M4 GTS seats

VCP · 10-26-2016, 02:48 PM

If you install them correctly by adding the harness points on floor base then I could see that affecting certain warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robcut1

Won't the Euro seats completely void the BMW USA warranty? That was the rumor.

M4_GTS · 10-26-2016, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCP

Email from Jorg October 19 says he was in correspondence with BMW USA and certain dealers in this list will have order option. But what does he know.

I am aware of what Jorg and Walter said about the seats. But I am simply relaying to what I was told after emailing the motorsport dealers on that list. Its not available as of now and they have no info on it even after talking to their rep. KKSigs also reached out and got the same answer.

KKSigs · 10-26-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCP

Email from Jorg October 19 says he was in correspondence with BMW USA and certain dealers in this list will have order option. But what does he know.

I am aware of what Jorg and Walter said about the seats. But I am simply relaying to what I was told after emailing the motorsport dealers on that list. Its not available as of now and they have no info on it even after talking to their rep. KKSigs also reached out and got the same answer.

I can confirm this. I called 3 M dealerships again today and they all said same thing. They are not available at this time for North America with no ETA in system

Checkcaptain · 10-26-2016, 07:08 PM

I modded an stock M4 with all the weld in brackets already.
As far as I know it will be the first GTS rep wth all OEM parts

Sorry for the crappy pics:

///Mobbin · 10-26-2016, 07:41 PM

On US cars I think it would be advisable to source the ROW seats and go the non-weld-in route for installing them (i.e. use whatever parts/brackets/belt-mounts the non-GTS M4 driver's are using to install one piece seats and harnesses). That way you can return to stock if needed down the road.

Y8HOO · 11-01-2016, 01:52 PM

Out of interest can someone please explain why US DoT don't allow bucket seats/harnesses etc?

I have been back and forth to US for the last 6 months and see a lot of S&*tbox cars on the road that wouldn't pass annual inspection in UK/Europe. Once cars delivered assume they fall under a different set of rules?

Cheers.

mu2002cs · 11-01-2016, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y8HOO

Out of interest can someone please explain why US DoT don't allow bucket seats/harnesses etc?

I have been back and forth to US for the last 6 months and see a lot of S&*tbox cars on the road that wouldn't pass annual inspection in UK/Europe. Once cars delivered assume they fall under a different set of rules?

Cheers.

This is a great question! When DOT certifies a car for the US, all options and configurations must be tested and approved. In order for BMW to certify the Euro seats it would have meant crash testing the car and getting an air-bag variance. Even little stuff like the GTS fire extinguisher would have required crash testing, therefore it's excluded from US cars.

Now, once you own the car, you can pretty much do whatever you want to the car. Some of those changes may effect the warranty. But, the only inspections required going forward are state inspections. Now, with 50 states, there are 50 sets of regulations. California is the toughest. Then there are some states that do not require any inspections! For the most part, state inspections focus on emissions and safety (lights, brakes, seat belts, etc).

Y8HOO · 11-01-2016, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

This is a great question! When DOT certifies a car for the US, all options and configurations must be tested and approved. In order for BMW to certify the Euro seats it would have meant crash testing the car and getting an air-bag variance. Even little stuff like the GTS fire extinguisher would have required crash testing, therefore it's excluded from US cars.

Now, once you own the car, you can pretty much do whatever you want to the car. Some of those changes may effect the warranty. But, the only inspections required going forward are state inspections. Now, with 50 states, there are 50 sets of regulations. California is the toughest. Then there are some states that do not require any inspections! For the most part, state inspections focus on emissions and safety (lights, brakes, seat belts, etc).

Many thanks indeed for the explanation.

MW16M3 · 11-15-2016, 01:42 PM

DOT..real explanation TOO much Gov't

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y8HOO

Many thanks indeed for the explanation.

M4_GTS · 11-15-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y8HOO

Out of interest can someone please explain why US DoT don't allow bucket seats/harnesses etc?

I have been back and forth to US for the last 6 months and see a lot of S&*tbox cars on the road that wouldn't pass annual inspection in UK/Europe. Once cars delivered assume they fall under a different set of rules?

Cheers.

Because in North America requires that there needs to be side airbags for the front passengers. The airbags are placed in the seats on the 3 and 4 series, this is why we cant have the carbon buckets since they don't have build in side airbags.

///Mobbin · 12-01-2016, 01:34 PM

Anyone able to source the Euro seats yet?

dh3622 · 12-01-2016, 02:20 PM

I think IND had a set a couple of months back; not sure if they sold them. If I remember right, the price was $15k for a pair.

Osiris · 12-01-2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Anyone able to source the Euro seats yet?

You can get them from IND but need to recode the car because of the air bags

BarryB · 12-01-2016, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osiris

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Anyone able to source the Euro seats yet?

