Aftermarket Seat Brands - which are good / bad

ZenArcher · Postby **ZenArcher** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:54 am

Just wondering which seat brands are the ones to seriously look at and which are the ones to stay away from to be installed into a MX5. Mainly inregards to quality of workmanship in the seat, not if it will fit or not which has been the subject of previous topics on seats.

Autobarn have some tempting prices on Autotecnica seats but the material they are covered with doesn't look like it will last a long time. But I could be wrong.

What are everyones opinions on aftermarket seats in regards to the general quality of the seat. ie covering material, framework, quality of foam used in the seat - a cheap foam collapses faster than a good high quality foam.

In a previously modified car, I had non-adjustable seats and the constant sliding over the side part of the seat to just get into the car wore a hole in the seat inside 6 months which I then got the high wear areas recovered in leather.

I'd be interested in everyones opinion on their aftermarket seats and if they would buy the same again or something different

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 10:59 am

It all depends on how much you want to spend..

Cobra, Bride, Sparco, all make pretty good seats..

I have an autotechnica evo fixed back in mine, holds me really well and is comfy for long drives.

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:17 am

how about these ones, are they good value? any one bought some before?
http://www.soldsmart.com.au/l3.aspx?goods=CS7022RD

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:40 am

It's all dependent upon personal taste/fitting/spend, so what can we say?

Definitely buy seats that meet or exceed ADRs, else if you have an accident you may die due to some cheap arse seat you bought.

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:16 pm

Master Z i wouldnt waste my time with that seat... get a name brand

I went into the Autotecnica factory here in Vic, and tried lots of different seats in the showroom untill i found the right one.. I also tried the Sparco Sprint, but found it too uncomfy.

Robbo107672 · Postby **Robbo107672** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:20 pm

green_comet wrote:Master Z i wouldnt waste my time with that seat... get a name brand

I went into the Autotecnica factory here in Vic, and tried lots of different seats in the showroom untill i found the right one.. I also tried the Sparco Sprint, but found it too uncomfy.

What did you pay for your seat? Also where is the factory ?

CT · Postby CT » Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:53 pm

green_comet wrote:Master Z i wouldnt waste my time with that seat... get a name brand

I went into the Autotecnica factory here in Vic, and tried lots of different seats in the showroom untill i found the right one.. I also tried the Sparco Sprint, but found it too uncomfy.

I have bought Soldsmart racing seats for non competition use and they are excellent quality - for the price. They are not a recaro or Sparco - but you are not paying those prices either. I would say they are easily on par with Monza and autotechnica - for a reference point. Just depends how cheap you get them. For club track days they would be perfect - for around $70 bucks delivered. :shock:

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:55 pm

Autotecnica Imports Pty Ltd

48 Northgate Drive
Thomastown, Vic 3074

Ph: 03 9464-2200

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:32 pm

CT wrote:
green_comet wrote:Master Z i wouldnt waste my time with that seat... get a name brand

I went into the Autotecnica factory here in Vic, and tried lots of different seats in the showroom untill i found the right one.. I also tried the Sparco Sprint, but found it too uncomfy.

I have bought Soldsmart racing seats for non competition use and they are excellent quality - for the price. They are not a recaro or Sparco - but you are not paying those prices either. I would say they are easily on par with Monza and autotechnica - for a reference point. Just depends how cheap you get them. For club track days they would be perfect - for around $70 bucks delivered.

Quoted for emphasis. They are not $500 seats, so they aren't as good, but they aren't $500, so they're worth it.

My track pig datto has a no name brand fixed bucket which is great for track work. You don't have to pay for a name brand to get good value, in fact, it's usually the opposite.

To answer your question MasterZ - "are they good value?" - the answer is yes.

My 2c.

Boags

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:23 am

Autotecnica in thomastown is a supplier so you cant buy directly from them.. I had to purchase via autobarn Eltham which i did over the phone, from Autotecnica then took it home from there..

The woman working at the front desk said that they had no seats for me to look at, but one of the other dudes out the back overheard me talking, and took me upstairs where they have a huge showroom... Made me wanna slap the girl at the desk.

vrmmmpshhh · Postby **vrmmmpshhh** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:03 am

i have seen my justjap seats at autobarne retrimmed and renamed as autotechnia????? theyre no brand ones that are a copy of bride.

ASE05 · Postby **ASE05** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:37 pm

Cobra Monaco S work for me = fat bastard size = 6' 4\" @ 108.3kg(now down to 96.8kg....FIG JAM :mrgreen:

)

I think they were $399.

Insurgence · Postby **Insurgence** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:39 am

CT wrote: for around $70 bucks delivered.

Me want

my seats have a few ciggie marks from prevous owner ><

Q. how do these cheaper seats compare to the OEM ones?

vrmmmpshhh · Postby **vrmmmpshhh** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:24 am

mine were 350 from justjap. They walk all over the stock seats in terms of comfort and look. Also because theyre a little higher they have a mild windblocking effect on the highway.