The Recaro M or S poll

[tgraham]

Hello Samba,

That age old question of: If you were to upgrade your seats and had your mind made up that Recaros we're in your future, which ones, M or S.

Considerations:

* 1990 Multivan, SHA 1.8T, Auto 3.27
* no swivel seats, but would like the passenger to swivel at some point
* Borderline painful to drive for more than 3 hours, back and shoulder issues
* Driver 6'1", 200lbs

RMW-Van-Cafe Specialist M: http://www.vancafe.com/VCRECARO_p/vcrecaro.htm

GoWesty Specialist S ( aka LXF): http://www.gowesty.com/product/retrofit-seats/3779/recaro-lxf-captains-chair?v=

The only difference I can really find, in the brochure it says:

[SSWesty]

I've been running Ms for a little over a year. I'm 6'2" and have a 32" inseam. They fit my back really well and I can drive pretty much all day in that seat. That is the plus side. The one downside I have is the bottom seat cushion gets into the back of my calves in certain positions. I find in town I'm more comfortable if I slide the seat forward a few clicks so I have more of an upright leg position to work the clutch. With the seat all the way back my thigh unnaturally presses on the thigh extension. On the road though it's nice to have the thigh extension because you can change the pressure points around on your legs. I usually run with the extension forward between 1/2"-3/4" of an inch on the road. When I get a bit tired I'll pull the extension all the way in for awhile and then go all the way out. I do like the lower bolsters on the M. My westy is lifted with bigger tires so a tall bolster on the S would probably be a wear point getting in and out of my westy. I never had the chance to go for a ride in any vehicle with an S seat. I sat in an S seat in a Gowesty van and at a custom seat dealers showroom. So based on that and Samba I ended up with Ms. I sprung for the armrest and they are okay compared to the factory armrests. The factory armrests are wide and soft and the Recaro's are narrow and hard. Recaro needs to takes some notes from VW on armrests. I 've considered adding more padding to the recaro armrests but it's pretty low on the "to do" list.

One more thing, I added inflatable air bladders for adjustable lumbar support. It's nice to be able to vary your back support too. Good luck.

[kamzcab86]

You won't go wrong with either, when comparing to the stock seats. According to another Recaro topic, those 6' and over might find the M more comfortable.

Because I was driving down Highway 1 en route back to AZ with seriously uncomfortable seats (GTI has spoiled me ), I stopped in at GW and tried out the S... and promptly bought the gray pair they had. My dad was riding shotgun and he's 6'2"... we both love the Recaros; they are sooooooo much more comfortable than those awful Westy seats.

Hopefully, someone will have experience sitting in both.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[elizer]

I went with eurovan seats but was seriously considering recaros (I still might). But I was looking at the M.

This guy on ebay reconditions used ones. There is also a guy from poland that does this as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PREMIUM-CRAFTSMANSHIP-REC...SwealaYveo

[ThankYouJerry]

I have and prefer the slightly flatter seat bottom bolster of the Van Cafe version. Slightly easier to get in and “slide out”. But, either version will be a huge improvement over stock seats.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[izzydog]

I have the Ms in my Syncro from VanCafe. I am 6 ft and they fit great. They are flatter than the S seats and I prefer the flatter seats. My driver seat has the extendable support for under your knees - I really like this feature - it makes the seat deeper.

Recaros are the 2nd best money I've spent on my Syncro. (1st was a a 1.8T)

My first long trip in them was last August heading for the eclipse. SF to John Day, Oregon. First day was 113F in Redding and the seats felt great. I have cloth inserts with leather bolsters and I'm glad I did the cloth inserts. Leather would have been a hot mess in 113F.

We drove 3-4 hours at a stretch and I never felt like I was going to fall out of the van when I got out. Legs were very happy.

I never realized how uncomfortable the stock seats were until I got the Recaros.

The other great thing about Recaros is that you can rebuild the entire seat from parts. Every piece of the seat can be bought individually. That means that if I trash or wear out my cloth inserts, I can just replace them with new ones.

[dobryan]

Dang I am glad the 30 year old stock seat fits me very well. At 6’4” and a discectomy the stock seeats are the most comfortable I have ever been in. I regularly drive 12-15 hours a day on end to get out west and do not have any issue doing 3-4 hour legs. The arm rests are extremely valuable since they are adjustable and keep pressure off my shoulders/neck. I guess I am lucky and saved several thousand bucks.... but I spent it elsewhere on the bus.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[kamzcab86]

[jimf909]

[thebigben]

My van has those Chrysler seats -- I hate them! Less comfortable than stock, although I'll admit the "Stow-N-Go" is nice.

