docwyte

So I recently bought a set of euro GT3 seats for my (gasp!) BMW M3. Were sold to me as OEM Euro GT3 seats. I saw the pics and as far as I could tell, they looked like the real deal.

Went to a track event today with the local PCA chapter. Lo and behold, parked next to me are not 1, not 2, but 3 996 GT3's.

So I moseyed on over and checked out their seats. Here's where I started to get a little concerned. There are minor differences between the seats in those 3 GT3's and the ones currently sitting in my garage.

The harness lap belt surrounds on mine are plastic inside and out. The GT3's today only had plastic on the outside, leather was sitched on the inside.

I don't have a porsche part # sticker on the bottom of my seats, nor do I have the little plastic nubs that hold the seat belt harness.

Besides that, they look identical, down to the embossed Porsche crest. I obviously have different seat brackets, sliders and side mounts to fit my BMW.

My question is, did Porsche make more than 1 generation of these seats? Is it possible that I have an older generation?

Or did the person who sold me these seats not know they were replicas and sold them to me as OEM?

If that's the case, I need to know for sure before I contact him and attempt to return these...

mtn 3

Faced it you were duped!!LOL and you still have an m3 (even if its a fast one)!!
Fun day, looking forward to next time.

docwyte

I sure hope not. Otherwise I'll be sending them back and doing a chargeback on my credit card.

Leather on mine is different that yours as well, it's got more of a grain to it...

CWay27

Do you have CF backs or regular black?? I don't really get the little nubs that holds the belts......

mtn 3

Hope it works out and seller is cool about it! Let me know if you want some pictures of mine to prove the point.

docwyte

Backs are regular black. There are very minor differences between mine and the ones I saw yesterday. The leather on mine has a grain to it, the lap belt slots have plastic guides front and rear, there's no part # sticker on the bottom and the missing wire harness guides...

roberga

they are not Porsche part seats

docwyte

For sure? Based on what I've said, or are there other for sure indicators?

DHI

I have genuine GT3 hardshell seats installled in my car.

Let me know if you need any detailed pictures to help your research. I'd be happy to email you some.

David

docwyte

Seller is being very nice and cooperative. Any more info in how to distinguish OEM from replica seats is appreciated! As soon as I can find my camera, I'll post pics of the seats...

Oak

from what I have heard the knock offs generally are narrower in fitment. but I'm sure there maybe more than one knock off...

docwyte

Here are the pics. See how the inner lap belt harness hole has a plastic surround? Also, the outside plastic surround isn't held in with screws, like on the seats I saw yesterday.

Mr. C4

The original Recaro made seats have shoulder belt surrounds that are fastened with 6 torx screws.

CWay27

Recaro or not, these look like they're 20 years old...... Anyhow quick give away is that your seats doesn't say Recaro behind the headrest between the shoulder belt holes.

docwyte

Yep, my shoulder harness hole guides are held in place with 6 phillips head screws. Great, these are replicas...