ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > General BMW Z4 Forum
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-21-2012, 08:50 PM   #1
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Recaro Install Major PITA!

Ordered Recaro Pole Position, Macht Schnell floor mount & receptacle and Recaro side mounts. Sliders are advertised as being "optional" - too bad that's really not the case.

If you don't use sliders, installing the seat in the furthest back hole of the floor mount still does not go very far back. Luckily I'm not very tall but as you can tell by below, there's plenty of room left so this may pose a problem for taller people. I'm 5'8" and sit very upright...

On a positive note, I found $2.35 in change underneath my seat. Thanks to the folks at GT Motoring who stayed on the phone during after hours to help with the install. Crappy iPhone pic:





Update:

So I ended up installing the Recaro sliders since I was able to buy them second hand pretty cheap. For anyone else considering these seats I highly recommend installing sliders. Even if you'll be the only one driving your car, you simply do not have enough legroom without the sliders. Using the MS floormounts very last hole yielded only the legroom you see above (note how much space behind the seat is unused). The sliders allow you to maintain that oem range.

Also, because the sliders give you about an extra inch of height, you are able to install the seat furthest right, or closest to the trans tunnel. Before the sliders, I wasn't able to use the last slot of holes on the right because the receptacle was in the way of the trans tunnel. The trans tunnel is wider towards the bottom but the slider now gives the clearance necessary to use that last slot. This allows you to sit centered with the steering wheel.

AND lastly, without the sliders, although I didn't mind sitting that low, I didn't like how the stock seatbelt harness was closer to my neck. I'd constantly have to fiddle with it. But now that I'm back at the stock-ish height, it's further away from my neck and closer to my shoulder area.
__________________
Follow for latest mods

Last edited by 3002 tii; 12-10-2013 at 05:29 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 09:35 PM   #2
phoenixbmwlife
Brigadier General
phoenixbmwlife's Avatar
United_States
1908
Rep
4,123
Posts

Drives: M235i & G30 540i
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boynton Beach

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW/M235i  [0.00]
Lol at the $2.35 under the seat! Great install. Cant tell from this side but did you install two? If yes how did you get around the check engine light coming on? Did you rip the sensor out your old passenger seat or but a new one? Looks pretty good by the way. Thanks for sharing!
__________________
Lack of money is not the problem. It is merely a symptom of what's going on inside of you! - T Harv Eker

Follow me on Insta

https://www.instagram.com/bmwm_life_/
https://www.instagram.com/autogiftua/
https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 09:49 PM   #3
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by K3N R3D View Post
Lol at the $2.35 under the seat! Great install. Cant tell from this side but did you install two? If yes how did you get around the check engine light coming on? Did you rip the sensor out your old passenger seat or but a new one? Looks pretty good by the way. Thanks for sharing!
Only did driver side for the reason you mentioned and didn't see the need to have my fiancé sit uncomfortably lol.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 09:56 PM   #4
seank
enthusiast
seank's Avatar
50
Rep
1,695
Posts

Drives: e30 m3,e90 wagon,sprinter,z4m
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: sacramento, ca

iTrader: (4)

Wait till she's your wife before you piss her off. So, the side mounts did not bolt to the floor mounts or did I miss something?
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 10:05 PM   #5
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by seank View Post
Wait till she's your wife before you piss her off. So, the side mounts did not bolt to the floor mounts or did I miss something?
Seat -> side mount -> receptacle (right side) & spacer (left side to even out height) -> floor mount

Pretend there is no receptacle, then yes side mounts go directly to floor mounts but the holes don't line up unless you use the "optional" slider in between which lines up the holes. It's as if the holes on the floor mount were spaced out to match up to sliders only.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 10:07 PM   #6
sabbanick
Lieutenant
14
Rep
505
Posts

Drives: 08 SBM M coupe
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

nice! How do you like the seat, it looks OEM.

I just did the install with VAC floor mounts/slider/side mounts with sparco evo 2 plus seat. Love the added support I get from these seats...its like i gained a new sense of the car's rear end.

