[m3freak86]

What's being installed: Racetech 4009W Race Seats, VAC Hardware, Passenger Occupancy Sensor



I am sure many of you know, I have been on* the hunt for some fixed back race seats for quite a while now. I've done tons of research in regards to what type of seats are out there and what one should be looking for. In my search to bring the car to a track ready car, yet keeping the creature comforts of a street car, I have come across some great options. Recaro, Cobra, Racetech, Status, and among many others. There are a great range of seats from your daily drivers all the way to professional race car seats. For me, I wanted something that can hold me on the apex's of the track on the weekends, while still being able to go for long trips in the car without feeling like a go-kart and having back pain for days afterwards. Lots of options out there, but I decided on one that really is a fantastic cross between track and street. Also a great seat that will help me learn as a driver and become the best I can be out on the track.



I know, some may not be happy to see the interior gone and to be honest, it was a little tough seeing it coming out piece by piece. However, I started to put things in perspective. I realized that no matter what color interior was in the car, I would still be able to walk up to it, drive it, wash it, and look at it the same way I did with the cinnamon interior. What matters to me more is how I feel behind the wheel and how comfortable I am in the car. I will still have a soft spot for that interior since it was a fantastic combo that gave great presence and made the car a bit more unique. However, an opportunity came up that anyone I know would never pass up. I had my heart and eyes set on a set of brand new recaro pole positions. I was in contact with a local race shop (Stable Energies), and had a tremendous amount of help from them. Great prices and really answered a lot of questions for me. That weekend I planned on picking up the Recaros, I ended up going to a local show by me called "Eurofest and had the opportunity to sit in a few seats. Of course, everything felt great since any fixed back seat had tons more support than the OEM seats. However, I came up to VAC Motorsports booth and they had a set of Racetech 4009 and 4009w seats that anyone could come take a seat in. I sat down in the 4009w seat and was immediately taken back by the quality and just how the overall feel felt. I then tried out the normal size 4009 seat and found it to be extremely tight for me. I am by no means a big dude (160lbs, 6 foot, 32 waist), so I was a little shocked that the W version felt better. I then went back to the 4009W and I literally second guessed my choice on the Recaros right then and there. Something felt special about these seats and made me want them. The seats are geared a bit more towards the track scene, but after doing some research, there has been tons of reviews on how comfortable this seat is, even for street use. It specifically points out that these seats help with longer drives and longer back pain, which is something that I had with the OEM seats. I then remembered Kimo (m3 guy) had Caesars old Racetech 4009W seats for sale on the forum. I thought, "this was meant to be". Came home that day, PM'd Kimo and before I knew it, the seats were packed up and head (back) to NJ.



After waiting about a week or so for the seats to arrive, I was greeted at my garage door with an enormous box, easily the largest box I've ever received. Opened everything up with excitement and* sat right down in the seats right in my driveway. Immediate grin from ear to ear. The overall shoulder/harness positioning, side bolsters, and cushion felt far superior to me than the Recaros. The overall feel of the seat brought me right back to being at Eurofest and sitting down in them for the first time. Some can argue that the PP’s are more gear toward a street car, which in fact I will agree on that, but the RT’s are on a different level. All I can say is that if I ever turn this car into a full spec track car, I won’t need new seats because these will do the job extremely well.



In anticipation of the new seats arriving, I already had the front seats out of the car the day before and the hardware ready to go since Kimo shipped the mounts and such out earlier than the seats for me. Got everything bolted into the car and got to fiddle around with the adjustments a bit to get it just right. At first, I set everything on its lowest setting to see how low I could get. I went for a test drive and found myself staring directly at the gauges and could hardly see over the dash. Went back to the garage and raised the rear of the seats up a bit. Wow, what a difference! I felt a PART of the car instead of being in it along for the ride. Went out for another test drive and didn't want go home. I just wanted to keep driving! It was a night and day difference. It felt like I was behind the wheel of an entirely different car. The bolsters held me so well on turns and game me a sense of being more in-tune with what I was doing as opposed to trying to keep my body aligned behind the wheel of the car. I realized I would be able to focus more on driving than anything else I need to worry about. I feel so much more on control of the car. Taking turns a bit faster and I am glued to the seat without any movement. I am so excited to get this thing out on the track!



