Aftermarket "racing" seat prices

[bmwpower]

So do any side mount adapters fit the mounting holes for an E30 or do I absolutely need the VAC adapter if I want to mount a seat WITHOUT sliders?

[Massive Lee]

[DSP74]

Some seats are side mount. Should make things a breeze to just buy side mounts and the VAC adapter. Expensive but easy. MassiveLee sells side mount brackets that bolt to the stock sliders=slick-cheaper and easier than the Vac route.

Some seats take a bottom mount bracket. Those are specific to the car so if you buy used make sure there is something available for your car first.

I've been told that certain side mounts on certain seats (I can't remember the combo but I'm sure I save the PM or post somewhere) will bolt right down.

[JGood]

Are seats "generic" in that they fit all cars? Or are there specific models for certain cars? Sounds like maybe that's where the brackets come into play.

Trying to figure out how I could buy a nicer one used, but make sure it fits my car.

All seats are generally the same. The mounting points are part of the FIA regulation, from what I understand.

e30's are small cars, so you might run into a fitment issue with an extra tall or wide seat, but most seats should fit fine.

Any name brand side mount bracket should work with any seat... corbeau, sparco, recaro, etc...

Get side mounts, they provide for a stiffer setup then bottom mount (if the seat even has a bottom mount option). And I wouldn't recommend sliders unless necessary for a 2 driver car. That's just one more failure point.

[bmwpower]

Are seats "generic" in that they fit all cars? Or are there specific models for certain cars? Sounds like maybe that's where the brackets come into play.

Trying to figure out how I could buy a nicer one used, but make sure it fits my car.

[cuonice]

+1 for the Recaro SPG. I've been using one in my track car for 4 years now, definitely worth the price and then some.

My method of picking a seat has always been to sit in as many as possible... a track day is a great place to do this.

[Eric]

Those were my thoughts exactly. I was thinkin hell for that price and cutting the seat weight in half from stock, I'll deal with the comfort factor. An I'd it gets really bad I can get some different pads or add to the ones that are on there

I can see myself in your post 5 years ago. I bought a corbeau piece of shit for cheap for my E30 M3 because my stock seat was getting weak.

it sucked and hurt so bad, a 45 minute trip and i would be in serious pain.

I then sat in a set of recaro SRD's after an hour long trip and felt like i was receiving my first blow job all over again. it was pure heaven.

So then my dumb ass bought a set of replica SRD seats. same shit as before, just in a new wrap.

I eventually just put the factory passenger seat in the drivers side because the other seats, even though i was over a grand into them at this point, just weren't worth it.

For 300-400 you can easily get a used recaro pole position. check ebay every day. Ones with FIA life still left in them sell for about 500.

I now have two recaro pole position SPG's and they are fantastic. Just an hour ago i was sitting in them to see different driving positions. I just sat there for about 10 minutes at one point with my hands on the wheel thinking about how happy i am to have these seats.

take every body's advice and don't buy the FX-1's.

if you could buy a mint E36 M3 for 10k or a bran new chevy cobalt for 10k which would you choose? they serve the same purpose right?

[jlevie]

If the seats are going into a race car, spend the extra money and get an FIA certified seat, it will be cheaper in the long run. If the car is mostly a track rat, find some racer's out of date FIA seats as they'll be about the same cost as the cheapo's. If the car is a DD that sees the occasional track day, spring for a set of Recao's for the comfort factor.

[E30_fiend]

Do you have one yet? The back and bottom pad are velcro'd on. You could just get an extra of each-won't even change the look I don't think.

FWIW This is my second car with them. I don't have mine mounted, but just from setting in this one vs my first one (when they first came out) it seems as though they have stiffened the shell of the seat up. That's a plus. The first production one I had was a flexy flyer

No I don't have one yet so the ones I purchase will be the newer model seats if they've changed at all. So hopefully they're a little better. I don't do a ton of long haul driving but occasionally I go to the valley and LA and even San Diego sometimes but it should be alright.

Thanks DSP74






Taylor

[DSP74]

Do you have one yet? The back and bottom pad are velcro'd on. You could just get an extra of each-won't even change the look I don't think.

FWIW This is my second car with them. I don't have mine mounted, but just from setting in this one vs my first one (when they first came out) it seems as though they have stiffened the shell of the seat up. That's a plus. The first production one I had was a flexy flyer

[E30_fiend]

The FX1 gets a bad rap for being lightly padded and therefore uncomfortable on the long haul. I'm willing to bet that the replaceable but and back pads could be doubled up with an extra of each for much more comfort.

For a 'race' seat, intended to hold you in place much better than stock and be lighter than stock, it fits the bill perfectly. Especially for the price.

Those were my thoughts exactly. I was thinkin hell for that price and cutting the seat weight in half from stock, I'll deal with the comfort factor. An I'd it gets really bad I can get some different pads or add to the ones that are on there

[DSP74]

The FX1 gets a bad rap for being lightly padded and therefore uncomfortable on the long haul. I'm willing to bet that the replaceable but and back pads could be doubled up with an extra of each for much more comfort.

For a 'race' seat, intended to hold you in place much better than stock and be lighter than stock, it fits the bill perfectly. Especially for the price.

[E30_fiend]

Buy a used one. You won't find any really good race seat for your budget.

BTW Have you checked Kirkey's aluminum seats? But they still are around $700...

I think I may just go with the FX 1 Pro and see how I like it. I'll keep them in good shape and sell them if they're horrible

[SkinnyVT]

Started off with a Corbeau Forza, $50 from a friend. Tube frame, classic corbeau garbage. Terribly uncomfortable and a ton of flex. I don't think I have ever sat in a corbeau seat that was comfortable.


I recently purchased a Racetech RT1000 for $615 shipped which is one of the most comfortable seats I have sat in (race or OEM seats). After 3 hours in it my back felt like new.



I agree with some of the previous posts that it is all about what fits your body, got to a speed shop or a track event and sit in as many different seats as you can. If you can afford the extra few hundred dollars I think you will be much happier with your purchase if you buy a quality seat once instead of dealing with a crap one for a while before you finally shell out for the nice one.

[Brian D]

Some of the less expensive Sparco's could be worth a look:

http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/FIXED-BACK_SEATS-SPARCO/c297_299/index.html

Not a recommendation of the vender, just a nice page to link to.