Swapping frames on sport seats

bstarr3 · 04-11-2012, 03:14 PM

I'm buying a set of heated vert seats -well, it's actually two drivers, rather than a set. I've got a place where I can pick up a cheap passenger sport seat so I can swap the frames over. Do I have to take both seats completely apart to get the passenger side mechanisms and rails onto the driver's side seat? I was going to use the DIY from BP's 318is site. Is there an easier way to do it? Thanks

jeffnhiscars · 04-11-2012, 07:16 PM

The frame and rails are side specific as the levers dont swap. The cushions are interchangeable and not that hard to remove which gives you the chance to clean & lube the gears & tracks

Ceeker · 04-13-2012, 05:08 PM

the seat bottoms are side specific

Cinnabar325is · 01-20-2013, 07:46 PM

I'd like to know more about this. Ceeker says the bottoms are side specific, does that mean I can't swap the bottom cushions over?

I have two mint passenger seats and a worn driver's seat and I'd like to swap the good passenger cushions onto the driver's side frame.

Herr Faust Schinken · 01-20-2013, 07:50 PM

you can swap the cushions he just means the actual mechanical parts of the seats cant be swapped

AirplaneBuilder · 01-21-2013, 11:04 AM

either way its a pita job to do and does take some time...

Varinn · 01-21-2013, 11:17 AM

I'm in the middle of doing this right now, after some investigation into the seat designs it is infact, not possible to just straight swap the upholstered portions from frame to frame without a little... extra work. This is what it came to for swapping them on mine (plus a tiny bit more because I'm going to end up getting new upholstery cut/stitched before install as well as new heaters). The metal frames are not interchangeable, so you end up needing to cut the hog rings on all the leather and swapping them over to the other sides. It is not a 5 minute job, but it is not hard to do just time consuming.

jeffnhiscars · 01-22-2013, 07:55 PM

The only difference in the leather is the holes for the release levers.

04-11-2012, 03:14 PM	#1
bstarr3 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eugene, OR USA Posts: 153	Swapping frames on sport seats I'm buying a set of heated vert seats -well, it's actually two drivers, rather than a set. I've got a place where I can pick up a cheap passenger sport seat so I can swap the frames over. Do I have to take both seats completely apart to get the passenger side mechanisms and rails onto the driver's side seat? I was going to use the DIY from BP's 318is site. Is there an easier way to do it? Thanks

04-11-2012, 07:16 PM	#2
jeffnhiscars E30 Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,430	The frame and rails are side specific as the levers dont swap. The cushions are interchangeable and not that hard to remove which gives you the chance to clean & lube the gears & tracks __________________ 87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220 89 Cabrio (avatar pic) is now FS http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3776023139.html 84 318i, 5 spd swap, Eibach Prokits, Bilstein Sports, 16" BBS RK's, JB flywheel, Bavauto headers, Ansa 06 550i blk\blk 04 911 01 530i Topaz blue\tan 74 Alfa GTV2000 silver\blk 71 Citroen SM traded for a boat (less maintenance) Last edited by jeffnhiscars; 04-13-2012 at 04:25 AM..

04-13-2012, 05:08 PM	#3
Ceeker E30 Mastermind Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,866	the seat bottoms are side specific __________________

01-20-2013, 07:46 PM	#4
Cinnabar325is Mod Crazy Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Quakertown, PA Posts: 776	I'd like to know more about this. Ceeker says the bottoms are side specific, does that mean I can't swap the bottom cushions over? I have two mint passenger seats and a worn driver's seat and I'd like to swap the good passenger cushions onto the driver's side frame. __________________ '89 BMW 325is Zinnoberrot / '88 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW GTI 16v Bright Blue Metallic / '92 VW GTI 16v Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Montana Green / '92 VW GTI 8v Alpine White / '98 VW Jetta GLX VR6 Black

01-21-2013, 11:04 AM	#6
AirplaneBuilder Mod Crazy Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edmonds WA US Posts: 783	either way its a pita job to do and does take some time... __________________ 1989 Zinno 325i S50 Swap finally in progress!

01-21-2013, 11:17 AM	#7
Varinn E30 Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Vancouver Posts: 572	I'm in the middle of doing this right now, after some investigation into the seat designs it is infact, not possible to just straight swap the upholstered portions from frame to frame without a little... extra work. This is what it came to for swapping them on mine (plus a tiny bit more because I'm going to end up getting new upholstery cut/stitched before install as well as new heaters). The metal frames are not interchangeable, so you end up needing to cut the hog rings on all the leather and swapping them over to the other sides. It is not a 5 minute job, but it is not hard to do just time consuming.

01-22-2013, 07:55 PM	#8
jeffnhiscars E30 Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,430	The only difference in the leather is the holes for the release levers. __________________ 87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220 89 Cabrio (avatar pic) is now FS http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3776023139.html 84 318i, 5 spd swap, Eibach Prokits, Bilstein Sports, 16" BBS RK's, JB flywheel, Bavauto headers, Ansa 06 550i blk\blk 04 911 01 530i Topaz blue\tan 74 Alfa GTV2000 silver\blk 71 Citroen SM traded for a boat (less maintenance)