Front Seat swap options

[Reza Taheri]

I apologize in advance, I actually messaged the moderator asking what happened to this topic in "interior" and was told it no longer exists so I should start a new thread. There are a ton of FAQ rabbit holes that lead to broken links when it comes to this topic. I just want to know what seats are good swaps for our cars. I have a 74 2002. Thus far, outside of the obvious e21 and some 80s VWs, it sounds like 90-93 Acura Integras are good candidates? What else have you guys put in your cars?

[visionaut]

Here’s two decent older threads on this topic:

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/172961-what-replacement-seats-have-you-placed-in-your-02

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/110922-besides-recaro-seats-what-else-would-do-the-job-on-my-02

 

There’s many aftermarket options, some period correct.  Recaro, Scheel, Corbeau, just to name a few.

 

And there’s some really nice vintage-styled seats available, such as GTS Classics.

 

And folks obviously use seats from other cars/makes as well. I’ve personally got a set of classic 911 buckets in mine.

Yeah, the most popular seat swap choice seems to be e21 Recaros. Though lots of folks are fans of the stock seats, which are surprisingly good once refreshed.

 

I expect others will chime in with many more options. Lots of mounting variations out there too.
 

HTH,

Tom-too

[Reza Taheri]

I just found this post on Craigslist, what do you guys think? It's a 2 hour drive and for $200 I need it to work. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/d/san-jose-parting-out-1982-bmw-320i-pak/7098557287.html

 

This e30 link is broken, has anyone tried e30 seats? Nevermind, for some reason copying the link and posting it in this thread caused the link to work. I tried deleting this section but it's not deleting. I apparently really suck at this

 

Edited April 5, 2020 by Reza Taheri
Typo

[Mike G]

My car had e30 sport seats installed when I bought it. I like the seats but you do have to cut off the inner stock seat mount from the trans tunnel to fit them properly. 

[TobyB]

E21 standard seats are pretty 'meh'- I'd choose Acura over them.

 

For the Acura seats, it's not hard to extend the Acura mount about 3" with 1/2"

square tube, and then they fit the stock mounts.

 

t

 

[Reza Taheri]

What year Acuras? And is it only Integras?

[MattL]

I know you already mentioned them, but I love my MkII Jetta Recaros, and they weren’t expensive. $400 for the pair, I think, and easy to mount with the widely-available adapters. Color matched to my blue interior pretty well with vinyl spray dye (and lots of brushing). Very supportive and comfy, and huge improvement over stock. 
 

Some of the Fox-body Mustangs had similar Recaros, too, as did a cop car from the early 90s. Chevy Lumina, maybe? The bolstering on the cop seats won’t be as good, though, apparently to accommodate gun belts, etc. 

 

NA and NB Miata seats fit too, and they should be easy to find. Also comfy and supportive, IIRC. 

[968reckless]

regardless what you choose those 320 seats would be good to have, price is fair.

[xr4tic]

I picked up a cheap set of old Corbeau A4s off Craigslist

 

Only pic I have, made an adapter with angle iron (welding required)

 

I'm 6'6", so it being further back and lower was a huge bonus for me.

[Harv]

The problem with a lot of seats is that if you mount them to the factory mounting points, it’s hard to get them centered with the wheel and the right height. The e30 seat comes to mind for the height thing. 
 

john

[Reza Taheri]

I'm sorry for another question, I read the Craigslist ad wrong, he wants $140 for these stock e21 seats WITHOUT rails.

 

1. Is that a fair price for these? He says they are comfortable and you can't feel the springs.

 

2. Do the rails off my 74 fit these or is that not how it works?

[Harv]

I don’t think I’d bother with those seats unless your car doesn’t have any seats and you just want to drive it. If that’s the case,140 is not a bad deal. 

[Reza Taheri]

Thank you Harv, that's how I feel as well but needed validation

[bianchini]

@Reza Taheri

 

has anyone tried fox body seats: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/d/la-honda-mustang-50-interior/7094065378.html 

 

maybe ask this person to take some pics of the seat bottoms. if they are flat bottom, you can made adapter plates. I did adapters for my cobra lemans: https://www.cobraseats-usa.com/products/lemans

 

or just get some NRG and do adapters: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/d/nrg-reclinable-racing-seats-200-and-800/7104570413.html

Edited April 7, 2020 by bianchini

[Reza Taheri]

So I have absolutely zero welding skills. When you guys refer to adapters, is that something one can do without a welder?