Bucket seat pic request/help

daz-20vt

daz-20vt

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Hi all. I want to fit bucket seats to my s3 but have some questions.
Firstly how do i know if they fit me lol. Im sure ill need to sit in some but where do u all do this. Im reading based with no idea who stocks these seats.
Secondly is it recommended to buy specific subframes for the seat in an s3? And are there any real no no's in doing this. Any help would be awesome as i know nothing!! Daz
 
How much of the interior are you planning to keep Daz?

if you're keeping it primarily road based, then a set of mk4 specific subrfames and then the appropriate mounts is a nice simple neat way of doing it. If you're tall though you may find this mounts the seats too high for you.

If you're stripping it out and removing the carpet then the best way is to weld in proper rails, but this is a fairly involved job. Certainly not a mornings work!

Size wise, what kind of size / build are you?

Welcome to come down to basing and try out my Sebring GT's for size to give you an idea of you need a wide or standard seat.
 
Cheers prawn!! Im pretty stocky. As in wide lol. Im 5.9 high. But i am broad so i need something wide. I want something simple to install for now in case i sell the car. This is testing the water i guess. Im not on a massive budget either. I dont want to spens loads on seats and fitting to decide i dont do as many track days as i hoped etc. If it all works out i can upgrade. Have them more permanantly fitted etc. Im literally lost whe4e to look into this info. Your seats look awesomr i can only dream of similar lol. Thanks again. Daz
 
Surely a few guys must have bucket seats. Any pics would he great
 
OK, so to clarify, you're not removing carpets and things and welding permanent things into the shell at this stage?

If so, I'd suggest some subframes like these:

Corbeau Vehicle Specific Tailored Seat Subframe - Demon Tweeks

Cobra Seats Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Direct Fit Subframes - GSM Sport Seats - Bucket seats, racing seats, motorsport seats, roll cages and harnesses

or these which apparently tilt also for rear access:

Cobra Seats Tailored Sub-Frame - Volkswagen Golf Mk4 TILTING

IF you were to go for a base mounted seat, those should fit straight onto the subframes, and off you go.

However, without wishing to offend any of the lads that have them, base mounted seats are almost always steel framed, and steel framed seats tend to be heavy, uncomfortable, and generally not that great at supporting you either!

I'd recommend a fibreglass seat, even at the very cheaper end of the market.

These will be side mount, so you'd need some side mounts like these:

Sabelt 3mm Steel Side Mount Brackets - GSM Sport Seats - Bucket seats, racing seats, motorsport seats, roll cages and harnesses

Cobra Steel FIA Approved Side Mounts - GSM Sport Seats - Bucket seats, racing seats, motorsport seats, roll cages and harnesses

These need to be 3mm thick if steel, and 5mm thick if made from alloy.

To give you an idea of fitting heigh, these are a set of Sparco Sprint V's mounted on corbeau mk4 golf subframes:

205124_10150534375370541_3079623_n.jpg


198797_10150413175175541_5172291_n.jpg


For me at 6'2'', they were a bit too high. For you at 5'9'', I reckon they'd be fine
 
Some awesome help as always prawn. I was looking at cobra monaco pro at first. Or those sprints. Are these no good at all?
As for carpets etc i think i want to remove them im just thinking of reverting back if it doesnt work out. If it does i want to strip it further so welding bars lime you have will be an option just not yet.

What about seat belts etc. I see the s3 raceros seat belt harness is on the seat so id have to fit harness's. Im having a bar welded in place for these.
 
I'd advise against the monacos mate, my first seats were Monaco pro's, and whilst they're OK, they have a steel base, and they're VERY wide.

Even at my fattest I still fitted in them comfortably, and anyone of a more normal size will rattle around in them no end.

I actually had a set of Sparco Sprint V's, and sold them because I was too fat at the time :laugh: Since thinning down i've been in Sprint V's several times, and for a steel seat they're about as good as it gets, but I'd recommend finding some to sit in first before spending any money.
 
Oh, just remembered, I have Monacos in my Mini, so if you wanted a sit in them to see how they suit you, the offer is there. you know where I am :)
 
Thread revival! @Prawn do we S3 boys just need Golf Mk 4 specific sub frames? What about the seat belt buckle, im not wanting to run harnesses as I dont have a roll cage and like my spine the way it is ha ha
 
Assuming it's a road car and you just want some nice seats, the best way I've found to date is to use the standard S3 recaro subframes. They mount very solidly being OE, and sit the seats nice and low.

Aftermarket mk4 subframes will fit, but tend to mount the seats a bit higher which is a shame.

Downside to using OE S3 subframes is it means you can't easily sell the seats on for use in an A3 as an upgrade.

I'd be using your stock subframes, and taking a hit on the sale of the old interior. It's a really nice solution.

