I am considering installing more track-oriented seats in my E46 M3. If I do this, it will be part of a package; seats, harnesses, and 4-point roll bar. As with most things, nothing seems simple. I would like to find seats that accommodate a 5 or 6 point harness, but with low sides so I can use the factory lap belt on the street. This probably means one of the recliners; so-called dual purpose seats. My goal is to be able to use the harness on the track, but the factory belt on the street, along with having the airbags active for street use. In order to achieve this, it looks like I need to find a way to install the passenger-side pressure pad sensor in the after-market seat. If I understand correctly, when I am using the harness on the track, the fact that the factory belts are not engaged will de-activate the air bag system, which is what I want for the track. The dealer told me that without the occupancy sensor in place in the passenger seat, none of the bags would deploy, so I need to find a way to get it in use with a different seat. After numerous phone calls to local performance shops, large BMW performance houses, and seat makers, I have not yet found an answer, but I can't believe my goal is that unusual. I would appreciate any helpful information.

Hard to believe no one knows anything about this. Thought I would give it one more try. Again, I would appreciate any advice available.

I have an E36 M3 and tried to do what you're looking for, but found a slightly different solution...

I installed a four point rollbar with removable cross/diagonal bars. This allowed access to the rear seats for street use, but allowed proper mounting of 3" shoulder harnesses for track days.

For seats, I swap in/out OMP WRC fixed back seats for track days and the OEM seats for the street (using VAC's aluminum seat floor mounts and OMP side mounts). This way there's no compromise, just a little extra work. It's a simple four bolts per seat job and takes about 1/2 hour total. For the lap belts and sub-strap, I used Brey Krause's outside lapbelt mount and had to put in an eye bolt for the inner mount. The lap and substrap belts use clip in ends (I use Willans competition belts) - again, making it an easy swap in for track days.

As you mentioned, when you remove the stock seats, you'll disable the SRS system. So, I bought a SRS reset tool - very easy to use and it pays for itself after the first time you use it.

Hope this helps.

This allowed access to the rear seats for street use, but allowed proper mounting of 3" shoulder harnesses for track days. I would never stick passengers behind my rollbar for an extended period of time, and I hope that you do not also. In the event of an accident, it could get pretty ugly. Padding makes it better, but it still isn't the best idea to have passengers sitting behind a roll bar. Imagine getting smacked on the head with a metal tube. Add some high-density padding to that.

I have a Kirk rollbar, Sparco 6-pts, a Pro2000 for the driver, and an EvoL for passengers. I have no rear seats, and I do not plan on putting passengers back there unless they really, really, need to go somewhere with me. My car is a daily driver (for now), and I can tolerate it, but I'm also a high school kid. Besides, having just two seats is fun.

I would never stick passengers behind my rollbar for an extended period of time, and I hope that you do not also. In the event of an accident, it could get pretty ugly. Padding makes it better, but it still isn't the best idea to have passengers sitting behind a roll bar. Imagine getting smacked on the head with a metal tube. Add some high-density padding to that.

I have a Kirk rollbar, Sparco 6-pts, a Pro2000 for the driver, and an EvoL for passengers. I have no rear seats, and I do not plan on putting passengers back there unless they really, really, need to go somewhere with me. My car is a daily driver (for now), and I can tolerate it, but I'm also a high school kid. Besides, having just two seats is fun.

It's been awhile since I attended primary school and I'd rather have my stock seats in for the street with functioning airbags. Track seats are for the track and street seats are for the street.

I only use the rear middle seat for my kids with heavy padding on the bars and a child car seat - probably safer than anything they'll ever ride in. I would never ever put an adult in the rear seat - with or without rollbar, it's a tight squeeze in a coupe.

[QUOTE=dbbmwm3]I installed a four point rollbar with removable cross/diagonal bars.

had to put in an eye bolt for the inner mount. The lap and substrap belts use clip in ends (I use Willans competition belts) - QUOTE]

Which rollbar, custom, Kirk or?

Where does the eyebolt for the inner lapbelt mount to? To the seat side bracket or rear floormount hole or?

Same question for sub belt eyebolt? Where does the bolt mount to?

Pics plse if possible.

Thanx!

For a seat itself, I would look at the SParco Evo's, whichever one fits you. THey have relatively low sides that will allow the use of a factory belt, I've used an Evo in my VW Scirocco, Nissan Sentra SE-R and now it's in my E36. In all except the BMW I kept the factory belts, as there was no rollbar (these were AutoX cars)

As far as the seat pressure sensor, I'm sure you could find a stock seat from a wrecked car to take apart and get the sensors to then install in the aftermarket seat. Anything is possible, you'll just have to be ingenious about it. I had a regular Momo steering wheel hub modified to accept a factory 3 ring "Horn/cruise control" part, then took a factory steering wheel mounted cruise control system and built it into a custom 4 Button F1 style system on my SE-R. I wanted an aftermarket wheel, but didn't want to lose my cruise control. Anything is Possible!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been awhile since I attended primary school and I'd rather have my stock seats in for the street with functioning airbags. Track seats are for the track and street seats are for the street.

I only use the rear middle seat for my kids with heavy padding on the bars and a child car seat - probably safer than anything they'll ever ride in. I would never ever put an adult in the rear seat - with or without rollbar, it's a tight squeeze in a coupe. Very true. This is why I am going to be getting a Volvo 850 T-5 wagon soon.

I'm going to do a 5-speed swap on it.

[QUOTE=dbbmwm3]I installed a four point rollbar with removable cross/diagonal bars.

had to put in an eye bolt for the inner mount. The lap and substrap belts use clip in ends (I use Willans competition belts) - QUOTE]

Which rollbar, custom, Kirk or?

Where does the eyebolt for the inner lapbelt mount to? To the seat side bracket or rear floormount hole or?

Same question for sub belt eyebolt? Where does the bolt mount to?

Pics plse if possible.

Thanx!

It's a custom fabricated rollbar. For more info. on the mounts, you can go to here: http://www.bkauto.com/bmw/index.php

Here are some pics from car...