Z3 Seat Mod - DO IT!!!

[mcoupemindy]

EDIT: I'm all sold out! The response has been overwhelming. Let's get the kits in the hands of the first round owners and get some feedback. I can also get some more hardware ordered to continue providing this service to the community. (Might be a BIT more, maybe $25, next time around due to having to break even.) Thoughts?

Well, I finally did it. And it's well worth it! (Even just sitting in my car ... )

I also helped Mark Scire with his ///M Coupe yesterday so we could test in an operational car (mscire2 here - hope he can chime in with observations and some pictures). It makes the seat feel completely awesome. No longer are you spit into the dash / steering wheel when braking. Additionally, you are held back into the seat better, and the additional leg support is very nice.

I've always complained like an old man that my back hurt after driving for extended periods. Only happened when driving the coupe. I THINK this is the culprit and this should aid solving it!

One of my gripes about how others have done this in the past is how a bolt was used instead of a stud / nut combo for the front of the rail. Not only is it a pain to assemble that way without a stud, it puts too much strain on the bolt head due to the angle of the rail.

To the drawing board!

I was able to properly source grade 10.9 and 13.9 hardware (you know, seat attachments are a safety item - can't be too safe).

Using hardened metric couplers, hardened studs and hardened washers, I developed an OEMish mounting system that accomplishes the seat incline, all with better than OEM grade hardware (woohoo!). I'm attaching my diagram and installation instruction to this post.

Because I bought all the parts in bulk (they are hard to find and not available locally), I have PLENTY of extras - enough to do at least another 10 cars. To help out my Z3 brothers (and sisters?), I'm offering to ship all the parts along with the instructions and diagram I used to develop the "kit".

Asking $20.00 shipped for all the parts necessary to do this mod. This doesn't even cover the combined cost of the hardware and shipping (but it's better than collecting dust in my garage). Just post up here that you want one and shoot me over a $20 spot via PayPal to jonathan.michael.thayer (at) gmail (dot) com.

Overall, a rather helpful, low-cost, quick project with real benefits!



Pictures as requested!









This modification is done at the risk of the modifier - Do this only at your own risk!

EDIT: I'm all sold out! The response has been overwhelming. Let's get the kits in the hands of the first round owners and get some feedback. I can also get some more hardware ordered to continue providing this service to the community. (Might be a BIT more, maybe $25, next time around due to having to break even.) Thoughts?

[TC2]

Looks really nice.

I have always wondered why someone had not done something like this sooner.

I never thought it was a good idea to put the seat rail on top of pieces of whittled wood.

It seemed so unsafe.

[jrmartin03]

Sounds good to me. I'll take one. Will be nice if I end up driving 1200 miles each way to Dorkfest .

[Sky1Z3]

Ill take one for the new coupe Thayer, the 3.0 has it from the PO. Thanks for the hook up my friend!

[RST Driver]

Pictures please Jonathan.

Best regards,
Phil

[workhurts]

How long did it take to change them out?

[Z3speed4me]

Pics please sir and I may take a set....been braking harder much more often lately

Sent from my DROIDX using BF.com

[mcoupemindy]

Looks really nice.

I have always wondered why someone had not done something like this sooner.

I never thought it was a good idea to put the seat rail on top of pieces of whittled wood.

It seemed so unsafe.

I don't think there's one way better than another. I just like to make a more "robust" solution if possible. The seat is really tied down with the two M10 bolts that hold it in the rear.

Sounds good to me. I'll take one. Will be nice if I end up driving 1200 miles each way to Dorkfest .

Cool! It will definitely make the 1200 miles more bearable.

Ill take one for the new coupe Thayer, the 3.0 has it from the PO. Thanks for the hook up my friend!

Thanks. I'll try to get it on it's way on Tuesday.

Pictures please Jonathan.

Best regards,
Phil

A few quick pictures added to the first post.

How long did it take to change them out?

Takes about 15 minutes per seat.

Pics please sir and I may take a set....been braking harder much more often lately

Sent from my DROIDX using BF.com

HAHA! Check out the first post. I added some there.

[supremesole]

ill take one

thanks

[Sandman7773]

I'm still new to the forum and the DIY fixes on our cars. What does this solve? The same issue as the Seat bushings?

[Mscire2]

How long did it take to change them out?

Takes like 20-30 minutes tops. Its definitely worth it. Before we put them in my coupe my biggest gripe with the car is how I felt like I was constantly sliding down in the seat and slouching. The only adjustment the coupes have is just up and down vs. the e36 for example you can raise just the front of the seat or the rear independently. The tilt mod in my opinion after driving around a bit with it would be the absolute first mod I would do to any other Z I got my hands on. It just makes the car so much more comfortable.

[mcoupemindy]

ill take one

thanks

Very good. Just shoot over the PayPal. I might also need you to kick in a couple extra dollars depending on cost to Canada, I won't know until I actually get it out the door (should be like $2-3 extra at most I'd guess).

I'm still new to the forum and the DIY fixes on our cars. What does this solve? The same issue as the Seat bushings?

Mark nailed it below - this would be a great addition if you were doing the seat bushings at the same time. This raises the rail in the front to give a better hold into the seat. The bushings actually control the movement of the seat on the rails.

