Upgrade Your BMW E87: The Ultimate Guide to Performance Seats and Fitting Solutions
We recently received a message from a customer asking about upgrading the seats in his BMW 1 Series E87. To provide a comprehensive answer, we’ve put together this blog post detailing the benefits of upgrading the seats, the specific subframes we have available, and the types of seats that work best with each subframe. If you’re looking to enhance your driving experience in a BMW 1 Series E87, read on to find out which options might suit you best.
Seat Options for Your BMW E87
The list of seats that fit using the brackets we discuss later in this blog is extensive and almost endless. Between the four brackets we recommend, we can fit any seat into your BMW 1 Series E87. So we have shortlisted the seats here to the most popular we’ve found this year.
Recaro Sportster CS
The Recaro Sportster CS is a premium sports seat that perfectly balances the comfort of a road car seat with the support of a racing shell. It features an innovative lightweight shell design, integrated headrests, and specially formed shoulder and lateral supports. This seat is particularly suitable for both daily driving and occasional track use, offering outstanding support during spirited driving. The Recaro Sportster CS can be equipped with heating and is compatible with both 3- and 4-point harnesses, making it a versatile option for various driving scenarios.
Recaro Pole Position Seats
The Recaro Pole Position ABE is a non-FIA-approved seat that blends race-proven technology with the comfort needed for road use. It features a glass fiber reinforced plastic shell, optimal shoulder support, and lumbar cushions for spinal support. This seat is ideal for track enthusiasts who also use their car on the road. It offers excellent lateral support and is designed for use with 4-point harnesses.
Alternatively, you could also choose the Recaro Pole Position FIA bucket seat. This provides higher support at the hips for a more competitive feel and comes with FIA approval for race use. The overall height and shell is very similar to the ABE excluding the hip width.
Cobra Nogaro Bucket Seats
The Cobra Nogaro Circuit seat is designed for both track and road use, offering high levels of comfort and support. It features a composite shell with integrated lateral supports, making it perfect for high-performance driving. The seat is upholstered in high-quality materials, ensuring durability and a premium feel. Its design allows for a snug fit, providing excellent support during aggressive cornering and spirited driving.
For drivers looking for the same seat but with a more affordable trim choice, we also have the Cobra Nogaro Club Sport which comes in a soft touch velour providing all the same support at a fraction of the price.
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From £524.17 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £682.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Sparco Evo QRT Range
The Sparco Evo QRT seat uses Sparco’s innovative QRT (Quick Resin Technology) manufacturing process, resulting in an exceptionally lightweight and strong seat. It features excellent lateral support, a breathable fabric cover, and is FIA-approved, making it suitable for serious track enthusiasts. The Evo QRT is designed to accommodate a variety of driver sizes and offers superior support during high-performance driving
It’s key to point out that the Sparco EVO QRT comes in 3 sizes. As a rule of thumb, we state that the Evo QRT is suitable for a 32-34″ waist, the Evo QRT L is suitable for a 34″-38″ waist and the Evo QRT XL is suitable for a 36″-40″ waist.
OMP ARS & WRC Bucket Seats
The OMP ARS seat is a versatile racing seat that offers a balance of comfort and performance. It features a tubular steel frame and high-density padding, providing both strength and comfort. The seat’s design includes large harness slots, making it compatible with various harness systems. It’s ideal for track days and racing events, providing the necessary support and safety for competitive driving.
Alternatively, The OMP WRC seat is a top choice for racers seeking a balance of comfort and performance that require higher levels of bolster side support and kidney support. This seat also features a gel-coated fiberglass shell, which provides a robust yet lightweight structure. Its high side bolsters offer excellent lateral support, keeping you firmly in place during aggressive cornering. The WRC seat is upholstered in highly breathable Airtex material, ensuring comfort even during long racing sessions. With removable back, base, and leg cushions, this seat allows for personalized adjustments to maximize individual seating comfort.
Our Recommended Fitting Brackets
When upgrading your seats, the right mounting brackets are crucial for ensuring a secure fit and optimal driving position. We offer four key types of subframes for the BMW 1 Series E87: OMP, Recaro, Planted Technology, and PCI Racing. As a rule of thumb we recommend using the Recaro base frame for the Recaro seats listed above (+Side mounts for the Pole Positions), the PCI Racing for all other side mounted bucket seats, and the OMP or Planted Technology sub-frames if you are looking at any other reclining seats from our website not listed here.
Recaro Subframe
The Recaro subframe is designed to be a direct fit for the BMW 1 Series E87, providing a seamless installation process. Recaro seats, known for their ergonomic design and high build quality, are a great choice for both daily driving and track use. Popular models that can be used with this subframe include the Recaro Sportster CS and Recaro Pole Position.
Planted Technology Subframe
Planted Technology subframes are renowned for their durability and precision engineering. These brackets offer a solid base for a wide range of aftermarket seats, ensuring compatibility with most brands. They are made from 3/16″ steel, providing maximum strength and safety. You can pair these with seats from various manufacturers due to the multiple bolt location pattern they provide. This includes fitment for all major brands including Sparco, OMP, Cobra, and Corbeau.
PCI Racing Subframe
PCI Racing subframes are another excellent choice for the BMW 1 Series E87, offering robust construction and compatibility with a variety of side mounted racing seats. PCI Racing is known for its high-quality products that meet the demands of competitive motorsport. This subframe works well with side-mounted racing seats from brands like OMP to Mirco. We tend to recommend this setup for pretty much every side mounted seat on the market.
OMP Racing Subframe
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From £185.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £275.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Looking For Carbon?
We know everyone loves a little Carbon Fibre! We get asked all the time for seats with a Carbon shell or Carbon design. So here’s our favourite Carbon bucket seats and sports recliners that we recommend for your BMW 1 Series E87. These will also work with the same fixing brackets discussed previously.
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From £2,182.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Final Thoughts
So, with all these choices there are just a few final things to consider.
- Fit and Comfort: Ensure the seat dimensions match your body size for optimal comfort and support. Test different models if possible to find the best fit.
- Weight: A lighter seat can improve your car’s performance by reducing its overall weight.
- Safety: Look for seats that offer good lateral support and have proper harness compatibility for track use.
- Material: Choose materials that suit your driving conditions and preferences, such as leather for durability or Alcantara for grip.
Upgrading the seats in your BMW 1 Series E87 can transform your driving experience, offering enhanced comfort, better support, and improved aesthetics. Whether you choose OMP, Recaro, Planted Technology, or PCI Racing subframes, ensure that your new seats are properly fitted to maximize their benefits. It’s now time to explore the seat options we have in stock.