Can Seat tilt angle be adjusted? **SEAT ADJUSTMENT GUIDE** [Archive]

glendog74

07-04-2008, 11:43 PM

Just bought a SG CSL and love it already. I love the seats too, very supportive and comfortable.

I just have one small gripe; can the seat tilt angle be adjusted so that they dont sit quite so upright?

Any thoughts?

neil

07-04-2008, 11:47 PM

yep, take the seats out of the car to adjust (dont turn ignition on while seats out like me else your airbag light will come on)

2 bolts either side, think i have a blow up diagram somewhere :thumbs:

glendog74

08-04-2008, 12:00 AM

Nice one, thanks Neil.

A diagram would be great - a picture paints a thousand words and all that! :-D

neil

08-04-2008, 12:08 AM

http://www.fryer.co.uk/208.png

see the 3 holes at the back?

glendog74

08-04-2008, 12:46 AM

Couldn't hotlink direct but found the drawing I think you're relating to.

I see the 3 holes. Presumably you remove the bolt either side of the rear fixing points and move/tilt seat back down to a lower setting?

sailorbaz

10-04-2008, 03:46 PM

This help me out too as the Mrs complains she is sitting too 'bolt upright'. Wanna try and drop them down a bit too as I see there are 3 holes at the front edge of the seat too.

Mega usefull, cheers. :thumbs:

neil

10-04-2008, 04:12 PM

I put mine on the lowest setting when I first bought it, I think these are the steps you need to take:

1. take the keys out, and go and put them in the house (unlike me) if you put your ignition on when the seat is out of the car you will need to have your airbag light reset (like me).

2. Remove connector block from under the seat (not sure if you have to do step 3 first) but be aware of it.

3. There are 4 bolts holding the seat in place - undo these

4. remove seat and subframe from car (carefully)

(you can now see the 4 bolts you need to get at to adjust height/position, but trim is in the way)

5. remove tilter knob from side of seat using an allen key.

6. remove plastic side piece from seat using a hex bolt socket.

7. undo 4 positioning bolts and refit in right position.

8. put seat back into the car (carefully)

9. reconnect connector plug.

10. refit 4 bolts holding subframe in place

11. go back in house and get your keys, hopefully cup of tea waiting

job's a good un :beer:

glendog74

10-04-2008, 06:29 PM

Nice one Neil.

I'll look at having a go this weekend if the weather is nice. Failing that I'll get BMW to do it next Friday when the car is in for brake fluid change.

:notworthy:

neil

10-04-2008, 07:17 PM

if I can do it anyone can :gayfight:

glendog74

13-04-2008, 12:41 PM

I removed and adjusted both seats yesterday and found it a relatively straightforward exercise as described by Neil earlier in thread. Both my seats were on the lower settings front and rear, hence the upright driving position!

My only addition to Neil's advice is to consider taking out the small grub screw holding the adjustment lever in place first of all. I found my drivers side screw badly rounded and almost could'nt get it out - would have been irritating to find that out having already removed the seat! Need to order a replacement screw...

The seats are even better now and the steering wheel falls more comfortably in my grasp too. Off for a drive now! :smt023

Mark CSL

13-04-2008, 06:26 PM

The little screws are not the best to get out :banghead: :moan:

neil

14-04-2008, 12:39 AM

yeah get a price/availability on that little screw, wouldnt mind a spare

MaKSiNG

11-10-2008, 11:11 PM

This might sound like a stupid question but can you see what setting the seat is on before taking anything apart?

I have tried a couple of times but couldn't really see - however, that was before I saw that drawing and knew exactly what I was looking for (it is obviously too dark to go have a look right now :whistle: )

TMAQ

17-05-2010, 08:57 PM

old old thread but...

I adjusted the seat heights today after I tried Roly’s setup at the weekend, the back height remained on the lowest setting but I made the front adjustment to the middle adjustment slot (was on the lowest).

This made the seat a lot more comfortable imo with more back support and the seat hugs you much much better. Without doubt recommend this.

mole

17-05-2010, 09:03 PM

I'd second this after trying Roly's on Sunday, will be doing mine too :thumbs:

monkeycsl

17-05-2010, 10:05 PM

Think will check mine too and adjust lowest setting at back and middle setting front correctomondo.:clown:

s.mac

17-05-2010, 10:22 PM

This might sound like a stupid question but can you see what setting the seat is on before taking anything apart?

