Anyone ever lowered their driver's seat?

[curveball99]

I'm hoping to create another 1/4" to 1/2" of additional headroom and was wondering if lowering my seat might be an option. Thanks.

[Brescia]

I had to do a Recaro install in my E46 to improve the headroom with my helmet on. It lowered me ~2.5" and I could have gone lower by pulling the cushion or modifying the brackets slightly.

[LateBraking]

I haven't heard of this being done before, but I myself am very interested. I could really use my seat being even just one inch lower.

[Space Ghost]

I'm 6'5" and have been meaning to do this as well. Swear I saw a post where someone did get an extra inch or so by manually adjusting something under the seat.

[DAK]

I would like to lower it too, I'm 6 3 and find the relatively high driving position off putting, Helmets are also challenging.

[Faceman]

I am 6'4" and would also like to learn more information about this. I always feel like I am sitting a couple feet higher and looking down at my passenger. I even had someone ask why I had the seat so high on a date on time....LOL!!

[kpneverdies]

damn... these ppl r tall.............................

[KJM3]

I'm 6'4" 225lbs and I dont feel like its too high and I have a sunroof. Might be a little tight with a helmet though, havent tried.

But unless you swap seats you may have to do what I had to do to fit on the roll cage of my last race car, lose an inch or so off my rear..

[klammer]

am interested as well. only tight with helmet on, not tall just big helmet

[spyderco10]

you could shave the seat cushion

[White Shark]

Originally Posted by Space Ghost

... I saw a post where someone did get an extra inch or so by manually adjusting something under the seat.

Anyone has additional info on this "manually adjusting something under the seat" ?

[jj007]

Came across these 2 threads on how someone lowered their OEM seat by >1" on a 335i... Would be interested to see if it can be applied to the M3 seats.

1) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...58#post2878658

2) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...00#post2075500

[curveball99]

Originally Posted by spyderco10

you could shave the seat cushion

R U serious or joking? This sounds innovative. How would it be done?

[curveball99]

Originally Posted by Brescia

I had to do a Recaro install in my E46 to improve the headroom with my helmet on. It lowered me ~2.5" and I could have gone lower by pulling the cushion or modifying the brackets slightly.

What model Recaro did you go with and what was your total cost after install?

[curveball99]

This may help others, so below R some links to earlier threads on this topic.....I ended up purchasing an E92 with CF roof for the extra headroom, but my helmet still bumps the cardboard/fiberboard ridge near the grab handle area when turning left. Removing the grab handle and anchors helped.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...light=headroom

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...light=headroom

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...light=headroom

[curveball99]

....one more idea - I'm also considering using a hand-held steamer to heat & moisten the cardboard/fiberboard ridge underneath the headliner cloth to try and move the cardboard up & away from the driver's head.

[kitw]

Originally Posted by curveball99

R U serious or joking? This sounds innovative. How would it be done?

Pull the leather, and cut part of the foam off. I've done this to other cars, and the only thing I don't like is that eventually you get sort of a loose stretched look to your leather.

[LateBraking]

Seen it done on S2K's, it works, but the leather looks like $#!t.

I'm most interested in this option, wish the poster would make a DIY for it. Not 100% sure what he means.

Originally Posted by BobbyP

Had the same problem and I modified my seat to lower an additional 1 inch. It includes cutting off the legs that attach to the rail and then actually adding additional notches to the gear so that you can go even lower using a dremel. Anyway, the mod can be done but is a bit time consuming and tedious to write up as an FYI. Best thing is that no one would be able to tell there was any modification.

[curveball99]

Originally Posted by kitw

Pull the leather, and cut part of the foam off. I've done this to other cars, and the only thing I don't like is that eventually you get sort of a loose stretched look to your leather.

I have the stock cloth seats (w/ leather on the sides of the seat bottoms and covering the side bolsters). I hope this isn't a stupid question, but do I cut part of the foam off the top or bottom of the cushion? (bottom I presume) How do I access it? Are there DIY instructions anywhere?

[JohnnyRoaster]

I am 6'3" and have a sedan without a sunroof. I have a fairly long torso and like to sit fairly upright. I have about a half inch clearance with my helmet on. I am also interested in the option of cutting the seat stops and using a dremel to let the seat go a little lower. I took a look underneath the seat and see how it could be done. I would not want to go any further without some first hand info and a diy.

As an aside, I was upgraded to an SLK last week for a rental car in Napa. I couldn't believe how low that seat went compared to my car.

[Maseroche]

I'd love to have a lower seat in the M3! I sit way too high in it so hoping for a reasonable solution that doesn't entail cutting up the seat.

[LateBraking]

Originally Posted by curveball99

I have the stock cloth seats (w/ leather on the sides of the seat bottoms and covering the side bolsters). I hope this isn't a stupid question, but do I cut part of the foam off the top or bottom of the cushion? (bottom I presume) How do I access it? Are there DIY instructions anywhere?

Just slice it with a razor blade. On an S2K, you take the cushion, slice it in half, then put it back in. Those guys get to it by cutting the leather open a little, pulling the cushion out, and gluing it back together, I believe.

But if you care about aesthetics, don't. It seriously looks like such crap whenever you're not in the seat. The leather is all saggy and wrinkly.

I wish BobbyP was still alive, last activity 2008....