Recommendations For Replacement Front Seats Please

[keithscossie 1]

A little advice appreciated please, I need two front seats for my Dimma project, I don't want original pug ones just a recommendation for aftermarket seats.

I have Recaro full leathers in my Megane 250 and they hurt my right kidney area

I mean I'm uncomfortable for days after serious driving.

I dont want the same probs in the Dimma so looking for advice on a seat that will hold me firmly on track days but be comfortable as a daily drive too.

Something with support but not as rigid as the Recaros in the Megane.

And the main prob is................. I'm in Australia

We do have dealers for Sparco, Momo, Cobra, etc etc but it's not easy.

Any help appreciated.

PS I do have Recaros in my '86 Cossie, they are cloth, not leather but are almost as bad

Cheers

Keith

[Anthony 1,002]

Unfortunately, it's really going to be a case of sit in some and see, as what suits one person will be uncomfortable for another - after all, I suspect that most will find newer OE fitment Recaro's to be pretty good.

 

I personally find the mid-range Sparco buckets comfortable (Rev, Evo etc) even on long journeys of several hundred miles, and they have "fat boy" versions available for those who aren't shy around the buffet...

 

Generally speaking, avoid cheap steel framed bucket seats, as these are usually much less comfortable than the more expensive moulded ones. Certainly most render me in agony after about an hour or two, although again, there seem to be plenty of people that get on fine with them.

[calvinhorse 870]

Mazda Rx8 seats are fantastic

[omri617 18]

My re-clothed seat :

[omri617 18]

i think the original ones are the best!

[matt.f 16]

How can you not like the RS Recaro's?

VERY well known to be one of the comfiest and supportive seats ever made,mine in my RS Turbo are very comfy

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

I also quite like proper bucket seats for long journeys, they hold your body well,

so the muscles don't have to do much . Also, they look good in 205's. But I agree

with Omri that the best looking seats are OE ones . Seats from modern cars are

usually pretty big and wide for 205, but there are some that really blend in nicely.

[macaroni 17 1 Cars]

I've not found a seat as good for long journeys, or the twisties, as the standard 205 gti seats.

I got some leathers and had them refurbed for my gti and they are fantastic.

[vtifan 26]

rs 1600i scheels,they are the comfiest bucket seats i have ever sat my arse on,i know what you mean on the recaros they are just not built for larger people,used to find them really tight round back and shoulders

[welshpug 1,656]

405 MI16 or ZX sport level seats.

 

any 405 seat is mega comfy but the Mi is deeper, most are a nice velour cloth, though you do get a Grey full leather in phase1's and a half leather in a LeMans.

[jeremy 70]

I loved my 309 GTI seats, and realatively easy to fix.

[keithscossie 1]

How can you not like the RS Recaro's?

VERY well known to be one of the comfiest and supportive seats ever made,mine in my RS Turbo are very comfy

I do prefer them to the ones in my RS250, but they still cause a pain in the side over 50 kms or more.

ALso they are 26 yrs old now side bolster has become detached, but that is easy fixed.

I just want to find a comfortable but supportive seat on the twisty bits !!

I'll search out the 405Mi16 or ZX, might be lucky on Aussiefrogs chasing them.

Thanks guys

Keith

[M@tt 77]

Parked next to a Z4 today it's seats looked good and not too bulky

[keithscossie 1]

Thinking re-upholster the standard seats might be the way to go for now.

Thanks guys

Keith

[matt.f 16]

RS1600i scheel seats,now we are talking!!!

[keithscossie 1]

Just been netting the Scheel and a company in the US that makes copies ?

Interesting seats, they look comfy and supportive.

I'll have to look further.

If anyone can suggest other motors those particular seats may have been fitted to I'll do a search of the wreckers yards here in Perth.

Thanks

Keith

[matt.f 16]

Think capri RS2600 or RS3100 had similar seats but doubt you will find any,ultra rare

[keithscossie 1]

Just an update folks.

I acquired a pair of Ford XR4i seats at a good price, just need to fabricate the mounts.

They have excellent support, but best of all the headrest rolls forward and upwards giving maximum whiplash protection.

That was the main thing worrying me about the standard seats, they only come up to my shoulders.

No whiplash protection at all .

Are there any hints on fabricating the seat mounts out there please ?

Cheers

Keith

Edited December 6, 2012 by keithscossie

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

Ive known people to put 306 dturbo seats in them before. Requires a set of custom runners though can easily be welded up from old 205 seats

[Jamie P 0]

Sorry to hijack this thread but it kinda looks the original question has been answered and most of its content is relevant to my thread/question.

 

I have fitted inertia reel harnesses and retained the original seats. As the headrests are fixed it doesn’t really work, the harness does not always retract as there is too much friction between the seat top and the head rest. For now I have switched back to the standard belts but am looking for a replacement seat.

 

I love the look of the original seat but am trying to increase the safety of the car, without adding too much weight, spoiling the look and retaining the cars comfort. As I am pretty slim and of average height most seat will suit me.

 

In order to retain the period look of the car I was originally looking at relining Recaro seats from an Escort RS turbo, Rover 800 Vitesses or Cossie as these are cheap, very comfortable and look pretty good although I don’t think they’re well suited to harnesses. (Would be interested in a link to the company in the states making replica Recaros though…)

 

All modern seats I’ve found are simply too big and are extremely heavy, no modern production car seats can be describes as light - I definitely will not be going down the route of Z4 seats.

 

I’m now looking for lightweight buckets that look like they could have been fitted in the 80s, that suit the interior, are light and comfortable. I am realistic and doubt there is something that does everything I want but I will try to get the seats that suit my needs the best.

 

I’m unsure if I should go for fixed or reclining. Recliners offer more adjustability and so maybe more comfortable. But they cost more and are much much heavier.

 

Any suggestions, pics and voices of experience are welcomed.

Edited December 27, 2012 by Jamie P

[keithscossie 1]

Jamie,

try classiccarseats.com

they are the US company I found.

Cheers

Keith