? I still don't find the seats too comfy, might help with a change of position

anyone fancy helping me check mine out when we are over at the ring :whistle:

glendog74

17-05-2010, 11:29 PM

? I still don't find the seats too comfy, might help with a change of position

anyone fancy helping me check mine out when we are over at the ring :whistle:

Steve - seeing as you're even more of a short arse than me you might find my setting comfortable :whistle::

Forward fixing at their highest setting
Rear fixing at the middle height setting

I've had mine like this for 2 years now and find it to be spot on :thumbs:

phat///M3

18-05-2010, 03:35 PM

I wish they would sit lower, 1 below the lowest in the rear would be great I think.

s.mac

18-05-2010, 04:13 PM

Steve - seeing as you're even more of a short arse than me

:axe:

LOL :whistle:

daytonaviolet

07-06-2010, 09:05 AM

what??? you guys didnt know about thos :gayfight:

jk.. i just stumbled across this thread tonight and made my changes. OMG.. btw, orig my seats were at the orig settings... all the way to the lowest setting and it took a while for my back to adjust to the angle. now i have the rears set to the middle postion and the fronts to the highest setting. not only did it raise the seat a bit, it gave me a great angle which gives me alot more comfort. i wish did this 4 years ago when i first put in the CSL interior :smt055

alexk

07-06-2010, 09:33 AM

I am under the impression that my seats had 2 and 2 holes.
I will take them out these days and check it.

By the way, the small screws that get screwed are a set with number 10 -> http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Coupe/Europe/M3_CSL-S54/LHD/N/2003/september/browse/seats/recaro_sport_seat_seat_rail/

Check the cost, I asked the dealer and freaked out !
Ridiculous ! 2 plastic things and 2 screws 700 CHF !!!

daytonaviolet

07-06-2010, 09:50 AM

im pretty sure there are 3 holes :thumbs: fronts are slotted and rears are not.

I am under the impression that my seats had 2 and 2 holes.
I will take them out these days and check it.

By the way, the small screws that get screwed are a set with number 10 -> http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Coupe/Europe/M3_CSL-S54/LHD/N/2003/september/browse/seats/recaro_sport_seat_seat_rail/

Check the cost, I asked the dealer and freaked out !
Ridiculous ! 2 plastic things and 2 screws 700 CHF !!!

alexk

07-06-2010, 10:29 AM

I believe you my friends, that's why I will take them out today or tomorrow !

Seat angle solutions !!!

PS: my wife will be very happy with this :thumbs:

mattCSLnut

07-06-2010, 10:45 AM

I can confirm that there are 3 adjusting holes :thumbs: per each mounting point (four per each seat) as I had to adjust my driver seat soon after I bought my CSL, end of last year. It was set up for the previous owner who was somewhat shorter then me. When I got in behind the wheel on the maiden voyage home, I was nearly touching the roof lining :banghead: being 6 foot 2 and a bit :whistle:. It's a bit of a fiddle (especially with the inner 2 bolts, near the centre console) but doable. Ratchet spanner is your friend on this job :thumbs:
Thank U please

Balkan

02-08-2010, 10:53 PM

My only addition to Neil's advice is to consider taking out the small grub screw holding the adjustment lever in place first of all. I found my drivers side screw badly rounded and almost could'nt get it out - would have been irritating to find that out having already removed the seat! Need to order a replacement screw...

Did both my seats today, no need to remove the grub screw, the trim moves out the way enough to get to the seat bolts..........i can see where i am going now, and my daughter no longer needs a booster seat !

RolyGTIR

08-08-2010, 11:16 AM

Eduardo

15-10-2011, 04:01 PM

Hi Guys,

Just tried to do my seats today as i do prefere a more upright position (feel a better control of the wheel as i feelthe wheel doesn't go far down enought)

My question is , how do you disconnect the seat connector ? Can't seem to know witch bit comes out without looking like it's going to brake (any trick?)

Thanks.

Eduardo.

outnumbered

15-10-2011, 05:51 PM

This probably isn't going to help much, but I think from memory it's one of those BMW connectors that's actually a lot easier to unclip than it first looks. So rather than having to force anything to get it to come apart, there'll be some piece that you slide and the whole thing will release in a perpendicular direction.

