Installing Corbeau Race Seats in my BMW 135i

suspenceful

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Aug 1, 2017
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2015 M3, 2008 135i, 2009 335i

As I continue to go down the rabbit hole of weight reduction/track-inspired modifications... bucket seats were next up on the list.

With a budget of $1,000 shipped for a pair of seats and hardware to mount them, I started my search. Ideally, that price would include sliders because other people drive my car and a fixed seat would be inconvenient. I didn’t want fancy, reclining seats because I'm doing this to save weight. I was tempted to go with a pair of cheap NRG seats from eBay, but decided against it. Buying the cheapest possible safety equipment doesn't seem like a good idea.

That's when I stumbled on Corbeau's website and found some attractive, affordable options. I narrowed it down to their FX1 Pro seats for $339 each and E92 (E8X/E9X) brackets with sliders for $119 each. Quality, name brand stuff totaling up to $916, just within my budget!

A few days later and I had a package waiting at home.

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Out with the old...

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Seat installed on bracket and buckle swapped over...

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All done!

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I will admit, these seats are pretty comfortable for being a race seat. If I were taking the car on a cross-country road trip, I’d prefer the stock seats… but when will I be taking this car on a cross-country road trip? I’m much happier that my body isn’t flopping around when I’m ripping around the track!

I ordered a pair of 8″ seatbelt extenders so I could snake the belt through the seat. This allows me to buckle up within the seat instead of over the top of the seat.

Surprisingly, the stock seats weigh a massive 59.6 lbs! For comparison, the FX1 Pro and bracket weigh 27.4 lbs. That’s a difference of 32.2 lbs, bringing the total weight loss to 64.4 lbs for the front seats. I’ll take it! I also previously removed the rear seats, which saved about 55 lbs.

Next up; a carbon fiber sunroof delete and carbon fiber door panels!

Oh wait... airbag lights...

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I used the ProTool app by BimmerGeeks to get rid of these error codes. Simply connect an Android tablet to your car with a K+DCAN cable and OTG adapter, open up ProTools and go to work!

Under the “Safety” section > MRS – Airbag > Coding > Standard, we must deactivate the following options.
  • Seat Mat Sensor (OC3_1)
  • Driver Seat Position Sensor (SPSF_1_CD)
  • Left-Side Airbag (SIDEBAG_LINKS_1)
  • Passenger Seat Position Sensor (SPSBF_1)
  • Right-Side Airbag (SIDEBAG_RECHTS_1)
For more information, read my complete write-up: https://my1series.com/2019/08/05/how-to-install-race-seats-in-bmw-135i-335i-corbeau-fx1-pro/
 
Last edited:

ShocknAwe

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Jan 24, 2018
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So will the airbags still deploy?

Also, did you look into weight difference with a reclining seat? This is totally on my radar to do but my wife will refuse a fixed seat.
 

suspenceful

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Aug 1, 2017
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So will the airbags still deploy?

Also, did you look into weight difference with a reclining seat? This is totally on my radar to do but my wife will refuse a fixed seat.

Yes - I believe (hope) so! Just not the airbags that lived in the stock seats, because they aren't there anymore.

From everything I saw when browsing, most reclining seats were 5-10lbs heavier than fixed back seats.
 

ShocknAwe

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Jan 24, 2018
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Yes - I believe (hope) so! Just not the airbags that lived in the stock seats, because they aren't there anymore.

From everything I saw when browsing, most reclining seats were 5-10lbs heavier than fixed back seats.

Corbeau has some damn nice looking recliners.

Starting to think about the practicality of removing the rear seats and making a weight bearing fabric covered parcel shelf. 55lbs from removing the rears? Could probably salvage 40 of that with a 15lb shelf.
 

Bnks334

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Reclining seats are usually closer to 25lbs+

My fixed back bucket seats were 7lbs or something like that. Total weight of seat, side mount, slider, base, and bolts was 27lbs. Stock Msport seats (power + lumbar + heat) weighed 67lbs. So, 80lb weight loss.

Bottom mount seats might save you money on side mounts, but, they also sit lower. If you're not tall you might have height issues.
 

ShocknAwe

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Jan 24, 2018
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Reclining seats are usually closer to 25lbs+

My fixed back bucket seats were 7lbs or something like that. Total weight of seat, side mount, slider, base, and bolts was 27lbs. Stock Msport seats (power + lumbar + heat) weighed 67lbs. So, 80lb weight loss.

Yeah looks like the reclining seats I'd buy are 26lbs not including the bracket.
 

suspenceful

10 Second Club
Aug 1, 2017
559
591
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2015 M3, 2008 135i, 2009 335i
Corbeau has some damn nice looking recliners.

Starting to think about the practicality of removing the rear seats and making a weight bearing fabric covered parcel shelf. 55lbs from removing the rears? Could probably salvage 40 of that with a 15lb shelf.

Agreed - but a bit further out of my budget.

I also thought about a parcel shelf of some kind, but then I remind myself that this car is purely for fun and going fast at this point. When I need to haul crap around, I won't be taking this car anyways.

Reclining seats are usually closer to 25lbs+

My fixed back bucket seats were 7lbs or something like that. Total weight of seat, side mount, slider, base, and bolts was 27lbs. Stock Msport seats (power + lumbar + heat) weighed 67lbs. So, 80lb weight loss.

Bottom mount seats might save you money on side mounts, but, they also sit lower. If you're not tall you might have height issues.

Your stock seats weighed 67 lbs? Mine are also sport, power, heated, lumbar, etc. but weighed 59.6 lbs (without the seat belt receptical attached). The Corbeau seats, sliders and mount were also 27 lbs.
 

Bnks334

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Dec 1, 2016
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New York
Your stock seats weighed 67 lbs? Mine are also sport, power, heated, lumbar, etc. but weighed 59.6 lbs (without the seat belt receptical attached). The Corbeau seats, sliders and mount were also 27 lbs.

Might've been 63lbs. Can't remember. Seat belt receptacle attached.
 
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