Upgraded front seats?

[BlackGecko]

As we all know, the OEM front seats don't provide much lateral support for turns. Sliding side-to-side even in daily driving really takes away from the driving experience IMO. I was looking at different options besides the S4/RS4 seats that can be found around $1000 and came across some less expensive options. I was wondering if anyone has tried something like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-2x-Mugen-Type-PVC-Leather-JDM-Black-Reclinable-Racing-Seat-Slider-New-/260988321664#vi-content

http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/33000916/images/rs-mu-pvc-v3-bk%2brs-mu-pvc-v3-bk.jpg

Cost= $315 shipped+custom mounting brackets

[gfro1234]

They look pretty nice. I'd personally stay away though based on the price, I know that sounds stupid but I keep thinking to myself "you get what you pay for."

[BlackGecko]

I "got what I paid for" with my expensive leather OEM seats that now have a tear on the side that I my 160lb skinny ass made [rolleyes]

[DownhillA4]

They looks alright and for the price, not bad.... so if they turned out shit I wouldn't feel too bad. Only problem I see is, i'd be losing my front heated seat option (not that I use it anyways)

If someone buy's a set and gets them installed, I'd be very tempted!

[jeepbonehead]

Ive bought many seats for a jeep of mine(super modded out custom rock crawler, needed very supportive bucket seats), i realize the application is different but the seat market is the same. If your looking for a good set of seats to support an aggressive driving style you should be looking in the range of about 800-1000 for a set of seats, and thats really without heat and electronics. i bought a simple set of cloth seats for my jeep and they ran $350 a set. Ive been looking into the same swap for my audi and i'm just going to wait to find a deal on nice audi seats from a s/rs/tts

[BlackGecko]

I live in Florida, so I don't mind not having heated seats lol Could anyone tell me where I should be looking for custom mounting brackets if I decide to install these?

[gyroscope]

keep in mind that your airbag lights will be tripped once you unplug the harnesses from the oem seats.

[BlackGecko]

keep in mind that your airbag lights will be tripped once you unplug the harnesses from the oem seats.

Which can be erased with a Vag-Com I'm sure.

[jimrobbington]

They look nice, and I would love to upgrade the seats. BUT, I use the fuck out of my seat heaters, and wouldn't want to lose my side air bag either. For $350, it's definitely worth a shot

JR

[bman005]

Which can be erased with a Vag-Com I'm sure.

Not so much. Airbag modules can only be coded once

[Inked]

Um, NO!!! WTF is PVC leather?!?! They are cheap crap. Just keep watching eBay and Craigslists for a pair of oem seats or real recaros or something, but not those. I can garuntee you won't be happy with those, but they look great in the picture though.

[BlackGecko]

Um, NO!!! WTF is PVC leather?!?! They are cheap crap. Just keep watching eBay and Craigslists for a pair of oem seats or real recaros or something, but not those. I can garuntee you won't be happy with those, but they look great in the picture though.

wont be happy how? can you elaborate please?

[bman005]

PVC leather is synthetic for starters

[BlackGecko]

PVC leather is synthetic for starters

I figured it's not real leather for that price. Plus, it makes my pro-animal views ego feel better (mildly rationalizing). I just want something that is comfortable, fits well, and is an upgrade in terms of aesthetics and support.

[BlackGecko]

These are $950 for the pair brand new:

http://www.billetdesign.com/images/P/arkdesign.JPG

[ericpaulyoung]

Ya that last one looks kinda nice. If you go to ebay.de you can find RS4 and S4 seats all day long. I don't know what they would charge you for shipping, but it is a HELL of a LOT cheaper than what OEM+ is looking for RS4 seats (you could pick up full front and back set for around $1500 + shipping).
- Eric

[Der Konig]

PVC leather? That seems kind of odd, seems like that would deform under high heats wouldn't it?

[ABreeden]

I wouldn't put fake leather seats in an Audi, no way. I'd rather just do cloth Sparco's. You get what you pay for...

[BlackGecko]

Real leather...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-BLACK-UNIVERSAL-LEATHER-RACING-SEATS-CAM-LOCK-BLACK-SEAT-BELTS-x2-/120862447865?hash=item1c23f698f9&item=120862447865&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

http://www.proautoluxury.com/img/items/Pal-Performance/done/PP-RSC-230-BK-SB-CMLK-BKX2-1.gif

[ABreeden]

Doesn't seem too bad. But theres gotta be a reason they are under $500...but for that much might as well try it.

[Street Nasty]

Doesn't seem too bad. But theres gotta be a reason they are under $500...but for that much might as well try it.

For that much he could just invest in a racing harness to keep him from sliding around. I don't trust cheap stuff like those seats because the quality is most likely crap. It could tear easy, wear out quick, bolsters turn to mush, etc. Plus, like someone else said the airbag light will be on.

