!997 Z3 Roadster replacing seats?

[Douglas Phillips]

I am looking to replace my front seats in my 1997 Z3 Roadster. They are power, but the passenger side does not work at all (fuses checked OK) drivers side used to work OK, but now only goes up and down. The black leather is worn out on both and looking for suggestions/links I can follow-up on to get them replaced.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Doug Phillips

 

[t-tony]

Hi Doug, if they're Sport seats, to replace them is expensive but if you can fix the motors (try tapping the motor under the seat with a small hammer while operating the switch) then re coloring the leather is probably the best option. If they are standard leather seats then less expensive to replace if you can locate some in the USA. @FRANKIE do you have any ideas mate?

Tony.

 

[Douglas Phillips]

Tony,

Thanks for the reply... They are the standard black leather ones as far as I can figure out. How can I tell if they are the "sport" versions?
And the leather needs to be replaced....big time! Currently using a seat cover...And I tried the hammer trick....nada

Doug

 

[t-tony]

Hi Doug, the standard seats are flat on the squab which you sit on, where as the Sport type seats have a raised section on the squab between your legs as you sit on the seat and have bigger bolsters on the sides of the seat which hug the seat occupant. You can buy kits which give you filers for cracks/splits and dye to re-color the leather.

Tony.

 

[Douglas Phillips]

Tony,

Thanks again for the reply....photos attached

And this is the passenger seat.....Driver side is much worse

Doug

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Doug, if they're Sport seats, to replace them is expensive but if you can fix the motors (try tapping the motor under the seat with a small hammer while operating the switch) then re coloring the leather is probably the best option. If they are standard leather seats then less expensive to replace if you can locate some in the USA. @FRANKIE do you have any ideas mate?

Tony.

Saw this on the internet:
https://www.ebay.com/b/Front-Seats-for-BMW-Z3/33701/bn_34976453
and

front seats 1997 z3 roadster - Google Search

www.google.com

...................Frankie

 

[Douglas Phillips]

Frankie,

Thanks for the reply... I have been searching Ebay and Amazon...along with other web searches. Found lots of replacement/after market ones, but want to get the seatbelts working as well...without a whole lot of hassle. I may look at replacing the front motor in the seats, as that appears to be the biggest problem.

Any additional insight would be appreciated!

Doug

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Seat motors sometimes get stuck if they're not used for a while, may be worth stripping them and trying to turn the various bits, worked on my 330 a couple of years ago.

 

[FRANKIE]

Frankie,

Thanks for the reply... I have been searching Ebay and Amazon...along with other web searches. Found lots of replacement/after market ones, but want to get the seatbelts working as well...without a whole lot of hassle. I may look at replacing the front motor in the seats, as that appears to be the biggest problem.

Any additional insight would be appreciated!

Doug

Was looking here: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311&_nkw=bmw+z3+seats&_sacat=0

Frankie

 

[IainP]

The motors are quite easy to take apart, just requires bending some tabs to split the case.
First time I did it the motors just needed cleaned. This time one was jammed solid. The little brass bushes were seized to the spindle. Twisted them off, cleaned and polished everything and it now works so well I’ll probably do the other 3.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Doug there are many seats on eBay over here usually in the £250 - £300 range for none sport seat. I found these which would need recoloring but at a lower price. The seller is a business and may be prepared to get a cost of shipping to Michigan? Might be worth asking them?

BMW Z3 Leather Seats | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BMW Z3 Leather Seats at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Tony.

 

[Douglas Phillips]

The motors are quite easy to take apart, just requires bending some tabs to split the case.
First time I did it the motors just needed cleaned. This time one was jammed solid. The little brass bushes were seized to the spindle. Twisted them off, cleaned and polished everything and it now works so well I’ll probably do the other 3.

Thanks for the reply....I did order a replacement (used) from Ebay and am waiting for it to come in this week. I will take a further look at the others to see if your tip can be useful!

Doug

 

[Douglas Phillips]

Hi Doug there are many seats on eBay over here usually in the £250 - £300 range for none sport seat. I found these which would need recoloring but at a lower price. The seller is a business and may be prepared to get a cost of shipping to Michigan? Might be worth asking them?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-Leather-Seats/324471768929?hash=item4b8c064761:g:p5kAAOSwOEZgGBf8

Tony.

Thanks again Tony...

I think for now, I will cover the original ones (at least this year) with a cover and invest more into it next season. We just had the Ragtop replaced and the budget is taking a hit...

Doug

 

[t-tony]

Thanks again Tony...

I think for now, I will cover the original ones (at least this year) with a cover and invest more into it next season. We just had the Ragtop replaced and the budget is taking a hit...

Doug

The money tree only bears so much fruit Doug. There are things I would like to do but as things stand they’ll have to wait.

Tony.