Fitting R56 JCW seats to an R53 ?

[steve11]

Hi all,
Has anyone out there fitted the R56 JCW Recaro seats to an R53 ?
If not, any ideas as to what would be involved (modify rails.etc) ?
Any positive input, please don't just say it can't be done.

[slim_boy_fat]

Quote: Originally Posted by steve11 (original)

Hi all,
Has anyone out there fitted the R56 JCW Recaro seats to an R53 ?
If not, any ideas as to what would be involved (modify rails.etc) ?
Any positive input, please don't just say it can't be done.

Its cannot be done, tottally different. If you try and fit them your car will not even start and the engine will sieze.

I assume you have purchased the seat already.

I will do the decent thing and offer to buy them off you for £5 each.

[steve11]

Quote: Originally Posted by slim_boy_fat (original)

Its cannot be done, tottally different. If you try and fit them your car will not even start and the engine will sieze.

I assume you have purchased the seat already.

I will do the decent thing and offer to buy them off you for £5 each.

Sorry, no havn't purchased them, that's why i'm asking.
Shame really, would have done the deal otherwise.

[manuel]

Also very keen to find out. I have asked the dealer and they said NO .
But I have heard that with a few mods on the rails they will fit fine..anybody done this ?

[steve11]

I have looked into it & i believe the hardware required is available fron Recaro.
If it's not a factory option the dealers will always say no, that doesn't mean anything.

[Lucky Dave]

I cant see why they wont fit? Its the same floorpan.

The plug on the airbag is different im told, but that could be sorted

[Damo]

Not sure where slim boy fat gets the BS about the engine seizing.

As Mikey the MINI said the wiring is completly different (I believe its fibre optics or summat but not the bus style of the older MINI).

Anyway as for the airbag, the older JCW's didn't have them so why bother conneting them I though, BUT you still have to connect the seatbelt pre-tensioner.

However Recaro do sell Sportser CS seat which is basicly the JCW. So could get these. Or find out if the brackets will fit for the older pre-tensioner.

I'd say go with the leather Recaro Sportster CS's though to save weight without the airbags

[Ant FR]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Not sure where slim boy fat gets the BS about the engine seizing.

As Mikey the MINI said the wiring is completly different (I believe its fibre optics or summat but not the bus style of the older MINI).

Anyway as for the airbag, the older JCW's didn't have them so why bother conneting them I though, BUT you still have to connect the seatbelt pre-tensioner.

However Recaro do sell Sportser CS seat which is basicly the JCW. So could get these. Or find out if the brackets will fit for the older pre-tensioner.

I'd say go with the leather Recaro Sportster CS's though to save weight without the airbags

only problem with losing airbags is you really need to tell your insurance company and they may not be happy as you may suffer more perosnal injury in an accident. Worht bearing in mind that side air bags are there for safety before anything else, personally i would rather keep them.
Was always shocked how BMW of all people allowed the optional sportsJCW seats on the phase 1 to lose the airbags. Strange.

[Damo]

My insurance know and are fine about it. The problem with the new JCW's in an older car is that your installing an airbag that isn't designed to deploy inside that car.

[steve11]

Well looks like i'm the guinea pig. Ordered my Recaro Sportsters today in full leather. Brackets etc are available from Recaro. Going to use the resistors for my existing airbag wiring. I'll fit the seatbelt pretensioners into the new seats if needbe.
Only difference between these & the R56 JCW seats is the JCW badge & airbags (which i don't want anyway).

[Damo]

Look forward to seeing these

[sef]

The chaps at Modnmini have just done this...

Pics on their site... MODNMINI TALK :: View topic - JCW R56 front seat pictures

[Damo]

Now that looks mint!

Pity they're so £££

[steve11]

Fitted seats today & they feel as good as they look.

[sef]

They look superb... Nice work...