My biggest issue with install was the supplied bolts causing clearance issues...it was easily resolved with a few stopsto local hardware store, but was a long process and lot of sweat with this weather. Now that I have all the issues resolved and know what im doing the passenger seat should take me less then 2 hours to install.
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 10:10 PM   #7
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabbanick View Post
nice! How do you like the seat, it looks OEM.

I just did the install with VAC floor mounts/slider/side mounts with sparco evo 2 plus seat. Love the added support I get from these seats...its like i gained a new sense of the car's rear end.

My biggest issue with install was the supplied bolts causing clearance issues...it was easily resolved with a few stops but was a long process and lot of sweat with this weather. Now that I have all the issues resolved and know what im doing the passenger seat should take me less then 2 hours to install.
I like it a lot, fits my frame well. I might bring it up one notch from the current lowest setting though. I agree, install sucks and the provided hardware isn't enough.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 11:23 PM   #8
OG_M3
First Lieutenant
United_States
23
Rep
335
Posts

Drives: ae86; z4mc
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: So Cal

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
2007 BMW Z4MC  [0.00]
1985 AE86  [0.00]
looks great!! good job at matching the imola interior as well. i was thinking of doing just the driver side as well. i actually kinda prefer it that way.

also, what shifter/knob do you have? looks like the jaffster shift knob but am not sure.
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 06:30 AM   #9
TexasZed4MC
Captain
TexasZed4MC's Avatar
United_States
154
Rep
688
Posts

Drives: 2006 Interlagos Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking of doing Recaros in mine but after a LOOOOONG talk with HMS Motorsports about belts, half roll cage, seat mounting brackets and like you said a huge PITA for even their shop to do the work I decided to stay with the stock seats.
__________________

Lone Star Chapter BMWCCA HPDE Event Chair, Texas Trifecta Event Chair, & BMWCCA driving Instructor
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 07:13 AM   #10
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by OG_M3 View Post
looks great!! good job at matching the imola interior as well. i was thinking of doing just the driver side as well. i actually kinda prefer it that way.

also, what shifter/knob do you have? looks like the jaffster shift knob but am not sure.
Thanks! Actually this is a 3.0si so it's not Imola rather "Dream Red" which I think is actually a little brighter. I believe Imola has a darker look to it.

Correct, I'm using a Jaffster knob, posted a review here


Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasZed4MC View Post
I was thinking of doing Recaros in mine but after a LOOOOONG talk with HMS Motorsports about belts, half roll cage, seat mounting brackets and like you said a huge PITA for even their shop to do the work I decided to stay with the stock seats.
In all fairness, I won't say it was a HUGE PITA, but a pain nonetheless. That would've been alleviated had someone (the company or manufacturer) properly advertised their products. The optional slider is not optional if you want a seamless install. The slider is what allows everything to bolt/line-up correctly. Without it, you will need to modify the side mount & receptacle hardware. If you plan on running sliders, the install should be pretty straightforward.

I plan to stay with the stock 3pt seat and will not install a roll cage as this is still a street car.
__________________
Follow for latest mods

Last edited by 3002 tii; 06-22-2012 at 07:19 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 07:22 AM   #11
sabbanick
Lieutenant
14
Rep
505
Posts

Drives: 08 SBM M coupe
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Any clearance issue with door card or tranny tunnel?
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 07:27 AM   #12
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabbanick View Post
Any clearance issue with door card or tranny tunnel?
So interestingly enough, even though that is the most common advice, I forgot to take that into consideration so it currently rubs with the door car but I definitely can move it over to the right (and will do so late this evening, I was just so tired after the install last night). I have 2 holes available on the floor mounts to go further right although I'm not sure if I can actually use the furthest one out due to the receptacle.