Takes like 20-30 minutes tops. Its definitely worth it. Before we put them in my coupe my biggest gripe with the car is how I felt like I was constantly sliding down in the seat and slouching. The only adjustment the coupes have is just up and down vs. the e36 for example you can raise just the front of the seat or the rear independently. The tilt mod in my opinion after driving around a bit with it would be the absolute first mod I would do to any other Z I got my hands on. It just makes the car so much more comfortable.

Thanks Fikse Twin! FikseTwins4Life

[2000mkoop]

awesome!
payment sent

[gmushial]

$20 paypal'd to you. many thanks - greg

[wheelieh]

I have done the seat mod to every coupe I've owned.

I like the added support so much I did the same thing in my E46 wagon.


You will love the change!!

[mcoupemindy]

awesome!
payment sent

Excellent. I'll get it on the way.

$20 paypal'd to you. many thanks - greg

Got it!

I have done the seat mod to every coupe I've owned.

I like the added support so much I did the same thing in my E46 wagon.


You will love the change!!

I've driven more Z's than I'd care to admit (worked in the auto industry for a bit and an autocross instructor locally), and I never saw a single one that had this done. Oh boy, does it make a difference. I can't wait to see how much better it feels thrashing the car around (once the paperweight is running again).

[paul4223]

Paypal sent! I very much appreciate you doing this. You reminded me I have to install that set of Whalen bushings that the PO gave me when I bought the car.

Soon my Coupe WILL truly be the "ultimate driving experience."

Thanks!!!!

[PreProdMCoupe]

Paypal sent. Thanks for putting together this kit.

[328sick]

Paypal sent! Thanks for looking out for the rest of us Z owners! I was planing on starting to piece this project next week, so you are just in time!

[janikphoto]

I'm sending $20 right now! Thank you so much for figuring this out. Our seats NEED an adjustment to lean back a little.

[328 Power 04]

So what is the height you are using with this? I plan on doing this real soon. And I bought all the couplers and bolts in Europe while I was there. They were easy to find and a ton cheaper.

I'm also planning to machine a simple small aluminum (or maybe steel, Delrin) block to have the seat rest on.

Depending if I have time, I may make sets on CNC.

Can anyone get the length of the seat rail from the front bolt to the end of the rail? I'm still in Europe for 5 more days, but I want to throw some trigonometry onto those numbers and find out the resting angle.

So if anyone would be so kind:

a. What car do you have?
b. Preferred height of raise (I think 19mm - 3/4 inch)
c. Length of seat rail from bolt center to the end of it in the back.

Thank you.

[jonesmechanical]

Paypal sent. Is is crazy to do it on both the drivers and pass seats?

[M3loco]

Paypal sent. Is is crazy to do it on both the drivers and pass seats?

I sourced the same parts and did the mod on BOTH seats. The first thing that the wife complained about when she rode in my MC for the first time was the lack of angle on the recline.

As soon as I did the mod, she noticed the difference. Now she's a happy co-pilot!

DO IT!

[mcoupemindy]

I'm all sold out! The response has been overwhelming. Let's get the kits in the hands of the first round owners and get some feedback. I can also get some more hardware ordered to continue providing this service to the community. (Might be a BIT more, maybe $25, next time around due to having to break even.) Thoughts?

Guys, this is NUTS! Thanks for the quick replies and funds! I now have a sack of hardware to ship out to everyone.

Paypal sent! I very much appreciate you doing this. You reminded me I have to install that set of Whalen bushings that the PO gave me when I bought the car.

Soon my Coupe WILL truly be the "ultimate driving experience."

Thanks!!!!

Excellent. This, in combo with the bushings, is an excellent upgrade and fix.

Paypal sent. Thanks for putting together this kit.

Thanks sir! I'll ship pronto.

Paypal sent! Thanks for looking out for the rest of us Z owners! I was planing on starting to piece this project next week, so you are just in time!

It actually took me three weeks to measure everything, get the parts in, assemble, order more parts, re-measure. It was fun, but actually time consuming. It's funny how these little projects eat time!

I'm sending $20 right now! Thank you so much for figuring this out. Our seats NEED an adjustment to lean back a little.

Got it, thanks!

So what is the height you are using with this? I plan on doing this real soon. And I bought all the couplers and bolts in Europe while I was there. They were easy to find and a ton cheaper.

I'm also planning to machine a simple small aluminum (or maybe steel, Delrin) block to have the seat rest on.

Depending if I have time, I may make sets on CNC.

Can anyone get the length of the seat rail from the front bolt to the end of the rail? I'm still in Europe for 5 more days, but I want to throw some trigonometry onto those numbers and find out the resting angle.

So if anyone would be so kind:

a. What car do you have?
b. Preferred height of raise (I think 19mm - 3/4 inch)
c. Length of seat rail from bolt center to the end of it in the back.

Thank you.

The CNC rest sounds interesting, but expensive.

IIRC, all the Z3 seats mount to the same points in the cabin. Z3 model shouldn't be critical.

These "kits" give a raise about 28mm. You could also grind down the pin and coupler to reduce raise if you wanted to. (My legs just now barely touch at the end of the seat - MUCH better than keeping them 1"+ like before.)

Maybe the gent that's doing the seat bushings above can measure the on center bolt pattern when he pulls his seats out.

[janikphoto]

I'm sure people will still want it at $25, so expect another flood of requests...