Still hate the seats
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Porsche GT3, Ariel Atom
Still hate the seats
I may be in a very small minority of owners, but the U.S. seats are just miserable for me. When I bought the car 5000 miles ago, I tried to find a reasonable solution to swap European seats (or a facsimile thereof) into the car, with no luck.
I'm posting again in the hopes that something/someone has changed, or there is a reasonably cost-effective solution lurking out there that doesn't hack the car to bits.
I love the car in all other respects, and now that it is riding on Black HREs, it looks stupendous.
Thanks in advance for all constructive ideas!
I'm posting again in the hopes that something/someone has changed, or there is a reasonably cost-effective solution lurking out there that doesn't hack the car to bits.
I love the car in all other respects, and now that it is riding on Black HREs, it looks stupendous.
Thanks in advance for all constructive ideas!
Thread Starter
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Porsche GT3, Ariel Atom
there are two challenges. There are no brackets available to mount aftermarket seats without drilling a bunch of holes in the floor, and there is some work with the airbag sensors, although I'm told that is manageable.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Mid Atlantic
CLK BS
The euro spec seats are just Recaro Pole Positions, and yes Recaro makes a mount for the CLK series, just have to special order and wait a bit. The passenger side airbag sensor is a thin sheet underneath the chair, which you'll have to get from the dealer and install into the Recaro.
Two real problems:
1. I'm not sure if the OEM seats also carries electronic control of the door mounted side airbags, and if yes then that might become a problem.
2. The pole positions are one piece bucket seats, and you might have a problem threading the seat belt over to the clip due to the high side bolsters. If the belt goes over the top of the side bolster it may not be snug and then you run into serious safety issue.
Bottom line: it's doable but get ready to put some $$$ and time into it. I hope to hear good news from sprins!
Two real problems:
1. I'm not sure if the OEM seats also carries electronic control of the door mounted side airbags, and if yes then that might become a problem.
2. The pole positions are one piece bucket seats, and you might have a problem threading the seat belt over to the clip due to the high side bolsters. If the belt goes over the top of the side bolster it may not be snug and then you run into serious safety issue.
Bottom line: it's doable but get ready to put some $$$ and time into it. I hope to hear good news from sprins!
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From: In front of you
How can a one piece, non-custom made, seat be more comfortable than a seat with adjustable side bolsters, adjustable dual lumbar, adjustable front height, adjustable rear height, adjustable seat back rake, cushioning .....
I don't get it
G
I don't get it
G
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Thread Starter
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Porsche GT3, Ariel Atom
I know it sounds nuts - but I had the one-piece carbon seats in my GT3RS, and the "race seat" which was similar in my 430, and they just fit my body better.
I'm fairly certain they are interconnected to the side airbags - hoping it can be dealt with in a SW configuration page.
The seat belt issue should be possible to deal with by ordering the European female belt receptacle which are substantially longer to clear the side bolster of the carbon seat.
I'm fairly certain they are interconnected to the side airbags - hoping it can be dealt with in a SW configuration page.
The seat belt issue should be possible to deal with by ordering the European female belt receptacle which are substantially longer to clear the side bolster of the carbon seat.
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Member
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From: Mid Atlantic
CLK BS
Everyone's body is different. I happen to own the pole positions and they're quite comfortable (for me at least). There is some adjustability, plus all the seat cushions can be easily removed and retuned with additional cushion supports.
pitts12: it's certainly doable. You may want to PM "jrcart" as he had 2 sparcos custom made / installed in his BS. He may help you with the airbag issues.
I'd love to have it done as it would save anywhere between 80 to 100 lbs
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
Actually they are Sparco's and it's a bit trickey to get the seat belt interface and airbag delete to match up. Several guys on the board have installed aftermarket seats as the factory seats are almost cost prohibitive if you can get them.
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CLK63 Black Series
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
I run the Sparco CLK DTM CF seats in my BS. I initially had them hard mounted to my exact seating measurments and then I realized how bad of an idea that was, then I ordered up the oem sliders for the seats, great seats, saves over 100 pounds over factory seats. SMS/airbag lights were also an easy fix, a trip to the parts counter and less than $100 in a few plug and play sensors slid between the seat cusion and shell and SRS warning lights are off. Expect to pay about $8000 for seats and all the parts required for install.
Last edited by jrcart; Aug 29, 2010 at 12:53 AM.
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From: Mid Atlantic
CLK BS
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From: surrey
CLK AMG BLACK SERIES (among other German things)
i have very good friends at mercedes benz world in woking . do you want me to ask some questions ?
Last edited by WTDoom; Aug 29, 2010 at 05:09 PM.
Member
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From: Mid Atlantic
CLK BS
Now, if only I can figure out a way to disable the side passenger airbags, maybe you can help me get a couple of those nice carbon fiber AMG door panels
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From: surrey
CLK AMG BLACK SERIES (among other German things)
Thank you very much for the offer, but I think I'm okay for now. I could get the Recaro PPs and save 100 lbs, but I don't hate the seats (I find them comfortable) and I don't think going through all that trouble is worth it.
Now, if only I can figure out a way to disable the side passenger airbags, maybe you can help me get a couple of those nice carbon fiber AMG door panels
Now, if only I can figure out a way to disable the side passenger airbags, maybe you can help me get a couple of those nice carbon fiber AMG door panels
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
To the OP - how tall are you and what is your weight ?? Unless you have a strange build, I can't imagine how these seats are not to your liking.
