E46 M3 seats fitted

[MACK]

If I hadn't changed mine for M Sport ones already I would definitely be giving this a go. I think in terms of aesthetics the Z4 M Sport ones have it nailed, some folks have even put them in M3's. However from an outright comfort/support point of view the M3 could be the better option. Any increase in height/loss of leg room over the M Sports could be a deal breaker for folks 6 foot and above though, as I seem to remember the M Sports sitting a little higher and having not quite as much leg room as SE ones. If this was exasperated even further by the M3 ones I'm thinking I would reluctantly have to stick with the SE ones.

One interesting fact I spotted in a thread on another forum is the zed seats are some 4 inches taller in the backrest when compared with the M3 ones. Could indicate the zed ones are perfectly matched to the car at the design stage, or again could just be for better aesthetics.

Either way it would be interesting if someone did an in car comparison of M Sport vs M3 seats.

[jamie_z4]

Mack I've had a z4 coupe with proper m sport seats and put the e46 sport seats in my roadster. I'm 6ft bang on and both seats were up against the firewall but didn't feel any loss of legroom or driving height struggles with the seat on the lowest setting.

[hopz121]

Looks great well done OP

[vester86]

great job!

[Leesfarm07]

It's strange but I've raised myself quite high when adjusting these new seats as I'm short in body and long in leg so always found myself craning my neck to see over the dash. I know I could do it with the manual seats but with the fine adjustment of the electric I got the perfect height for me.
Its incredible the difference that perfect position makes to the enjoyment of driving. The whole car seems more settled now...less wandery on back roads...which is odd because it's only my seating position that's changed but honestly it's very noticeable

[k31ron]

How did you mount the buckle in the end David? Di the runner come apart like I thought?

Mike

Jamie sent me a pic of where a friend had put it which fits well. The metal bracket attached to the end of the belt bolts between the floor and the rear hole on the runner clamping it securely to the floor. Ideally be nice to fabricate a bracket that clamped under the same hole but came up the side of the runner and then the seat belt could be bolted to that.

Hi Leesfarm07

can you send me the picture? or post here? I got some cheap E46 msport seats to try from a coupe and have the same issue .... I assume you just bolted under the runner?

thanks

[Leesfarm07]

Hi Ron
I've just pulled the seat forward so you can see..this is looking directly down. It's a temporary fixture until I mount it on a bracket that bolts under the same seat runner fixing but comes up the side of the runner. Its okay here but with the seat right back the runner touches the belt webbing which might cause wear over time

[k31ron]

Hi Ron
I've just pulled the seat forward so you can see..this is looking directly down. It's a temporary fixture until I mount it on a bracket that bolts under the same seat runner fixing but comes up the side of the runner. Its okay here but with the seat right back the runner touches the belt webbing which might cause wear over time

Ta, thats what I thought... Looking at mine looks like you can grind the rivet that holds the original bracket to remove it then refix onto new runners with a bolt... Might do that instead.

[Leesfarm07]

Send me a pic if you do that I'd like to see how youve done it

[vester86]

It's strange but I've raised myself quite high when adjusting these new seats as I'm short in body and long in leg so always found myself craning my neck to see over the dash. I know I could do it with the manual seats but with the fine adjustment of the electric I got the perfect height for me.
Its incredible the difference that perfect position makes to the enjoyment of driving. The whole car seems more settled now...less wandery on back roads...which is odd because it's only my seating position that's changed but honestly it's very noticeable

it is, i know exactly what you feel/experience. sometimes 3mm front or back is enough to feel comfortable, & that's small adjustments don;t do the manual seats

[k31ron]

Send me a pic if you do that I'd like to see how youve done it

will do, not sure when i'll get round to it but hopefully at the weekend

[Leesfarm07]

I've ordered a set this morning so keep you posted

They don't work with the seat belt angles...either need to tinker with them or send them back. Back to the drawing board

[nathanW]

Picked up the M3 seats this morning from Jamie_z4 and fitted them this afternoon......wow they are something else. All electric memory heated with air pumped side bolsters and lumber supports. They fit absolutely no probs and are plug and play with the old wiring. Compromises obviously with no shoulder seat belt guide and the seat tilt leaver just catches when the seat is right back but these are minor issues. Will have to put my thinking cap on. Cheers Jamie

Hi, if anyone is still on here... I have got stuck with the seatbelt bracket that needs to be on the M3 seat rails... Does anyone have advice how to do it please? Best regards,

[DSGRNMCM]

Could be my next upgrade...

If they will fit (electrics wise) with an 2007 E86 m Coupe. Are the M cars face lifted?

[Sgr74]

Also, if you trim the lever for tilting the seat back you will get the drivers seat back a little bit more. Or take it off all together.