Period-correct seating options?

[Vincent Brick]

My car originally came with sport seats, but had comforts when I bought it. I would really like to get sport seats back in it, but want to explore all my options first before I spend $800+ on a pair on Ebay (are there other places to buy nice ones?). I've looked into it some, but are there any good period-correct aftermarket seat options that I may not know about? Of course I could get some of those cheap Bride seats, but I want something less modern.

Is it worth buying a pair of beat sport seats and redoing them? Are there decent resources out there for parts and how-tos? The little bit of research I did, front seat upholstery kits were over $1k even for vinyl which seemed insanely steep to me.

Just wondering what you more-experienced E30 folks would recommend.

[Vincent Brick]

Also, will convertible seats work in a coupe? I have not been able to find a definitive answer on the difference.

Thanks

[glnr13]

if you're buying them on ebay from zoomzoomzooming buyer beware.

irone30 can redo your seats, full custom materials/stitches. talk to him.

[Vincent Brick]

if you're buying them on ebay from zoomzoomzooming buyer beware.

irone30 can redo your seats, full custom materials/stitches. talk to him.

Gooooood lookin' out, that is just about the only source for these seats I have found. What kind of shady shit do they pull, just out of curiosity?

I really don't want to pay more than $800 for a pair of seats, is that a reasonable budget for even half-decent sport seats? I don't mind if I have a pair a little worn as long as there's no holes, I just can't seem to find them in a state other than "beat to shit" or "freshly recovered by zoomzoomzooming"

Thanks a bunch for the info.

[TimeMachinE30]

Search for the zooming clown. His name is well discussed and equally shat on.

Sports are pretty good seats. Have them refinished with new foam.

Always sweet seats popping up on the boards. Like the recaro l-orthopedics currently. The ones dogze has for sale but won't ship and someone posted on another forum they are bad shape..so any of the used ones would need recovered likely.

What are the plans for the car? Race car?

[Vincent Brick]

Its just a daily driver. I just want nice seats because I've never had a daily with nice seats before, and because I know the car came with them when new. Its also sort of a reward I guess since I FINALLY got the car running right after months of hell. *knock on wood*

Are there other BMW/E30 boards I should be checking out aside from here for seats and just in general?

Thanks.

[frankenbeemer]

The cabrio seats will work in a coupe. They do not recline as far, but will bolt in fine.

[word is bond]

I would just be patient, and buy a pair of sport seats off the forums. Personally, I'd love some period cloth Recaros, LX-Cs or something like it. Love the Halo headrests from the era.

[TimeMachinE30]

Ebay too.

Bimmer forums.

Craigslist.

Reupholstering can be pricey. So consider that.

I prefer my sport seats. Very comfortable but certainly personal.

[Vincent Brick]

Reupholstering can be pricey.

Its a BMW, EVERYTHING is pricey. :)

[EthirtyIS]

i have 2 sets of sport seats that are raw and uncovered right now. i can cover them for you in any color, material or stitch pattern you like. shoot me a text when you get a chance and we can discuss the options and prices. and if your in LI which i am assuming, im in staten island, so it not that far of a drive.
347-782-1302
John

[Staszek]

i have 2 sets of sport seats that are raw and uncovered right now. i can cover them for you in any color, material or stitch pattern you like. shoot me a text when you get a chance and we can discuss the options and prices. and if your in LI which i am assuming, im in staten island, so it not that far of a drive.
347-782-1302
John

John does amazing work, definitely reach out to him. Check my build thread to see some of his work.

[Kevinl]

I bought seats from zoomzoomzooming and had no issues seats are holding up great two years later

[cory58]

i have 2 sets of sport seats that are raw and uncovered right now. i can cover them for you in any color, material or stitch pattern you like. shoot me a text when you get a chance and we can discuss the options and prices. and if your in LI which i am assuming, im in staten island, so it not that far of a drive.
347-782-1302
John

Another HUGE +1 for John at Ninestitch. Great service and price. Will be posting picks of my new Ninestitch seat covers once the installation is finished.

[Andy.B]

I have e36 m3 (manual, not vader) seats in my coupe.
I paid $120 for the adapters to bolt them in, and about $300 (delivered), for the seats.
Unlike the power seats or vader's they don't weigh much more than e30 seats.
e36 seats of any flavor can likely be found more readily than e30 sport seats, and (with adapter plates) fit quite nicely. You can get e36 seats that are almost a decade newer than the newest e30 seats.
I would take my e36 seats over stock e30 sport seats all day.