You can get them from IND but need to recode the car because of the air bags

Is the coding available or just in theory?

jeff@autocouture · 12-01-2016, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB

Is the coding available or just in theory?

Its available

KKSigs · 12-01-2016, 03:38 PM

Seats are still 15k. Hopefully DOT will lighten up in a couple of years

Osiris · 12-01-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex@AUTOcouture

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB

Is the coding available or just in theory?

Its available

Yes I heard it's available and even remotely. Just delete of airbag error when seats are installed.

Osiris · 12-01-2016, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KKSigs

Seats are still 15k. Hopefully DOT will lighten up in a couple of years

Yes if you add the seats and CF that's about 30K.

///Mobbin · 12-01-2016, 03:47 PM

Unfortunate that BMW won't just sell them here through BMW Motorsports channels. I have to question why they installed the half-cage if they won't sell the seats.

Osiris · 12-01-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Unfortunate that BMW won't just sell them here through BMW Motorsports channels. I have to question why they installed the half-cage if they won't sell the seats.

Because of DOT regulations related to airbags

///Mobbin · 12-01-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osiris

Because of DOT regulations related to airbags

I mean as aftermarket accessories, Recaro is allowed to sell non-airbag seats for example.

jml · 12-01-2016, 03:54 PM

I saw a really sketchy harness install with the US spec seats. The harness was draped over the sides of the seat with a bridge belt forcing the belts to come back together. It's annoying that BMW just didn't put a passthrough on the seats...even my darn X5M has a passthrough...not that it would EVER be used for a harness.

If the warranty is explicitly voided by having the OEM EU parts in the car, then I don't see the benefit over a set of aftermarket racing shells (which don't explicitly void the entire car's warranty).

10-26-2016, 07:08 PM	#92
Checkcaptain Major 549 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: BMW M4 GTS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	I modded an stock M4 with all the weld in brackets already. As far as I know it will be the first GTS rep wth all OEM parts Sorry for the crappy pics: Attached Images
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10-26-2016, 07:41 PM	#93
///Mobbin Colonel 1478 Rep 2,672 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	On US cars I think it would be advisable to source the ROW seats and go the non-weld-in route for installing them (i.e. use whatever parts/brackets/belt-mounts the non-GTS M4 driver's are using to install one piece seats and harnesses). That way you can return to stock if needed down the road. __________________ 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio \| 2.9L \| Trofeo White Tri-Coat \| 8-spd
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11-01-2016, 01:52 PM	#94
Y8HOO Private First Class 192 Rep 147 Posts Drives: M4 GTS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Out of interest can someone please explain why US DoT don't allow bucket seats/harnesses etc? I have been back and forth to US for the last 6 months and see a lot of S&*tbox cars on the road that wouldn't pass annual inspection in UK/Europe. Once cars delivered assume they fall under a different set of rules? Cheers.
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12-01-2016, 01:34 PM	#99
///Mobbin Colonel 1478 Rep 2,672 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	Anyone able to source the Euro seats yet? __________________ 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio \| 2.9L \| Trofeo White Tri-Coat \| 8-spd
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12-01-2016, 02:20 PM	#100
dh3622 Private First Class 153 Rep 132 Posts Drives: M4 GTS, M4 CSL Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I think IND had a set a couple of months back; not sure if they sold them. If I remember right, the price was $15k for a pair.
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12-01-2016, 03:38 PM	#104
KKSigs M4 CSL FBG 1268 Rep 1,871 Posts Drives: M4 CSL FBG Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (4)	Seats are still 15k. Hopefully DOT will lighten up in a couple of years __________________ 16' M4 GTS Frozen Dark Grey Metallic 14' i8 Sophisto Grey Pure Impulse World 08' E92 M3 Jerez Black
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12-01-2016, 03:47 PM	#107
///Mobbin Colonel 1478 Rep 2,672 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	Unfortunate that BMW won't just sell them here through BMW Motorsports channels. I have to question why they installed the half-cage if they won't sell the seats. __________________ 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio \| 2.9L \| Trofeo White Tri-Coat \| 8-spd
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12-01-2016, 03:54 PM	#110
jml Major 128 Rep 1,144 Posts Drives: X5M, GT3RS, GT4 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	I saw a really sketchy harness install with the US spec seats. The harness was draped over the sides of the seat with a bridge belt forcing the belts to come back together. It's annoying that BMW just didn't put a passthrough on the seats...even my darn X5M has a passthrough...not that it would EVER be used for a harness. If the warranty is explicitly voided by having the OEM EU parts in the car, then I don't see the benefit over a set of aftermarket racing shells (which don't explicitly void the entire car's warranty).
	Appreciate 0 Quote