MK3 MX5 seats?

[chrisP]

Hi All
Has anyone fitted or looking into fitting MX5 seats as a replacement to the OE ones? My seats even though looking good, as I had them recovered in leather by Lotus a few years ago, are just not up to the build quality, support and comfort of a new seat. Having sat in an MX5 the other day and having a quick measure up, they would would appear to be a viable replacement. Has anyone got any comments?

Regards
Chris

[Rice crispy]

Not sure i and a few others have fitted honda s2000 seats which fit well and are much more supportive

[Dave Eds]

are much more supportive

'kin need to be

[Elanlover]

I've put some Porsche sports seats in and they fit perfectly.

[bobbrown]

There are some points to consider when fitting seats, the four mounting holes are not at the same height and the chances of getting the seats mounting holes to line up with the originals are remote and you can not fix the seats down over the carpet with out spacers to clear the carpet.
You can not just drill the floor of the tub to suit as this will not be strong enough even with large washers to spread the load.

I am in the process of making up some adapters for the S2000 seats, aluminium bar that fits between the original mounting points left to right and the seats mount to those. I see no reason why the same can not be applied to other seats assuming they fit within the space but would need to know the measurements of the seats mountings.
Chris, if you want to have a chat come to the next meeting (14th Feb) or ping me an email

Bob

[Elanlover]

Quite true Bob. I had to take the Porsche seats to a local shop to have plates welded to the bottoms of the sliders then drill holes in them to line up with the holes in the Elan's floorpan. Not likely to be any seats out there (at least not diretly out of another car) that just plug in. Most aftermarket racing seats include adjustable mounting brackets.

So when I said "fit perfectly" I mean just in the way they sit in the car.

[chrisP]

Thanks for the information people.

I was hoping that someone had already trial fitted a set before I take the plundge. But looks like I will have to do some precise measuring instead.

Thanks for the details Bob I have taken the seats out more times than I can remember, so I know that the mouning points are fixed and had thought that I would at the very least have to make an adaptor plate. I won't be able to make the 14th as the girlfriend is expecting a slap up dinner and not talking about cars But all being well I'll catch you for the March meet.

Regards
Chris

[bobbrown]

They do good food at the Cricketers

[Scott J]

I have the heated leather ones in my 5, comfort wise probably on a par with Elan seats ( if you reupholster a 25 year old seat)

[Jamie N]

I have the heated leather ones in my 5, comfort wise probably on a par with Elan seats ( if you reupholster a 25 year old seat)

I have the heated leather ones in my Elan, comfort wise probably on a par with any other seat, (apart from my 25 year old re-upholstered Chesterfield) .

[Scott J]

Chesterfield ? Next you'll be starring in the Generation game