E46 Coupe Seat Fitting Advice Required!

[Darren156]

Hey guys,

I currently have a 1999 E46 coupe with standard leather seats. They are fully electric memory seats but the standard looking ones.

I have seen a set of sports seats for sale but they are manual seats rather than electric. To be honest I'm not bothered having memory seats and won't care losing that function.

My query is will the manual seats bolt straight in with all manual features useable??? Not sure if the runners or system is different etc though?

Also how easy is it to remove and install the front seats? Looks pretty easy with just 4 bolts.

Any help and advice will be really appreciated.

Many thanks!

[roofer]

Manual seats bolt straight in complete with subframe and all functions work. Slide right forward and take rear bolts out first.

[Darren156]

Cheers Roofer! The seats are from a 2002 model and mines a 1999. Will this matter? Both Coupes and look identical!

[backitoff]

Yep will fit no problem.

[Darren156]

Guys, the deal fell through for that set. What are my other options in regards to what seats will fit? I just need the two front seats so would seats from a saloon or estate or compact etc fit?

Also are there any other models that use the same runners and connections like an E39 or something or E36???

[roofer]

I put coupe seats in a saloon once (E46)

[j44esd]

Darren156 said:

Guys, the deal fell through for that set. What are my other options in regards to what seats will fit? I just need the two front seats so would seats from a saloon or estate or compact etc fit?

Also are there any other models that use the same runners and connections like an E39 or something or E36???

If your car is a coupe, you need seats from a coupe. Saloon/touring seats don't have the folding function, so you'll struggle to access the rear of the car! Just keep an eye out on eBay, they do come up quite frequently.

[MattOz]

M3 seats fit, but you'll want to change the door cards too in order to keep the upgraded nappa leather look.

[Darren156]

j44esd said:

If your car is a coupe, you need seats from a coupe. Saloon/touring seats don't have the folding function, so you'll struggle to access the rear of the car! Just keep an eye out on eBay, they do come up quite frequently.

Well I only need a drivers seat so if a leather drivers seat pops up at a good price and I bought it it just means rear passengers (which I rarely ever, if ever have) would have to get in through the offside right? I mean, would a leather drivers seat, wether it be manual or electric, from a compact to an estate, fit?

[j44esd]

Darren156 said:

Well I only need a drivers seat so if a leather drivers seat pops up at a good price and I bought it it just means rear passengers (which I rarely ever, if ever have) would have to get in through the offside right? I mean, would a leather drivers seat, wether it be manual or electric, from a compact to an estate, fit?

As a previous respondent has said they fitted coupe seats into a saloon, I'd have to conclude it will fit. Albeit look rather odd.

[roofer]

Coupe seats have seatbelt mounting on the runner, if you fit saloon, that will need altering. No great drama though.

[666RLM]

Hi I have a BMW 316 ti se e46 compact and I’m looking for a new interior but there aren’t any nice ones for sale, will the interior from a e46 coupe fit into my car? I know the front seats will but I’m not sure about the back ones? And does anyone know anywhere that recovers seats cheapish?

[4rephill]

666RLM said:

Hi I have a BMW 316 ti se e46 compact and I’m looking for a new interior but there aren’t any nice ones for sale, will the interior from a e46 coupe fit into my car? I know the front seats will but I’m not sure about the back ones? And does anyone know anywhere that recovers seats cheapish?

The front seats from the coupe will fit - Nothing else will as they are totally different designs.

[helix402]

Coupe front seats fit in a saloon or touring by changing one seat rail (two 10mm nuts). I expect you could reverse the process to fit saloon/touring seats into a Coupe. Or Compact if Compact and Coupe seats are interchangeable.

You would however have no tilt function with saloon/touring seats.