[EJ_3]

I'm looking at getting a set of seats in the future so figure I'll start researching early. Did the search, and didn't find anything of this caliper. My main purpose is something light weight, comfortable, and will support my lumbar and shoulders at the track. For those with seats (or experience with seats) please chime in.

Seat Make and Model:
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc):
Harness:
Rails Included/needed?:
Pros:
Cons:
Certifications/class:
Pic:

Thanks in advance!

[paddy335]

You can't go past the bmw performance seats.....for a price. I think they are based on Recaro CS which would be much more cost effective (but without the bling)

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Manny_World

I'm looking at getting a set of seats in the future so figure I'll start researching early. Did the search, and didn't find anything of this caliper. My main purpose is something light weight, comfortable, and will support my lumbar and shoulders at the track. For those with seats (or experience with seats) please chime in.

Seat Make and Model:
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc):
Harness:
Rails Included/needed?:
Pros:
Cons:
Certifications/class:
Pic:

Thanks in advance!

Any electric, adjustable, heated racing seat won't be of much of a racing given losing those components is where all the weight savings come from. If you need those things may as well stick with factory M-sport seat and run Schroth quick fit harnesses.

Originally Posted by paddy335

You can't go past the bmw performance seats.....for a price. I think they are based on Recaro CS which would be much more cost effective (but without the bling)

Performance seats aren't even legal in the US.

[TSM330i]

I have a set of Sparco Milano adjustable seats with Macht Schnell mounts in my car. They are not electric (I'm not sure how many aftermarket seats have electric controls), but they do fold forward and have lumbar support so they're not racing shells. BMW Performance Seats are not legal in the US and they're going to cost about $5500 for two of them on eBay or some other importer. They are essentially Recaro CS, which you can get for about half the price.
TBH: At the time when I was tracking my car, I did the vast majority of driving on the street (95% of the time) and I was doing about 15-20 track days per season and was more interested in comfort. Do these seats hold me in place MUCH better than the stock seats - yes. Do they hold me as well as racing shells - no. Can I feel what the car's doing much better due to a stiffer frame - yes.
In the end, I made the right decision. The seats only saved 9lbs. each vs. my BMW Sport Seats! I could have saved a ton if I would have gone with racing shells (20-25lbs per seat - you have to remember, the added weight of the mounts and sliders is a significant amount. I love the seats and would do the modification again.
You may also have to do some fabrication and you'll want to get rid of the airbag light (at the time I was able to buy a plug-and-play to get rid of the passenger side airbag light).
Just make sure whoever is doing the installation that they take the care to ensure everything is done correctly and safely. Remember, if you are in an accident, the seatbelts need to work just as they were designed to or you could be seriously hurt.
Check out some old pics of my car here on post #529. I didn't have my roof and electric steering wheel yet, but the seats were installed and that's all you're really interested in anyway.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...sparco&page=14

[DallasBoosted]

Get the aluminum mounts and no sliders if you want to save weight. The steel floor and side mounts are VERY HEAVY.

[HP Autosport]

Seat Make and Model: Recaro Profi XL
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc): NONE
Harness: Sparco 6pt Camlock
Rails Included/needed?: Macht Schnell
Pros: Great for tall guys 6'0+ (I'm 6'3" 200lbs)
Cons: none (other than long rides the lower back hurts)
Certifications/class: Forget but they are certified until like 2016
Pic:

Never took a pic just by themselves.

[R.G.]

Nice, sub'd

[will.c]

I have Profi XL which is one of only few seats that fit me. While it's great at holding me at the track, it's still my DD for now. And every time I get out, I gotta do a full barrel roll which doesn't look so graceful. My coworkers always laugh at me looking out the window when I get in in the morning.

But seriously, the side thigh supports are really tall. Maybe Pole Positions would be better for daily.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

BMW Performance Seats are not legal in the US [/url]

Do you know why?

[EJ_3]

Originally Posted by R.G.

Nice, sub'd

Can't be good when a rival sub'd to your thread, lol. Time to update that avatar my friend, you're not on 20's anymore.

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

Seat Make and Model: Recaro Profi XL
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc): NONE
Harness: Sparco 6pt Camlock
Rails Included/needed?: Macht Schnell
Pros: Great for tall guys 6'0+ (I'm 6'3" 200lbs)
Cons: none (other than long rides the lower back hurts)
Certifications/class: Forget but they are certified until like 2016
Pic:

Never took a pic just by themselves.

Big plus for these. I'm 6'4.

Originally Posted by DallasBoosted

Get the aluminum mounts and no sliders if you want to save weight. The steel floor and side mounts are VERY HEAVY.

Good pointer!

Originally Posted by TSM330i

I have a set of Sparco Milano adjustable seats with Macht Schnell mounts in my car. They are not electric (I'm not sure how many aftermarket seats have electric controls), but they do fold forward and have lumbar support so they're not racing shells. BMW Performance Seats are not legal in the US and they're going to cost about $5500 for two of them on eBay or some other importer. They are essentially Recaro CS, which you can get for about half the price.
TBH: At the time when I was tracking my car, I did the vast majority of driving on the street (95% of the time) and I was doing about 15-20 track days per season and was more interested in comfort. Do these seats hold me in place MUCH better than the stock seats - yes. Do they hold me as well as racing shells - no. Can I feel what the car's doing much better due to a stiffer frame - yes.
In the end, I made the right decision. The seats only saved 9lbs. each vs. my BMW Sport Seats! I could have saved a ton if I would have gone with racing shells (20-25lbs per seat - you have to remember, the added weight of the mounts and sliders is a significant amount. I love the seats and would do the modification again.
You may also have to do some fabrication and you'll want to get rid of the airbag light (at the time I was able to buy a plug-and-play to get rid of the passenger side airbag light).
Just make sure whoever is doing the installation that they take the care to ensure everything is done correctly and safely. Remember, if you are in an accident, the seatbelts need to work just as they were designed to or you could be seriously hurt.
Check out some old pics of my car here on post #529. I didn't have my roof and electric steering wheel yet, but the seats were installed and that's all you're really interested in anyway.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...sparco&page=14

Good read. Aiming for support and comfort. Extra weight saving would be a bonus, but not a biggie for me since whatever I'll get will be lighter than stock. Nice car and seats! TiAg FTW.

