School me on fixed bucket seats and mounting solutions!

[bigjae46]

Hey all, a quick update. I ended up buying the Recaro PP ABE from the German eBay seller (came in less than 2 weeks!), along w/ a pair of BK mounts (R-9220/9221) to use with my oem power sliders.

I started the install finally today, but ran into a problem. Neither my new Recaros or the BK mount kits came with the actual seat hardware/bolts to install them to the mounts. Each seat needs 4 bolts, does anyone know where I can buy these online, or what their size and length is to maybe buy from ACE Hardware? Thanks!

McMaster-Carr

You NEED grade 8 or class 10.9 hardware. Usually 3/8" or M8 fasteners. By grade 8 or class 10.9...the bolts AND nuts AND washers need to all be grade 8 or class 10.9.

[BigRussia]

Hey all, a quick update. I ended up buying the Recaro PP ABE from the German eBay seller (came in less than 2 weeks!), along w/ a pair of BK mounts (R-9220/9221) to use with my oem power sliders.

I started the install finally today, but ran into a problem. Neither my new Recaros or the BK mount kits came with the actual seat hardware/bolts to install them to the mounts. Each seat needs 4 bolts, does anyone know where I can buy these online, or what their size and length is to maybe buy from ACE Hardware? Thanks!

[empty]

The sedan sliders are actually better for this purpose— they have lap belt mounts on both sides, whereas the coupe have them on the inside only.

I used sedan power sliders for this setup, works great.


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[BigRussia]

The factory receiver actually bolts to the slider, not the seat— so you’ll still use the stock mounting location for it If you use the Bk slider mounts.

Doh, yeah makes sense! Silly question on my part, apologies as I dont have the car with me and couldn't stroll into the garage to check it before asking haha.

[Obioban]

Interesting, Ok awesome looks like I can pull the trigger then on these OEM sedan sliders.

Apologies for continuous questions but just for clarity; the BK mounts for OEM sliders also have the mounting point for the factory 3point receptacle/tensioner no? I figured I'd be bolting them on there (like how it would bolt on the BK direct to floor version mounts).

The factory receiver actually bolts to the slider, not the seat— so you’ll still use the stock mounting location for it If you use the Bk slider mounts.

[BigRussia]

The sedan sliders are actually better for this purpose— they have lap belt mounts on both sides, whereas the coupe have them on the inside only.

Interesting, Ok awesome looks like I can pull the trigger then on these OEM sedan sliders.

Apologies for continuous questions but just for clarity; the BK mounts for OEM sliders also have the mounting point for the factory 3point receptacle/tensioner no? I figured I'd be bolting them on there (like how it would bolt on the BK direct to floor version mounts).

[Obioban]

The sedan sliders are actually better for this purpose— they have lap belt mounts on both sides, whereas the coupe have them on the inside only.

[BigRussia]

Finally got some photos for you - ignore the mess in the back seat.

That looks really good, thanks for that! I was having a hard time finding manual E46 oem sliders and was considering keeping my powered sliders and going this route, rather than the direct-to-floor fix mounts.

I finally got a lead on a set of used manual OEM sliders, but wanted to ask the forum: are the sedan manual seat sliders the same as the coupes? These sliders I'm about to buy are from a sedan, and just want to make sure they'll bolt into my M3 coupe before buying.

[T-Rex]

You are the MAN! Thank you, this is just what I was looking for my situation! I wasnt even aware of the ABE/TUV versions were for road car and 3 point use, they seem to be perfect for my application! And extra thanks for the ebay vendor link since they're not available in the US (surprising considering we're usually wider lol). I'm eyeing the black velour pair he has, price is very reasonable too even with shipping from Germany!

So I can get the BK fixed mounts for the driver, but for the passenger are the BK 'Seats mount to OEM slider' so that I can mount a seat and still retain power sliding? Dont care for powered or manual, just want to be able to slide the passenger for rear seat access and convenience. I was considering the VAC seat mount kit w/ slider for just the passenger for this reason (even though its quite pricey IMO).

Finally got some photos for you - ignore the mess in the back seat.

[Obioban]

That's why I did not use them, I want low :-)

But isn't the csl seat a Recaro PP? They closed the holes for the 6 point, but the basic shell for the mounting holes should be the same? I cannot imagine Recaro made a special tool for some low quantity CSL...

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It’s closer to an SPG— 390mm wide (pretty narrow) at the mount points. The pole position is 430mm wide at the mount points (pretty wide).

If you REALLY want to get low, nothing let’s you get lower than the BK direct to floor mounts. You can compress the floor carpet with the bottom of a recaro seat with their direct to floor mounts.

[Altaran]

The CSL mounts also only work for seats the dimensions (width) of the csl seat and are probably the mount that goes the least low.

That's why I did not use them, I want low :-)

But isn't the csl seat a Recaro PP? They closed the holes for the 6 point, but the basic shell for the mounting holes should be the same? I cannot imagine Recaro made a special tool for some low quantity CSL...

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[Obioban]

I use the mounts from Burkhardt Engineering for mine. Seat sits low, that's what I care about.
If you need the rear seats, I think the oem csl mounts are the best way to go since the allow folding. Although the part numbers seem to be no longer available...

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The CSL mounts also only work for seats the dimensions (width) of the csl seat and are probably the mount that goes the least low.

[Altaran]

I use the mounts from Burkhardt Engineering for mine. Seat sits low, that's what I care about.
If you need the rear seats, I think the oem csl mounts are the best way to go since the allow folding. Although the part numbers seem to be no longer available...

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[bigjae46]

The VAC sliders won’t allow much access to the rear seat...they are mostly useless.


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[DiscoWagon]

You are the MAN! Thank you, this is just what I was looking for my situation! I wasnt even aware of the ABE/TUV versions were for road car and 3 point use, they seem to be perfect for my application! And extra thanks for the ebay vendor link since they're not available in the US (surprising considering we're usually wider lol). I'm eyeing the black velour pair he has, price is very reasonable too even with shipping from Germany!

So I can get the BK fixed mounts for the driver, but for the passenger are the BK 'Seats mount to OEM slider' so that I can mount a seat and still retain power sliding? Dont care for powered or manual, just want to be able to slide the passenger for rear seat access and convenience. I was considering the VAC seat mount kit w/ slider for just the passenger for this reason (even though its quite pricey IMO).

Happy to help! I've gone through a multitude of different seat mounts, BK is the way to go. OEM sliders have way more adjustment range than any aftermarket solution, they're also more solid. I wouldn't even bother with VAC.