One thing that particularly made the install difficult is because I wasn't using the slider, I didn't have much clearance underneath the seat. Therefore, I had to install the sidemount & receptacle onto the floor mount first, and THEN drop in the seat, tighten from both sides (2nd person helps in this case). The alternative would be to install the sidemount & receptacle onto the seat, and then bolt it down on the floor mounts. However with no slider, I could barely fit the hex key underneath the seat, let alone my hands. Looking back, I think running the slider would've been better, and positioning the seat at the lowest setting. I just heard from more than few people that installing the slider makes things more difficult b/c it typically makes contact with the tranny tunnel and what not.
__________________
Follow for latest mods

Last edited by 3002 tii; 06-22-2012 at 07:55 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 08:16 AM   #13
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
430
Rep
5,329
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

op can you talk about the passenger occupany and also airbag lights you may be experiencing or your way around them?? this is the only thing thats stopping me from dooing this.
__________________
Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build.
Multi award winning Detailing | Wrap | PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 08:23 AM   #14
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
op can you talk about the passenger occupany and also airbag lights you may be experiencing or your way around them?? this is the only thing thats stopping me from dooing this.
Sorry, I should've made it clear, I ONLY upgraded the driver side.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:03 AM   #15
Incompatible
Major
United_States
58
Rep
1,224
Posts

Drives: 07 AW Z4C 3.0Si
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

The color match looks good! Was the change over from the factory seat primarily for support or weight difference?
__________________
If you can't take the time to teach a kid something good, someone will take the time to teach them something bad.
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:07 AM   #16
sabbanick
Lieutenant
14
Rep
505
Posts

Drives: 08 SBM M coupe
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

The solution to the passenger airbag light is either:
1.Buy a new foam seat/seat sensor for 500 bucks
2.Remove the sensor from stock seat
3.ignore the light

The slider definitely complicated the install. My seat touches door card when located closer to the bulkhead but it's minor and touches tranny tunnel when located closer to steering wheel but I have full usage of the slider.
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:07 AM   #17
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Incompatible View Post
The color match looks good! Was the change over from the factory seat primarily for support or weight difference?
Support, last track event my lower back and left leg were really sore... too much sliding around.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:12 AM   #18
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2453
Rep
12,669
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (100)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabbanick View Post
The solution to the passenger airbag light is either:
1.Buy a new foam seat/seat sensor for 500 bucks
2.Remove the sensor from stock seat
3.ignore the light

The slider definitely complicated the install. My seat touches door card when located closer to the bulkhead but it's minor and touches tranny tunnel when located closer to steering wheel but I have full usage of the slider.
Is your seat perfectly centered with the sw?
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:18 AM   #19
sabbanick
Lieutenant
14
Rep
505
Posts

Drives: 08 SBM M coupe
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Yes it seems centered to wheel but I measured nothing!
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:23 AM   #20
ZStig
instagram 997turbotom
297
Rep
7,381
Posts

Drives: Alpina XB7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Delray Beach, FL

iTrader: (4)

thanks for all the helpful info. Sounds like custom making your own mounts is simpler and cheaper
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 09:59 AM   #21
mfanatic325
///M-fanatic
mfanatic325's Avatar
Taiwan
197
Rep
3,885
Posts

Drives: '01 911 Turbo
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cupertino, CA.

iTrader: (23)

Man, that's really bad luck about technically needing sliders :/
My Sparco sidemounts fit up for the Macht Schnell floor mount just fine without the need for sliders. I'm also only 5'8" like you, so that's probably why I didn't run into a lot of issues. My seat's bolsters are kind of wide though. So the doorcard has a groove in it from seat contact. But door can close fully no problem, without deforming the seat.

I've seen the VAC Motorsport floor mounts in person as well, and thry don't have as many hole positioning options as the Macht Schnell, so at least you got the best off the shelf option there seems to be for our cars lol..
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 10:52 AM   #22
dorifto88
Major
49
Rep
1,135
Posts

Drives: 88 Nissan Pathfinder
Join Date: May 2010
Location: cowtown

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
op can you talk about the passenger occupany and also airbag lights you may be experiencing or your way around them?? this is the only thing thats stopping me from dooing this.
EAS in southern California is working on the coding to turn this off
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST