School me on fixed bucket seats and mounting solutions!

[Obioban]

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).

Correct on the above about the BK mounts.

[BigRussia]

A good fixed back seat to run the stock 3pt seatbelt is the Recaro Pole Position ABE/TUV version (Europe only). The hip area is a little wider and indented to accommodate the OEM seatbelt receptacle. If you looped the seatbelt on one side through the belt hole, you would have a much better waist restraint. The lap belt would no longer be resting on the side bolsters but rather directly on the occupant's body. This seat is similar to the version found in the M4 GTS which is OEM in Europe.

This ebay seller has them available: https://www.ebay.com/itm/RECARO-POLE...ff08%7Ciid%3A1

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).

[DiscoWagon]

A good fixed back seat to run the stock 3pt seatbelt is the Recaro Pole Position ABE/TUV version (Europe only). The hip area is a little wider and indented to accommodate the OEM seatbelt receptacle. If you looped the seatbelt on one side through the belt hole, you would have a much better waist restraint. The lap belt would no longer be resting on the side bolsters but rather directly on the occupant's body. This seat is similar to the version found in the M4 GTS which is OEM in Europe.

This ebay seller has them available: https://www.ebay.com/itm/RECARO-POLE...ff08%7Ciid%3A1

[Nihilation]

I run the Cobra Nogaro Circuit and really like it for a weekend car. Definitely not if I was daily driving. It's not the cheapest, but it looks great, can use BMW rails, even powered, and the factory lap belt isn't super sketchy.

[BigRussia]

The BK mounts let you run the stock belt receptacles. If the 3 point will be snug to your body depends on the design of the seat.

Yeah, Im now thinking the Recaro PP might be the least ideal seats for running the factory 3 point since the harness holes are pretty high up (like on the SPG as Sharocks mentioned), but also pretty small (so most likely cant pass the buckle through to the receptacle outside the seat) and will prob jab into my hip like you mentioned in your write up. And Nagaros are unfortunately outside of my budget in case you were wondering why Im not considering them.

So another seat Im eyeing for this reason is the Cobra Suzaka Pro-Fit, looks similar to the other seats I listed but the side holes seem not only much bigger (that a 3 point buckle could fit through), but also seem very low to the bottom cushion, so hoping the lap belt can sit snug, compared to the Recaor PP/SPG or Sparco EVO QRT. Unfortunately I dont have access to any of these seats to test out in person, Im just going off pics on the respective sites, and there's not even many or hi-res

[Obioban]

If you have a roll bar then I would have fixed back seats. Back brace is recommended.

I would never use recliners and a roll bar.

A 996 GT3 went backwards into a tire wall. Both OEM Recaro recliners broke and the driver and instructor hit the roll bar. They went to the hospital...not life threatening but don’t think a quality aftermarket recliner won’t break.


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Likely stock seats, as well. There’s no mandated test for seats with regards to going into walls backwards, so any design for that is strictly voluntary by the car companies (unlike based on my company— we don’t test for that at all, and make seats for some OEs).

A roll bar without a seat back support is a safety downgrade going into a wall backward for sure, regardless of seat. With a seat back supports, it depends how crumpled your car gets— if the area with the roll bar gets compressed, the roll bar is coming into the front seat.

[bigjae46]

If you have a roll bar then I would have fixed back seats. Back brace is recommended.

I would never use recliners and a roll bar.

A 996 GT3 went backwards into a tire wall. Both OEM Recaro recliners broke and the driver and instructor hit the roll bar. They went to the hospital...not life threatening but don’t think a quality aftermarket recliner won’t break.


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[tnord]

idealistically, I get it.

but cage design is also chassis dependent to determine pickup points. as with everything else, it's always a compromise. your point about not having the main hoop too close to the seat for street applications is valid.

[Obioban]

I get it, but if it was that big of a risk would they let you option a GT3 etc with one?

Those are interesting in general. To function as an roll over safety devise, a roll bar should be no more than 6" behind your head. This is why it's important to have a cage/bar built specifically for you, if you go that route. On a seat with 12+" of slider travel (E,g, the GT3 clubsport), that's clearly not possible to consistently deliver.

My guess is that they put them far enough back that they're not a safety issue with a 3 point, which makes them not super effective as a roll over safety device-- so their primary functions may actually be chassis stiffener and harness mount.

[Sharocks]

I have Recaro SPG XL's in mine. Uhh with the lap belt, it's, uhh kinda sketchy I won't lie. The belt doesn't really work that well with the seat but I knew that going into it. I think Pole Positions would work well for you as the XL's are wide, like too wide for me (I'm a 32ish waist, damn Rona pounds). But if you decide on running a cage or some sort of harness, PP's might be a little low for you as the holes that the harnesses pass through are low.

[tnord]

You'd be amazed how much you move around in an accident with a 3 point seat belt-- it's not at all unlikely for your head to make its way between the front seats to hit a roll bar.

I get it, but if it was that big of a risk would they let you option a GT3 etc with one?

[bigjae46]

I’d just get fixed buckets if it’s rarely street driven. I ran quick fit pros with my fixed back seats. Was it ideal? Probably not but anything between stock to cage, harness and a back braced seat is compromised in some way.

A fixed seat and a 6pt harness does make the car really difficult to get into. Other than that...see no reason not to do it if it spends a large majority of the time on track.


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[T-Rex]

Ive decided I need fixed back bucket seats in my street car/weekend warrior M3. I don't even want to do another HPDE event until I have them as there's no point spending money on tires and track fees when I'm going to be sliding around inside the car in my slick tired leather seats, hanging onto the steering wheel as a brace.

Been researching seats and brackets but I'm still kind of lost and confused with all the different options and terms (bottom mount, side mount, sliders, no slider, using stock belts, etc). So wanted to reach out and see if you guys can direct me to the right setup for me, within my budget. Lightweightness of the buckets and mounting hardware is somewhat important to me too. One of the benefits I'm looking forward to besides better hold is shaving a good amount of weight from the car by getting rid of the heavy factory powered and heated leather seats.

Seats: My car is a street car that isn't daily driven, mostly a weekend drive and the occasional HPDE (track day, autox). So I'd like a seat that holds me good, but also doesn't make me hate my life driving around town. I've been eyeing either the Recaro Pole Positions or Sparco EVO QRT. From my research and asking around these seem to be the best combo of comfortable, good hold, and price. I've also considered maybe the Bride Zeta III (if I found for a good deal used). I'm a fairly skinny guy, 5'9" around 150-155lbs.

Mounts/Brackets: I'm a little lost here, I was thinking of buying the VAC Race Seat Installation kit. With no slider for the drivers, and slider for the passenger with the thought that hopefully I can access my backseats sliding the passenger seat all the way up, so my backseats don't become completely useless and inaccessible.
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/rac...e46-p1605.aspx

But I also see Brey-Krause mounts being touted as the best option. Since I'm considering PPs i was looking at the R-9254 and R-9255s. They actually seem to be cheaper than the VAC mounts too to my surprise.

Belts: I want to utilize the factory seat belts, and have no intentions of running harnesses or installing a roll bar or half cage. What would I need to retain my factory seatbelt and have it be compatible with the seats and mounts?

So yeah guys definitely want recommendations/advice and what some of you are running in your E46s, especially those who have weekend warrior streetcars! I recently put a quieter muffler on my car just so I can drive and enjoy it around town more often, so definitely don't want to compromise its drivability and make it a pain to drive regularly. Thanks in advance!

I found myself in the same situation about 24 months ago - we're even the same height/weight. In the end, I did BK mounts 9222/9225/9228 /Recaro SPG/ Schroth 6pt/ BK rear deck lid harness mounts R-1246 and LOVE it. I'll upload some photos when I get home tonight for you, but suffice to say I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[Obioban]

Thanks for the replies, but I think those that are suggesting the Quick-Fits with the stock seats for safety reasons missed the point of my post. While safety is important, no where did I mention in my post that it was a priority. Also one of the other benefits I mentioned Im looking into fixed buckets for, besides getting better hold during spirited driving and HPDE, was weight saving.

I have no desire to retain my heavy factory drivers seat; it is beat, worn, leather slicked beyond conditioning or repair, and the backrest has developed a wobble that I can feel under braking and acceleration. So keeping that seat which holds me like a slip-n-slide and adding harnesses to it is not something Im looking to do truthfully. Ive seen a number of E46 M3s online that had fixed back seats and running the factory seatbelts and wondered how they were running those (and also wondered if the lap belt was actually close to the body and snug of course).

My car's is not a daily driver and rarely gets driven, maybe once a month. I've put about 7k miles on it in the past 3 years, so again safety isn't something that is a big concern as long as it isn't outright dangerous.
I see the BK mounts say on their site description that stock belts and receptables can be used?

The BK mounts let you run the stock belt receptacles. If the 3 point will be snug to your body depends on the design of the seat.

[eacmen]

Thanks for the replies, but I think those that are suggesting the Quick-Fits with the stock seats for safety reasons missed the point of my post. While safety is important, no where did I mention in my post that it was a priority. Also one of the other benefits I mentioned Im looking into fixed buckets for, besides getting better hold during spirited driving and HPDE, was weight saving.

I have no desire to retain my heavy factory drivers seat; it is beat, worn, leather slicked beyond conditioning or repair, and the backrest has developed a wobble that I can feel under braking and acceleration. So keeping that seat which holds me like a slip-n-slide and adding harnesses to it is not something Im looking to do truthfully. Ive seen a number of E46 M3s online that had fixed back seats and running the factory seatbelts and wondered how they were running those (and also wondered if the lap belt was actually close to the body and snug of course).

My car's is not a daily driver and rarely gets driven, maybe once a month. I've put about 7k miles on it in the past 3 years, so again safety isn't something that is a big concern as long as it isn't outright dangerous.
I see the BK mounts say on their site description that stock belts and receptables can be used?

Quick Fit Pro in stock seats kept me planted, did not slide around, and let me run a HANS on track and 3pts on the street.

While you might not care about safety (you really really should btw) you should at least care if you'll pass tech.

My recommendation would still be QFP with stock seats.


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