Rentune's Recaro Seat Base?

[Rishi]

Has anyone tried rentune's lowered Recaro seat base?

Going by the looks, it's a straight swap where you bolt your lower cushion and tilting seatback into their frame, then bolt it onto your runners/the floor.

I used a Recaro for a year or so then eventually switched back to the original seat due to the height of the Recaro. Rentune's base lowers by 50mm but not sure if this will really make much of a difference?

Thanks for any info

 

[Doogle]

It should make enough difference. I have it on the watch list, knowing Rentunes reputation it should be well made. It should also be lighter than the standard factory unit. Unfortunately I cannot justify £300 at the moment but I suspect it would make a world of difference to the driving experience. Id also think there would be less wear on the seat bolster for getting in and out.

 

[Rishi]

It should make enough difference. I have it on the watch list, knowing Rentunes reputation it should be well made. It should also be lighter than the standard factory unit. Unfortunately I cannot justify £300 at the moment but I suspect it would make a world of difference to the driving experience. Id also think there would be less wear on the seat bolster for getting in and out.

50mm doesn't seem like that much but it may make all the difference.

I should have one fitted by the end of next week, I'll let you know how it is...

 

[rupe30]

50mm doesn't seem like that much but it may make all the difference.

I should have one fitted by the end of next week, I'll let you know how it is...

I fitted the one @Flacsi sells on here. Think it was £160. Car is much more enjoyable to drive now, I was getting back pain before i think because i was slouching down to try and sit lower. As far as mods go it's an absolute must.

 

[Flacsi]

hi Guys, yes its me who prepares and sells these subframes for the driver seat.
many were sold and installed.
Would you need one, just send me a pm.

I also sell it on eBay as flat_tama but obviously cheaper here as you do not have to pay the silly eBay charges.

 

[Doogle]

50mm doesn't seem like that much but it may make all the difference.

I should have one fitted by the end of next week, I'll let you know how it is...

Id definitely be interested to see how good the Rentune Recaro subframe is, let me know how easy it is to install too if you can.

Flacsi, how much does your lower the seat by? Easy to install for a home mechanic?

 

[Rishi]

Id definitely be interested to see how good the Rentune Recaro subframe is, let me know how easy it is to install too if you can.

Flacsi, how much does your lower the seat by? Easy to install for a home mechanic?

I've had my seat out a few times swapping the Renault factory with the Recaro seat and think that both options for the lowered seat base look fairly easy to install as long as you have the tools, famous last words! I'll take some pictures of the installation.

I saw that Flasci's seatbase is supposed to be 6-7cm so a bit lower than rentune's 50mm. I'm going for rentune's as its a full swap, whereas Flasci's base bolts to the upper part of the Recaro seat base. My Recaro base has the upper and lower frames welded together to stop it rocking so rentune's is a far easier option.

 

[Rishi]

I fitted a Rentune seatframe earlier this week and feel as if the seating position is spot on.

The seatframe was fairly easy to install - a few nuts and bolts, airbag/seatbelt connectors and all the tilt/slide functions transfer across.

 

[Deer_Dodger]

Just bought one too, hopefully get it fitted in a few weeks.

If anyone in the a Stirling area wants to try for size once fitted, please just shout.

There is a YouTube video of a guy lowering his Recaro in a Mk3 Focus RS by 55mm and is blown away by the seat height drop. Different car and different subframe I know, but the drop is similar.

The Rentune subframe is 5kg lighter than standard but still looks very substantially made.

I'll post photos of the drop when fitted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rishi]

Yeah the Rentune base is a solid piece of kit yet still much lighter than standard.

The height is just right for the design of the car, low enough to feel more connected but any lower and the steering angle would be off.

 

[Deer_Dodger]

My subframe arrived today. Build quality looks more substantial than the height adjuster mechanism. Great finish too.

Not fitted yet, pulled out the seat on the height adjustable subframe, but don't have a T45 torx bit, so can't remove the seat back from subframe yet.

I did however put the new subframe in with the seat base on it, I felt like a small kid sat in a giant car, amazing!

Photos to follow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Doogle]

My subframe arrived today. Build quality looks more substantial than the height adjuster mechanism. Great finish too.

Not fitted yet, pulled out the seat on the height adjustable subframe, but don't have a T45 torx bit, so can't remove the seat back from subframe yet.

I did however put the new subframe in with the seat base on it, I felt like a small kid sat in a giant car, amazing!

Photos to follow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Currently looking into getting a group buy for the Rentune bases, I am glad you are happy with it bud!

 

[Deer_Dodger]

I'll get a fitting guide written up with photos once it's in.

I laughed out loud when I sat on the base, it was probably lower than I'll sit when the back is fitted as that will push me further forward and slightly higher on the base, but I couldn't see behind me with my mirrors and I can now see the top of my dials.

If I'm being picky, the aesthetics will be slightly spoilt as the driver's seat will look so low compared to the passenger seat, symmetry will be lost. Do I really care? Nope!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Doogle]

I'll get a fitting guide written up with photos once it's in.

I laughed out loud when I sat on the base, it was probably lower than I'll sit when the back is fitted as that will push me further forward and slightly higher on the base, but I couldn't see behind me with my mirrors and I can now see the top of my dials.

If I'm being picky, the aesthetics will be slightly spoilt as the driver's seat will look so low compared to the passenger seat, symmetry will be lost. Do I really care? Nope!

I look forward to seeing it, Im intrigued as to what it will look like. The lack of plastic side doesn't bother me much but as you say, the difference in height is annoying. The passenger side is substantially less complicated though and a fab shop could easily reduce the height I would guess.

 

[Deer_Dodger]

The plastic but doesn't bother me either, the passenger seat doesn't have this anyway.

A couple of nice 'Recaro' decals on each subframe and it will look fine

 

[Ruben203]

There is no doubt that the rendtune has a very good quality, but it is too expensive for me

I dedicate myself in Spain to adjust recaro seats for the renault clio 2 installing them as low as possible, I could assure that 90% of clio 172/182 with recaros carry my subframes

Right now I'm working on some for my Clio 200, it will not be as good a job as the RenTune but it will be down 3-4 cm for 1/3 of the cost.
I will keep you informed.

A small sample of one of my works:



 

[peter]

@Ruben203 ... are you planning on doing one for the passenger seat as well?

 

[Ruben203]

@Ruben203 ... are you planning on doing one for the passenger seat as well?

yes, there is no problem in doing them for rhd, but it will not be plug and play, it will be necessary to make some small modification in the original subframe, I will do a guide on how to do it

 

[Deer_Dodger]

Job finished.

It does look and feel a lot lower now. Any lower and even the lowest setting on the steering wheel would be too high. Then again it might not be that low, it might just be further away than the passenger seat (as per the Father Ted cow scene)

I'll get the guide written up tonight.

 

[Doogle]

If anyone on here is after a Rentune base I have set up a group buy in the group buy section.