You want to transfer the nice clean cover from your mechanical seat to that electric seat?

I would keep the mechanical seat as it is lighter, more reliable, etc. Just me…

 

Yes, you got it right. It's just for fun, there is memory and the view is probably more interesting, but in fact I was surprised that no one did this with the coupe seats... I saw many articles with sedan seats, there are no problems there. I would service these coupe seats and paint the frame, they are very inexpensive and their only drawback is that they are pre-restyling - there is no adjustment of the central cushion.

 

I'm with you - I much prefer electric seats because they have memory.

Unfortunately, the electric seats you got are not sports seats. The upper and lower frames are completely different; the electric "comfort" seats have no provision for the retractable thigh support, and the extra bolstering in the upper portion means that the frame design is wildly different.

If you found a set of electric sports seats, you would be able to retrofit the seat covers/cushions without issue. If the seats are from a coupe, you could probably remove the folding arm and just slide the sedan covers over the frame.

If by "there is no adjustment of the central cushion," you are referring to lumbar support in the upper portion, it is actually very easy to retrofit the lumbar support from your mechanical seats to the electric ones.

 

Thank you. I haven't bought electric seats yet, but I'm thinking about it. In fact, the electric lower frame is the same in sports seats and in comfortable ones, my friend made such a replacement. But the back is still unknown.
I installed lumbar support for myself, it's easy, but I mean the part on which we sit, the large cushion of the lower part of the saddle, pay attention to the buttons and the pictures on them, they are slightly different. I marked the adjustment handle in my photo, which I mean.

 

Thank you. I haven't bought electric seats yet, but I'm thinking about it. In fact, the electric lower frame is the same in sports seats and in comfortable ones, my friend made such a replacement. But the back is still unknown.

I really don't think this is true. It's been a while since I had my seats apart, but in all BMW sports seats that I've dissected, which include E60, E83, and E46, the thigh support is a separate part of the seat frame and it doesn't exist on comfort seats. I'd be happy to be proved wrong - maybe your friend swapped lower frames as well?

I installed lumbar support for myself, it's easy, but I mean the part on which we sit, the large cushion of the lower part of the saddle, pay attention to the buttons and the pictures on them, they are slightly different. I marked the adjustment handle in my photo, which I mean.

Huh. I am a little curious about what that lever does now! Does it raise the front of the seat only? On the electric seats, that is what pulling up on the long button does.

 

I really don't think this is true. It's been a while since I had my seats apart, but in all BMW sports seats that I've dissected, which include E60, E83, and E46, the thigh support is a separate part of the seat frame and it doesn't exist on comfort seats. I'd be happy to be proved wrong - maybe your friend swapped lower frames as well?


Huh. I am a little curious about what that lever does now! Does it raise the front of the seat only? On the electric seats, that is what pulling up on the long button does.

 

So, the base is likely different. I KNOW e38 / e39 Sport vs comfort bases are different. Look in Realoem for what the base is like in a Sport vs non sport in e46. the e38/9 stuff has welded supports that the bolsters go over on the Sport side. take the dead one apart and see.

 

Having one car with manual and one with electric sports seats,
I'm appalled at how much heavier
the electric ones are!

If I fancied myself any sort of performance afficionado,
I'd pull the electrics out of everything I drive.

(as it is, I'm overweight and really like being able to adjust
the seats in tiny increments. Oh, yeah, memory's ok, too)

t

 

Every time I have to remove seats from one of my cars, I wish they were manual.

Every time I get my cars back from their annual inspection, I am glad they are electric (with seat memory).

 

And so the story with the seats has begun and they are already on their way, their complete disassembly and maintenance follows, and then I will keep you informed👀

 

With any luck, they'll polish right up!

But seriously, one thing you might want to think about, is adding some padding. In the past I've added strips of foam to older seats to negate the aging process, though e46 foams seem to hold up very well.

What also can work, depending on how much leather is excess around the base, is adding slim strips (eg 20mm thick, 100mm wide x whatever length) to the sides, just enough to contour the seat better to your body size, or simply increase edge support. IIRC e46 was kinda tight when I did it, but YMMV.

 

With any luck, they'll polish right up!

But seriously, one thing you might want to think about, is adding some padding. In the past I've added strips of foam to older seats to negate the aging process, though e46 foams seem to hold up very well.

What also can work, depending on how much leather is excess around the base, is adding slim strips (eg 20mm thick, 100mm wide x whatever length) to the sides, just enough to contour the seat better to your body size, or simply increase edge support. IIRC e46 was kinda tight when I did it, but YMMV.

Thank you. But I won't restore them, I want to transfer the gray upholstery together with the foam rubber from the mechanical frame to the electric one. That's all. And of course lubricate what needs to be lubricated there.

 

Apologies, the irony doesn't translate well. We're all aware how cinnamon can crumbles with use. Have lots of fun!

 

No, no. It's probably the damn translator and you misunderstood me.
I just wanted to say that I bought them as donors and the beige upholstery will most likely be thrown out.
Thanks for the advice on restoration anyway!

 

The fun begins)) I waited for them, they are terrible and this provokes me even more to get to work))

Th

 

I hope they were very inexpensive. Like others, I am worried about compatibility and functionality. I found the same difference between power sport seats and power comfort seats with the base adjustment. The comfort seat lack of base tilt adjustment is a no-go for me, as I can't get comfortable in the car without it.

