My "new" BRG 323ti

[MTRD3]

I can't wait to see an update on this car in general. Always been a fan.
The seats look great, do you mind if I ask how much a set of them cost? have there been any other changes/updates to your car recently?

Cheers

[Alexandre VTS]

These seats are a must! Any good deal on them?

[e36 323ti]

Seats arrived. Was lucky to find a set of used Recaro Sportster CS in black leather trim.
The seats are 1.5 years old, and are in mint condition.
Looks like brand new. Even the smell of leather is still there.



Next up is to order Macht Schnell "Competition Liteweight Floor Mounts for Racing Seats
- E36 3-Series, E46 3-Series & E85/6 Z4" from EAS, since the seats has been used i a non-BMW before.

[black98]

Oh I like them

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[e36 323ti]

Received the Macht Schnell hardware, but to my shocking surprise I realize that the Recaro Sportster CS does not align with the steering wheel in the e36. The center of the seat is several cm to the left of the center of the steering wheel.

To me it seems like the Reacro Sportster CS can't be used in any e36, if aligning the steering wheel and seat is of any importance

So much for that dream...

[e36 323ti]

Did some research today...
Realized that the steering column/ steering wheel and the seat is not aligned in our e36 ti (and probably not in any e36). It's now clear to me why I have always felt like I was sitting more towards the right side of the seat than in the center...

The measurements indicate that the steering wheel is between 25 and 30mm to the right of the center of the seat. Some photos of my findings below.


Photo 1: The red lines indicates the center lines.


Photo 2:The measurements...

My findings was a real re-fueling of my dreams. Got new faith in the Macht Schnell items and did a test fit:







I think the offset is like the original, but have to measure when finalized the installation. The installation is time consuming, since there is not a perfect match between the BMW mounting points, Recaro Sportster CS and the Macht Schnell hardware...

I also guess that the sitting position is between 25 and 50mm lower than the sport seats in lower position. I am sitting really low, and not to forget, really tight. The side support is really very good compared to the original BMW e36 sport seats

[BMW_Hatchback]

Jeeze those seats are SEXY

[e36 323ti]

... and a picture with the test fit of my track harness

[e36 323ti]

I believed the offset between the center of the seat and steering wheel was like the original, but the feeling was not where it should be. Measurements and later calculations shows that, in an e36, the Macht Schnell floor mounts combined with the Recaro Sportster CS offsets the seat approx. 30mm (calculated to 32mm) to the left compared to the original seats.

I am not comfortable with the offset, and have ordered original Recaro base frame to be used with the seats. The Recaro base frame is a bit heavier (approx. 2kg) than the Macht Schnell combination and the seating position will be a bit higher (but still lower than the BMW sport seats).

The good things are that it puts the seat in the original position sidewise and that the OEM seat belt receptacles can be used.

My learning is that the e36 originally is built with an offset between the steering wheel and seat, and fitting aftermarket seats is a challenge when it comes to aligning seat and steering wheel. Even to get it to original alignment seems to be a challenge...

On the net there are several posts (however hard to find if new into the topic) on this issue using similar mounts as the Macht Schnell floor mounts, e.g. VAC floor mounts. I have seen some post where the inner VAC floormount is turned 180 degrees and modified to be able to put a seat even further to the right approx 15-20mm). However, this only puts the seat close to the stock alignment, and not aligned to the steering wheel...

VAC mounts in e36:
1: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1405109
2: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...8&postcount=13

[e36 323ti]

I ordererd Recaro baseframes in mid August. Received the driver side baseframe this week. The passenger side is still on backorder. Seems like hard stuff to get...

Installed the Recaro baseframe, which was an easy operation. The Recaro baseframe positions the seat close to stock alignment regarding the centre of the steering wheel (but still a bit more offset than stock). The sitting height is, to my dissapointment, not lower than the stock sport seat in lower position, and approx. 30-40mm higher than with the Macht Schnell hardware.

However, I do really love the Recaro Sportster CS. They give the feeling like I am "dressing my car on" like it should have been a tight jacket. They are the best seats I've ever had.

[e36 323ti]

Realised that the BRG Compact is too good to be used during the winter. Decided to store it inside during the cold, wet and "salty" times.

My new project is...


... where probably the inspirational source of design is clear

I.e. my new project is an e46 Compact. The plan is that it shall be an e46 332ti (s54b32 etc)...

Outside, the plan is that it is going end close to this:




Some weeks ago it looked like this:


To be honest, the extra offset relative to the centre of the steering wheel offered by the Recaro Sportser CS in the BRG Compact annoyed me. Swapped the Recaro Sportster CS into the e46. No offset issues here...

[Mr.Squeelerz]

I like the color. Looking forward to seeing how things come together with it. Though the headlights take some getting used to I'd would like one of these.

[e36 323ti]

A small update:

"M"-mirrors painted and mounted. BBS CH 19" summer wheels tested...





Test if fits: BBS CH 19x9.5" et40 with 265/30 tyres








Interior (custom steering wheel and Recaro Sportster CS leather seats):

[teetime4one]

The seats look great in your e46 too. Great wheel choice!

[chrisbec]

Very Nice!