinently better and worth it IMO than the domestic stuff. M Benz wool carpet is even better.

[randywebb]

OK, so we can buy the right sized and serged (that's a sewn edge, right?) pieces in German wool.

Is the German wool higher quality than the sliverknit?

[Mysterytrain]

Same stuff, different names? German wool=sliverknit ??
If you you are trying to restore the interior to the original factory look then I would guess the choice of material has been decided for you by the factory for your year and model. The question remains that even though aftermarket vendors offer sliverknit what is the quality like and is it an exact replacement of the original. That said if you are just going to freshen up a tired interior and are not concerned with originality that I would guess most of what is out there will look just fine.

[RickM]

Originally posted by randywebb
OK, so we can buy the right sized and serged (that's a sewn edge, right?) pieces in German wool.

I believe the term for carpet is Binding. I had my OEM mats rebound, very inexpensively, by a guy I found in the yellow pages.

[Evans, Marv]

Pelican sells the square weave for early 911s. If I was going to spend the money for the German silverknit, I'd spring for the extra for the square weave. It's the ultimate in beauty, as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I don't like the fuzzy style of carpeting.
Having said that, here's what I did for my car. I didn't know I could buy a square weave set for it at the time, I couldn't necessarily justify the outlay. I also really liked the look of short looped carpet. So I went to an upholstery supplier around here named Keyston Brothers. They had a nice, dense loop carpet in a coffee color I liked (my car has been painted the older, darker Irish Green). I had to buy about 7 yards (if (I remember right) - maybe 8. Then I went to a place that sold binding material & bought 2 rolls (it came that way - $10) in a complemenary color. I took an old carpet set & used the pieces as patterns to cut pieces from the loop carpet. Took the whole thing to my guy in Mexico & he sewed on the binding for $40 (about 85 ft. of it). Unfortunately they wanted something like $1.25 a foot to do it in the U.S.
Anyway, I ended up with a beautiful carpet - exactly what I wanted for a little over $200. Now I just have to put it in the car.

[velomann]

Buy the wool!
I work in the industry, there is nothing better in any form than wool, as long as it is quality wool. Get the Deutsche silverknit, as I believe it is wool. It seems (not for sure) to be a decent quality rubberized backed tufting, that should in its precut state have decent durability. It does not matter how thin the domestic or import pieces are, as long as the fiber and tufting is high quality, and have a decent denure (thickness of yarn), thus the necessity for wool. Any fiber on the market that is being produced for floor covering (carpet), is trying to mimic the natural properties of wool......no kidding. One of the biggest differences is that over time, the cheap nylon or poly fiber will crush and pill, making it tough to keep dirt out, or maintain a consistent pile height that will hold a good look, making it seem worn out as it crushes to the backing. The edge binding is usually a cotton/nylon tape that is sewn in in order to of course stop fraying, but can be done by most any carpet store in your market that sells higher end carpet or rugs.....usually about $4 per linear foot for the work. Higher end mats will have surged edges, that runs $20 per linear foot, but overall is much nicer and durable as well.

Randy- go to Gardner Floors on 7th and Lincoln and talk to Scott, he will show you some good examples.....big Ducati guy as well!

yes, I have wool carpet in my house as well!

[RickM]

Yes, I believe my mats were surged at a binding shop. IIRC he was contracted by local showrooms.

[petrolblue83911]

Simple answer is to get samples before you buy, there are big differences between vendors as far as quality and durability.

I tried to go cheap and ended up sending it back from tweeks a while back, so I would not recommend that experience....

[asphaltgambler]

Thanks all !! Good contribution and help