On Jardos, I drilled a solid part of the subframe to attach the harness eye bolt. You could do the same with the belt buckle too easily enough.

Link to Jardo's fitment is here: http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/jardos-journey-to-quattro-my-story.130554/page-53#post-2288547

But sadly, the pics appear to be broken, which is a shame, because I did a really nice job on them :laugh:
 
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Prawn you are the man. Thank you so much for your help!
Im going to order 2 seats and they should bolt to the S3 standard subframes?
Im not going to sell the standard recaros, Im going to keep them as emergancy chairs and put them back in if I ever sell the car :)
 
audi upgrades
the way prawn said is also how i have done it
only one downside is the oe s3 mounts arent sat level so you arent left with much height adjustment as you need to use holes from 2 levels min just to level the seats
if that makes sense
 
You'll need to drill 4 holes in each subframe to mount your chosen seats, and those hole positions will be determined by the seats and side mounts you use.

None of them will effect future use of the subframes or refitting stock seats though. So if you plan to keep hold of your old seats then it's a massive win win.

You'll need seats, subframes, and if you want adjustability, sliders also.

Did you have any thoughts on what seats you wanted yet?
 
scotty_24 said:
Yeah I get you mate
Looking at these the same as Jardos had http://www.corbeau-seats.com/motorsports-seats/ClubSport
They are 2 for £300!
So all being well I buy these, bolt them level on the Recaro sub frames, and go baby go?

What about airbag lights?
Click to expand...


^^ Im going to go for the same as Jardos Prawn.

This is the "crack" from the corbeau web site


Product Description
***XL size ClubSports are currently out of stock - Contact our sales team to place a pre-order***
The Club Sport seat is a new seat developed by our design technicians at Corbeau HQ. We have been asked time and time again for a budget, lightweight composite seat that customers could bolt straight into their car, well we listened and this is what came out of the mould. A GRP Composite shell based on our previous Pro-Sport Seat trimmed in the latest breathable jacquard material featuring suede anti wear patches. The Club Sport is best suited for track days and non FIA events; they also feature 5 harness slots to suit 4, 5 or 6 point harnesses. This seat comes equipped with its own steel side mounts and double locking runners as a complete kit ready to bolt down and jump in the driving seat..
Key Features
  • New For 2014
  • Excellent Value For Money
  • GRP Composite Shell Construction
  • Side mounted
  • Available in Standard or Excel size
  • Use With 4, 5 Or 6 Point Harnesses
  • Comes with Steel side mounts and double locking runners
  • Not FIA approved
So that looks like they will come with everything I need?
Excellent Drilling 4 holes should be straight forward.

Final question, airbag lights?
 
Excellent choice. That’s exactly what I was going to suggest if you were unsure.
They come with sidemounts, and double locking runners also, they’re literally ready to bolt in, and they’re really lovely seats.
I would suggesting holding out for the XL seats though unless you, your missus, and ALL your mates have the figure of a 12 year old girl.
 
Excellent, they look awesome and are light weight, which for me at the minute is the aim of the game.
Good suggestion about the XL, Il wait untill they are back in stock.

How did you and Jardo get around the air bag light situation?
 
Jardo didn't. haha.

I looked into ways to turn it off, and in all honesty, the easiest solution is to remove and dismantle the clocks, and put some black tape over the back of the dial! That's what I did 5 years ago.

Do bare in mind though that your airbags will no longer function, and without the added safety of harnesses to restrain you there is a risk there. Obviously that risk is for you to assess yourself and make your own choice :)
 
Are there any bucket seats (or just lightweight seats) that you would recommend that can be used with seat belts?

I would love to remove my bulky front S3 seats, but I don't want a harness at this stage!
 
Im going to be running seat belts with mine, just run the belt through the hip "hole" on the seat so it comes accrodd your lap correctly
 
A3 don't really have a subframe I'm afraid Lee.
The s3 bases for actually use the factory runners to slide at all. The SJ frames are bolted static and the seats have runners on the bottom.

A3 lot is all integral and there is no frame to use. Shame really! It works well.
 
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scotty_24 said:
Im going to be running seat belts with mine, just run the belt through the hip "hole" on the seat so it comes accrodd your lap correctly
Click to expand...

Looking at the design of the seat, the seatbelt looks like it will sit an inch or so in front of your chest, which can't be safe.
 
Prawn said:
A3 don't really have a subframe I'm afraid Lee.
The s3 bases for actually use the factory runners to slide at all. The SJ frames are bolted static and the seats have runners on the bottom.

A3 lot is all integral and there is no frame to use. Shame really! It works well.
Click to expand...

You learn something new every day
 
Scotty24 would u be so nice and do me some photos of your S3 seats, please?? I would like to see how the subframe sits on rails
 
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Will do when I take them out mate, the XL seats Im after (not a 30 inch waist ha ha) are on back order so I think I wont be getting them untill next month
 
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