Anyone installed just a drivers side Recaro?
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Ben

'85 2WD Westy w/ Peloquin TBD + 2.2 Subi (Kurt Vannegut)

[Crankey]

I got these off eBay. Out of a Toyota 4 runner shipped from Japan including rear semi bench seat cushions. About $800 ten years ago. Mounted with the slide kit go westy sells and it was easy to do. More time spent cleaning after pulling original seats than actually bolting in the slides and seats.
I was surprised at how firm these are when I got them, but the shape is so good they're easily the most comfortable seats I've had in any car ever.
I spose the whole thing was about $1100-$1200.
The side bolster is a bit thread bare and a hole is developing now, but I'll have that fixed.
I like the fabric and love the net headrest.
Driver's seat isn't sagging it's just set back for my windshield extraction/rust repair project.

[Viva.Sabata]

I have the S version and love them. Gotta have the arm tests!!
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Sabata
1987 Westy Full Camper, Peloquin 5-Speed 2wd

[krousorama]

Hi all, I recently acquired a Doka with what I believe are Recaro specialist seats. without armrests. there is a cap that appears to be where you'd add an arm rest. Does anyone know if this is the case, and cross compatibility issues. I found some armrests for an ergomed seat that supposedly work but they aren't cheap. Thoughts?https://www.enjukuracing.com/products/recaro-ergomed-es-armrest-left-side.html

[16CVs]

Don't Multivans come with a swiveling seat?

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
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[tgraham]

Sadly no, the multivan doesn’t come with factory swivels. I bought the specialist m from rmw and installed the bolt in swivel from bus depot . The swivel raises the recaro to a nice height, with out having to use the spacers. The only downside is the battery access is an issue unless you modify the cover.
_________________
1990 Multivan/Weekender Auto 3.27 R&P 4-speed Manual / SAH 1.8T

[Crankey]

Just checked the links in the OP, I guess mine are specialist M because of the seat extension which I do like having a lot.

[DuncanS]

I have no trouble with the stock non Westy seats. However i did modify them so the backrest is 1" farther back compared with the seat which gives me better thigh support. Only have a 29" inseam so I can understand why normal people have issues with these seats.

Absolutely love the arm rests and the super fine adjustment. However, used to have a carpel tunnel problem which made driving a bit uncomfortable at times. So I made the left armrest shown in photo.

Compare it with the stock rest clamped to the right for comparison and you can see that it's quite a bit longer and wider. AND super comfortable.

At the time I had a T3 with manual windows and converted the PS to electric. Obviously there were no switches so I rigged up this system with a pair of momentary button switches in the arm rest itself. One for up and one for down. They were placed so when all the foam was in place, it was easy to push the button through the cover and operate the window.

All closed up and ready for the cover.

It turns out that the foam doesn't need to be perfect as the cover smooths it all out. Worried that I couldn't replicate the firmness of the OG foam. Used some old seat stuff which is firmer than sleeping foam, but less than the stock arm rest foam. Turned out fine. Note in the second photo how my thumb is denting the relatively soft foam.

Then I liked this so much I recently did the right arm rest too and used sleeping foam. Even better. Soft arm rests are better than hard in my thinking.

Duncan

[elizer]

I have grown to love the eurovan seat plus the sheepskin cover. The issue I have is the headrest is not adjustable, so I have no way to ever lean my head back on long drives.

I am heavy leaning towards the M from vancafe for the thigh support extension.

Do the specialist M or S have adjustable headrest that you can tilt forward? Can you lean your head back on the headrest and not be staring at the ceiling. The photo on Van Cafe website shows the passenger headrest tilted forward a bit compared to the DS.

I am 6 even if that matters.

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91 syncro westy fas tdi

[a914622]

My vote would be The m’s, but don’t rule out others. I just put a set of the evo 8 in mine. Totally different driving. I would also look at the Audi S lines or the ford ST too.
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87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru

[izzydog]

Anyone have any idea where to find Recaro fabric?

I have the gray Artista fabric inserts with leather side M's. Heard from a Recaro rep a few years back that the fabric was not being sold separately anymore because it was being knocked off in China.

If I could find a bolt of it, I'd do my back seat and cushions. If I could find some smaller pieces, I'd do door panel inserts, etc.

I see the Artista fabric occasionally on eBay from the UK and Australia for the insane price of $160 per meter. I'd like to believe there's some out there for less than that...