BMW e46 M3 aftermarket seat fitting guide - Recaro goodness!
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- The final big upgrade has been fitted to the M3 - Recaro sportster CS seats, what an improvement over standard! Follow me on this video as we go through the fitting proceeding on how to remove the originals & fit the after market's whilst keeping the dreaded Airbag lights of and the system working!
For some reason I confuse ABS with airbag light at one stage of this blog, maybe I was simply getting to carried away enjoy the seats, remember this is all on the go recording, Enjoy!
Great job man, we both share the OEM+ taste. You've provided lots of useful info in this video for when I purchase a set and install them in my M3. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Finally the correct address of the seat belt tension managed abs light. The first time I have heard it said properly
you have done a cracking job mate , i would still have it back even more now
Cheers Lee, it's been the plan to get it to this level from day one, plenty of money, hours & tears into this little project lol! The bad news for you though is I can't see myself ever selling it, even if some one put £20k down in front of me I would decline... just dash trim painting, coilovers & 4.1 ratio final drive diff and she will be finished 😁
very useful information, could not find anything about the ride height but now i now it will probably fit my better with my helmet on being 6ft. 4 inch!
Yea does make for a much better driving position 👍
@@stoneautomotive thanks for the info, will start saving up some money cause they actually will be more for a pair than i payed for my entire car initially
@@MrBramdec that’s often the problem with tuning 😅
I picked mine up from a lotus Evora so much cheaper way in than new, look factory fresh 😎
Passengers safety features are activated by the occupant sensor, like the seat belt warning buzzer
If you run harnesses take the seat belt clip from the belt and put it in the tensioner belt anchor then the whole safety system will remain active
For a visual idea. Chin to top of steering wheel level should be around the same height to get the best driving position in the M3
It's more nose to top of steering wheel, feels spot on for me 😁
Stone Automotive me too but I don't want people to picture me laid back like a ricer ha ha ha ha
Stone Automotive seating position has a huge effect on your ability to drive properly
Actually quite a big job. Thinking of going the same route with my RS3, but seems like a hassle and not a diy.
Lovely seats but yes sadly not a simple bolt in/out
Looks awesome ! Sorry Could not hear ya . God bless
great informative video!!!
my favorite seats and my next plan...what did you use for sliders and floor mounts Recaro OEM or other company??
Thanks & glad you enjoyed the video! Also agree, best seats on the market for comfort/ support (want a set for my e92 M3 now 😎)
The seats are Recaro (Lotus version) + Recaro runners + OMP base plates
Hi James do you have sliding rails under the seats ? I’m looking at a pair from a Clio I plan on buying and installing
Thanks
Hi Gavin,
Yep I have Recaro sliders on mine so fully adjustable 👍
The Renault version have a different base and also airbags in the seat (e46 has the stock airbag in the door) so the Renault ones can work but not the best solution
When your seats cost more than your car. I'll take two.
😅👍
You removed the most comfortable leather, fully adjustable bucket (and heated) seats, with memory positioning for two other people for this!?
The standard seats are awful - minimal support & high seating position, would do exactly the same if I had to start again.
Sounds like your a big fan of the standard seats, glad they work for you 👍 (assume your under six foot in height)
@@stoneautomotive It does sit a bit high, but everything else you said is wrong. Minimal support? I guess yours doesn't work. On mine, you push a button and the seats sides inflates to hold you firmly in place. It also has thigh extension for taller folks (I'm 6' 3''). But most importantly, isn't britain supposed to be a cold place? So no more heated seats for you
Drive with a set of seats like this and you will be blown away 👍 the inflatable bolsters work fine on my originals but provide minimal upper body support (shoulders) and the base bolster supports are minimal, personally find on track or even spirited drives you are wedging your legs again the door/tunnel side for support - agree they are a nice comfy seat for motorway use but personally find the Recaro CS even comfortable (drove across Europe in them)
Heated seats are not required for me, car only covered sub 2,000 miles a year as a summer/ weekend car - have an e92 M3 with heated seats for the all year round daily use 👍
At 6’3 you must struggle on track for head room with a crash helmet without the seat being lent back to far to have full control of the steering wheel?
It certainly depends on your use for the car as the standard seats work well for daily use 👍
You should get it on track, really allows you to enjoy the M magic that they offer over the normal e46 😎
Hopefully mine will be finished in March ready for its first track day of 2021 - plenty more to come on my channel for the e46 but certainly not a standard car if that’s your thing.
