TheSamba.com :: View topic - Recaro seats (again)

Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:15 pm

Hi Folks,
I've researched the front seat debacle and I'm set on some Recaros Specialist model. I'm wondering between the S and the M model from a comfort and fit perspective. Does anyone have a Recaro M in their van and if so does it fit well with armrests? Recaro's site for the M model states "suitable for medium-sized to large persons", which is a poor indicator. Am I medium sized? Go figure. Anyway I'm also thinking of the Vinyl AM vs the Nardo Black as well as getting the armrests. Any thoughts there either?

BTW I'm 6'0" 170lbs but as I haven't seen or tested these seats at all I am only going on the threads I've read from others on the forum.

Also any in PDX area know a local shop to see some of these seats? My search from the INET shows Seattle as the closest and that's a bit of a trot.

Also one other question: Are these the same sliders that GW sells for the Recaro's to mount to the swivels?:
http://thmotorsports.com/recaro/recaro_accessories_silders/0763/i-70968.aspx

TIA,
glen

Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:45 pm

Probably the same sliders but there are no adaptors in that kit.

You need some way to mount the sliders to the stock tracks.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:18 pm

The setup GoWesty uses to adapt the seats utilzes the two wholes in each end of the individual seat tracks. I did not notice any adapters other than the seat tracks. GoWesty does remove the seat swivel from the drivers side to lower the overall seat mounting. The passenger seat attaches to the swivel using the same two holes at each end of the track. I think they have a tapped steel block that slips into the stock seat track so that you can bolt in the Recaro seat tracks without having to start a nut in a confined area.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:31 pm

I met with Wendall at Wedge Engineering yesterday and he has sliders for both Recaro and Flofit.

I sat in the Flofits, which are a bit firmer but pretty supportive and comfortable. He quoted $950 for cloth driver and passenger Flofit seats. An additional $30/seat to add pump lumbar to each one. $130 to ship to Washington, so likely about the same for Portland.

If I could afford the Recaros, I would go for it. But I decided to search for Porsche power seats and if I don't have any luck by our road trip to California in spring, I'll spring for the Flofits.

http://www.seatsource.com/FlofitSeatbySeatSource/tabid/21367/Default.aspx

Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:46 pm

How much are the Flo Fits seats?

Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:51 pm

Were the flofits 950 for the pair? I like the seat cushion extension on the flofits, which are also on the super expensive models of the Recaros. The Recaros I'm looking at are here:
http://thmotorsports.com/recaro/recaro_comfort_seat_specialist/lxf00000yy11/i-70703.aspx

872 a piece plus 324 for a pair of armrests.

From the SeatSource the Recaro Specialist S and M difference only seem to be in the bolsters and cushion. I'm still not sure if it means a larger taking up more fitting space and thus turning space in the vanagon. Not easy to find the dimensions for each if there is a difference it's not apparent. This is what's posted at the Recaro site for the specialist:
Maximum backrest height: 830 mm (32.7 inches)
Seat cushion width: 490 mm (19.3 inches)
Seat cushion depth: 465 mm (18.3 inches)
Seat weight: 35.3 lbs

Which would indicate to me both S and M.

WRT the sliders it looks like I'll have to get the GW adapters. I saw from another post that the wedge was a bit high and not ideally engineered.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:02 pm

Sorry, yes. The price was $950 for the pair, which seemed like a pretty good deal to me. Call Wendall at Wedge, he is very helpful and knowledgeable. 562-633-1663. Let him know Jason gave you the heads up on his quote of $950 for two cloth Flofits with brackets and sliders.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:10 pm

And I should mention that I've read somewhere (can't remember where) that the Flofit quality isn't what Recaro is. I remember a story or two about the plastic on the recline lever breaking off leaving exposed metal. I'm sure there is a reason that Recaros are almost double.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:46 pm

rsxsr wrote: The setup GoWesty uses to adapt the seats utilzes the two wholes in each end of the individual seat tracks. I did not notice any adapters other than the seat tracks. GoWesty does remove the seat swivel from the drivers side to lower the overall seat mounting. The passenger seat attaches to the swivel using the same two holes at each end of the track. I think they have a tapped steel block that slips into the stock seat track so that you can bolt in the Recaro seat tracks without having to start a nut in a confined area.

There are indeed adapters. The tracks on the Recaros are wider than the tracks on the Vanagon.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:49 pm

I would also focus in on the side bolsters of whichever seat that you purchase. Assuming that there are side bolsters which do hold your thighs somewhat in the forward facing position, I'd then remember that you will have to get up and over the side bolster closest to the door(s) each time you get in and out. Hence, leather will wear better than cloth and vinyl, and a higher seat bolster will wear faster than a lower or flush bolster on the seat bottom.

I'd try to find a solution in which regardless of whether or not you use the rotating seat mounts that you can move the seats from drivers side to passenger side. i.e. both seats have the same mounting configuration. That way you can periodically switch the seats and minimize apparent wear.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:49 pm

Thanks windnsea that's a few good tips. I didn't think about the bolsters for wear or swapping passenger and driver seats. My syncro is already quite high and getting in and out has already worn down the drivers side cushion on the installed captn's chairs. For the time being I might just swap over the passenger chair :)

I contacted GW and they no longer have the seat adapters. About 2 months before they get them back in stock. Does anyone know what adapters they use and if they are available from anyone else? Also I'll be needing the sliders that I referenced regardless correct? I won't just need the adapter, right?

cheers

Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:50 pm

oc2bc wrote: Sorry, yes. The price was $950 for the pair, which seemed like a pretty good deal to me. Call Wendall at Wedge, he is very helpful and knowledgeable. 562-633-1663. Let him know Jason gave you the heads up on his quote of $950 for two cloth Flofits with brackets and sliders.

