Seats: vader vs. non vader

[m3f_umichchris]

im in the market for a set myself. there are some freshly recovered ones in the sale section over at bimmerforums for $800 but im looking for a cheaper set so i can recover them in red leather...


and for sh!ts and giggles....look at this fool over at M5 board asking for $2,500 for a set of miss-matched vader seats from an old storage locker LMAO!


http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/par...der-seats.html

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Depending on what size you are, you may prefer one or the other (aside from looks). I'm 6'1" 250lbs and I traded my vaders for lux seats. Couldn't be happier and they fit my size much better. I was not comfortable in the vader seats.

This!



I hate Vaders myself and think they are overrated and people want them because they are different.



I'm 6'4 350lbs and Vaders feel like an infants seat to me. Can't sit in them for more than 5 minutes. The sportseats hug me perfectly.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

So, by "identical", you mean they're completely different seats on the same frame?

I mean exactly what I say, which is what you say in different wording.



Apart from the foam pieces that make the shape and their leather covers, the seats are identical.



And yes, BMW changed over to pyrotechnic tensioners 3/97 so when you swap seats, make sure they are the same, if not, transfer them over.



Also look out for seats from cars without passenger airbag or swap the occupancy sensor over as well, although I think this doesn't apply to US cars.

[m3f_Benp07]

Where did you get the leather skins?

They look proper.

Not sure where the leather was done! I picked them up for a great price since none of the motors were working correctly. They came from a wrecked car, but had just been redone.

[m3f_Wyattfahrenholz]

Depending on what size you are, you may prefer one or the other (aside from looks). I'm 6'1" 250lbs and I traded my vaders for lux seats. Couldn't be happier and they fit my size much better. I was not comfortable in the vader seats.

Were they uncomfortable because your height, or your size? I'm 6'2 but I'm pretty skinny at 160 pounds.


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[m3f_fiveightandten]

Were they uncomfortable because your height, or your size? I'm 6'2 but I'm pretty skinny at 160 pounds.





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Vaders have a fairly pronounced lumbar curve. Some people find it uncomfortable, some do not. I wouldn't call vaders comfortable seats. But they're very iconic, look amazing, and are totally fine for everything but long trips.



The regular sport seats are more comfortable. Those also have no lumbar support, so the bolstering (although not any larger) feels more supportive. They're better for long trips and probably better for a daily driver. Vaders just plain look the part, and for a car that's a weekend toy, they totally round the car out aesthetically, IMO, and are well worth the relative reduction in comfort. YYMV.



None of the E36 seats are great. E30 sport seats and E46 sport seats both blow E36 M3 seats out of the water.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

No E36 has a stock lumbar support of any kind. All are as flat as the other.



BMW did offer a lumbar (inflatable bag) as an option on the basic seats, but fits just as well in the others.



This offers much more lower back support.



Vaders are much tighter because the side bolsters are pointed forwards, while on the sport seats they flate more outwards, leaving much more space in the width.

[m3f_Wyattfahrenholz]

No E36 has a stock lumbar support of any kind. All are as flat as the other.


BMW did offer a lumbar (inflatable bag) as an option on the basic seats, but fits just as well in the others.


This offers much more lower back support.


Vaders are much tighter because the side bolsters are pointed forwards, while on the sport seats they flate more outwards, leaving much more space in the width.

I'm thinking I would like the tighter bolsters. I guess I'll just have to actually sit in them.


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[m3f_M_Parallel]

It really depends how your are built, how tall, how skinny/fat.


Yes try them both and pick what you like best. Many just want Vaders for the sake of having Vaders.

[m3f_scoobiedoo2029]

None of the E36 seats are great. E30 sport seats and E46 sport seats both blow E36 M3 seats out of the water.

+1 old e30 era sport seats are the best thing ever, the e30's got crappy ones but the e24/e23/e28 got much better ones with more (12 way power) adjustment an much better thick leather/buffalo hyde. there was massive backlash about these seats because they are so narrow in america, the non e30 ones are like 10mm narrower and caused a lot of complaints with fat americans. not a single e23 made it to the usa with sport seats (ignoring grey market cars) and lot of e24's have had them pulled out of the very few cars that had them, only the m5 535is had them in the e28 about 3500 cars total. thats why the e36 got the worst seats out of every bmw i have ever been in, newer or older, 1989 saw the globalization of their model range with the introduction of the "world bumpers" they started satisfying the american market rather then just giving us sloppy seconds with giant bumpers smacked on as a complete after thought making rust traps.... they didnt dare place tight euro style seats in their new global product. dont forget the e30 m3 didnt exactly sell like hot cakes when it was new in america, we only got the e36 m3 because enthusiasts started crying. the e46 figured it out slightly but there still a bench compared to a old m5/m6

[m3f_pacethis]

If you're tall or heavy, find a set to sit in before buying...many bigger guys are not comfortable. I put the vaders in my 97 sedan and couldn't be happier, but I'm only 5'7, 170#.

[m3f_Jim E.]

No E36 has a stock lumbar support of any kind. All are as flat as the other.



BMW did offer a lumbar (inflatable bag) as an option on the basic seats, but fits just as well in the others.



This offers much more lower back support.



Vaders are much tighter because the side bolsters are pointed forwards, while on the sport seats they flate more outwards, leaving much more space in the width.

Lumbar as a factory option is quite rare indeed. I should know.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

And why should you know Jim?


I'm sure it would be less rare had BMW offered it on all seats, as plenty opted for sport seats, which are so much better than the basic barstools.

[m3f_Jim E.]

And why should you know Jim?



I'm sure it would be less rare had BMW offered it on all seats, as plenty opted for sport seats, which are so much better than the basic barstools.

At that time you just had to get to the right person to have the factory add lumbar (SA 488) to any seat. Not usual to see them on vaders though.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

I see. Well I guess not many people had accesa to such "inside" persons who can do such favors.