BMW F80 M3 bucket seat guide
2014 to 2018
The F80 is well looked after by the aftermarket, which is not something you can say about every M car. Five separate makers draw a frame for this exact chassis rather than expecting a 3 Series part to do the job, so whatever you fit sits on something designed around your floor.
That matters more than it sounds. On plenty of cars the honest answer involves adapting something, and every adaptation is a compromise on height or position. Here there is nothing to adapt.
This is the saloon. The coupe is the F82 M4 and has its own page, because the part sets are not the same.
- Five makers list an F80 specific frame: PCI, OMP, Planted, Recaro and Corbeau
- The PCI sliding sub frame keeps the seat moving after fitting
- The other four are direct fit base mount frames that sit the seat lower
- Recaro sub-frames are drawn for Recaro seats only
- This is the saloon; the coupe is the F82 M4 and takes a different part set
- The Sparco Circuit II QRT is the roomiest shell here at a 40in waist and all driver heights
What is on this page
Five makers, nothing adapted
PCI make the sliding sub frame, which keeps the fore and aft travel after the seat is in. On an F80 that is still driven on the road, and most of them are, that is worth having.
OMP, Planted, Recaro and Corbeau all make a direct fit base mount frame for the car. The seat sits lower and the position is set once, which is what a track focused build wants.
The usual brand rule applies. A Recaro sub-frame takes Recaro seats and nothing else. The base mount pattern used by Sparco, OMP and Corbeau is shared between those three, so their seats and frames cross over.
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Check the seat electronics before you commitThe F80 came with powered seats and, depending on specification, occupancy sensing. Swapping to a manual bucket changes what the car sees. Tell us the specification when you enquire and we will talk through what comes out and what stays.
Fixed back competition seats
An F80 has more than enough performance to justify a proper shell, and all eight below need side mount brackets to pick up on the frame.
The Sparco Circuit II QRT is the roomiest at a 40in waist and all driver heights. The Mirco RS2 is listed for all heights as well. The Recaro Pole Position family covers three price points, from the standard FIA shell up to the Carbon ABE version.
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Reclining and base mounted seats
An F80 is a quick saloon that plenty of people still use as a saloon, and a reclining shell suits that without giving much away.
The Recaro Sportster CS lists no waist restriction at all. The Corbeau pairs are worth a look if you are doing both seats, since they are listed and priced as a pair rather than singly. The Cobra Monaco Pro is the dual fitment option that suits either route.
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Our picksNothing here needs a compromise
Because every maker draws an F80 specific frame, the decision is purely about how the car is used rather than what will physically go in. Sliding sub frame and a reclining shell for a road car, direct fit and a fixed back shell for a track one. Cameron works out the fit and the combination for a given car, so send your height, your waist and the specification.
Harnesses
On the road the standard belt is right and works with everything on this page. On circuit a harness is what keeps you still enough to stop bracing on the wheel through every corner.
The shoulder straps need a solid anchor behind you at or above shoulder height, which in a saloon means a harness bar or a cage rather than the rear seat mounts. Tell us what is behind the front seats and we will confirm it.
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Our recommendationsDated belts only where a rulebook asks
The TRS Clubman belts cover fast road and trackday use and never need renewing. The Magnum 6 point Superlite and the Schroth Profi carry FIA dates, which is what a series that requires them wants. Send us the class and we will confirm which.
What fits what
Waist, height and approval are from each product listing. Where a listing does not state a figure the table says so.
| Seat | Mounting | Waist | Height | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirco RS2 3D | Side mount | 32in to 36in | All heights | FIA 8855-1999 |
| OMP RS-PT 2 | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | FIA 8855-1999 |
| OMP Champ-R | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | FIA 8855-1999 |
| OMP RT Carbon / Fibreglass | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | FIA 8855-1999 |
| Recaro Pole Position | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | FIA 8855-1999 |
| Recaro Pole Position ABE | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | Road and track |
| Recaro Pole Position Carbon ABE | Side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | Road and track |
| Sparco Circuit II QRT | Side mount | 32in to 40in | All heights | FIA 8855-1999 |
| Cobra Monaco Pro | Base or side mount | 32in to 36in | Under 6ft | FIA 8855-1999 |
| Cobra Daytona | Base mount | 32in to 38in | All heights | Road and track |
| Corbeau Sportline RRS white stitch (pair) | Base mount | 32in to 38in | All heights | Road and track |
| Corbeau SVR Vinyl (pair) | Base mount | 32in to 38in | All heights | Road and track |
| Corbeau Sportline RRB Black (pair) | Base mount | 32in to 38in | All heights | Road and track |
| Recaro Sportster CS | Base mount | All sizes | All heights | Road and track |
| Sparco R500 Sky | Base mount | 32in to 38in | All heights | Road and track |
Questions about fitting seats in a BMW F80 M3
Does the M4 take the same parts?
Not the same listings. The F80 is the saloon and the F82 M4 is the coupe, and the makers catalogue them separately. The M4 has its own guide. If you are unsure which car you have, send us the registration.
Can I keep the seat adjustment?
Yes, with the PCI sliding sub frame, which keeps the fore and aft travel after fitting. The OMP, Planted, Recaro and Corbeau direct fit frames are the base mount route and set the position once, sitting the seat lower.
What happens to the powered seat and its sensors?
They come out with the standard seat. A bucket on a direct fit frame is manual. Depending on specification the car may also have occupancy sensing in the seat, so tell us what your car has and we will go through what that means before you order.
Which seat suits a broader driver?
The Sparco Circuit II QRT is listed to a 40in waist and for all driver heights, which makes it the roomiest shell here. On the reclining side the Recaro Sportster CS carries no waist restriction, and the three Corbeau pairs all go to 38in.
Is it worth buying seats as a pair?
If you are doing both sides, yes. The Corbeau options on this page are listed and priced as a pair rather than singly, which usually works out better than buying two singles. Tell us whether it is one seat or two when you enquire.
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