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Any electric, adjustable, heated racing seat won't be of much of a racing given losing those components is where all the weight savings come from. If you need those things may as well stick with factory M-sport seat and run Schroth quick fit harnesses.




Performance seats aren't even legal in the US.

Those options aren't want I'm looking for, but to get people to list the option(s) they have on their seats. On another note, I never thought of just running a quick fit harness. Guess I can pick one up and try it out to I find the right seats.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by paddy335

Do you know why?

I'm not exactly sure, other than I believe they need to be subjected to some type of test from NHSTA. They are blinding expensive too. Last I saw them for sale on eBay they were $6000 for two seats! You can get a really nice carbon fiber race seat that weighs very little for less than that.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Genuine-...15626d&vxp=mtr

If I were you, I'd seriously consider the Sparco Chrono. For $500 each I think they'd be exactly what you're looking for. I have essentially the R700A. I bought them used from a friend who never had them installed so they were brand new.
http://www.sparcousa.com/catalog/veh...ts&type=street

On a side note: The seat manufacturers do make extra padding so you can get lumbar support in a race shell to make it more comfortable.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Manny_World

I'm looking at getting a set of seats in the future so figure I'll start researching early. Did the search, and didn't find anything of this caliper. My main purpose is something light weight, comfortable, and will support my lumbar and shoulders at the track. For those with seats (or experience with seats) please chime in.

Seat Make and Model:
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc):
Harness:
Rails Included/needed?:
Pros:
Cons:
Certifications/class:
Pic:

Thanks in advance!

A month ago I checked out Recaro Sportster CS. My car is dd and I go to 3-5 hpde/year. They were installed in E30. The ingress and egress was pretty easy and the quality seemed excellent. I fit perfectly and I am 6.2" 195 lbs. Lateral support seemed much better than stock sport and they were lower which helps when you wear helmet. They are a but more expensive but they seemed excellent.

Rob also mentioned Sparco and they appear to be a great value. I also checked out OMP and Racetech buckets but I would not install them if your car is dd.

At this point I am considering Sparco and Recaro Sportster.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

At this point I am considering Sparco and Recaro Sportster.

Geez, of course I should have recommended Racetech, made right here in NZ. In fact literally about 3km's from my house. I was in there getting a new suit just the other day.

[soursamo]

Seat Make and Model: OMP TRS XL
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc): None
Harness: Schroth 6 point
Rails Included/needed?: No rails, Macht Schnell floor mounts and Recaro side mounts
Pros: I'm a big guy and the seat fits great.
Cons: My legs are so long the ear of the seats is now behind the B pillar of my E90 so the seat cannot be adjusted
Certifications/class: FIA
Pic:

[335okc]

subscribed. i'm in the same boat.
i'm tired of having to brace myself on turns because i don't have enough side support.
plus i'm 6'2 and on my lowest seat setting, i can barely clear the roof.
i'm curious as to what others have done. car is not a DD but i still enjoy long drive.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by 335okc

subscribed. i'm in the same boat.
i'm tired of having to brace myself on turns because i don't have enough side support.
plus i'm 6'2 and on my lowest seat setting, i can barely clear the roof.
i'm curious as to what others have done. car is not a DD but i still enjoy long drive.

In the same boat as you.

I have done a lot of research over the last 2 mo and am very close to buying Recaro Speed, I think. Schroth has 4 pt quick fit harness and from what I have read it should hold much better than 3 pt belt but is not as good as 6 pt, of course. My car is dd/track.

[335okc]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

In the same boat as you.

I have done a lot of research over the last on mo and am very close to buying Recaro Speed, I think. Schroth has 4 pt quick fit harness and from what I have read it should hold much better than 3 pt belt but is not as good as 6 pt, of course. My car is dd/track.

I already have the scroth 4pt quick harness. Pretty decent at holding you on braking but not on lateral g. I'm close to buying the Milano. I just need to figure out brackets. I'm steering away from home made brackets if possible.

[RLNY]

anybody ever think about buying some ebay racing seats?? i really dont want to for over a few grand on some seats cause there name brand unless im getting some Louis Vuttion seats lol

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by RLNY

anybody ever think about buying some ebay racing seats?? i really dont want to for over a few grand on some seats cause there name brand unless im getting some Louis Vuttion seats lol

Not to be rude but you are kidding right!? If you trust no name to protect you in an accident go right ahead. I have no problem spending money on an important safety item!!

[LOLrance]

Recaro Pole Position - Black Leather, White Stitching
Hardware: Recaro Side Mounts, Recaro Sliders, MS Floor Mounts, MS Seatbelt Receptacle

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Id like to get a set of fixed back leather recaros!

[EJ_3]

Seat Make and Model: Recaro Profi XL
Options if any (electric, adjustable, heated, etc): None, fixed bucket.
Harness: OEM 3-point for now
Rails Included/needed?: None were included. Have the Recaro side mounts, Macht Schnell Hybrid harness receptacles, Recaro Sliders, and Macht Schnell floor mounts.
Pros: Great support for tall guys, weight reduction, and appearance
Cons: Don't recline and seats don't go as far back on the sliders than the OEM seats.
Certifications/class: FIA Compliance
Pic: