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      10-08-2008, 11:48 PM   #1
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Rear seat removal?

How do you remove the E92 M3 rear seats--the seat buttoms and the folding backs? Can it be done in 30 minutes?
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      10-09-2008, 10:26 AM   #2
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+1 I want to know the same.
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      10-13-2008, 09:06 AM   #3
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I did mine for track, trust me it actually screwed up my car balance and I had to put it back on right after.

Anyway if you really want to do it, here's how:

Step 1---> bottom seats: simply pull them upwards. (need to apply some force)

Step 2---> folding seats: first of all, fold them. Then PULL the side cushions out(be very careful). Once you did all that, you may now see and have access to the screw located at the side of the folding seats. 1 screw on the left, 1 screw on the right. (you need to have a STAR KEY in order to take the screws out). Finally, remove the seats by pulling them towards you.

Done. It took me an hour to take out the seats and all the stuff in the trunk.
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      10-14-2008, 02:40 AM   #4
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How bad did it upset the balance? Did they seem heavy to you?
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      10-14-2008, 12:01 PM   #5
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I get a lot more oversteer on the track. My car even fishtailed a bit under hard braking on straight. I suggest take out the front seats and replace them with some light weight bucket seats if you decided to take out anything in the back.
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      10-14-2008, 05:08 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m_parade View Post
I get a lot more oversteer on the track. My car even fishtailed a bit under hard braking on straight. I suggest take out the front seats and replace them with some light weight bucket seats if you decided to take out anything in the back.
Thanks for the info. However, I am finding difficult to understand how taking out 40 lbs of weight from the center is causing such significant issues. The fuel tank is right there as well, and when you go from a full to a 1/4 tank, you are losing about 100 lbs.

I just removed them myself and weighed everything:

Bottom and side cushions: 7499 g (16.52 lbs)
Bolts: 57 g (.13 lbs)
Right Back Rest: 4630 g (10.20 lbs)
Left Back Rest: ~16.5 lbs (this one was probably off a little since I couldn't use the sensitive scale)
Total: ~43 lbs

Took me exactly 15 minutes to take everything out.
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      10-15-2008, 12:18 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lucid View Post
Thanks for the info. However, I am finding difficult to understand how taking out 40 lbs of weight from the center is causing such significant issues. The fuel tank is right there as well, and when you go from a full to a 1/4 tank, you are losing about 100 lbs.

I just removed them myself and weighed everything:

Bottom and side cushions: 7499 g (16.52 lbs)
Bolts: 57 g (.13 lbs)
Right Back Rest: 4630 g (10.20 lbs)
Left Back Rest: ~16.5 lbs (this one was probably off a little since I couldn't use the sensitive scale)
Total: ~43 lbs

Took me exactly 15 minutes to take everything out.
It happened on me and i could definitely feel it. I guess you gotta go try it out yourself. I could be wrong

PS. I couldnt bare with the noise from the back for daily driving.
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      10-15-2008, 03:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lucid View Post
Thanks for the info. However, I am finding difficult to understand how taking out 40 lbs of weight from the center is causing such significant issues. The fuel tank is right there as well, and when you go from a full to a 1/4 tank, you are losing about 100 lbs.

I just removed them myself and weighed everything:

Bottom and side cushions: 7499 g (16.52 lbs)
Bolts: 57 g (.13 lbs)
Right Back Rest: 4630 g (10.20 lbs)
Left Back Rest: ~16.5 lbs (this one was probably off a little since I couldn't use the sensitive scale)
Total: ~43 lbs

Took me exactly 15 minutes to take everything out.
43 pounds? That is it? Can't see that upsetting balance too much. Empty your windshield washer reservoir just in case

Seriously, thanks for taking the time to weigh all that. I think I might do this soon, 43 pounds is a nice weight savings.

You going to drive around with them out?
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      10-15-2008, 07:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
43 pounds? That is it? Can't see that upsetting balance too much. Empty your windshield washer reservoir just in case

Seriously, thanks for taking the time to weigh all that. I think I might do this soon, 43 pounds is a nice weight savings.

You going to drive around with them out?
Correction: I forgot to add the weight of the headrests, which weigh 3.5 lbs together, so the total is more like 47 lbs. That's just the seats. There is other junk to be removed from to back for another ~18-20lbs. See here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ngs+benchmarks

I took them out for the intesive driving school I'll be at on Friday. 7 x 30 min sessions in one day! I'll put them back on. It's no big deal since it is so easy to take them out. Like m_parade said, it is kind of noisy and obviously looks strange without the seats. I'll take pics and post.
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      10-15-2008, 02:00 PM   #10
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I'm curious to get he full story on handling... I agree that it shouldn't have an effect, but you never know what interactions are taking place. For my next DE (weekend after next) I had planned on leaving my rear seats at home and stacking my track tires in their place. I could leave the seats in but then I can't see out the rear window.
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      10-15-2008, 03:00 PM   #11
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I removed the rear seats in my E46 coupe once for a track day and never did it again. I actually had the opposite problem than the one m_parade experienced. When I took the seats out, the back end felt like it was flexing a lot more and lost a lot of rigidity. As a result, the understeer was quite noticeable. I was pushing through corners a bit more and throttle steering became much less linear.

