A PCI Racing sliding sub frame for the BMW E36 3-Series, 1992 to 1998. Part number SM-E36-S1.
E36s are cheap enough to build properly and old enough that the standard seats are usually past their best, which is why so many end up with a bucket in them.
Why a proper mount on a car this age
A fabricated bracket on a thirty year old floorpan is exactly the wrong combination. A purpose made mount bolts to the factory seat mounting points and feeds seat load into structure designed to carry it. On a car of this age it is worth lifting the carpet and looking at the metal round those points before you spend anything, because a mount can only do its job if what it bolts to is sound.
The slider
PCI’s S1 slider bolts to the base with four bolts where a conventional slider uses two, which PCI rate as twice as strong as two bolt mounting. The seat moves fore and aft after fitting, which suits a car that is shared or still used on the road.
Construction
Laser cut and CNC formed from one piece of 1/8 inch carbon steel, gloss black powder coat, grade 10.9 8mm hardware, with five and six point sub belt mounting locations built in.
Ordering
Side mount, for a competition bucket. Handed, so order twice for a pair.
Have you written anything about this exact product?
Yes, we have covered this exact product: Top 5 reclining seat choices for your BMW 3 Series Sedan [E36], including our fitting guide, and Top 5 reclining seat choices for your BMW 3 Series Coupe [E46], including our fitting guide. That is first-hand coverage from our own builds and showroom, not brochure copy.
Will this fit my car?
This frame is made for the BMW E36. Chassis code and years matter more than the badge, as floor pans change between generations, so if your car sits near a changeover year, send us the registration and we will confirm before you order.
Which seats does it take?
Check the bolt pattern in the specification against your seat. The Compatible seats tab above lists what bolts straight on. If your seat is not listed, tell us what you run and we will confirm the fit.
Do I keep fore-and-aft adjustment?
Only with a sliding runner between the frame and the seat, which is a separate part on PCI frames. If more than one person drives the car, budget for the runner. Our guide to sliding runners explains the options and widths.
Base mount or side mount, and does it matter?
This is a side-mount frame: the seat hangs between side brackets bolted through its flanks, the motorsport-style stack that gives fine height and angle control. Our guide on base mount versus side mount explains the whole fitting stack.
Is this for the driver or passenger side?
Both sides are available on this listing, pick driver or passenger side at the point of order (sides listed are for right-hand-drive cars). Left-hand-drive car? Ask us, as the sides swap over and availability varies by model.
