Thinking about upgrading to bucket type seats...

[dex37]

Originally Posted by dmw16

I considered the Sporter CS for my E46 to gain headroom, but unless you are ready for real race seats, the only way to get headroom is to pull the sunroof out. I just finished doing this, but it's a lot easier to stomach in a 2005 E46 M3 then doing it to a 2013 E90 M3.

I have E92 with carbon roof. In the E90 there is much more headroom. And there is also no problem with bucket seats

[pkimM3r]

If i was any taller there would be no headroom. Im 5'8" but oddly sit closer than some people the same or shorter than me. Maybe my torso is proportioned wrong? Maybe im trying to sit for maximum control. Mind blown sometimes.

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by dex37

I have E92 with carbon roof. In the E90 there is much more headroom. And there is also no problem with bucket seats

Why the hair being pulled out? I didn't say there was anything wrong with bucket seats. Previously I said there was something wrong with buckets, a harness bar, and harnesses. And there is.

As for head room I can only comment on the e46 which doesn't have much with a sunroof.

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

If i was any taller there would be no headroom. Im 5'8" but oddly sit closer than some people the same or shorter than me. Maybe my torso is proportioned wrong? Maybe im trying to sit for maximum control. Mind blown sometimes.

Most people sit incorrectly for proper control of their car which I think masks headroom issues.

Also your build can impact it. I'm 5'10" tall but have shorter legs 29-30" inseam and a longer torso so I have headroom issues in my e46. Or had until I deleted my sunroof.

[dex37]

Originally Posted by dmw16

Why the hair being pulled out? I didn't say there was anything wrong with bucket seats. Previously I said there was something wrong with buckets, a harness bar, and harnesses. And there is.

As for head room I can only comment on the e46 which doesn't have much with a sunroof.

<- this was because in the E90 you don't have problem with headroom and bucket seats, whereas in the E92 you have a problem with the headroom and when you solve that problem with bucket seats, you get a problem with the backseats.

[dex37]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

If i was any taller there would be no headroom. Im 5'8" but oddly sit closer than some people the same or shorter than me. Maybe my torso is proportioned wrong? Maybe im trying to sit for maximum control. Mind blown sometimes.

That's the problem. I am 6'2. With helmet I have to move the seat back a little and lower the headrest.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by dex37

&lt;- this was because in the E90 you don't have problem with headroom and bucket seats, whereas in the E92 you have a problem with the headroom and when you solve that problem with bucket seats, you get a problem with the backseats.

Even i have headroom problems in the e90. With a helmet its hard to turn your head back and look around when trying to enter the hotpits.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Even i have headroom problems in the e90. With a helmet its hard to turn your head back and look around when trying to enter the hotpits.

You should see how hard it is with a hans device.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

You should see how hard it is with a hans device.

I need a dedicated crew to push me there! Lol

[1MOREMOD]

i had to recline my seat slightly and sit a little further away then i would have liked in my e90 due to head room. now i just have my seat set down in the mounts far enough!

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by dex37

I'm not sure if the Sportster CS can be ordered with side airbags. The BMW Performance seats have it as an option. I've sat only in the Performance seats and I didn't find them much lower than stock. Or at least not low enough to give me enough head space with helmet. The bolsters are not adjustable, that's right. Apart from looking good, they don't offer any performance benefits. OK, racing look gives you at least 7hp more.

There are two mounting positions for the Performance seats. In the low position, you should have enough headroom with a helmet even if you're rather tall.

I do find them to offer a bit more support vs standard seats. Haven't tested the M3 seats though so I can't compare to those.

My main concern with the Performance seats is the weight. They are only 3 kgs lighter per seat compared to the stock seats.

My next step is to equip Schroth Rallye 4-point harnesses (will be installed this evening). Rear seats have been deleted.

I figure the Perf. seats + the harnesses should provide good support at the track. On the street I will continue using the stock seatbelt. A rollcage will be added later on. Most probably a halfcage. Although a full cage is of course better to improve the stiffness of the car. Halfcage only provides security in case of a roll over.

