2008 e90 aftermarket driver's seat install

mikeymajor · 06-03-2011, 12:10 AM

Greetings,
I have a 2008 e90 M3 and would like to replace my OE seat with a Recaro unit I already own. I really need the head room. My OE seat does not have the active head restraint feature which I believe was installed 2009+. I would like to retain the steering wheel and a-pillar airbag functionality but avoid any SRS errors. Therefore, I would like to know WHAT IS THE RESISTANCE OF THE STOCK SEAT AIRBAG CONNECTION (if it is a static resistance) so I can install an appropriate resistor with my Recaro.

It is my understanding that the emulator boxes are necessary to simulate the passenger detection mechanism. I am not replacing the passenger side seat so am not concerned about the pressure sensor mat issues many others have reported.

I have spoken with some of the shops who claim to be experts in the field (and advertise heavily on the forums) but have not gotten a straightforward answer. I will be buying the mounting hardware as soon as I get an answer.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike

TSM330i · 06-03-2011, 10:31 AM

Your best bet would be to contact Harold at HP Autowerks. He's installed quite a few aftermarket seats in these cars and would be your best bet for a straight answer. Great guy!

harold@hpautowerks.com

mikeymajor · 06-08-2011, 11:24 PM

Thanks for your reply. I spoke with Harold a few months ago on this very topic and he wasn't sure (or unwilling to share) what the proper resistance is. Is this something I would be able to determine with a BT tool? Would someone with a BT tool be willing to datalog and share the information with me?

Thanks again

ceb · 06-09-2011, 12:25 AM

When fitting an aftermarket seat you will have no guarantee that any of the airbags will work as intended.

Unless the installer has crash tested the identical model year car with that particular seat, they cannot tell you how the airbag system will deploy - or not.

06-03-2011, 12:10 AM	#1
mikeymajor New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine Ca & Madison WI iTrader: (0)	2008 e90 aftermarket driver's seat install Greetings, I have a 2008 e90 M3 and would like to replace my OE seat with a Recaro unit I already own. I really need the head room. My OE seat does not have the active head restraint feature which I believe was installed 2009+. I would like to retain the steering wheel and a-pillar airbag functionality but avoid any SRS errors. Therefore, I would like to know WHAT IS THE RESISTANCE OF THE STOCK SEAT AIRBAG CONNECTION (if it is a static resistance) so I can install an appropriate resistor with my Recaro. It is my understanding that the emulator boxes are necessary to simulate the passenger detection mechanism. I am not replacing the passenger side seat so am not concerned about the pressure sensor mat issues many others have reported. I have spoken with some of the shops who claim to be experts in the field (and advertise heavily on the forums) but have not gotten a straightforward answer. I will be buying the mounting hardware as soon as I get an answer. Thanks in advance for your help. Mike
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06-03-2011, 10:31 AM	#2
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 899 Rep 3,698 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	Your best bet would be to contact Harold at HP Autowerks. He's installed quite a few aftermarket seats in these cars and would be your best bet for a straight answer. Great guy! harold@hpautowerks.com __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
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06-08-2011, 11:24 PM	#3
mikeymajor New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine Ca & Madison WI iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your reply. I spoke with Harold a few months ago on this very topic and he wasn't sure (or unwilling to share) what the proper resistance is. Is this something I would be able to determine with a BT tool? Would someone with a BT tool be willing to datalog and share the information with me? Thanks again
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06-09-2011, 12:25 AM	#4
ceb NHTSA Nazi 32 Rep 1,983 Posts Drives: 335ix Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	When fitting an aftermarket seat you will have no guarantee that any of the airbags will work as intended. Unless the installer has crash tested the identical model year car with that particular seat, they cannot tell you how the airbag system will deploy - or not.
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