Recaro Sportster CS installation questions

[kaiv]

Couldn't find clear answers searching the forums so I thought I'd ask:

What is needed and necessary to install a pair of those seats in an E92 M3?

Floor mounts? Who makes them? I've heard of Planted, Wedge, and of course Macht Schnell. Which ones work with the CS?

And since the Sportster CS is essentially a BMW performance seat, is there an OE BMW bracket/mount that would work? Part number?

Sliders? I'm assuming standard Recaro ones work?

What about seat belt receptacles?

Is any other hardware needed?

Is anything salvaged/transferred from the stock seats?

Is a seat occupancy sensor needed?

So many questions Thanks in advance!

[rantarM3]

What is needed and necessary to install a pair of those seats in an E92 M3?

Assuming you will be using the factory seat belt and are getting the Recaros with the side airbags: seat mounts, seat belt receptacle adapter, seat sliders, coding, and wiring if you want the heated seat option.

Floor mounts? Who makes them? I've heard of Planted, Wedge, and of course Macht Schnell. Which ones work with the CS?

My observation is that Planted and MS are relatively popular. The MS mounts work with ths Sportsters.

And since the Sportster CS is essentially a BMW performance seat, is there an OE BMW bracket/mount that would work? Part number?

No, unfortunatelly. The Perf seats have OEM BMW sliders that are attached to the seats with custom brackets. Alpina had seats very similar to the Perf seats in a limited edition car, sliders and all. Recaro does not sell the Perf mounting hardware, per another forum member.

Sliders? I'm assuming standard Recaro ones work?

They should work fine.

What about seat belt receptacles?

You transfer over your stock ones.

Is any other hardware needed?

Don't think so.

Is anything salvaged/transferred from the stock seats?

Seat belt receptacles.

Is a seat occupancy sensor needed?

No, you need to get the car coded.

So many questions Thanks in advance!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by kaiv

Couldn't find clear answers searching the forums so I thought I'd ask:

What is needed and necessary to install a pair of those seats in an E92 M3?

Floor mounts? Who makes them? I've heard of Planted, Wedge, and of course Macht Schnell. Which ones work with the CS?

And since the Sportster CS is essentially a BMW performance seat, is there an OE BMW bracket/mount that would work? Part number?

Sliders? I'm assuming standard Recaro ones work?

What about seat belt receptacles?

Is any other hardware needed?

Is anything salvaged/transferred from the stock seats?

Is a seat occupancy sensor needed?

So many questions Thanks in advance!

I ran the Sportster CSs in 2 of our last builds, it's an awesome seat. We've got all the hardware you need, just give me a ring when ready.

Seat occupancy errors can be coded out easily.

[kaiv]

rantarM3> thanks, appreciate the reply!

tom@eas> YGPM

[gazosnic]

Is it possible to transfer the Occupancy Mat from the stock seat to a Recaro CS. I want the car to function like OEM to sense when someone is in the seat or not and turn on / off the airbag accordingly.

If i buy another seat unit (I know expensive), would this be plug and play?

[kaiv]

I can't answer that but maybe Tom can chime in?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by gazosnic

Is it possible to transfer the Occupancy Mat from the stock seat to a Recaro CS. I want the car to function like OEM to sense when someone is in the seat or not and turn on / off the airbag accordingly.

If i buy another seat unit (I know expensive), would this be plug and play?

OC3 mat is embossed into the passenger seat leather, it's not possible.

[gazosnic]

So no way to have a functional weight sensor?

[M3 Number 86]

as long as the passenger airbag will go off. When you say coded out, are you coding out to tell the system that there is ALWAYS a passenger in the seat or never a passenger in the seat?

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by kaiv

Couldn't find clear answers searching the forums so I thought I'd ask:

What is needed and necessary to install a pair of those seats in an E92 M3?

Floor mounts? Who makes them? I've heard of Planted, Wedge, and of course Macht Schnell. Which ones work with the CS?

And since the Sportster CS is essentially a BMW performance seat, is there an OE BMW bracket/mount that would work? Part number?

Sliders? I'm assuming standard Recaro ones work?

What about seat belt receptacles?

Is any other hardware needed?

Is anything salvaged/transferred from the stock seats?

Is a seat occupancy sensor needed?

So many questions Thanks in advance!

If you choose to go with a "matrix" style mount, go with the VAC floor mounts. They fit very well and are pretty concealed for a cleaner look. The planted mounts are great as well, but due to their design, they naturally sit up a little higher than a matrix style floor mount. Depending on how tall you are, I think this will dictate which mount to go with to dial in the most ideal seat height for you. Sliders, the Recaro ones work well. If you use the Planted floor mounts, you will not be able to use the standard BMW encapsulated Torx bolts since you won't be able to torque them down. A standard hex bolt will have to be used instead since the male Torx socket will not fit.

