anyone every use these seats?
09-18-2007, 09:24 PM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-18-2007, 09:42 PM
#2
Instructor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, Ca Midnight blue '94 968
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I would be EXTREMELEY cautious of low end aftermarket seats. They generally have not had any sort of safety testing done on them, and are really not something I would gamble my life on. People have died as a result of seats like this breaking during an accident and not doing their job.
That's not to say those will, just something I would be very concerned about.
That's not to say those will, just something I would be very concerned about.
09-18-2007, 10:45 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Think very carefully before you do this. Below are photos of my 65 year old step mother's '88 735i after being rear ended at 40mph. Take a good look at the driver's seat and imagine what would have happened if it was a $75 POS made in China. And she doesn't weigh very much...
Trending Topics
09-18-2007, 11:05 PM
#8
Nordschleife Master
anyone every use these seats?
I have and do. I ended up bolting the seat in position with 13.2 grade hardware (I weigh 260+). Mine were about 2x as much but still cheap (obviously).
09-18-2007, 11:29 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
i had a set of seats similar to these in my 914. I didnt feel too bad because i didnt need a sub belt and they sat right up against the rear firewall so going back wasnt a problem. Even the corbeaus ive had-reclinable- didnt feel all that great. Im sure that most of these seats would be fine in an accident, but there is a reason they didnt get approved by the legislating bodys...whoever that may be. Find a set of good used seats over some new cheap seats.
09-18-2007, 11:35 PM
#10
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most "things" are made in China and other low wage countries and cheaply, then sent back and a few screws or paint put on and are labeled as built in the USA or Germany... even high end German and American made wheels are made this way according to a tire/wheel company manager I recently talked to in California.
They even do this with Violins in Italy... they ship the wood to China then smuggle them back at the docks (because importing violins to Italy is a crime) then put the Italian maker's sticker on them, according to a Violin broker that I know who sells Violins for $x then the people put them in a high end shop and sell them for 1000 times markup over $x.
And are these seats really cheap after the $150 shipping?
They even do this with Violins in Italy... they ship the wood to China then smuggle them back at the docks (because importing violins to Italy is a crime) then put the Italian maker's sticker on them, according to a Violin broker that I know who sells Violins for $x then the people put them in a high end shop and sell them for 1000 times markup over $x.
And are these seats really cheap after the $150 shipping?
09-18-2007, 11:36 PM
#11
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i had a set of seats similar to these in my 914. I didnt feel too bad because i didnt need a sub belt and they sat right up against the rear firewall so going back wasnt a problem. Even the corbeaus ive had-reclinable- didnt feel all that great. Im sure that most of these seats would be fine in an accident, but there is a reason they didnt get approved by the legislating bodys...whoever that may be. Find a set of good used seats over some new cheap seats.
09-18-2007, 11:37 PM
#12
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
are you saying they wouldn't stay upright for you? or that they would slide back and forth?
do you have any pics?
how are they otherwise?
09-18-2007, 11:52 PM
#13
Nordschleife Master
As far as the hardware goes, the back on the DS was a little flimsy over time (me plopping in). It was not always easy to lock into position. With an auto X upcoming, I drilled/tapped beefy holes/bolts through the plates (one on each side that the cable attaches to) to lock the seat back in position. The 13.2 grade hardware was at the store where I shop and grabbed it because I didn't want to run the risk of severing the bolts in an accident. I didn't even know 13.2 grade hardware existed. When done, I just put the triangular ***** back on and you would never know. I can still release the seat back for access but I no longer have rear seat incline adjustment.
09-19-2007, 12:34 AM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: St Louis, Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
"...and for my *** they are good for about two hours. For a skinnier ***, I would imagine they are fine for a lot longer cruising time."
I love it (the analysis, not your ***)...;] Bruce
I love it (the analysis, not your ***)...;] Bruce
09-19-2007, 02:35 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Abbotsford, B.C.
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A friend of mine had a Sparco Torino replica seat in his car. The frame broke after a while from just normal use, and he's only 165lbs. Imagine the force from impact during a collision. If the parts are made in China and assembled in the US, good reputable companies normally state that where others would just say "Made in USA".