Very nice review pls include below all the parts you needed to buy extra to fit these!
Would you recommend buying the sparcos r333 instead they cost a lot cheaper?!! Do you know how lighter are these recaros from the stock seats??
Thanks, as I bought the seats used I don't have the part numbers sadly.. yea you could choose a cheaper set of seats but the Recaro's look so good 😎
I've sat on some CS Sportsters and felt there was less thigh support than the OEM seats on the e46 M3. Can you comment on this? I like my thigh extensions all the way out.
Wow that’s the first I’ve ever heard that, find them an improvement over stock on seat height, support and comfort 😅
Obviously a personal thing and if the standard seats are best for you then your gonna save a fortune not having to buy a set of recaros 😅👍
@@stoneautomotive I believe they are an improvement in every aspect, apart from thigh support. Would it be possible to measure the distance from the backrest to the very front of the cushion? It's only the thigh support that I think I missed. BMWs generally have the extension for thigh support.
Hi mate, when you mention the occupancy sensor you say you “tie wrapped it’s to the original seat”… have I misunderstood? Obviously the original seat has been removed from the car…? Also what mounts did you use?
Hi Mike, it’s been a long time since this video/ seat instal but I’m sure I had more details in my project thread -
forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/stones-e46-m3-csl-replica-the-money-pit-project-80-complete.196182/
The base mounts are OMP
@@stoneautomotive nice one mate cheers for getting back to me, I’ll have a read 👍
has anyone told you before to drive safe just curious 😅
It’s all CGI in my videos, none of its real 😬
Awesome
Thank you 😊
Wish you showed actual footage of the install.
This is one of the early videos on the channel - the guides have gotten much better since 👍
@@stoneautomotive is there one where you complete the seat installation? As well as using the OEM seat belt tensioner!
@@simonnim321 sadly not for the e46 only for the e92. As my recaros are from a lotus Evora they already had the seat buckle mounting point in place to bolt the original pre-tensioner/ buckle
Good stuff but not helping at all how to do it. We dont want to see you driving explaining we want to see you doing it so we see the steps...
Great video 👍 quick question: what hardware did you use to mount the pre-tensioners and did you mount recaro sliders?
Thanks! I used the original Lotus mounting points that were on the seats, the pre-tensioners needed the inner collar machining from 10-12mm. After that it was the recaro/lotus base > universal recaro runners > OMP base plates
Stone Automotive thx, do you happen to know the part number for the runners, I'm seeing different kinds online.
Great vid mate. One question, do they fold forward to allow rear seat access?
Yep all fold forward as the Lotus Evora has rear seats (granted for very short people lol) they actually tilt further forward than the originals. Not cheap but great upgrade especially with the lower seat height
that's great news, @@stoneautomotive
Is your seat centered to the steering wheel? I just installed these seats and they are either too high or offset from the steering wheel.
Yep all perfect but I had to modify the bracket so that the seats were as close to the tunnel of the car, only just enough clearance for the seat belt buckle
Can the seat backs be reclined?
Yes 👍
Can these be heated?
Yes & you can buy them from Recaro with the heating element in them 👍
To retro fit it in mine would require re-trimming the seat.
how tall are you? just got a set and am wondering if ill be able to use a 4pnt harness at 6 foot 1
I’m 6’2 so a smidge taller, seat height is perfect but it really depends what frame/ slider set up you decide on
@@stoneautomotive managed to get them pretty nicely low with custom frame and a sparco slider. My issue is the distance between sitting and the two holes for the shoulder straps. if you are 6,2 and have the holes at your shoulders then i should be fine! thanks for the answer
I see, yep you should have no issues 👍
Ps I don’t have a dwarf body with long legs for the height before you ask 😂
@@stoneautomotive hahaha thats perfect mate! cheers!
What model or name of the seat ?
Recaro sportster CS
Where can you get These Seats?
Recaro - around €1,500 euros per seat + mounting equipment new
@@stoneautomotive Jesus🤣😆 I think I will waiteand buy those pair of seats next year or in the Winter. Only my car cost about 4K
It is a pain in the ass pulling the lever all the time when someone sit in the back?
The seats tilt forward just like the standard ones, Lotus Evora is a 4 seater car.
are this seats also aviable for the BMW e46 320i coupe not Facelift?
And is the Fitting same?
The seats are from a Lotus Evora, you will need to contact Recaro to see if they make an adaption kit (floor mounting should be the same as the e46 M3)
@@stoneautomotive Thank you for the quick answer