Aftermarket Seating advice please

[Red Bicycle]

Dear All

I have a 08 T5 with standard two up seating, Bilstein B14 coilovers, lowered approx 40mm, standard 205/65/16 Michelin Agilis tyres. I have purchased a set of H&R anti sway bars from Speedline to be installed hopefully next week and already find the lack of support when cornering particularly in the upper back/shoulder area uncomfortable. A lifetime ago I had a set of Recaro seats but am put off by the price of between 1500-3500 per seat ( and I want two). Are there any OEM alternatives or aftermarket options you could point me to? Im happy to purchase used from something else e.g Audi

Best

Michael

[16v80]

Hi

Have a look on this forum VW T4 Forum - VW T5 Forum

There is a section for T5 Transporters. One of the threads is just on seats 'seat conversion database' from what I have read mk1 Audi TT and Porsche boxster seats are easy to fit as they have the runners built into the seats I believe its just re-drilling four holes.

Regards

[Red Bicycle]

Cheers 16v80

Exactly the info I was hoping for. Good resource for other things as well just saw a thread and pics of swapping a flat bottomed Gti SW onto a T5

[Sunny43.5]

Just remember some important points , seatbelt mounts must be equivalent to original or later specs . All bolts should be equivalent to originals and be of high tensile strength . The main one is to satisfy insurance and ADR requirements you should get the van recertified by a qualified engineer or relevant person who can do the certification for you , every state has different qualifications on those who certify . I used to hold a Qld Transport certification for seats seat belts child restraints and a whole load of other modifications and in those days all the person needed was a ten year working in certain trades to get a certification !! It was pretty bizarre as every few years they would renew my certificate and add extra codes to the ticket . Towards the end I was able to certify engine transplants and upgrades ie v8,s into 4wds etc , and I was not even a mechanic !!

[Red Bicycle]

Hi Sunny - would that be included in the price of the Recaro's??

[Sunny43.5]

Depends on who does the conversion , a reputable company would do the job and supply the certification as part of the job . Some places would do the job and then either outsource the certification process or send you to an independent person to do the job at a cost . The odd occasion when I used to do certifications we would sometimes use an engineer for calculations and ADR changes he used to charge between $250 - $500 .

[Red Bicycle]

I assume that replacing with OEM would be no problem. Are there any 'Recaro' like seats in the Transporter range?

Cheers