Upgraded front seats and swivel

[bigfoot_ev]

I have seen questions and answers from others in this forum about upgrading seats and/or swivel bases. I just wanted to share my recent experiences, which were very positive.

After much thought, research, and indecision around all the various options on upgrading the front seats in a Eurovan I decided the best path for me was to purchase refurbished Recaro seats. I considered taking my van to a local upholsterer, doing nothing, buying new, or buying refurbished.

My van is a 2003 Eurovan Weekender with about 77,000 miles. The seats were in very good condition. My issues with the seats were on longer drives, something around 4 or more hours. I found the bottom cushion pushes against my thigh about mid way and the lumber adjustment never fit my back. Around town this no issue, but since we are planning more long trips in the near future I felt it was time to address the comfort issues.

I purchased refurbished Recaro Specialist S seats from Vedat Guenes ([email protected]) in Germany. He was great to work with. I highly recommend him. Why I chose refurbished is 1. the cost (of course) and 2. the ability to customize the seats. I was able to pick a color of light grey leather trim, matching arm rests, alcantara dark grey insert, and Vedat was able to install seat heaters I chose because the switches match the Eurovan switches.

The seats fit me and my wife really well. The seat bottom is flatter and slightly longer and the lumber support works. I personally like the larger side bolters. It makes it feel like I am sitting 'in' the seat as opposed to 'on' the seat.

I also installed a swivel base from CMC in the UK. Another really good purchasing experience. The swivel does not raise the seat and it does not rattle, both problems I had with my previous swivel bolted on top of the OEM base. Together with the new seats it's a great combination.

Here's a few pics:

Here is a side view of the CMC swivel base

Anther shot with the CMC swivel base. No more rear facing jump seat.

[jonathannickel]

They look great! I love my Specialist M's - I recently drove over 500 miles in a day with no discomfort.

[bigfoot_ev]

[wildenbeast]

Very nice upgrade and explanation of the options you considered. I really like those seat bases but wish there was an option to keep the "pin" for the removable rear facing seat. Do you mind sharing the cost?
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- Bill, '93 Eurovan Syncro Weekender (2.5 manual ACU)

[Zeitgeist 13]

They look (and feel?) super. My wife is super bummed we missed out on buying your old seats and swivel base.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[bigfoot_ev]

[bigfoot_ev]

[murraybot]

Has anyone had success installing a swivel base on stock seat base with rear facing seat bracket and keeping the seat bracket?

Eurocampers and bus depot both state that the rear facing seat bracket must be removed.

I want to add swivel seats and retain the bracket so I can install the rear seats on occasion.

If anyone has done this please let me know what brand swivel plate this works with.

Thanks

[pwcgecko]

[mastersryan!]

^^^ That looks awesome, how hard was it moving the battery over to the passenger side?
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1993 VW Eurovan MV Weekender 2.5L 5cyl 5spd 230,xxxmiles and counting!
2018 VW Tiguan SEL 2.0T 4Motion

[ckent323]

Bigfoot,

I have been looking at seats from Carpartzz and communicating with Vedat. He gave me the link to this site and your post.

A question Vedat has been unable to answer is: what if any, USA duty is paid when importing these seats? So he sent me the link to this posting so I could perhaps contact you.

Vedat said the seats are shipped direct to the customer in the USA:

"we are working with an international shipper / cargo. they prepare all the paper stuff.
because we are paying the taxes in germany, there is no need for you do someting. you will get the seats directly to your address / door."

Another question, how long did it take to actually receiver your seats after you had ordered and paid for them?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Craig

[bigfoot_ev]

[ckent323]

Bigfoot,

Thanks for the reply.

I did some searching here and read that others (in previous years) have ordered Recaro seats from Vedat (Carpartzz) and seem to be happy with them.

I will ask some others who have bought seats from him just to be sure before I send Vedat an order. I don't want to get hit by import duties after spending all that money.

Thanks again for replying.

Regards,

Craig

[markcm2]

How much was the final cost for the seats and delivery? If you don’t mind me asking.

[bigfoot_ev]

[markcm2]

They look great! And you still have the arm rests which is awesome

[greenlaker]

Yes! Awesome upgrade. My driver seat lower bolsters are pretty blown out, so a seat upgrade is in my future, sometime on down the line, and I'd want something exactly like this.

Thanks for sharing the pix and details.
_________________
'15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew 144 hi roof
'10 Toyota Prius iii
'01 Honda S2000
'92 Mercedes-Benz 400E

[bigfoot_ev]

Thanks for the positive comments. I'm just trying to give back to the group, since I have been lurking here for many years.

[jonathannickel]

Specialist M, bought from Vivid Racing for comparison. Since I took the photo I've added the ridiculously expensive armrests and a matching passenger seat. I went with the M model for the adjustable thigh support (I'm tall).

[bigfoot_ev]