OC3, simply code it out. Most opt to code it out. Re-use the factory seat belt receptacle and harness. Route the cabling carefully so it doesn't find a way of getting pinched on any of the moving parts.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

as long as the passenger airbag will go off. When you say coded out, are you coding out to tell the system that there is ALWAYS a passenger in the seat or never a passenger in the seat?

The passenger side airbag will deploy as it is not looking for a signal in the pass seat any longer.

Originally Posted by gazosnic

So no way to have a functional weight sensor?

The mat cannot be ordered separately, unless you are willing to order a new cover and cut out the portion that is ironed to the rear portion of the leather. Keep in mind the seat airbags are coded out since the Sportster line does not have airbags.

[M3 Number 86]

tom @ eas do you also have any info on sedan belt assembly?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

tom @ eas do you also have any info on sedan belt assembly?

Sedans attach differently than coupes (to the seat, rather than floor). We have sedan specific belt brackets from Macht Schnell on our website - not a problem at all.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Sedans attach differently than coupes (to the seat, rather than floor). We have sedan specific belt brackets from Macht Schnell on our website - not a problem at all.

yes that's why I was asking but good to know that you have the specific brackets as the belt clips into the seat but with an open end that is pressed against some clip.

also the seat belt receptacle seems long for this seat, is there a shorten one of does it just bend down to keep the lap belt tight?

thanks!

Now I need to come up with a few grand

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

yes that's why I was asking but good to know that you have the specific brackets as the belt clips into the seat but with an open end that is pressed against some clip.

also the seat belt receptacle seems long for this seat, is there a shorten one of does it just bend down to keep the lap belt tight?

thanks!

Now I need to come up with a few grand

Seatbelt brackets keep the receptacle in the OEM position - you'll need it in order to reach with a Sportster or race bucket in place easily. They've been installed on a number of Sedans already, even a couple of locals that hit the track regularly.

[gazosnic]

Thanks guys. I may attempt to transfer oem sensor - will post results. I may attempt to transfer oem Heston. Element as well. Would be awesome to have a full oem integration.

[gazosnic]

*heated

[M3ANMACHINE]

I purchased the wedge floor mounts and sliders for my Sportsters.

Only issue I had was that they didn't have the seat belt end mount on, so I improvised and mounted the end to the floor mount bolt and it holds up fine.

They were the most cost effective mount/slider setup, and have a good reputation, so that's why I went with them. Re-used the factory seat belt receptacle as well.

I went to EAS and had Tom code off my airbag light. When they do this, it essentially tells the computer that someone is always sitting in the passenger seat. I figure that if an accident is bad enough to warrant an airbag release, there's more to worry about than replacing a second airbag in the car...

Had the seats in for a couple months with zero issues.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

I purchased the wedge floor mounts and sliders for my Sportsters.

Only issue I had was that they didn't have the seat belt end mount on, so I improvised and mounted the end to the floor mount bolt and it holds up fine.

They were the most cost effective mount/slider setup, and have a good reputation, so that's why I went with them. Re-used the factory seat belt receptacle as well.

I went to EAS and had Tom code off my airbag light. When they do this, it essentially tells the computer that someone is always sitting in the passenger seat. I figure that if an accident is bad enough to warrant an airbag release, there's more to worry about than replacing a second airbag in the car...

Had the seats in for a couple months with zero issues.

The wedge appear to be "higher up" than something like VAC provides. Does anyone know if the VAC VAC Floor Mount Adapters are the lowest profile to the floor? I am trying to get the lowest floor mount.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

The wedge appear to be "higher up" than something like VAC provides. Does anyone know if the VAC VAC Floor Mount Adapters are the lowest profile to the floor? I am trying to get the lowest floor mount.

The wedge mounts combined with the seats were about 1.5-2 inches lower than OEM

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

The wedge mounts combined with the seats were about 1.5-2 inches lower than OEM

Interesting. I have tried to find photos of the seat brackets by wedge but can't find any.
I wonder how much lower, compared to wedge, machtsnell or vac mounts are? Any light you can guesstimate on M3ANMACHINE ?

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Interesting. I have tried to find photos of the seat brackets by wedge but can't find any.
I wonder how much lower, compared to wedge, machtsnell or vac mounts are? Any light you can guesstimate on M3ANMACHINE ?

If I had to guess I'd say 1 inch lower