[BlackGecko]

Hey, you get what you pay for

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Universal-JDM-Black-Red-Simulated-Suede-Reclinable-Racing-Bucket-Seat-Slider-/310348804431?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48423af14f&vxp=mtr

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2x-Universal-JDM-Black-Red-Simulated-Suede-Reclinable-Racing-Bucket-Seat-Slider-/00/s/ODUwWDcyMA==/$(KGrHqR,!j!E5eE8wQ6tBOhgbRcI(Q~~60_58.JPG

[ABreeden]

Sparco reps for $5000? wtf

[BlackGecko]

sparco reps for $5000? Wtf

you get what you pay for!!! jk But in all seriousness, are a $1500 set of S4 seats $1k better than a $500 "generic" set of leather race seats? I'm really getting tired of my stock, 7-year-old seats.

[Operator]

"IF" I didn't care about the airbags, and heated option, I personally would give the seats in the OP a try. For $350 why not give it a go. I'm a pro-eBay guy though, and have found many good deals. Lots of people turn their noses up at eBay products, but in my history, I've had a majority of good/positive experiences.

[Inked]

^i had $350 eBay taillights fail in like 3 weeks. That's my reasoning.


OP, YES! Real rs4/s4 seats are worth the extra 1k

[9Hooker]

Not so much. Airbag modules can only be coded once

cough cough resistor...

[9Hooker]

or $400 each plus brackets, can get heated and lumbar...

http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/a4/

http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/cr1/

http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=690

[Mc Suly]

thats actually a sweet deal.
doesn't look bad.

maybe price makes it seem sketch.
maybe not race spec like "light weight" lol?

even if you do go for it & hated it didn't loose much $$

[BlackGecko]

I just wish there were a couple other people who had some words of wisdom from their experience to chime in. Bueller?

[bman005]

cough cough resistor...

Can you get around PODS (passeng occupant detection system) with a resistor?


EDIT: clarity

[9Hooker]

Can you get around PODS (passeng occupant detection system) with a resistor?


EDIT: clarity

I believe you can.

[bman005]

I believe you can.

As long as you could do it so the passenger airbag would still work

[DRAKLORE]

Personally the route I will take is either finding some TT seats/porsche seats... Or getting my seats re bolstered with a different more aggresive shape, higher backs with race harness cut outs. And obviously re upholstered...

[bman005]

Personally the route I will take is either finding some TT seats/porsche seats... Or getting my seats re bolstered with a different more aggresive shape, higher backs with race harness cut outs. And obviously re upholstered...

Agreed, I'd probably do S4 recaros if I had the extra $$$

[Ed Gein]

I'm not normally the elitist a-hole like many other AZers but, civic, sure, audi, ehhh.... They look like they could be decent but i think in many ways it would be a big step down from the stock seats. I would love to have something with some support too but ive learned way too many time the hard way you get what you pay for and these look like no exception. You seem like you have your heart set on them so just get them and be sure to report back on them if you do.

[ericpaulyoung]

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Audi-RS4-RECARO-SPORT-Lederausstattung-Ledersitze-Leder-A4-S4-8E-B6-B7-/270944646130?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item3f158f33f2

Plus around $500 shipping and your whole car is wrapped in RS4 $$ original. Just do the right thing.

- Eric

[Street Nasty]

Hey, you get what you pay for

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Universal-JDM-Black-Red-Simulated-Suede-Reclinable-Racing-Bucket-Seat-Slider-/310348804431?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48423af14f&vxp=mtr

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2x-Universal-JDM-Black-Red-Simulated-Suede-Reclinable-Racing-Bucket-Seat-Slider-/00/s/ODUwWDcyMA==/$(KGrHqR,!j!E5eE8wQ6tBOhgbRcI(Q~~60_58.JPG



Lol, I looked at the sold history because it showed 10 as being sold but the price is all for 100 bucks.

[doublezero30]

Personally the route I will take is either finding some TT seats/porsche seats... Or getting my seats re bolstered with a different more aggresive shape, higher backs with race harness cut outs. And obviously re upholstered...

i love the TT seats. if i could find some for a good price, id probably pick em up and try to wire them up!

[DRAKLORE]

After seeing that member do that I really want to find some!!

I'm
Sure
Your could throw your seat pad heaters/weight sensors
In the aftermarket seats. Or use resistors, the quality of the stitching would
Make
Or break the seats for
Me

[tdavit]

Very true, you get what you pay for. one of the best purchases i have ever made.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/tdavit1/675-1.jpg

[BlackGecko]

^^^ How much?

[B7Daily]

I just replace my interior with an S4, it came out of a car the the engine started on fired think that I Would have a hard time doing anything else hen a GT3 cup car seats now.... S4 seats are deffinitly worth the money !!

[BlackGecko]

I just replace my interior with an S4, it came out of a car the the engine started on fired think that I Would have a hard time doing anything else hen a GT3 cup car seats now.... S4 seats are deffinitly worth the money !!

The seats came out of the engine? How much did you spend and where did you get them?

[DRAKLORE]

Engrish prease...

I think he means, the s4 engine caught in fire, and he salvaged the seats from said s4???

[Ed Gein]

Very true, you get what you pay for. one of the best purchases i have ever made.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/tdavit1/675-1.jpg

[drool] omg

[ignus99]

I prefer the whole "holding-on-to-the-door-handle-while-attempting-to-get-accurate-steering-with-one-hand" maneuver. Patent pending.
Works well so far. Pretty sure I'll regret it in the long run.

