A3 seat options

[logantatem]

Just bought a new 2017 A3 and love the car but hate the seats, specifically the lack of side bolstering. Im coming from a GTI which had great bolster support.

Im trying to understand what other seats might be a fairly direct fit (same rails, possible some wiring work)

So far considering

S3 seats (tough to find)
S4 seats (seems like quite a few on ebay)
TT seats (found a couple possible, but not sure about the fit)
GTI seats (not sure if they would fit)
Recaro Sport Topline (expensive and lose the airbag)

I would greatly appreciate any insight of what might be a good swap.

Thanks!

[mroberte]

In the same boat, basically any vag group seat will fit. Seat, skoda, audi vw. Overall audi seats seem to be made for looks and not real spirited driving. Even the sport seats are pretty weak in terms of side bolster support.

I've been looking at braum and cipher seats, roughly 1k for seat and rails, but you lose airbags and I'm not sure anyone has successfully been able to not have am airbag error light without buying or using existing seat the sensor/relay.

BRAUM - Pair of Black Leatherette Carbon Fiber Mixed ELITE-X Racing Seats with Blue Stitches (BRR1X-BKBL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DM5QHD..._7Xb6zbGTY04SX

Cipher AR-9 Revo Racing Seats -Black Leather Carbon Fiber w/ Black Stitches -Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WDN1NT..._bXb6zbRH49ZEX

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[jpy1980]

I hate the seats in my s3 as well. Do you guys know if the air bag light is on if the airbags will not function or if it's just a warning stating that an airbag is missing?

[mroberte]

I hate the seats in my s3 as well. Do you guys know if the air bag light is on if the airbags will not function or if it's just a warning stating that an airbag is missing?

Light is on, but all other bags work.

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[onequick4door]

I bought a set of the regular Braum elites in microsude for the track. Will be installing them in the next couple of weekends. I pulled them out when I rec'd them and they are snug for sure. They will be a light years jump over the Super Sports, which I really like for everyday. also I'll be doing Schroth quick fit pro's and I won't be moving an inch. Can't wait! the microsuede grips your clothing well, that's why I got it.

[jpy1980]

You guys know if these racing seats maker you sit lower?

[soulflyer]

You guys know if these racing seats maker you sit lower?

Not much, depends if you use slider rails or fixed ones. I have fixed ones and I am maybe 1inch lower in my Sparco.

[extensive]

I put Recaro Sport Toplines in my '15 A3. They are defintely expensive, but they're great.

Your car will need a 2.2 ohm resistor to be installed since the O.E. side impact airbags will be removed with the original seats. Going to need to harvest the yellow airbag connectors from the original seats and solder in the 2.2 ohm resistor between the 2 wires that feed the 12 volt positive and negative to the airbag igniter, the 3rd wire is a ground wire on Audi and VW vehicles. The Passenger Side Occupancy Sensor will need to be harvested from the original seat and custom adapted into the Recaro seat. You also need a relay to be installed with a "Key-On" source as a trigger, so the power is cut to the seats when the key is turned off or removed, since hard wired seats could have the heating or cooling features left on which would drain down the battery.

The only hiccup during installation was the seat belt bracket. Had to fabricate a piece so that the seat belt bracket would fit, not a big thing.

[diztek]

its almost been 2 years since ive had my s3, i CANNOT find a comfortable seating position. (standard seats)

[jpy1980]

Jeez! Only if you were around So i could pay you to do all that for me! Haha i may just have to live with the light.

What bracket are you using? I'm planning on getting the planted brackets with the recaro slider. Would those brackets need a fabricated seat belt bracket?

[extensive]

Haha man if only I could have done that myself, would have saved me big on that labor cost. Here's a list of the parts purchased for the job.


I'm not sure how optional switching that passenger occupancy sensor is. I'd assume the passenger airbag would never go off if that wasn't harvested from your original seats?

[onequick4door]

Haha man if only I could have done that myself, would have saved me big on that labor cost. Here's a list of the parts purchased for the job.


I'm not sure how optional switching that passenger occupancy sensor is. I'd assume the passenger airbag would never go off if that wasn't harvested from your original seats?

So I'm clear, your talking about all that electrical rigging for a full time seat swap, correct? I'm just keeping everything unplugged(codes a flyin) and put the stock SS's back in after the track.

[jpy1980]

I just think the seats and seating position suck in general in the S3. Are there any negative repercussions to having an aftermarket seat and have all the codes remain? Like will something not work besides the missing airbag?

[mroberte]

Can anyone share pictures of their aftermarket seats?

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[soulflyer]

Can anyone share pictures of their aftermarket seats?

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Here is my detailed DIY...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post12109857

The swap takes me about 10min...

[mroberte]

Here is my detailed DIY...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post12109857

The swap takes me about 10min...

Wow, thank you for that very informative post with details on the swap. I'm pretty beat up usually after a track day because I'm trying to force myself to stay put in my non-sport seats, so side bolstering and the thigh support is very much needed.

[rex_racer]

Something to keep in mind. Although the factory seats aren't the greatest, proper seating position that enables proper usage of the shoulder bolsters requires that the seat sits far more upright than one typically expects. Spending time finding the correct angle will make a significant difference. Your shoulders should nearly be digging into the seat. Even with an aftermarket seat, if you aren't seated properly, you won't get the complete benefit. Racers in stock classes that don't allow for upgrades have also added silicone pads to the seat. Throw it on top before you hop in, it adds a great deal of friction that will keep your bottom in place. Coupled with locking the seat belt, which is much easier on manual seats than power seats, a locking clip, or CG lock and you'll have a decent amount of seat attachment.

[onequick4door]

Wow, thank you for that very informative post with details on the swap. I'm pretty beat up usually after a track day because I'm trying to force myself to stay put in my non-sport seats, so side bolstering and the thigh support is very much needed.

Yeah I know what you mean about being beaten up. My lower back is a mess for a couple days after an event. I will take pics of my Braums and do review on them.

[extensive]

So I'm clear, your talking about all that electrical rigging for a full time seat swap, correct? I'm just keeping everything unplugged(codes a flyin) and put the stock SS's back in after the track.

Yeah. If you're just swapping them in and out on track days you won't have to worry about the wiring. Although if you're getting a track only seat there's better options than a Recaro Sport Topline. I'd probably go for a bucket seat without any wiring if it's solely for the track.