Bizi gets Mrs Bizi a Clubman!

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:51 am

Definitely the classic wheel, just looks so good.

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:44 am

Has anyone test-fitted a Sparco Chrono Street to their NA/NB?

It is the recliinable version of the design. 4pt harness points but no a fixed design.

Thanks!

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:49 pm

Opinions, please! For weekend use and maybe a track day or two:

Sparco 'Tuning' (not Comp) range: Sparco chrono Road:

http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=645

Seat dimension guide: http://www.sparcousa.com/resourceFiles/26.pdf

Seats main page: http://www.sparcousa.com/seats.asp

Here's some discussion on a BMW forum. http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=236506

Will it fit the NA Clubman???

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:09 pm

That's a beautiful seat but looks quite wide! I had a pair of reclining Recaros in my Alfa...heaviest bloody things around! The original MX5 seats are actually quite light by comparison - you might want to keep that in mind.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:44 pm

Bizi wrote:...Will it fit the NA Clubman???

There's only one way to find out, and that's to measure it. :wink:

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:53 pm

Hammer wrote:
Bizi wrote:...Will it fit the NA Clubman???

There's only one way to find out, and that's to measure it.

Yeah, I know.

Here's what I have for the seat:

Sparco Chrono Road
(note this is a pic featuring the cheaper Sparco Steel; not sure if that's just a US cheap model)

Width 550mm
Depth 580mm
Height 990mm

Weight: 33lbs (15kg)

vs.

Bride Brix II

Width 520mm Base width 510mm
Depth 700mm
Height 910mm

Weight: 25kg? Heavy!!

A fixed seat isn't practical since this is the Mrs' car!
We're both fairly small (I'm 5'8" and 70ish kg) so the side bolstering should be OK and not ridiculous.

Deen and Bryan, what do you think?
The standard seats are fine for the moment; I'm just wondering if it's worth going to something like this.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:28 pm

I noticed on your guide there that the Sparco Chrono Road is only 15kg. About the same weight as the OEM NA seats.

I too am interested in them, but depends on the price of the seat. Like you, I would prefer a reclining seat for comfort on road use.

Keep us posted.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:37 pm

IF you really want a cheap alternative, for daily use and maybe a track day here and there...

get the Mazdaspeed seats that have been floating around the forums.

Comfortable, not to heavy and plenty of support. Stock seats weigh in at roughly 13kg. Sparco Sprint 5 is 5-7kg?

Plus you can resell later on before moving on, I believe Badbong will be selling his set shortly, or someone else was :S

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:48 pm

I didn't expect the Sparco to be that much lighter than the Bride.
I expected both to be lighter than Recaro recliners.

This guide was helpful, too, as long as you're comfortable with inches.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/seats.php

Miata seats - compiled by David Colby

Optimal Seat Dimensions 19.5 inches base width and 21 inches shoulder width.
Note shoulder width measurement depends on height where seat widens.

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:03 am

HJT, there's a good Bride reclinable seat available at a low price, near me, if you are interested.

Seller sounds like a really good bloke; he may be able to get to the St Ives Fives meet at the carpark opposite Max Brenner St Ives tonight (or another night if tonight's a writeoff).

Just FYI for anyone interested. I'm thinking it's too high-bolstered on the base for Mrs Bizi, but might suit someeone wanting big bolsters and a good looking seat. Not as light as the Sparco though. It would come with a S13/S14/S15 rail.

I posted a generic pic of one earlier - Bride Brix (not sure which version, maybe v1 or v1.5) and a few hundred bucks and a worn spot on the lower side bolster and where the seatbelt wears.

The person's name is David and I'll happily put you in touch.

Hjt wrote:IF you really want a cheap alternative, for daily use and maybe a track day here and there...

get the Mazdaspeed seats that have been floating around the forums.

Comfortable, not to heavy and plenty of support. Stock seats weigh in at roughly 13kg. Sparco Sprint 5 is 5-7kg?

Plus you can resell later on before moving on, I believe Badbong will be selling his set shortly, or someone else was :S

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:40 pm

Ben,

I think Bride has a GIAS model that is FRP, not carbon. That's reclinable and should be reasonably light with aluminium parts instead of steel. Not sure of fit though and cost-wise, I would think prohibitive relative to cost of car.

Why change the seats though, if it's only for driving around? The option for a track day is to drop in a fixed-back on the track day. The seats are light enough and it's easy enough if you have spare brackets made up.

I dug up my old rally-cross harness and look forward to fitting them to Apu for the upcoming trackday (you coming?), but the seats will have to wait a bit...not too long hopefully, as I notice the lower back support is going...

Bryan

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 3:22 pm

Thanks Ben for the information, i'm not after any seats atm. rather spend my dosh on other safety gear beforehand.

Looking forward to the track day

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:08 am

93_Clubman wrote:Ben, congrats on buying the Clubman!

....Previous post about your Clubman just prior to wardat buying it:
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=38506&hilit=clubman&start=15

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAZDA-MX5-CL ... 3cb8a93c7e

Thanks for this post; very useful.

I've been in touch with Kelly (BURST) and we should reintroduce him soon!

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:59 am

No problem - if you want the sellers ebay id or the originally advised engine number & rego etc I can PM them to you.

Bizi wrote:fixing a loose side mirror

If you've not already sorted this, twist the mirror head cover clockwise or anti-clockwise, as necessary, to give access to the two screws securing the mirror base mount to the door, then just tighten the screws.

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:08 pm

93_Clubman wrote:No problem - if you want the sellers ebay id or the originally advised engine number & rego etc I can PM them to you.

Bizi wrote:fixing a loose side mirror

If you've not already sorted this, twist the mirror head cover clockwise or anti-clockwise, as necessary, to give access to the two screws securing the mirror base mount to the door, then just tighten the screws.

It seems to be an issue with some kind of impact affecting the holes where the screws are, rather than the mirror or the screws (which all seem fine).

Thanks very much to the people who advised me at the MB St Ives meet, aka our mini St Ives Fives group!

I'll get some more advice but in the short term I'm seeking a replacement door skin and hope to see someone here about one.

In the meantime, what do you think about these, as a temporary wheel choice?

or for fun, these reps (!):