ATTENTION TRACK RATS: What do you think?

[DOUT]

Attention all track rats with racing experience, I am looking into getting an M3 and will definitely take it to the track every so often
I will definitely get KW V3, a full exhaust, a tune, and maybe even an autopower roll cage, however I have been thinking about seats.

Recaros are great but are wayy to expensive (in my opinion) and I would rather put the money towards an ESS VT1

I recently came across the "Sparco Sprint V" here:
https://www.upr.com/Sparco-Sprint-V-Seat-p186.html

At $299 each I think this is a steal and would be the perfect piece to make my car that much more perfect on a track day. However, are these safe? Will they be better overall than the standard seat?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you so much!

DOUT

[Brosef]

I can't comment on their safety, but I would guess they meet safety requirements.

The stock seats are fantastic, but if you become very serious with tracking upgraded seats would certainly help, especially in terms of the weight they would save (I think I've heard of 50 lbs each, but I could be wrong).

In any case, I would check to see if the mounting hardware is compatible. If it isn't, you'll end up spending a lot more money fabricating brackets to bolt the seats in properly. There was a ton of work required to get the Bride seats to fit in Martin D's car, for instance. Again, I don't know anything about these seats, I'm just pointing that out as something to factor into the cost.

[saeedg48]

^ what he said

[DOUT]

Thanks for the insight, Brosef.
I'll look into mounting these and see if it is possible to do so without too much hassle.

Originally Posted by Brosef

I can't comment on their safety, but I would guess they meet safety requirements.

The stock seats are fantastic, but if you become very serious with tracking upgraded seats would certainly help, especially in terms of the weight they would save (I think I've heard of 50 lbs each, but I could be wrong).

In any case, I would check to see if the mounting hardware is compatible. If it isn't, you'll end up spending a lot more money fabricating brackets to bolt the seats in properly. There was a ton of work required to get the Bride seats to fit in Martin D's car, for instance. Again, I don't know anything about these seats, I'm just pointing that out as something to factor into the cost.

[tightie]

You should just pick up a used seat... It's your life on the line.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by tightie

You should just pick up a used seat... It's your life on the line.

Exactly. There's an old saying that a $10 helmet will protect a $10 head.

It should also be noted that Recaro seats are designed by orthopedic specialists, and insured by Recaro (TUV) $5mil liability.

Please don't be cheap when it comes to safety equipment. While Recaro may not be the cheapest, it is the best.

[ring007]

Recaro PP are relatively inexpensive.

[Jaypod]

Why would you buy a relatively expensive car and just put cheap seats in, especially when you want to use your car on a track and they may become a critical factor in your safety?

[008]

Huh? I would venture a guess that most of the answers on this thread come from people who have never purchased a race seat to go racing. The price difference in most motorsport application seats is because of material (aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, carbon/kevlar, etc) and intended use (street,oval, endurance, street/track, etc). A carbon kevlar (read very light) endurance seat that is designed to be used with a HANS device is going to be significantly more expensive than a seat designed to be used on the street made of high pressure mold plastic with your existing seatbelts and passive safety systems. It doesn't mean it is going to be safer or better for your application. It might be lighter but have a "cage" design" that should only be used with a helmet and will significantly limit visibility. These should not be used on the street. I would rather own a new seat manufactured to meet all of the latest regulations than the most expensive used seat bought on the cheap that could have gone through god knows what. While I have no specific knowledge of the seat you listed check to see if it is homologated to FIA regulations and as was mentioned see if it is compatible with your car via mounting hardware easily obtained. Sparco is a recognized quality manufacturer of all types of motorsport products, many professional race teams use them as seat suppliers. I would suggest you go sit in as many seats as you can before making your decision. Cobra makes as good of a seat as anyone in the business and many of their products are less expensive than the italian or german offerings. The seat should fit you, your car's passive and active safety systems (if to be used on the street as well), be new and undamaged (like helmets seats also have shelf lives, that is why they are all dated), and installed by a knowlegeable person.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by tightie

You should just pick up a used seat... It's your life on the line.