Thanks Jason!

Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:48 pm

I'm also curious about the Recaro Specialist M. The long seat and short side bolsters look great for cross country driving. they seem to be also known as the LXF (Specialist S) and the LXW (Specialist M) which suggests that GoWesty is only selling the short version.

Let us know if you pull the trigger on the M's.

Anyone in LA area with the GoWesty LXF seats so I can sit in them for 5 minutes? Beer is on me!

Chris

Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:11 pm

vwbeta wrote:
Let us know if you pull the trigger on the M's.

Seriously, I've been on the fence on just getting the GW ones and swallowing the red-pill.

I'm in Seattle, where/what's this shop? Maybe we can get a volume deal with 2 sets. :P

Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:14 am

Hey there Boulderdrop,
did you ever call up that place in SEA from the PM I sent you to find out if they had the recaro's to check out? The best prices I've found were at http://thmotorsports.com/
They price match and are currently offering 4% off everything and free shipping. I'm having trouble pushing the button without seeing them first and checking out all of the features and I want to see that black vinyl AM stuff as that is currently my preferred material. I also wanted to go with the GW slider adapters but they are out for the next few months so I'm kinda stuck unless I figure out where they get their slider adapters and go direct.
Anyway if you have or anyone else have any thoughts there ping me please.
Cheers,
glen

Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:38 am

I had kind of spaced that sorry. I'll go by and check them out today, they are only like 10 minutes and I've been wondering. They don't have a Specialist, but they have an Expert with a "M" on the showroom floor.

GW is sold out until April and I really want to start the interior, so I picked up a pair of old armrest-non-swivel seats from Northwesty's boneyard last week and have some fabric samples coming from Sewfine.

It's only going to be about $700 to reupholster both seats + the cost of the seats which was $150 for the pair. So, I had troubles justifying the cost of Recaro, given I can get two (very old) seats rebuilt for under $900.

But, the non-swivel aka non-westy seats are bigger by an inch or so in every direction... so the manual-steering-wheel will probably need to be swapped out for a wheel from a power-steering ban (once I complete that conversion as well).

Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:10 am

Good to know that they have something to look at. I was planning a trip up to Seattle for a number of reasons so I might make a runner and check them out. I was also on the fence about putting so much money into the seats but re-upholstering seems to be a bitch of a job and I would forego that if I could. I was also thinking of getting material from sewfine and then getting a local upholsterer to do the work. But these darn seats are not all that comfy. I don't think I'd waffle so much but I've already thrown mucho $$$ into this van that my new requirements are keeping cost down.
Anyway thanks for the update.

Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:27 pm

I pulled the trigger on the seats at GoWesty. They had the two-tone grey leather + cloth combo in stock which is uncommon apparently - and i fell in love. it has the new armrests with the infinite adjustments, and they are narrower so they dont hit the door.

as a basic review - i didnt get installation instructions as an oversight, but installation was a cinch. Old ones slid off, new ones slid on. bam. done.
As for comfort, we did one roadtrip and the seats are awesome. I didn't get any leg fatigue like i did with the previous seats. I found the support lacking, and my legs would get tired and uncomfortable. The new seats are much better!

However, there is one caveat - the pull bar to slide forward and back sits pretty far forward, and my wife has short legs [being 5'1, it comes with the territory] and it presses against her calves. I suppose i could remove the bar, cut out an inch+ from either side, and then have it welded back to the end pieces with the notch? Since i have no welding skills, or access to a welder - or even knowledge whether this would work on a rod of black painted steel like this, i'm only guessing. any other suggestions would be welcome.

you can see the black bar here:

http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3779&category_id=&category_parent_id=

other than that issue, which seems fixable - the chairs are great and a huge upgrade.

I would also like to add a big plus to GoWesty on this - I have heard some grief from people on the forums about them, but WOW did i receive great service. I think by the time the deal was done, i had an email chain 43 emails long :shock: due to my questions, indecision etc. Everyone involved was very patient, thorough, fast to respond and generally just - great. All the way through the transaction, my trip up to check them out, and the quick job they did getting everything together was triple-great.
So there's a nod to the positive for GoWesty - Good on them.

cheers!

chris

Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:40 am

Thanks for the update. We are still on the fence about buying them. Having them on Back order helped postpone the decision. If you don't want to weld, you could cut it short and sleeve it with a peice of steel or alumium tube with the right inside dimension. If you can't find a tube with the proper ID, go a little smaller and drill it out to fit. You could then drill tap both ends of the sleeve to accept some set screws to pinch it together. This would be a cleaner way to do it but you need a drill and at least a tap to match the set screw you use. Local hardware shop should have set screw and tap.

Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:07 am

To shorten that bar you just need to cut an inch, crush it flat with a vise and redrill a hole to match the original. A little black rattle can on the exposed ends and you are good to go.