That didn't help much did it ? Sorry.

You might find it easier to work it out with the seat unbolted so you have better access to the connector.

Edited to add, I think this may be the same connector:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3229/recaroinstall1280x8664.jpg

Eduardo

15-10-2011, 06:25 PM

0-60Motorsports

25-02-2012, 10:51 AM

This is awesome. Next time My car goes to the shop i"ll remove the seats and adjust the height. :)

thrashermax

03-03-2013, 09:10 AM

Since October 2012 I've had terrible back pain... I blamed it on bad posture at work and moving large bits of furniture around the house but in October 2012 something else happened... I bought my CSL.

Thank you for this thread... my seats were too low.

I got my seats out today, adjusted them then went out for drive... so far my back feels bit better. Next week I have my usual 250 miles for the week.. so I will know for sure. My back was so bad that I have been walking around like hunchback.

Anyway, enough of my problems... photos to go with the words on this brilliant thread...

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat1_zpsad2b3740.jpeg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat3_zps89460368.jpeg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat4_zps946ae08c.jpeg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat5_zps554f0922.jpeg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat8_zps4326d606.jpeg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/maxcaunhye/seat9_zps8267630b.jpeg

Pip1968

05-03-2013, 03:32 PM

Very helpful ThrasherMax :thumbs:. A picture paints a thousand words as they say. Any pictures of the bolts that need to be undone and done up to make the seat adjustment?

I have no intention of adjusting mine but always helpful if I do and more importantly, for everyone else.

Pip :thumbs:

thrashermax

05-03-2013, 06:46 PM

Very helpful ThrasherMax :thumbs:. A picture paints a thousand words as they say. Any pictures of the bolts that need to be undone and done up to make the seat adjustment?

It's the last two pictures that show the bolts to change the seat height. You can see the three possible positions.

Since, changing I have done 150 miles, including trips to Heathrow from Horsham... back is 100% fine!

select

07-01-2016, 09:13 PM

This might sound like a stupid question but can you see what setting the seat is on before taking anything apart?
[...]

I need to resurrect this thread, because i've got the same question..
Didn't take a closer at the seats yet, but i am curious to know in which position they currently are in if its possible without removing them. Not desperate to take them out, if its not necessary.

I am a bit late to the party however that be, thanks for the pictures thrashermax.

Wurzelkönig

16-04-2016, 07:23 PM

Hey guys, greetings from bavaria the home of our babys,

Am i doing something wrong? Using the method that was posted here, everything fine. Didn't get an airbag light or anything. But i only could raise the rear to the middle position. The steelcable of the tilt release thing isn't long enough. I would love to sit a little more upright, i'm a big fella and would love to better reach the steering wheel.

Cheers
Alex

mouser73

21-05-2016, 08:17 PM

Did mine today. Lowest on the back and middle on the front. A friend on this forum also told me the lumbar cushion could be adjusted. So did that too. Much better although I might bulk out the lumbar a bit more. I have found that these kind of seats (I had a 987 Spyder before this), offer little/no lumbar support, so you end up slouching into the seat. This gives me neck ache. Getting older I guess;-)

Cheers.

jonnysideways

03-09-2016, 12:25 PM

quick q. as I need to do mine as it feels like i am constricted and previous car was ok.

so the 2 questions I have is.

1. Please confirm the default BMW position from new.
2. what is the general preferred setting (6 foot driver)

cheers

John

CSLScot

27-07-2021, 11:00 PM

Been meaning to do mine for.....years. Decided to bite the bullet today. Seat out no problem, grommet screw & trim off no problem, changed seat height to lowest rear, middle front (the passenger side has been like that since I bought & driver side was set to highest rear & highest front). Right then, reassembly should be the easy bit.....this is where I hit a problem. :banghead: With the lowered seat position, the gap between the seat cover & part of the tilt componentry was significantly smaller & I could not for the life of me get the seat trim back on. After many, many attempts & a lot of swearing, I gave up & called a coach trimmer (one of the last genuine & quality coach trimmers in Scotland) who happens to stay nearby. He got it back on whilst I nipped back to the house for the trim bolts I'd accidentally left there - 'tricks of the trade' he said so I have no idea how he managed it. Ah well, seating position much better now & should never need adjusted again!