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Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:11 pm
by elliot330
Hi All...

I've done the search thing, but can't find any posts on anybody actually swapping the seats...

I don't want to start another debate on what seats are the best, just want to find out has anybody successfully swapped their seats...

I would like to swap from buckets to the Recaros for a bit (until I lose a bit of weight!)

Do the Recarro's have side airbags fitted?

Would the car need a new wiring loom?

Help!

Thanks
Elliot

RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:00 pm
by Angelo_Amato
can't help you too much, but i'm sure i read in the RS4 brochure that the bucket seats don't have side air bags ? maybe someone can confirm

Angelo

RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:22 pm
by scoobyc
might be worth scanning usa sites as they quite often swap recaros to "euro spec" (buckets) and might be able to help.

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:55 pm
by elliot330
Cheers guys, don't suppose you know of any USA websites to visit :oops:

RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:56 pm
by PetrolDave
I remember one guy on here quite a while back wanted to swap from buckets to Recaros but when he looked at the cost (about £6000 IIRC) and the complexity he traded in his RS4 for one with Recaros (not an option now of course).

Buckets don't have side airbags but Recaros do - one of the reasons why US cars couldn't have the buckets.

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:07 pm
by gmk666
PetrolDave wrote:Buckets don't have side airbags but Recaros do - one of the reasons why US cars couldn't have the buckets.
Is that really the reason though, or just the polite one?

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:28 pm
by elliot330
gmk666 wrote:
PetrolDave wrote:Buckets don't have side airbags but Recaros do - one of the reasons why US cars couldn't have the buckets.
Is that really the reason though, or just the polite one?
Classic :D but its the same reason I want Recarros, for the safety reason, not cause I'm fat!

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:32 pm
by elliot330
PetrolDave wrote:I remember one guy on here quite a while back wanted to swap from buckets to Recaros but when he looked at the cost (about £6000 IIRC) and the complexity he traded in his RS4 for one with Recaros (not an option now of course).

Buckets don't have side airbags but Recaros do - one of the reasons why US cars couldn't have the buckets.

I found that post when I was searching for info, didn't he want to change from comfort to buckets? Either way, the price that was mentioned must've been for a dealer to supply and swap. I would look to do the work myself. I have found a complete "comfort" interior, but wanted to find out what is involved, electrically, before commiting to buying them..

RE: Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:29 pm
by richib86
ill trade you my seats... ive been searching for the buckets since i got the car... but im in the states :( more than willing to send them tho hehe

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:02 pm
by PetrolDave
gmk666 wrote:
PetrolDave wrote:Buckets don't have side airbags but Recaros do - one of the reasons why US cars couldn't have the buckets.
Is that really the reason though, or just the polite one?
That plus Audi of America didn't want the cost of getting Type Approval in the US for the buckets and the "proper" RS4 steering wheel. Why the US won't accept the crash test results from Europe I just don't know - they expect us to accept everything American without question!

RE: Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:12 pm
by richib86
cus in lack of better words.... we suck over here :(

RE: Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:15 pm
by richib86
i wish getting these seats was as easy as getting the steering wheel

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:41 pm
by Dom81
elliot330 wrote:its the same reason I want Recarros, for the safety reason
Lots of reasons to want them, and lots of reasons to want the buckets. I don't think safety is a consideration though - the buckets were felt to offer so much protection that airbags weren't needed...

Obviously your call, but you're in one of the safest cars on the road. If safety is that paramount then you'd do best to say at home (but watch out for the kettle!!)

Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:12 pm
by elliot330
Dom81 wrote:
elliot330 wrote:its the same reason I want Recarros, for the safety reason
Lots of reasons to want them, and lots of reasons to want the buckets. I don't think safety is a consideration though - the buckets were felt to offer so much protection that airbags weren't needed...

Obviously your call, but you're in one of the safest cars on the road. If safety is that paramount then you'd do best to say at home (but watch out for the kettle!!)
My remark was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, I want them because I am a little on the large side. I don't intend to sell my buckets, but keep them until I have lost some weight.

I suppose the question is, are they swap-able or does it require a new loom?

Anybody got any links to the US forums?

Thanks
Elliot

RE: Re: RE: Swap from Buckets to Comfort seats

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:27 pm
by scoobyc