Repairing Recaro seats

Post Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:01 am

I have a problem with the Recaro sport seats in my 323i. It is a two door and the seats have the leaver things on the side of the back support part that allow them to fold up to let people into the back. There is a wire/cable that runs from this lever to the mechanism bit on the side near the base. The seat doesn't fold up anymore because I think that cable is broken. I have the seats away at the moment getting retrimmed and they told me they would fix that as well but they just rang up and said they wouldn't be able to fix it because it looks like it requires welding. Is this correct?

I was sure that I saw a post about this before, and maybe even a how to type article about fixing it, but I can't find it anymore.

I haven't got that wire part myself but the retrim place said they would get it. Can they be bought from BMW? Maybe they had trouble getting one or something as I think these seats are fairly rare?

Aston

Post Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:17 am

i have the same seats mine were from an M3

you can get all the parts, i bought a new plastic cover for the seat subframe, and also a couple of handles.
the guy at my dealer said all the seat parts are still available from germany

Post Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:40 am

Are you sure the cables are broken?
This sounds to me like the lower seat frame has cracked at the pivot point for the seat back, partly collapsed and slackened the cables.
This is a very common fault, and is initially caused by one of the two retaining screws for the seat back working loose, and the "hinge" then getting twisted.
It's a common MOT test failure point in the UK.
All easily fixable by anyone that knows how to use a MIG welder, but all the fabric has to be removed from the seat base to do it.

Post Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:37 pm

I am fairly sure it was broken or not connected at one end or something but I haven't seen them in a few weeks. I am only going by what the retrimmers said. They have the fabric all pulled off at the moment so I suppose now is the time to check. The seat wasn't wonky and didn't twist, move, rattle or anything.

Thanks, I'll get them to check it.

Aston

Post Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:06 am

Ok, I have spoken to them again and they say that the problem is that the wire part runs through a metal tube from the leaver bit to the machanism and the metal tube is wleded shut at top and bottom. So to replace the wire they would have to unweld the tube and then weld it shut again. That is all they told me and they seemed a bit busy so I didn't want to push them, I might never get my seat done.

Is what they say correct?

Aston

Post Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:41 am

No idea what they're talking about, but I can assure you that the cable is very easy to change on a BMW seat, especially with the seat out of the car, and no welding, bending or other fabrication is involved.

Post Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:54 am

:yeahthat:

Post Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:21 am

is your seat a BMW sport seat, that was made to Recaro's specifications UNder license by BMW.

or is it a genuine Recaro seat, as there mechs could be different

Post Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:47 pm

Well I am not completely sure, I think they are Recaros. I know they aren't normal seats or BMW sports seats. Here is a picture:

Aston