 

They cost me 50 US dollars and the same amount for delivery. I took it apart, checked it and everything worked out, the coupe frame fits. I will transfer my back assembly to this frame. I'll keep you posted. With regards to adjusting the tilt of the base, I will move it from my seats, but it will remain mechanical since the motor is not provided in this variation of electric seats (pre-styling)

 

Props to you for even contemplating this transplant. Removing/replacing my bumper cover was enough to cause me to create a whole new langauge of swear words.

I watched a youtube video on replacing the seat cover and said no mas! Paying $100 to a professional was the best use of a C note I've found in... forever.

 

Thank you!!! I worked on them, leisurely cleaning, lubrication... I'm sure everything will work out. They were so dirty that I was horrified, it's already much better))

 

Hi, I'm still here)) Got the metal and plastic gear grease and replaced it, but I have to admit the old 20 year old one is not as bad as it might seem. Nevertheless, I am calm and very happy))

 

Hi, there is progress. The driver's seat frame is assembled and tested. The weight of the lower frame is 12 kg, if anyone is interested))

Video #1

Video #2

 

The weight of the lower frame is 12 kg, if anyone is interested))

At this moment, I want to see the faces of those couch racers who talk about the big difference in weight.)))))

 

Tearing into a set of sports to extract the heating elements and noticed something I thought you might be able to confirm. It looks like the seat pan is probably the same between the standard seat and the sport seat. The difference comes when the extendable thigh bolster is attached. Can you confirm the fittings to attach the thigh bolster are present on the standard seat pan?

 

I’m curious to know this too, but what about the sides of the base? The sports seats are much more heavily bolstered there. Is that all just foam?

 

 

This is fascinating. Great job documenting the differences between the sport and non sport seats Igor!

 

Hello friends! There is progress in the work, the final is approaching slowly but surely...catch a couple of new photos for evaluation))

 

Electric \ mech rails on Coupe \ Compact are different in comparison with limo-touring, so in your case you will be not able to install your limo seat belt (you it requires welding as far as i remember), so maybe better to found parts of electric seat from limo and buy partially needed stuff.

On other side, if you have sport seat then you need to buy additionally power switch on 4x positions instead of old outdated revision of 3x (which you have already), plus additional motor with pipe and corresponding wiring for it.

Backrest is fully compatible and you can put it bolt-on.

In reality sport seats lower part is the same as regular seat(identical 1:1), they have the same base carcass and the difference consists only on additional supports for knee as layer on top which can be screwed.

Also Coupe \ Compact mechanism for folding is not removable as i know.

 

I installed one seat yesterday evening, didn't have time for the second one, but I'll finish it today. I transferred the seat belt mount from my old mechanical one, everything fits. And I also transferred the height adjustment of the lower seat cushion, it is missing from my button block, so I decided to transfer it from the old frame. In fact, everything is very simple. The operation of the seats is smooth and simply magnificent, the memory works.

 

 

Seems to be you're skipped a lot of steps.
1. So what happened to mechanism of folding from coupe?
2. So you made half electric, half mech (cushion knee), lol. First time seen something like this.
Do you have plans to describe in depth all steps?

 

The results of this whole show. I am incredibly happy. The seats work perfectly. I drilled the seat belt mount off the old frame and screwed it onto the new one using the factory bolts from the seat belt buckle mounts. Thread lock was used. I had to tinker around to get the bolts out of the old seats, but everything worked out.

 

I would like to show my results of measurements regarding the height of the seats. The measurements were taken on mechanical seats and then on electric ones. The seat is lowered as far down as possible. The lower cushion is first in the highest position, then in the lowest position.


Mechanical:

Electric:

the difference is just minimal, it is completely insignificant

 

Thank you. So, I left the coupe mechanism on which the backrest is put on, I just removed all the cables and it works like a normal one. There is not the slightest play. Of course, if desired, it can be replaced completely, but why? Regarding the adjustment of the cushion, I simply moved it from my seat. After all, it is not provided for on the pre-rest electric seats. But now it is there and I am happy)

You did a huge amount of work, well done.
About Coupe \ Compact mechanism you didn't understood correctly, i was meant about lower part (not back rest). Indeed, on backrest it can remain with no issue, as far as i remember its just stays on clips at rear side.

Your phrase "not provided on pre-lci electric seats" this is not true(maybe you want to say that your donor Coupe seat didn't had it(?)), because for Sports Seats there was always 4x power switch (see photo below, same on pre-lci \ lci), thats why i was shocked, since you moved it from mech carcass to your electric coupe,lol. First time saw something like this, LOL . Looks funny and unusual.

Maybe its not your interest, but anyway i will add my 5 cents : for cushion area you will need to buy new power switch + 1x battery + new wiring + another metal pipe and i guess it will be super easy in your case, since you did all that heavy work before.

Dude, how much more do you want him to describe? There’s pictures of EVERYTHING and the process is really well documented. If you need more description, I’m not sure such a complicated and labor intensive project is for you.

Dude... you have no clue how complicated this task is. @Igor-onlyBMW did huge amount of work and i hope its not sounds offensive to him, but in fact he skipped like 70%-80% which is not described anyhow, escpecially on lower part with dismantle \ removal \ swapping process and etc. I guess (not sure on 100%, but i bet on 99.999999%) that this stuff is not available even on TIS.

So please if you're not familiar with it then do not write bs comments.

 

Well, everything is fine. No one is offended. We are not here to distinguish ourselves in any way, but to share experiences and all that.🙂🤝🍻