I assume that since no one has mentioned this, the E92 doesn't have the same problem?
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      10-15-2008, 05:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLud View Post
I assume that since no one has mentioned this, the E92 doesn't have the same problem?
I guess I'll find out for myself on Friday. The problem is that I put in new tires, Pilot Sport Cups, so it might be difficult to sort out what's causing what.
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      10-16-2008, 12:03 AM   #13
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Lucid, I forgot to mention i have Brembo 6pot BBK and a set of Yokohama A048 R compound tires installed for my 2nd trackday. But the brakes might be one of the reasons why my car is unbalanced.

I noticed I get more more oversteer when the rear seats are removed. You might want to adjust the front suspension a bit harder if that happens.

If you really want weight saving (which im currently planning to do), I suggest swap the front seats with some light weight bucket seats and change the stock exhaust to some titanium exhausts. In that case you are just taking weight out from the center of the car instead of messing with the balance. Have fun on the track
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      10-16-2008, 10:29 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m_parade View Post
Lucid, I forgot to mention i have Brembo 6pot BBK and a set of Yokohama A048 R compound tires installed for my 2nd trackday. But the brakes might be one of the reasons why my car is unbalanced.

I noticed I get more more oversteer when the rear seats are removed. You might want to adjust the front suspension a bit harder if that happens.

If you really want weight saving (which im currently planning to do), I suggest swap the front seats with some light weight bucket seats and change the stock exhaust to some titanium exhausts. In that case you are just taking weight out from the center of the car instead of messing with the balance. Have fun on the track
I am about to go for a titanium exhaust, but most of that weight reduction is associated with the massive stock muffler, so I'd be reducing weight from the back of the car again. If I had a harness setup, I might consider going with the bucket seats, but I can't imagine that would be quick swap; I wouldn't want to drive on the street with them. Anyway, thanks, and you continue to have fun on the track as well.
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      10-16-2008, 03:51 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lucid View Post
I guess I'll find out for myself on Friday. The problem is that I put in new tires, Pilot Sport Cups, so it might be difficult to sort out what's causing what.
You mount them on the stock rims? I was thinking of picking up a set for the track, can't wait to hear your feedback.
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      10-16-2008, 06:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
You mount them on the stock rims? I was thinking of picking up a set for the track, can't wait to hear your feedback.
Yep, on the stock 19" wheels. I just couldn't find a set of <20lb 18" wheels that vendors had in stock, and did not want to go back to ruin another set of PS2s. If I had found the rims I wanted, I would have gone for track rubber. I'll let you guys know how the PSCs hold up.
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      10-17-2008, 06:38 PM   #17
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I did not find the rear seat removal to be problematic on the track today. The cars was nervous under hard braking during the first session, but it quickly became clear that had to with the new PSCs being not all the way broken-in, and it went away during the second session. The brakes were another story though. I went through a brand new set of Carbotech intermediate compound pads in a total of 5 track hours (3.5 hours today, plus 2 hours from two weekends ago). The fronts are worn down to the back plate. I couldn't believe it. I'll post a seperate thread on the whole 3.5 hrs a day experience later...
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      10-21-2008, 04:44 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lucid View Post
I did not find the rear seat removal to be problematic on the track today. The cars was nervous under hard braking during the first session, but it quickly became clear that had to with the new PSCs being not all the way broken-in, and it went away during the second session. The brakes were another story though. I went through a brand new set of Carbotech intermediate compound pads in a total of 5 track hours (3.5 hours today, plus 2 hours from two weekends ago). The fronts are worn down to the back plate. I couldn't believe it. I'll post a seperate thread on the whole 3.5 hrs a day experience later...
Just would like to know, how did the MPSC perform? You recommend them?

Is it a hassle to put them on the stock rims and then switch back?
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      10-22-2008, 07:56 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
Just would like to know, how did the MPSC perform? You recommend them?

Is it a hassle to put them on the stock rims and then switch back?
I just posted some video footage here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...51#post3515451

I very much like the PSCs. Probably the best street legal tire for the car. They gave me about a sec per lap, but more importantly, they don't melt down like the PSCs, and perform for longer.

I'll actually just leave them on the stock 19" wheels. I didn't have them shaved, so I'll get more thread life/usability out of them by sacrificing some performance. I'll put winter wheels/tires on soon anyway, so they can sit around until April/next track season. I'll probably get track wheels/tires by then anyway.
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      11-18-2008, 04:24 AM   #20
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Consider getting some Recaro Pole Positions which are capable of using any harness system and stock seat belt positions
I don't drive using my harnesses on the street, I opted for a profi clip in style harness so its on for track days and off for the everyday, same kits available for E92's
My E46 is very light in the rear, a simple 40 lbs doesn't affect the car dramatically as posted above. It would actually make the tail easier to feel around and settle the cars weight easier under hard acceleration like coming out of corners after straightening out
If you're not getting corner balanced for the weight offset, than theres really no point unless you're making a 100+ pound offset
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      06-19-2009, 02:01 AM   #21
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Anyone else find removing rear seats to create more sound/noise??
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      06-22-2009, 11:47 AM   #22
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Quote:
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Anyone else find removing rear seats to create more sound/noise??
Sure it does. Why does that surprise you though?
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