Hey guys, I'd like to refresh my 2 seater with either an OBX Seat Set from TTZed for $725 OR go with COYOTE's seat cover deal. Now, Ive been watching his group buy and it seems that for some unforeseen reason, the price for 2 leather seat covers has gone up to $760. What I would like to know is what decision would be best in terms of practicality. I know that fitting the seat covers would require a few hours at least to do them right and I also know that if I go with the OBX set that I would need to purchase dual locking sliders and base plates separately and possibly get someone to fit them for me? I understand that the OBX set meets the requirements of the ADR but if I get pulled over by the cops I dont want to be hassled. What would you guys do? Thanks. Ryan.
the Z seats both look and feel nice.. haven't seen any aftermarkets that look much if any better and the seating position is a bit of a gamble.. I bought some aftermarket, went through the hassle of installing them and found I sat too high in them even though my rails were height adjustable. I was lucky to get my $ back.
..... i've only sat in a few bucket seats, but found them to be really average. they usually make you sit a bit high as MikeH said. They have been designed as a seat, whereas the zed seats have been designed for the zed. i think the zed seats are the most comfortable i've ever sat in, so if i were you, i'd go with the seat covers. let us know how you go. cheers Jay
i agree.. and i think the 4 seaters of andys are 760 the 2 seaters are 560 i think... off the top of my head.. prob wrong... ive talked to some shops about replacing the seats but jaybo is right, they all say the same.. they are designed for the car, for the comfort... not for generic honda civics... zeds have awesome seats.. recover them aye.. IMHO
I'd plonk my arse in both and make a decision. For my purposes the stockers are fine...even if they aren't as good as some make out, but for anything more than casual track attacks i'd probably purchase a dedicated racing bucket. Sparco, Recaro, Cobra...these are the names that come to mind. Never sat in a OBX seat so I can't comment. But it sounds like your doing this for aesthetics so I would think that a pair of retrimmed stockers would look classier than a bucket.
I think the stock zed seats are harsh with not enough padding in the seat its self, most people complain about the back rest, but thats not a problem for me. My drivers seat is unmarked and still firm, so i can only assume thats how there ment to be, for that sporty feel thing! Comfortable nimo!
Hi Ryan, I haven't spent a long time in Wykkeds OBX seats, but I think they would be OK, not sure about long interstate trips. A PM to MaxsZX or WYKKED about the rails may provide some info for you. I was in pretty much the same boat as you, not sure what to do, but a pair of Recaros fitted as a factory option to a '98 Z came up, and I shelled out for them. Not cheap, and I had to air freight them from NZ, but I'm very happy with them. They offer more lateral support and bolstering than the stock seats without being too restrictive. They came with stock Nissan rails too - great! I can't comment on the leather covers - haven't seen them in the flesh. Cheers, Mikey.
another thing to consider.. I have a recaro drivers seat and half cage, the stock seat will fit between and under the half cage but the recaro doesn't.. I have to sit further forward than I'd want to.
Thanks for all your comments guys. Hey Mikey, Were those Recaros a one-off thing or is someone in NZ selling those? Would it be too bold a question to ask what the total costs came up to? I will PM Max and Pete when I get the chance. Once again, thanks for sharing your views fellas. Cheers. Ryan.
I'm with Hoe (lol), more info needed ! Are they modified recaros, or just a certain model in their range, and are the stock nissan rails for the 98 diff to the 90-96 allowing the recaros to work in the Z?
Recaro answers .... This was a one-off deal. The seats came out of a '98 Z, don't know whether it was wrecked or just swapped. The stock seat rails came because these were a factory option in Version "R" and Version "S" Zeds. The exact same seats feature in all their glory in the 1998 Nissan 300ZX brochure (44 pages!!!). I watched the auction on TradeMe New Zealand run through about 5 cycles at NZ$1200 starting price, and did not sell. The owner runs a Nissan spares business in NZ and wasn't going to reduce price. I won the "auction" at NZ$1200, = approx A$1100, and the airfreight cost was about A$400. Total $1500 including rails for 2 Recaros in almost perfect condition, there is no wear anywhere on either seat, but the foam on the drivers RH bolster has sagged slightly. Try pricing a pair of new genuine Recaros!!!!! The seats are a good compromise for a car that does track days but is also a daily driver, and will continue to be driven on interstate trips - Sydney this weekend, Eden next month ... The only downside is that there is rearward vision is more restricted, especially when the passenger seat is right back. I find that I don't miss the electrics or the leather ... but suede sides would be nice! I wondered if I had done the right thing as I bought them on pics only, but once I saw them, installed them, and used them in the Rally Masters I was very pleased with the deal.
Came back part way from Berri last year as PSA in Wykked's car. The seats take some getting used to... different padding, bolsters, lateral support, etc., but once you squirm around a bit and get settled, they are at least as comfortable as the Zed OEM seats, and with much better lumbar and lateral support. Hope this helps.
A Coincedence ............... I have had problems with my N/A drivers seat and decided to fix it one way or the other - It didn't feel supportive, the backrest didn't feel strong. I looked around. I found the decent feeling seats quite expensive. $app $2k for a pair although I could have bought a pair of seats for as little as about $450. How do you choose? In the end, I had the original driver's seat (manual not electric) rebuilt from the ground up for around $500. This included much welding of the base to make it one again and some additional bracing, and replacing some worn material + I replaced the passenger seat by buying a much newer tweed 300ZX passenger seat for $100. So, for $600 I have a great set of seats. They essentially are and look like stock seats, but as stated, feel pretty much like new. It's incredible how much support you get from a newly upholstered seat. Bottom line is that the standard 300ZX seats are really highly designed and manufactured, and in most cases you should keep them IMO. Cheers, Peter
I agree with peter on this one the standard seats are pretty nice if in good nick. I am keeping mine and will use the aftermarket seats etc with harness for track days etc would get a bit much if used as a daily driver. My 2c
Peter that sounds like a better idea. So I would be looking at roughly at $1k to get both seats re-upholstered? Is this correct? Does it mean that all cushions and foams can be replaced along with the seat trim for this much? More importantly, can someone in Melbourne who has done this shed some light on what to do and who to see? Ryan.
Keep the Z seats and get them re-upholstered/re-padded. They are great seats, in fact many people doing up cars that aren't 300ZX's use our seats! Datsun 1600: http://www.turbophile.com/feature_cars/adam_1600.html Toyota Landcruiser FJ40: http://www.keisermotors.com/detailpopup.cfm?CarID=2633249 Ferrari 250 GTO Replica (Alpha 1 GTO): http://www.kitcarclub.com/myegallery.php?&do=showpic&pid=124&orderby=dateD