[dex37]

Originally Posted by Autobahn335i

There are two mounting positions for the Performance seats. In the low position, you should have enough headroom with a helmet even if you're rather tall.

I do find them to offer a bit more support vs standard seats. Haven't tested the M3 seats though so I can't compare to those.

My main concern with the Performance seats is the weight. They are only 3 kgs lighter per seat compared to the stock seats.

My next step is to equip Schroth Rallye 4-point harnesses (will be installed this evening). Rear seats have been deleted.

I figure the Perf. seats + the harnesses should provide good support at the track. On the street I will continue using the stock seatbelt. A rollcage will be added later on. Most probably a halfcage. Although a full cage is of course better to improve the stiffness of the car. Halfcage only provides security in case of a roll over.

I've tried the performance seats in E92 M3 in the lowest position. You sit lower, but just not low enough. I agree with you, the offer much more support than the standard sport seats. Compared with the M3 seats, the difference is not that great anymore.

Honestly, if you are going to remove the backseat, then just get a recaro pole position. The seat is very comfortable even on longer trips. Especially with a half cage I wouldn't bother at all with the performance seats. With pole position you can still use the stock seatbelt.

[pkimM3r]

With fixed back though you want a cage at the minimum. If not, go with a reclining seat. A wise man once told me, you want the seat to collapse, not your neck.

[Everfly]

I have Recaro pole on my e82 and yes i have access to back seat no problem

[1MOREMOD]

How do you fit the kids seat and kid thru that opening?

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

With fixed back though you want a cage at the minimum. If not, go with a reclining seat. A wise man once told me, you want the seat to collapse, not your neck.

Do any of the reclining seats offer a lot better hold than the stock seat? The BMW performance seat doesn't recline, but I'd imagine is designed to collapse. I wouldn't trust other 3rd party companies to assure their seat would.

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by dex37

I've tried the performance seats in E92 M3 in the lowest position. You sit lower, but just not low enough. I agree with you, the offer much more support than the standard sport seats. Compared with the M3 seats, the difference is not that great anymore.

Honestly, if you are going to remove the backseat, then just get a recaro pole position. The seat is very comfortable even on longer trips. Especially with a half cage I wouldn't bother at all with the performance seats. With pole position you can still use the stock seatbelt.

The lower position is indeed still on the high side with the Performance seats. Since it's a rebranded Recaro Sportster CS, one might be able to source alterntative mounting rails with lower positions?

I've had the Performance seats installed over two years ago. In that timespan, the car was gradually transformed from daily driver with a kids seat in the back into a weekend warrior/tracktool.

At the current state, I would probably get a lighter bucket seat, if I were to do it all over again.

[Everfly]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

How do you fit the kids seat and kid thru that opening?

No real recaro child seat but booster seat no problem. I am 5' 5" and 140 i can get in and out easy. It look narrow but not bad as you think

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Everfly

No real recaro child seat but booster seat no problem. I am 5' 5" and 140 i can get in and out easy. It look narrow but not bad as you think

i dont have kids but would be worried about scratching up the seat back trying to stuff the thing in there. i have recaro profi spg in my e46.

[will.c]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

With fixed back though you want a cage at the minimum. If not, go with a reclining seat. A wise man once told me, you want the seat to collapse, not your neck.

Can you elaborate on this? So this is when the car is in a roll-over situation, and the roof is collapsing, correct?

The back of the seat seems to be quite strongly attached. So the amount of force necessary to collapse the roof to your skull and to push back the seat would be enough to crush the skull, no?

[dmw16]

In a roll over most of what protects you from spine compression is the 3 point belt letting you slump forward.

That's what fixed seats and harnesses without a cage is a bad idea.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by dmw16

In a roll over most of what protects you from spine compression is the 3 point belt letting you slump forward.

That's what fixed seats and harnesses without a cage is a bad idea.

The seat belt system in the E9X at least has pyrotechnic charges in the lap belt fixed points designed to work in combination with the pre-tensioners and hold you bolt upright in an accident. This, combined with the forces/time involved in a roll-over, are contradictory to the notion that you can move about/slump over in a BMW 3-point belt when rolling.