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Exactly. There's an old saying that a $10 helmet will protect a $10 head.

It should also be noted that Recaro seats are designed by orthopedic specialists, and insured by Recaro (TUV) $5mil liability.

Please don't be cheap when it comes to safety equipment. While Recaro may not be the cheapest, it is the best.

Originally Posted by ring007

Recaro PP are relatively inexpensive.

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Why would you buy a relatively expensive car and just put cheap seats in, especially when you want to use your car on a track and they may become a critical factor in your safety?

Very true. I feel like a fool for even considering a cheap seat. I guess ~$1500 for a pair of Recaro PP's isn't too much especially when my safety is put into question.

Thanks for the insight!

[montreal red]

if youre a real track rat, you dont need a full exhaust and a tune, that can wait until later. put some decent pads on the car and get just one recaro pp seat. do the roll cage so you can put harnesses at the same time...that will do. get the velour recaro seat which is relatively inexpensive.

another seat the i highly recommend are these.
http://www.fastraceproducts.com/page...GY/cobrasuzuka

Cobra Suzuka.

[M3_WC]

Sparco makes some quality seats, I just wouldn't get that model. Not sure why some are insinuating Sparco seats are not safe.

[dvpouldar26]

Use the money for exhaust and a tune and get some brake fluid, line and pads, and get some R-compounds. And as for the KW V3's, there are better options out there (V3 uses a progressive spring). Try the KW Clubsport, Moton CS, or some JIC's with a linear spring. Makes the car more predictable than that with a linear spring. Also, an alignment and corner balance will help alot.
I wouldn't bother with spending money to get Recaro's, but rather take out the rear seats to save the weight and invest in a CG lock.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by dvpouldar26

Use the money from exhaust and a tune and get some brake fluid, line and pads, and get some R-compounds. And as for the KW V3's, there are better options out there (V3 uses a progressive spring). Try the KW Clubsport, Moton CS, or some JIC's with a linear spring. Makes the car more predictable than that with a linear spring. Also, an alignment and corner balance will help alot.
I wouldn't bother with spending money to get Recaro's, but rather take out the rear seats to save the weight and invest in a CG lock.

Stainless brake lines, competition pads, and new fluid are all necessary for any car doing time on the track - but I didn't mention them in the original post. They are for sure going to be the first set of mods.

As the car will be a daily driver and weekend track day car, KW V3's are more suitable for me. Clubsports are awesome but too agressive, and Motons are impractical (squeaks, etc.) and expensive.

Corner balance and alignment will be done once the suspension work is done and the AD08's are mounted to the stock 18's.

CG lock doesn't cut it for me... ME WANT HARNESS!!!

[Leg]

Brakes. Do nothing else till you sort the brakes. Alternatively, do a track day on the standard brakes and then you wont have any choice anyway!

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by DOUT

Stainless brake lines, competition pads, and new fluid are all necessary for any car doing time on the track - but I didn't mention them in the original post. They are for sure going to be the first set of mods.

As the car will be a daily driver and weekend track day car, KW V3's are more suitable for me. Clubsports are awesome but too agressive, and Motons are impractical (squeaks, etc.) and expensive.

Corner balance and alignment will be done once the suspension work is done and the AD08's are mounted to the stock 18's.

CG lock doesn't cut it for me... ME WANT HARNESS!!!

I have moton street sports and they are great. No noise at all. I stayed away from the KW V3's as I had heard people complaining about the noise. (I was going to go KW V3 at first) So you may want to do a little digging to make sure. My car is also a DD and I do quite a few track days.

[DOUT]

Thanks for the info. I'll look into them

Originally Posted by Jaypod

I have moton street sports and they are great. No noise at all. I stayed away from the KW V3's as I had heard people complaining about the noise. (I was going to go KW V3 at first) So you may want to do a little digging to make sure. My car is also a DD and I do quite a few track days.

[rzm3]

I would at least do a KW Clubsport for your application.

And what's up with all the hate against a relatively less expensive seat? Have you guys seen the material of construction? What standards does the seat conform to?

