BMW seat install

[ngsd]

I don't like the Tom's seats I bought and am going to give some junkyard seats a try. Picked up these BMW 3 series leather seats and they measure 20" wide and not too high. I did a search but have not seen whether anyone has tried these and if so had any thoughts about best way to mount them.

 

[SteveL]

If the stock bmw sliders fit low enough just bolt em down.

 

[mp]

What’s wrong with the Tom’s seats? Looking at a set tomorrow.

 

[AZ73]

FYI I just pulled my BMW seats out (they're for sale in the phoenix craigslist) and put in Toms. I found the BMW seats to sit high even on the lowest setting, But I'm 5'11". I was about an inch from the metal roof. By the time I put my headliner in I'll be hitting it. I was also looking at the top of the windshield frame. Toms seats dropped me down 2 inches. Drill new holes and use large washers on the bottom.

 

[RM70]

You might have to take off the BMW track/frame and use a stock bronco or mustang track. When I installed my late model mustang seats that is what I had to do to make sure I wasn't looking at the windshield frame.

 

[Remos69]

Mine have been in for over a year now. I'm 6' and they are actually lower than reupholstered original bronco seats when I tested them, but not as low as the original bench seat with shot springs and a boat cushion. Toms may be even lower, but didn't have a chance to sit test them. I had mine reupholstered with marine vinyl and kept the BMW tracks.

 

[71 CA Bronco]

I got the idea from Remos. I absolutely love mine. They have the heated and power options. A nice upgrade from stock. I never measured but they do seem a little higher than stock, so I can see why a tall person (I don't have that problem) might not like them though. I just bolted them down with very large fender washers and nylon lock nuts. Had to make a little bracket as shown on the passenger side. The wiring and switches for the heated seat took me a while to figure out but they work awesome now.

 

[71 CA Bronco]

This is how I did the seat heater switches.

Almost forgot. I did have to make a stop for the passenger side power seat runner because the first time I moved it all the way forward it hit and scratched the paint on my tunnel. It just consisted of a small tab welded to the runner to prevent the seat from moving too far forward.

 

[ngsd]

What’s wrong with the Tom’s seats? Looking at a set tomorrow.

Just not comfortable. They have a real cheap feel to them and the material stains easily. I am not bashing Tom's, just my personal opinion that I am not happy with these. You may like them so definitely check them out for yourself.

 

[The Far Side]

BMW seats w/ power and heat are on my list. Care to share models and years. I do have a couple of threads save on this but just canvassing to see if different models work as well.

 

[71 CA Bronco]

FYI I just pulled my BMW seats out (they're for sale in the phoenix craigslist) and put in Toms. I found the BMW seats to sit high even on the lowest setting, But I'm 5'11". I was about an inch from the metal roof. By the time I put my headliner in I'll be hitting it. I was also looking at the top of the windshield frame. Toms seats dropped me down 2 inches. Drill new holes and use large washers on the bottom.

I just looked at your build thread. BTW-Beautiful Bronco. Curious if your BMW seats are the E3 series we are discussing because they do not look anything like the ones we have. Yours do look much higher than the E3 series seats. Maybe that is the confusion here.

 

[71 CA Bronco]

BMW seats w/ power and heat are on my list. Care to share models and years. I do have a couple of threads save on this but just canvassing to see if different models work as well.

I think if you just search craigslist BMW e3 seats you will find them. Some come basic without heat and power. Others I think from a convertible have the seat belts build in. I wanted the heat and power but used welded bungs on the cage for the seat belts. I paid $200 for the pair.

 

[71 CA Bronco]

If you go the heat option you will also need these switches. I found mine on ebay for $30. Be sure to get the plug in back of switch as well.

 

[AZ73]

I just looked at your build thread. BTW-Beautiful Bronco. Curious if your BMW seats are the E3 series we are discussing because they do not look anything like the ones we have. Yours do look much higher than the E3 series seats. Maybe that is the confusion here.

Maybe they aren't. I purchased them from a wrecker who had them marked as 3 series. Maybe they were 5 series. Alas, my toms are already getting leather on them.

 

[ngsd]

I got back early from a little rock crawling and played around with the seats. They are about an inch higher than the toms seats when I set them in place. I am short so it wont bother me but if you are tall they may be an issue. I am not sure how that compares to stock height as I don't have one to measure but I assume the they are close? with a fabbed bracket the passenger side should fit well. The driver side looks right at home.

 

[mhinchliffe]

I've got a set of 7 series power/heated grey leather seats that I had in mine that I'll be listing f/s. I just made flat brackets to use the original mounting holes. LMK

 

[ngsd]

This was an easy install. Fabbed one bracket for the passenger side and they bolted right in. Great fit and I like the way they look. Someday the bench will go back in but for now these are going to work.

 

[AZ73]

Looks great!

 

[71 CA Bronco]

Nice job..

 

[ngsd]

Nice job..

Thanks but it was so easy a caveman could do it!

If anyone likes this set up, the seats are the base seats(non power) from a 08 325 BMW. They are readily available and are leather. I got these in great condition for $250 from a local yard so they are a great bargain too. They do work well but as mentioned if you are real tall they may sit a little too high. They do adjust up though for really short people!