Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 05:44:27 EST
Reply-To: BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Seat Input requested
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 2/18/02 10:24:30 PM Pacific Standard Time,
lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET writes:
<< Any experience with these or other seats would be most welcome input.
Other seat suggestions ...... also welcome.
<< Corbeau Sport Seat .... ~$700 pair
http://www.bus-boys.com/sportseat.jpg >>
Very good seats for a small car. Side bolsters make it near impossible to get
in and out of a Vanagon unless you are built like a toothpick. I've used
various Corbeau seats in past Porsches. They are usually quite comfortable
and offer a wider seats than most aftermarket sport seats. They are usually
heavier than most. You will have to buy new tracks to install these.
<< Aardvarc Racing:
> reconditioned 320is Recaro seats ~ $750 pair
http://www.2002parts.com/tancloth.jpg >>
Excellent seats. This is the early version. I have these in my e30 323i. They
were offered from the e-21 series (320i,323i, etc.) up to the very early e-30
(325e, 323i, etc.). They have the same problem as the Corbeau seats as the
sides are quite high. They are very good for touring if you can get past he
sides. This one has a lift and set thigh bolster. The later ones have a knob
which you turn to extend the thigh support. You can see this ones thigh
support adjuster as a metal bar in front of the seat itself. Installation is
a snap. They mount with four bolts on the floor. Drill four holes and you've
got the tracks ready to go.
As for used Vanagon seats, well, the later ones are almost identical to the
early ones. The westy seats are under padded. The later ones are just plain
flat and uncomfotable as the early ones. Later ones have the adjustable
armrests.
BTW, you are close enough to my area that you should check out some less
expensive Dee Sportseats that are similar. My local parts guy has a pair of
black ones available. Someone ordered them and never picked them up. Also
consider early GTI seats. They are very similar to the eary Recaros but have
the same side bolster proeblem. They are tricky to install as their tracks
are totally different. You will have to fabbricate something with these.
I hope that helps.
BenT
San Francisco