Remember, a $10k Kia can earn a 5-star crash rating too... and a 458 Italia can catch fire on its own. The price difference does not always correlate to safety.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by 008

Huh? I would venture a guess that most of the answers on this thread come from people who have never purchased a race seat to go racing. The price difference in most motorsport application seats is because of material (aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, carbon/kevlar, etc) and intended use (street,oval, endurance, street/track, etc). A carbon kevlar (read very light) endurance seat that is designed to be used with a HANS device is going to be significantly more expensive than a seat designed to be used on the street made of high pressure mold plastic with your existing seatbelts and passive safety systems. It doesn't mean it is going to be safer or better for your application. It might be lighter but have a "cage" design" that should only be used with a helmet and will significantly limit visibility. These should not be used on the street. I would rather own a new seat manufactured to meet all of the latest regulations than the most expensive used seat bought on the cheap that could have gone through god knows what. While I have no specific knowledge of the seat you listed check to see if it is homologated to FIA regulations and as was mentioned see if it is compatible with your car via mounting hardware easily obtained. Sparco is a recognized quality manufacturer of all types of motorsport products, many professional race teams use them as seat suppliers. I would suggest you go sit in as many seats as you can before making your decision. Cobra makes as good of a seat as anyone in the business and many of their products are less expensive than the italian or german offerings. The seat should fit you, your car's passive and active safety systems (if to be used on the street as well), be new and undamaged (like helmets seats also have shelf lives, that is why they are all dated), and installed by a knowlegeable person.

Lots of good points here. Price and weight go hand in hand in a race seat. I don't know much about the specifics of the seat in question, but it most likely is significantly heavier than the more expensive models. That doesn't mean that it is not as safe though. It doesn't mean that it is just as safe either, but it seems baseless to dismiss it as being unsafe just based on price.

Fit is also very important, and that completely depends on what works for you. As said above, don't buy a seat without sitting in a bunch of seats first, and you'll understand how important fit really is. Also, you can't be safe in a seat that doesn't fit you, so it's not just about comfort.

I went into a store that carries many different brands/models a couple of days ago thinking I would be buying a Cobra seat, and had to walk out with the more expensive Recaro SPG Pro. I say "had to" because that is the only one that fit me for not just one but several reasons.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by 008

Huh? I would venture a guess that most of the answers on this thread come from people who have never purchased a race seat to go racing. The price difference in most motorsport application seats is because of material (aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, carbon/kevlar, etc) and intended use (street,oval, endurance, street/track, etc). A carbon kevlar (read very light) endurance seat that is designed to be used with a HANS device is going to be significantly more expensive than a seat designed to be used on the street made of high pressure mold plastic with your existing seatbelts and passive safety systems. It doesn't mean it is going to be safer or better for your application. It might be lighter but have a "cage" design" that should only be used with a helmet and will significantly limit visibility. These should not be used on the street. I would rather own a new seat manufactured to meet all of the latest regulations than the most expensive used seat bought on the cheap that could have gone through god knows what. While I have no specific knowledge of the seat you listed check to see if it is homologated to FIA regulations and as was mentioned see if it is compatible with your car via mounting hardware easily obtained. Sparco is a recognized quality manufacturer of all types of motorsport products, many professional race teams use them as seat suppliers. I would suggest you go sit in as many seats as you can before making your decision. Cobra makes as good of a seat as anyone in the business and many of their products are less expensive than the italian or german offerings. The seat should fit you, your car's passive and active safety systems (if to be used on the street as well), be new and undamaged (like helmets seats also have shelf lives, that is why they are all dated), and installed by a knowlegeable person.

[klammer]

A bit off topic but has anyone considered 4 seats in an e90 for example... Want my own personal "ring" taxi

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by klammer

A bit off topic but has anyone considered 4 seats in an e90 for example... Want my own personal "ring" taxi

I've seen pictures of a Cayenne that had this done, it looked pretty awesome.
However, I do not think it would be possible in an E90 because the rear seats are more like cushions on a metal intrusion on the chassis. (Not enough space )