New seat base padding set up ...

[NZ_M3]

At the last track day I borrowed a recaro seat base cushion from a friend's race car just to give it a try. Low and behold it was much better than the factory seat base. For one, you get to sit lower and secondly the material has rubber grip dimples on it.

Given that you sit lower in the seat you also end up having quite a bit more thigh support.

Any ways, a photo speaks a thousand words.

EDIT: Decided to redo the seat padding (after I figured out how to cut foam properly:hahaha: ... much better now and better on me bum;))

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/M3_Power/ResizeofP1000903.jpg

[SMD]

Sounds good!

You can buy them from Demon Tweeks on there own also!:beer:

[spanner]

I can't find that on demon tweeks - any chance of a link?

[3wheels3]

That is the seat cushion that is on the Recaro Carbon Fibre SPA seat. Although I have the SPG seat I ordered this cushion aswell as I felt it was better than standard SPG cushion which is less of a bucket and split laterally in two separate sections where as this one is one piece. Helps keep your bum at back of seat aswell. Cost about £45.

[spanner]

+

looks great - can anyone help with a link on where to get one from?

If it's not designed for the csl seat, is it a perfect fit?

how do you get the standard cushion off?

Cheeers

[3wheels3]

Will look on invoice this evening. Until then http://www.recaro.com/index.php?id=3786&region=5&L=2

[Andyk]

For one, you get to sit lower




Christ if I sat any lower I wouldn't be able to see over the steering wheel.........thats what you get for being a short ass I supose.

[NZ_M3]

Christ if I sat any lower I wouldn't be able to see over the steering wheel.........thats what you get for being a short ass I supose.

I am pretty short myself (5' 7") and find it a lot better being slightly lower in the seat (I like the head just above door frame look :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:)

[Bealo]

At the last track day I borrowed a recaro seat base cushion from a friend's race car just to give it a try. Low and behold it was much better than the factory seat base. For one, you get to sit lower and secondly the material has rubber grip dimples on it.

Given that you sit lower in the seat you also end up having quite a bit more thigh support.

Any ways, a photo speaks a thousand words.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/M3_Power/P1000659.jpg

I would be interested in this.

What about a group buy????:thumbs:

[Andyk]

I like the head just above door frame look :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:


What like 'driving Miss Daisy'....:hahaha:....To many old people sit like that in their Honda's:whistle:

[spanner]

thanks 3 wheels.

I would ideally like to try out both the cushions listed on there. If the thin one would do then all the better.

I would definately have one and would be up for a group buy.

If anyone can locate a uk supplier I would be happy to make the telephone calls.

[3wheels3]

I got mine from Demon Tweeks in Feb '07 £46.81 + VAT and dealt with Meurig who is top chap.
Product code: REC070.93.035.116
Description: Recaro Thick Cushion

spanner; they both put you same height with the same bum cushions, just the one pictured earlier (as I have) helps hold you in position esp on brakes. Front is quite soft though, is comfy and does not put pressure on back of leg

[spanner]

excellent, just what I needed to know - thanks a million.

How easily does the original base come out? any special techniques?

Now - anyone else want one if I'm ringing demon tweeks??

[NZ_M3]

Just a note

The one that I have as shown has quite a hard base cushion - ended up cutting this out and replacing it with softer foam (my tender behind couldn't cope hahaha)

The thin version of this cushion also works and is a much softer foam.

Either one will work fine and fits perfectly.

The OEM cushion just pulls off ... there's a trim "U" clip on the front that runs the length of the seat front - just pull off (pretty self explanatory if you look at it)

[Bealo]

excellent, just what I needed to know - thanks a million.

How easily does the original base come out? any special techniques?

Now - anyone else want one if I'm ringing demon tweeks??


I'd want one just to see if it made an improvement on track.

[spanner]

+
keep the orders coming in - I'm off to Spa tomorrow but will get onto Demon tweeks early next week to get a price - the more the merrier.

Cheers

Rich

[dave1]

i want one:thumbs:

[3wheels3]

In my opinion the flat one would take away seat support under braking, the CSL seat has some benefit on that score. I'd go for one pictured earlier which I put details. Also have tender ass and I have small extra bum cushion for long distance/long time in seat. Even though it's only 1" it's funny how different it makes car feel!

[Bealo]

In my opinion the flat one would take away seat support under braking, the CSL seat has some benefit on that score. I'd go for one pictured earlier which I put details. Also have tender ass and I have small extra bum cushion for long distance/long time in seat. Even though it's only 1" it's funny how different it makes car feel!

I'll go with 3wheels3 suggestion and go for the one in the picture please Rich :thumbs:

[NZ_M3]

Decided to redo the foam on the recaro cushion - after I figured out the proper way to cut foam - looks much nicer now and bit more cushioning for me soft bum : )

Updated picture on first page.

[spanner]

I got mine from Demon Tweeks in Feb '07 £46.81 + VAT and dealt with Meurig who is top chap.
Product code: REC070.93.035.116
Description: Recaro Thick Cushion

spanner; they both put you same height with the same bum cushions, just the one pictured earlier (as I have) helps hold you in position esp on brakes. Front is quite soft though, is comfy and does not put pressure on back of leg


Right then - update time.

