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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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IRD
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by IRD » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:31 pm

I've seen quite a bit of input recently on suitable seats as an alternative to the standard SE seats. Do all the seats from the E46 range fit easily, including the coupes and the convertibles? I looked at some on EBay from a 2003 Sport Coupe and the seller told me that they wouldn't fit the Z4. So I confess to being a bit confused. There have also been references to Mazda RX-8 seats fitting too. Are these an easy swop?
Sorry to go over old ground but I don't want to buy the wrong ones.
Any advice/suggestions (polite that is) gratefullyreceived.

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Mr Tidy
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Jun 07, 2017 11:19 pm

Hopefully this will give you some useful information OP:-

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=96641&hilit=E46+seats
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by Marlon » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:53 am

and here's the thread that includes the RX8 seats :
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=77023
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by jamie_z4 » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:58 am

as Mr Tidy has pointed out, i fitted E46 M sport coupe seats in my Z4 no problem. The seatbelt anchor point just needs relocating as in the e46 it bolts to the b pillar - in the Z4 it bolts to the seat base.
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by MACK » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:50 am

IRD wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:31 pm I've seen quite a bit of input recently on suitable seats as an alternative to the standard SE seats. Do all the seats from the E46 range fit easily, including the coupes and the convertibles? I looked at some on EBay from a 2003 Sport Coupe and the seller told me that they wouldn't fit the Z4. So I confess to being a bit confused. There have also been references to Mazda RX-8 seats fitting too. Are these an easy swop?
Sorry to go over old ground but I don't want to buy the wrong ones.
Any advice/suggestions (polite that is) gratefullyreceived.
Plenty of good info so far IRD but something that's not been answered so far (apologizes if it has.) Both the E46 coupe and saloon cars have the same floor bolt pattern so where one seat fits, so will the other. However the rails are slightly different with the saloon including a mount for the seat belt buckle making it potentially easier to install.
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by jamie_z4 » Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:35 am

MACK wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:50 am
IRD wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:31 pm I've seen quite a bit of input recently on suitable seats as an alternative to the standard SE seats. Do all the seats from the E46 range fit easily, including the coupes and the convertibles? I looked at some on EBay from a 2003 Sport Coupe and the seller told me that they wouldn't fit the Z4. So I confess to being a bit confused. There have also been references to Mazda RX-8 seats fitting too. Are these an easy swop?
Sorry to go over old ground but I don't want to buy the wrong ones.
Any advice/suggestions (polite that is) gratefullyreceived.
Plenty of good info so far IRD but something that's not been answered so far (apologizes if it has.) Both the E46 coupe and saloon cars have the same floor bolt pattern so where one seat fits, so will the other. However the rails are slightly different with the saloon including a mount for the seat belt buckle making it potentially easier to install.
ahh so they are! Good point Mack, and no un-nesescary lift forward handle also 8)
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by MACK » Thu Jun 08, 2017 11:50 am

jamie_z4 wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:35 am
MACK wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:50 am
IRD wrote: Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:31 pm I've seen quite a bit of input recently on suitable seats as an alternative to the standard SE seats. Do all the seats from the E46 range fit easily, including the coupes and the convertibles? I looked at some on EBay from a 2003 Sport Coupe and the seller told me that they wouldn't fit the Z4. So I confess to being a bit confused. There have also been references to Mazda RX-8 seats fitting too. Are these an easy swop?
Sorry to go over old ground but I don't want to buy the wrong ones.
Any advice/suggestions (polite that is) gratefullyreceived.
Plenty of good info so far IRD but something that's not been answered so far (apologizes if it has.) Both the E46 coupe and saloon cars have the same floor bolt pattern so where one seat fits, so will the other. However the rails are slightly different with the saloon including a mount for the seat belt buckle making it potentially easier to install.
ahh so they are! Good point Mack, and no un-nesescary lift forward handle also 8)
Yes the only things I'm not sure on is will the E46 seat buckle clear the transmission tunnel in the E85/6. Plus do the E46 saloon seats sit any higher/lower than the coupe/cab ones and is this just a result of slightly different runners etc. Hopefully someone can clear this up.
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)

White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by IRD » Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:51 pm

Thanks everybody for providing so much helpful information. I have been out today and have just picked up all the messages (3.45pm). I have only been a member since April but have had so much help already in choosing wheels, tyres, having the steering wheel recovered and now sorting some seats.
There is no doubt that this forum is a great help but it is also very addictive too!

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by Leesfarm07 » Thu Jun 08, 2017 4:06 pm

Keep us posted on what you choose...be very interested as I'm in the market for some myself. Had a quick look on ebay last night but all seemed pretty rough
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by IRD » Thu Jun 08, 2017 6:32 pm

If I have any success (Leasfarm). I'll let you know how I get on. I agree with you most of what I have seen is pretty rough and overpriced. You just have to be patient and keep looking. Equally if anyone on the forum has suitable seats for sale please let me know. So far I have purchased wheels and a steering wheel since I joined in April.

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by vester86 » Thu Jun 08, 2017 6:33 pm

MACK wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 11:50 am
jamie_z4 wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:35 am
MACK wrote: Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:50 am

Plenty of good info so far IRD but something that's not been answered so far (apologizes if it has.) Both the E46 coupe and saloon cars have the same floor bolt pattern so where one seat fits, so will the other. However the rails are slightly different with the saloon including a mount for the seat belt buckle making it potentially easier to install.
ahh so they are! Good point Mack, and no un-nesescary lift forward handle also 8)
Yes the only things I'm not sure on is will the E46 seat buckle clear the transmission tunnel in the E85/6. Plus do the E46 saloon seats sit any higher/lower than the coupe/cab ones and is this just a result of slightly different runners etc. Hopefully someone can clear this up.
it Will clear the tunnel but it's tight, especially When sitting more forward.
The e46 Seats sit a tad higher (non sport non electric Z4 Seats vs sport electric e46 seat)
Last question i do not know.

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by IRD » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:41 pm

Thanks Vesta. I just need to find some good seats at a fair price now.

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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by Leesfarm07 » Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:58 am

Does anyone know if E92 M3 seats fit
Current
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by jamie_z4 » Tue Jun 13, 2017 12:00 pm

Leesfarm07 wrote: Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:58 am Does anyone know if E92 M3 seats fit
nah, no where near. The ones ive just put up for sale fit perfectly though :P
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Suitable seats for a 2005 E85

Post by vester86 » Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:49 pm

Leesfarm07 wrote: Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:58 am Does anyone know if E92 M3 seats fit
they don't, physically & electronical

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