U.S. seats: will they be the same as the Euro seats?

[Panerex]

I visited M-werke in Munich this week and was told that the homologation procedure for the M3 with the European seats would be extremely expensive.

It would be like a full procedure for an entirely new car.

The difference in production prices for this seat was by no means a reason and neither was the MC-donalds per square meter ratio.

P.

[Epacy]

Then what was the reason?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Then what was the reason?

The expensive homologation procedure.


Best regards, south

[ersin]

Originally Posted by Panerex

The difference in production prices for this seat was by no means a reason and neither was the MC-donalds per square meter ratio.

P.

Well, here in the US we definitely have the rest of the world beat when it comes to McDonalds per square meter.

Anybody have anything definitive about replacing the seat bottom? Can it be done? How easy? How much $?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by southlight

The expensive homologation procedure.


Best regards, south

Guys could it have something to do with side airbag regs? They are in the seats, are they not? Perhaps the M3 seats require the side airbags to be slightly different, and not up to US spec in some (no doubt inane) way? Or perhaps the way they deploy is slightly different for the M3, again violating US regs (again, in some archane fashion)?

[ersin]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Guys could it have something to do with side airbag regs? They are in the seats, are they not? Perhaps the M3 seats require the side airbags to be slightly different, and not up to US spec in some (no doubt inane) way? Or perhaps the way they deploy is slightly different for the M3, again violating US regs (again, in some archane fashion)?

I just looked this up on BMW USA. "Front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags". Never knew that. Government mandated no doubt. I thought if you wore your seat belts the airbags really didn't do much more for safety for you. Welcome to the United Nanny States.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Guys could it have something to do with side airbag regs? They are in the seats, are they not? Perhaps the M3 seats require the side airbags to be slightly different, and not up to US spec in some (no doubt inane) way? Or perhaps the way they deploy is slightly different for the M3, again violating US regs (again, in some archane fashion)?

Most probably that's the reason, as the E46 side airbags were in the doors.

BMW just went thru a lower safety rating in side impact results with the 5 Series refreshening: the side impact test results were negatively affected by just redesigning the door panels.

Safety regulations and ratings are not a joke...

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by southlight

The expensive homologation procedure.


Best regards, south

Originally Posted by Panerex

The difference in production prices for this seat was by no means a reason and neither was the MC-donalds per square meter ratio.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Guys could it have something to do with side airbag regs? They are in the seats, are they not? Perhaps the M3 seats require the side airbags to be slightly different, and not up to US spec in some (no doubt inane) way? Or perhaps the way they deploy is slightly different for the M3, again violating US regs (again, in some archane fashion)?

That sounds reasonable, great assumption!
The changed side bolsters of the Euro seat bottoms could indeed affect the sidebag functionality.

Originally Posted by Epacy

Homologation costs, not production costs.


Best regards, south

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by hakaida442

The m3 seat isn't that different. You wanna feel really mad, buy a GT3 and get shafted on way better euro seats and a mandatory sunroof.

I think the US seats are just fine. Re: the GT3, read this post from a former GT3 owner that says the M3's seats have far better support (post #1): http://http://www.bimmerfest.com/for...d.php?t=271794

[OzStriker]

I dont think this is airbag related.

The side airbags are in the upright part of the seat, look for the black tag in this photo, it says "Airbag".

[Jack28]

Originally Posted by OzStriker

I dont think this is airbag related.

The side airbags are in the upright part of the seat, look for the black tag in this photo, it says "Airbag".

So just to get this Right, The First Pic on the Bottom is the M3 with Euro Seats
(The Side Thigh Supports are more Triangle shaped and curve Higher
AND the Bottom leg Support/Extender has the Split in the Middle
Just like the Top Part of the Seat and US M3 Does Not)
EURO M3



The Pic on the Bottom is the US M3 Seats
(The Side Thigh Supports stay straight and dont curve higher then the Euro m3 Seats!
AND No Split on the Bottom Leg Support/Extender Like on the Top Back part of the Seat!)
Basically the Euro M3 Has More Side & Bottom Support Plus the Split!
Everything else is the Same as the US M3?
Fuck this Sucks ASSS!!! The Euro M3 Seats Look Way Better!
US M3

[gadget]

Not sure the question has been answered- based on what i read, the homologation procedure is two expensive, hence there will never be Euro seats in the US. Is this correct?

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by southlight

Here's the consensus as found in the aftersales training pdf (p.39):

"In order to provide an enhanced sporting
character and more hold, the seat cushions
and backrests in European vehicles have been
further developed. In US vehicles, only the
front seat backrests have been revised. The
seat upholstery installed in US vehicles is the
same as that used on the E92 series-model
sport seat."



Best regards, south

Does anyone know the reasoning behing this difference? Funny!

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by gadget

Not sure the question has been answered- based on what i read, the homologation procedure is two expensive, hence there will never be Euro seats in the US. Is this correct?

I don't think anyone outside of BMW knows the answer to the reasoning. I tend to think it is marketing-related, rather than any safety/testing issue, but that's just MO. That being said, I'm fine with them as far as grip and comfort. Do wish they had the stripe on the leading cushion to carry through from the top.

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I don't think anyone outside of BMW knows the answer to the reasoning. I tend to think it is marketing-related, rather than any safety/testing issue, but that's just MO. That being said, I'm fine with them as far as grip and comfort. Do wish they had the stripe on the leading cushion to carry through from the top.

And Americans like less sporty seats?

[swamp2]

The question should be asked as well if the US to Euro seat swap can be done as easily if you have heated seats. I would imagine the heating element is connected to the wiring harness with a simple removable connector.

[KonigsTiger]

My car, that is a European spec, does not have heated seats (these were not even an option), I wonder if that is the difference between US cars and Euro. Are there any Euro car with heated seats?

[gadget]

Come to think about it, rather than spending the money to swap out the seats to the Euro version, we should all (including me) spend the money on OCD therapy.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by swamp2

The question should be asked as well if the US to Euro seat swap can be done as easily if you have heated seats. I would imagine the heating element is connected to the wiring harness with a simple removable connector.

Yes, no problem.

[cipher5]

Has anyone successfully swapped out the seat bottoms?

[KonigsTiger]

Don't know, but if anyone is interested, I'll be selling by Fox Red Euro seats in about 3 weeks.