Spa was fantastic! 5 or 6 csl's there which was nice.

Anyway, back to the seat bases.

I have just spoken to James at Demon Tweeks. They carry this item in stock so I am expecting mine to show up tomorrow.

The bad news first is that due to the Euro etc. the margins on this item are really tight and they will not entertain a discount, no matter how many numbers I can get together.

The Good news is that the price may have come down anyway!! I am sure he just quoted me £40.90 plus VAT & delivery. I will obviously get an invoice when the base turns up to see for sure but it started with a 4 anyway!

So, basically, just call demon tweeks 0845 330 6241 - ask for James and quote all the numbers above that 3 wheels kindly posted. They all match up on their system and the described product matches.

I will of course try to fit mine when it turns up so let me know if any of you need an update after it's fitted.

Sorry I couldn't do any better, I feel like a failure! :bigcry:

Looking forward to mine turning up and can't wait for Silverstone on the 18th April to properly try it out.

Cheers

Rich

[spanner]

Seat base turned up the day after ordering it from DT.

Fitted it last night.

I don't actually feel much lower in the seat with it in but it does seem to support my legs better. The proof of whether it is any use will be when I drive the car fora few hours to Silverstone in a few weeks. It doesn't feel as comfortable as the oem one.

Compared to the standard item, the thickness where you sit looks to be a bit different but my standard one has compressed with my fat backside on it so I am really not convinced there is a lot of difference height wise.

What was interesting though is that with the base completely removed, the seat was actually quite comfportable for me with no pad on it, this could be an interesting option for short periods of time on track as I can really sink into the seat like that.

It may be worth a try, I will keep hold of it and keep comparing until I get the set up I am happiest with.

It doesn't look as nice as the oem pad either!

Cheers

Rich

p.s. if any of you are at Silverstone on the 18th april with BAt, feel free to try the seat out.

[NZ_M3]

Trust me ... cut the crap recaro padding out and install new foam ... The base foam that recaro uses is actually carpet underlay foam - so it's very durable and tough, but very uncomfortable.

With replaced foam, you sit lot lower than OEM.

If you get the other version (the flat version) you end up sitting really low almost like you've described without any seat base padding.

[Hazy]

Trust me ... cut the crap recaro padding out and install new foam ... The base foam that recaro uses is actually carpet underlay foam - so it's very durable and tough, but very uncomfortable.

With replaced foam, you sit lot lower than OEM.

If you get the other version (the flat version) you end up sitting really low almost like you've described without any seat base padding.

got a part number for the flat version, and can Mark do a "How to fetch your seat pad out" video pls :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

[Mark CSL]

Will do it tomorrow:thumbs:

I had the seat base out today for a clean if only i had known :hahaha:

[Mark CSL]

Here is the link to the video :thumbs:

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?p=18588#post18588

[spanner]

Holy thread resurrection batman!

Sorry about this folks - I've had someone on the phone to me about this recaro base - I had one for my csl that I sold a couple of years back and they are after one.

Does anyone know where to locate one from these days? He's been on to Demon Tweeks who don't do it any more.

Cheers

Rich

[NZ_M3]

Capital seating:

http://www.capitalseating.co.uk/productlist.asp?type=s&view=range&rid=58&mid=2

[0-60Motorsports]

Excellent idea. My driver side bottoms eat cushion and flatening so this might be a good idea. I was also just thinking of buying the OE seat cushion from BMW. is 52107919181 the correct PN for the cushion?

[NZ_M3]

Excellent idea. My driver side bottoms eat cushion and flatening so this might be a good idea. I was also just thinking of buying the OE seat cushion from BMW. is 52107919181 the correct PN for the cushion?

That's the correct part number for the driver side ... you'll be shocked how much these are new! Also a little tip ... always just buy the driver side one as this is the one without the seat occupancy sensor glued into the foam which cost nearly double the price of the driver side. Just rip one out of a normal E46 and leave it under the cushion on the passenger side if you need to replace the passenger side cushion.

The foam can be rebuilt however by a good upholstery shop, so I'd look into that if the fabric isn't worn. Just be careful when you remove the seat cover as there's a plastic rail glued in the middle of the foam where the alcantara joins the Amaretta Reflex fabric and if you just pull the seat cover off it'll pull this rail off the foam which can be a real royal pain in the backside to glue back in correctly.

[0-60Motorsports]

That's the correct part number for the driver side ... you'll be shocked how much these are new! Also a little tip ... always just buy the driver side one as this is the one without the seat occupancy sensor glued into the foam which cost nearly double the price of the driver side. Just rip one out of a normal E46 and leave it under the cushion on the passenger side if you need to replace the passenger side cushion.

The foam can be rebuilt however by a good upholstery shop, so I'd look into that if the fabric isn't worn. Just be careful when you remove the seat cover as there's a plastic rail glued in the middle of the foam where the alcantara joins the Amaretta Reflex fabric and if you just pull the seat cover off it'll pull this rail off the foam which can be a real royal pain in the backside to glue back in correctly.

Yeah its going to cost US $1000 and don't know if the order will come through. So not worth it when my family business is upholstery. Well gonna remove the cushion and pay a visit to the shop lol.

Thanks for the info brother.