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Sun Feb 19, 2012 2:07 pm

Im having my 86 westy camper restored. I want to get new seats that are taller or offer good back support. I have heard the recaros have a a ridge on the side that gets blown out easily...true or false? ive also heard i can get ahold of eurovan seats. Ive never seen or sat in either. There is also the option of reapolstering. Does anyone have advice in the most comphy option?

On this site Ive read that it lifts u up an inch or so. To fix that what have you all done? My husbands legs touch the steering wheel already. Perhaps instal a tilt steering wheel?

Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:23 pm

Lots of threads on this topic - use the search :)
As for tilt steering, check out
www.griffco.ca/interest/ and look for the Westfalia link.

Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:21 pm

I have Recaros, the side bolster is a little deformed. but they were this way when I got them (used) and haven't changed in several years...maybe 4 years ?

I don't think it would be hard to fix for an upolstry shop. could even be a DIY if you bought new foam off ebay. but if you bought new ones I think they'd last a long time before they started showing wear.

something like these would be pritty sick in a camper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Recaro-C-Classic-Seats-Bla...mp;vxp=mtr

Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:25 pm

no cost controls on the answer??

I'd rip a p[air of those seats with the ventilation fans in them out of an S-class Benz, then have arm rests added and get them custom fitted to the swivel

likely cost more than a GW Syncro Westy with the hyperdrive motor in it

some have been able to find Eurovan seats

Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:56 pm

Welcome to the herd..

I think you need to offer us more constraints.

Eurovan seats are a lot like Vanagon seats.

There are many models of Recaros.

A lot of us use VW Jetta Recaros which have a bolster issue, but they can be bought pretty cheap.

There are other brands, too. Flofit and Corbeau come to mind.

There are Porsche seats that fit too and some from BMWs to mention some.

So besides the backs, what are your constraints?

Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:56 pm

Audi TT seats

Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:39 pm

Thanks for all the response. I did try the search but all threads seemed to be about how to install rather than pros or minus on differences.

constraints..
can't have much higher seats as we are tall.
want armrests
good back support
Will be installed by our shop guy
what other constraints are there?

Waiting for a train back home now, just left the van at the Northwesty
shop.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:42 pm

I'd say that based upon your criteria, the Eurovan seats are your best bet.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:09 pm

Just for giggles, and only because someone mentioned it, and because I have access to more of them, I had a look at my own S class seats. There is no way those would fit in there, not without removing some height from the Vanagon pedestal, or unless your legs are as thin as pencils.

Now the ones in my old E class were shorter, they could work?

Comfy too, no arm rests though.

Be some SERIOUS wiring to get any current MB seats to work properly

Moving on now.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:16 pm

:bay_blue: Yeh, but recaros look soooo good! :D

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:17 pm

The problem with Mercedes seats is that the seat cushion and seat back are connected only via the seat base, which would be a complete bitch to mount to the van. Leather 124 seats are a delight, but I actually found that my stock Vanagon seats were way more comfortable than 123 seats. I think late model Vanagon seats aren't half bad at all. I suggested the Audi TT seats because they're leather and the seat bases are really low profile.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:49 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: The problem with Mercedes seats is that the seat cushion and seat back are connected only via the seat base, which would be a complete bitch to mount to the van. Leather 124 seats are a delight, but I actually found that my stock Vanagon seats were way more comfortable than 123 seats. I think late model Vanagon seats aren't half bad at all. I suggested the Audi TT seats because they're leather and the seat bases are really low profile.
123 seats sucked. That funky crunch from the matting was nasty. Seat baskets always broke on one side too. Didn't some Saabs come with recaros? The 9-3's would be leather.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:49 pm

love my eurovan seats

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:07 pm

chojinchef wrote: Zeitgeist 13 wrote: The problem with Mercedes seats is that the seat cushion and seat back are connected only via the seat base, which would be a complete bitch to mount to the van. Leather 124 seats are a delight, but I actually found that my stock Vanagon seats were way more comfortable than 123 seats. I think late model Vanagon seats aren't half bad at all. I suggested the Audi TT seats because they're leather and the seat bases are really low profile.

123 seats sucked. That funky crunch from the matting was nasty. Seat baskets always broke on one side too. Didn't some Saabs come with recaros? The 9-3's would be leather.

Recaro is actually the OEM supplier for quite a few Euro vehicles, and not just their sport seats.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:50 pm

chojinchef wrote: Didn't some Saabs come with recaros? The 9-3's would be leather.
The 9000 Aero's had leather Recaro. I sit in them everyday and they are sweet!...might be too big for a Vanagon :cry:

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:52 pm

chojinchef wrote: 123 seats sucked. That funky crunch from the matting was nasty. Seat baskets always broke on one side too.
Normal for old Mercedes.

The crunch is from rusted seat springs.

Chemical stripping and zinc plating fix this unless the springs are damaged.

The seats need to be taken apart and reinforced / welded.

All very common to Mercedes seats.

Sometimes Recaro frames break too....not near as often as OE seats though.

Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:35 am

I used Eurovan seats but would have used the normal (non-Westy) Vanagon seats if I'd found them first. Either would be a huge improvement in comfort over the Westy seats, especially on long drives.

Vanagon (non-Westy) seat pro: Slides right into track without modification; might find matching fabric; also has armrests. Con: lifts you up about an inch relative to the Westy seat; seat shape and size/configuration may interfere with ease of swivel.

Eurovan seat pro: newer and (likely) lower miles and wear than a Vanagon seat; full-recline feature with infinite-adjust knob instead of lever and notched travel; softer, cloth-covered headrest instead of plastic; also has armrests. Con: also lifts you about an inch relative to the Westy seat; rails require modification to fit Vanagon seat tracks (not a difficult mod); fabric not likely to match existing interior; seat shape and size/configuration may interfere with ease of swivel.

Those who've complained about the extra inch of seat height have the option of removing the swivel seat bases to lower the seat by about an inch. Good luck.

Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:09 am

I bought a pair of (used) Recarros from GoWesty and absolutely love them! Some people find the side bolsters too firm but they are perfect for me. I bought them right before our annual Telluride trip last year and they made the long trip so much more enjoyable. If you're interested, you might check in with Lucas or Taylor because they often have used ones which are considerably cheaper than new ones.

Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:16 am

Eurovan seats are the bees knees. The fact that they fully recline in a big plus. Direct bolt in and go....
Love mine.

Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:00 am

914 mike wrote: Eurovan seats are the bees knees. The fact that they fully recline in a big plus. Direct bolt in and go....
Love mine.
The Recaros are too!

You just have to bolt the right tracks on and go, too.

If using VW Recaros, the procedure is a bit more involved, BUT, you can find what you need to remove from you old seats to make this happen from the threads in the FAQ.

FYI: VERY IMPORTANT, *NOT ALL* VW Recaros work. You MUST find those with bolt on bottoms.

I agree the Eurovan seats are nice too.....