[B7Daily]

I just replace my interior with an S4, it came out of a car the the engine started on fired think that I Would have a hard time doing anything else hen a GT3 cup car seats now.... S4 seats are deffinitly worth the money !!

sorry, I was trying to do this on my phone last night. The car I got the seats out of burnt up the enginge cought fire and i spent under 1200$ for front and rear seats.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533796_10100158522676720_63902502_41908956_1586999 457_n.jpg

[groundround]

^ basically stole them LOL

and the seats in #41 I believe go for anywhere from 5k to 8k!

[Inked]

sorry, I was trying to do this on my phone last night. The car I got the seats out of burnt up the enginge cought fire and i spent under 1200$ for front and rear seats.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533796_10100158522676720_63902502_41908956_1586999 457_n.jpg

The gold on silver looks good!!!! Post a pic of the car!!!

[groundround]

^ I think he was just selling these wheels not to long ago.

[bmc333]

^ HREs AND a BBK? Nice - wanna see more brake photos too! Nice lookin ride you got there! PS - my parents/grandparents are from Hopkins - sill have a few realtives living out in the Hastings area also.

[Inked]

^ I think he was just selling these wheels not to long ago.

What a shame, looked great! Makes me want to go gold!

[groundround]

could be mistaken but i am sure it was him and had pics of his car with them on

[doughboy17]

Um, NO!!! WTF is PVC leather?!?! They are cheap crap. Just keep watching eBay and Craigslists for a pair of oem seats or real recaros or something, but not those. I can garuntee you won't be happy with those, but they look great in the picture though.

Ditto. You would be better off finding cloth seats than going with PVC leather. I speak from experience with my theater seats at home (long story; was lied to by an online retailer).

[B7Daily]

^ I think he was just selling these wheels not to long ago.

I have never tried to sell these, i am kinda inlove with them.

I would like to go RS4 body soon so i will be re doing these lips on these wheels. I will be adding 2" to all the lips 6" lips on the rear and 4" lips on the front.

[B7Daily]

^ HREs AND a BBK? Nice - wanna see more brake photos too! Nice lookin ride you got there! PS - my parents/grandparents are from Hopkins - sill have a few realtives living out in the Hastings area also.

I will post some up later !

[/ /SoCal4]

OP... Seats do look pretty damn cheap. PVC leather? WTF?

The stitch pattern on the seats seems a little too extreme. Looks no where as clean as Authentic Recaro's.

If anything I would buy these seats, bring them to a shop and get the "pvc leather" removed and replace it with Alcantara.

Don't just go buy cheap seats from ebay, some may not even be approved and legal to be in a moving car! So safety should play a big role as well, you don't want to sacrifice your life for cheap seats.

If you're looking for good racing seats, harnesses and equipment, go to saferacer.com this is where I buy most of my racing equipment online.

[Charles.waite]

^^ This.

PVC is plastic. PVC leather is not real leather. Think Vinyl...

Also keep in mind, should you be in an accident, you want a seat that won't snap, crumble, or otherwise fail, putting your life in more danger than it already is...

Also cheap seats are cheap seats, are cheap seats. EVERYONE will know the second they sit in them. Don't go cheap. you might as well set that money on fire...

At the very least, go cloth. It'll hold you better, and breathe much better than shitty PVC/Vinyl "Leather".

I'll just leave this here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_leather

[cbbepop]

Anyone ever look at the recaros from other car brands? How hard would it be to play with the rails and fit them into an audi? I've seen recaros for VW or even cobalt that are all the same style as the american audi recaros just with different logo stitchings. Pop on ebay and look around

OH i forgot,
the point of looking at recaros from other brands is because for the same style, sometimes they are cheaper...lets say ball park figure for audi recaros is $1500 front seats
for other brands I seen them listed $700-800

[/ /SoCal4]

No, I know what it is, I've just never heard the term PVC Leather used before.. haha. I typically see "Faux" Leather or something else.

[/ /SoCal4]

Anyone ever look at the recaros from other car brands? How hard would it be to play with the rails and fit them into an audi? I've seen recaros for VW or even cobalt that are all the same style as the american audi recaros just with different logo stitchings. Pop on ebay and look around

I've always been a huge fan of the BMW performance recaros.. The alcantara ones.. I have seen them retrofitted in a R56 Cooper S before so I would assume if they will fit in the car, I'm sure a good shop could use universal seat brackets to fit it?

[DRAKLORE]

Today I saw a 2012 A4 titanium s-line with nicer seats than the R8 GT parked a few feet from it... And i thought they were cloth as well. Something to
Consider :-)

EDIT:not cloth lol

[DRAKLORE]

http://d3403mtifmmdhn.cloudfront.net/assets/attachments/329/original/A311us_titanium_sport_pkg_sport_seats_alcant_headl iner.jpg?1294259349
In an A3 but same thing
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/images/8p/audia3slineseat.jpg

[audidave]

Was thinking the same thing, I would be more than happy with these^^