After a day getting to know the "new car" I got to say, this is a favorite for me. Every mod I've done has been a favorite, but nothing I've put on the car to date has made me feel the way the seats do. Eye appealing, enhanced performance, and assisting me in being a better driver. Not many mods can do that for you! I absolutely love the seats and believe it was the perfect choice for my application. The more I drive the car, the more I want to get it out on the track!



Another aspect that I love about the new seats is that I lost nearly 100 pounds in the car. And I don't care what anyone says, the car feels SO much more nimble and direct. I have never tried to reduce weight in a car before, but now that I got a taste, the whole weight loss thing is addicting. I am looking into doing a rear seat delete and sunroof delete now just to shed more pounds! Taking turns and the overall feel on the turn ins, the car feels much more direct and precise. Another great aspect is that since I lost so much weight, the rubbing on the passenger rear has subsided! That didn't even cross my mind and was something I didn't realize until I was out for a drive and hitting bumps around town that I know I rub on. I even tried to go a bit quicker on some dips to TRY and get it to rub, but no avail. Very unexpected surprise that made me like the seats/weight loss even more!



For anyone on the fence about getting a fixed back race seat, do it. Drives have become way more enjoyable and pain free. I enjoy hopping in the car and sliding down in the seats everyday going to work. It's a special feeling that one needs to experience in this car. I know some can argue that the seats may be "overkill" or "unnecessary" for what the car is used for at the moment, however, I respectfully disagree. Whether it's on the street or track, anything to me that makes me feel more comfortable behind the wheel is a necessary mod in my eyes. I am setting this car up for me and only me. Not friends or anyone else, but me. I can open the door, slide in the seat, and know this is my car. It's a great feeling.



I just want to thank Kimo (m3 guy) for one of the most stress-free, easy transactions I've ever dealt with on the forum, Preeth (IHatePosers) for countless questions answered and advice given, Caesar (LightWerkz) for the initial purchase of these seats, and to everyone else that has inspired me and given advice over the years to make this car not only more fun to drive, but something that I can admire every single day when I am greeted by opening the garage door.



What's next? I plan on getting some Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid, some track pads, and a good HJC helmet. I really need the track to really let this the car run loose for a weekend and give me some feedback of what I need to do and don't need to do in regards to getting the car setup exactly the way I want it. Either way, I am extremely excited to take my e46 m3 ownership to the next level and bring the car to where its meant to be driven.

Here are some shots I took before, during, and after installation. Car is filthy, so I promise to get the car cleaned up and get some better shots. However, I think these will do for now.



Leigha waiting patiently to get some work done





While waiting for the UPS truck, this was my seat of choice





Got bored of waiting so snapped some pics of the hardware that I installed the night before



Finally, Miss UPS pulled up my street. Big box all the way from ha wa ee





God damn, I am tired of saran wrap.





Delicious.





One seat down, 1 to go.





Final shots of everything installed! (seat belt has been properly positioned through harness holes after the pictures were taken)









Updated shots with the black interior







Bonus shots







DRL Turned On





Happy Motoring!

[Foo2rama]

Looks good,
But why do you need to run the 3 point lap belt through the holes? I would not do that the belt would be in the wrong place.

911GT3 RS have 4 points in the seat holes, and the normal lap is outside.

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by Foo2rama

Looks good,
But why do you need to run the 3 point lap belt through the holes? I would not do that the belt would be in the wrong place.

911GT3 RS have 4 points in the seat holes, and the normal lap is outside.

Thanks. The side bolsters are higher and move the belt up to your stomach. Lap belt needs to be on your lap. Gt3 rs has lower side bolsters.

[Shimmy23]

sweetness!

[the_antihero]

congrats Chris!

[zcoombs4]

Looks great Chris! Thanks for the extremely detailed writeup. I too have been on the fence about new seats, and this has opened up a whole new world of options that I never would have considered before.

Keep it up

[7panda7]

nice seats bro

[///M_Achilles]

Seats looks good Chris! nice work with the install

[niart906]

Very Nice!

[redice]

great writeup, congrats on the purchase!