Broken Seat - United Bimmer Community

**jms** · 12-07-2011, 11:10 AM

Well, I broke my seat. I was trying to reach my wallet and I heard it pop and now one side is weak and the other is ok, but you know it won't be long. So has anyone had an experience trying to find replacement seats?

It is a convertible so I need the stupid levers to get into the back seat.

**Wolf** · 12-07-2011, 02:05 PM

Try to get a seat from a junk yard, Take the upholstery of ( cut the Hog rings with side cutters) and put your upholstery back onto the new frame. You need "Hog rings" and the special pliers for it. you can get them online or maybe you have a Upholstery Supplier in town where you can buy this stuff.

**Manolito** · 12-07-2011, 11:01 PM

The junk yards always keep leather covered seats if the leather is any good at all because fresh leather runs $1000 a seat.

I scored a seat from a local junk yard for $200 just to get the leather. I pulled off the bottom cushion and the leather off the back, held on to the seat belt buckle and the seat control switches, and tossed the rest.

Convertible and coupe should use the same seats, right? It would be good if e46 seats would fit because e46 seats are softer and shaped better and they don't 'pop' when you corner, but I think the e46 seats are wider, sized to fit the largest common denominator.

**Wolf** · 12-08-2011, 09:03 AM

As far as I know all E36 have the same mounting dimensions for the seats, so it doesn't matter if the seat came out of a 92 318 coupe or a 96 325 sedan. Only the rear seats are different. Just make sure you get the same style...
And of course the second option is to take your seat apart, see whats broken and if possible bring the frame to a welder and get it fixed.
Don't forget guys, these seats were designed for the average person 5,9 tall and about 180 pounds.
So if you carry a heavy wallet in your car that will cost you.........

**jms** · 12-09-2011, 10:38 AM

yeah, my wallet is heavy that's it

I can feel the broken metal in there so I know it's either going to need a weld or a replacement. I'm going to take it apart and see just what I'm dealing with and see what welding will do. Failing that it'll be off to the junkyards.

I really wish there were good aftermarket options since my leather is messed up too.

**Wolf** · 12-09-2011, 11:38 AM

try this if you like Recaro seats.
http://www.recaro-automotive.com/us/...z-1er-3er.html

DEATH2000 · 12-12-2011, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jms

I'm going to take it apart and see just what I'm dealing with and see what welding will do.

I really wish there were good aftermarket options since my leather is messed up too.

If its a power seat, thats probably the most complicated component on your BMW. Acording to BMW anyway. I wouldnt recommend taking it apart persay. Taking it out is relitivley easy though.

Ever hear of Robson Leather? Ive heard that they are the original manufacturer of the leather in BMW's. Their is some aftermarket options, but not much. Depending on the interior colour of the car why not invest in some M3 Vader seats? The seats (front and rear) can be swapped out very quickly. Except the colour of the carpet may not match unless your interior is black.

**Wolf** · 12-12-2011, 01:22 PM

Gahh in California charges about 4500.00 for a complete Leather kit (original) you still need someone to install it. The seats are not that complicated if you keep your hands of the Motors and don't try to reajust the frame while the seat is out of the car.
To get the skins on and of you don't need to engage the motors or change the setup.
Just be carefull with the hogrings so you don't pierce the heating elements and short them out