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      05-23-2018, 08:47 AM   #23
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BMW made the dumb decision to go with integrated headrests to appease the weak minded people who think the AMG seats 'look cool'.

By doing that, the screwed everyone who wanted to use OEM seats and still have a 4 point belt and a Hans device.

Now they force you to get either a half cage plus race seats and 6 point harnesses or a BK harness bar plus race seats and harnesses. In either case you aren't able to use the rear seats.

People have come up with other solutions, like reusing the Mini harnesses, but as those aren't built for the F8X they will not pass tech inspection with PCA or BMWCCA which is where most of us run.

It is a serious problem. I've tracked the M4 GTS with stock seats and seat belts and to make a long story short it's just stupid. It is significantly less safe than back in the stone age when I tracked an E46M with quick fit pros...

A stupid, self inflicted problem which ruins the dual nature of the F8X. So disappointing. All to appease the insane.
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      05-23-2018, 08:28 PM   #24
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NOTE: See my update in post #26 below.

Back in 2016 I got wait listed for an M2 which does have the removable headrests. When my turn to order finally came in March 2017, I didn't want to wait another 3 months and therefore just bought the readily available M3. It wasn't until I went to install a Schroth harness that I noticed the stupid seat design.

The seats from my 2017 330i wagon do work perfectly including the memory settings. However the console reports a "Driver Restraint" problem which is probably due to the different airbag computer in these seats.

I may test to see if my E92 seats also work (other than that same error code). My wife prefers the E92 seat comfort, as do I. Then look for suitable E92 or M2 seats on Ebay and re-code the main computer to recognize the seats.

Sure is a lot of trouble to "fix" BMW's stupid seat decision.
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      08-09-2019, 08:30 PM   #25
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Hi...read your post. I'm looking for seat and roll bar recommendations for a 2015 BMW M3 (Sakhir Orange). After being rear-ended and getting a concussion, the stock seats don't make the cut. I SCCA track nite the car and I'm looking to move up an need more protection. Any recco's would be great.
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      08-09-2019, 08:44 PM   #26
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lupee431 - I have tried it and Corbeau seats and seat rails will fit your F80. When I bought them, there were no seat rails mentioned for an F80, so I bought the E90/E92 rails and they fit perfectly.
Sorry, I don't have a roll bar recommendation.
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      08-09-2019, 08:49 PM   #27
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As an update to my post #24, my wife did not want the Corbeau seats for daily driving but still wanted to be able to use 4-point belts at the track.
I therefore bought the entire interior from a wrecked 2015 335i (F30) which have the separate head rests to support racing belts. The seats and all electrical connectors fit and worked perfectly, although the local dealer had to re-code the airbag computer to accept these seats.
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1981 Camaro Z28 - 427 LS3 - 10.94 @126mph
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1986 535i "24 Hours of Lemons" also streetable
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      08-18-2019, 09:12 AM   #28
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Stock seat sucks ~!! Go with Recaro and a set of six point harness. You will need a half cage or a harness bar.
Regardless of driving skill level ~ it is always better with it.
Why wear a helmet , gloves , driving shoes ect ???
It is better with it.
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      08-19-2019, 01:17 PM   #29
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Removing the stock seats will cause SRS (Airbag) codes and warning light.
Does anyone know if even the front airbags would deploy if the SRS warning light is on for any reason?
A good aftermarker tuner/coder should be able to disable the seat codes.

Just wanted to remind anyone of these "details" who is considering racing seats.
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2006 Corvette (streetable track car)
1986 535i "24 Hours of Lemons" also streetable
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      08-22-2019, 10:50 PM   #30
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You can sometimes pull the seat sensor out of the stock seats and place it under the foam for the racecar seats.
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