Page 1 of 1

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 11:11 am
by bigwinn
Hi all

I picked up a set of M-Sport seats in need of a bit of TLC. As I saw a few guides where pics had gone missing I thought I'd pop a new post up.

Will be in different parts.

The seats in question were Nappa Champagne from an 07 coupe. Electric but no heating.
IMG_3291.jpeg
IMG_3291.jpeg (161.92 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
I decided to retrofit heating pads, repair the leather (which wasn't too bad), look at the foam and recolour.

Part one is how to get into the backrest:

Remove the plastic side covers from the lower part of the backrest to reveal two silver T30 bolts- undo and the backrest will separate from the seat base.

I needed to get the leather away from the foam base. Tools needed here are either a set of needle nose pliers OR good snipping pliers to cut the hog rings.

When you have the backrest face down you will see at the base of the seat there are two hog rings that secure the leather to the foam- snip them off
IMG_3328.jpeg
IMG_3328.jpeg (126.74 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
Working from the base, start to free the seam from the seat, its rubber/plastic beading that will pry away using either a screwdriver or trim tool, if you compress the foam this will help too but be careful not to damage the leather
IMG_3363.jpeg
IMG_3363.jpeg (186.79 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
Better view of that hog ring
IMG_3364.jpeg
IMG_3364.jpeg (150.48 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
Work around the edge of the seat working the bead free
IMG_3365.jpeg
IMG_3365.jpeg (179.99 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
IMG_3366.jpeg
IMG_3366.jpeg (165.23 KiB) Viewed 1605 times
Once the beading is free you can separate the back rest (a shell outer and a polystyrene inner) and the leather faced foam.

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 11:12 am
by bigwinn
once those are separated its on to taking the hog rings out that hold the leather to the foam. make sure to not damage the leather!
IMG_3367.jpeg
IMG_3367.jpeg (152.97 KiB) Viewed 1604 times
IMG_3368.jpeg
IMG_3368.jpeg (112.07 KiB) Viewed 1604 times
IMG_3369.jpeg
IMG_3369.jpeg (113.71 KiB) Viewed 1604 times
IMG_3370.jpeg
IMG_3370.jpeg (107.65 KiB) Viewed 1604 times

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 11:14 am
by bigwinn
Now both backrests are done I am going to repair the foam from the drivers side and swap the foam passenger to driver and vice versa. Adding heated elements, I managed to source a set of bolster heating elements and used generic pads for the backrest and base.

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 1:36 pm
by IRD
Makes an interesting read Stuart. Nothing much phases you does it? Looking forward to seeing the finished seats. :D

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:04 pm
by bigwinn
Finishing the backrest off- I installed the bolster heating, then the central element. Refitting the leather is the opposite using the hog ties and the hog tie pliers
IMG_3451.jpeg
IMG_3451.jpeg (120.28 KiB) Viewed 1550 times
IMG_3452.jpeg
IMG_3452.jpeg (116.63 KiB) Viewed 1550 times

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:06 pm
by bigwinn
once the two backrests were done and ready to be re installed to the plastic of the seat, I did use some 1/2" firm foam cut into a shape to follow the bolster

Refitting the plastic seam to the seat is just trial and error and make sure its pressed well into place.

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:10 pm
by bigwinn
The bases

I had to remove the plastic around and of the memory controls- fiddly but logical- with a few screws and bolts
IMG_3455.jpeg
IMG_3455.jpeg (133.45 KiB) Viewed 1546 times
IMG_3459.jpeg
IMG_3459.jpeg (112.29 KiB) Viewed 1546 times
Then all other plastic trim- again evident where its bolted/clipped
IMG_3465.jpeg
IMG_3465.jpeg (177.81 KiB) Viewed 1546 times
Then unseat the leather which is held in place by 3 seam runners clipped onto the seat base
IMG_3466.jpeg
IMG_3466.jpeg (126.32 KiB) Viewed 1546 times
IMG_3467.jpeg
IMG_3467.jpeg (115.66 KiB) Viewed 1546 times
IMG_3468.jpeg
IMG_3468.jpeg (150.88 KiB) Viewed 1546 times

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:12 pm
by bigwinn
Now the leather can be lifted to see those lovely hog ties again

You'll find some at the rear corners again before getting into the inlaid seat ones
IMG_3469.jpeg
IMG_3469.jpeg (137.39 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
IMG_3470.jpeg
IMG_3470.jpeg (156.26 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
IMG_3471.jpeg
IMG_3471.jpeg (173.96 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
IMG_3472.jpeg
IMG_3472.jpeg (111.13 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
Seat occupancy sensor
IMG_3473.jpeg
IMG_3473.jpeg (141.21 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
And element laid
IMG_3474.jpeg
IMG_3474.jpeg (142.2 KiB) Viewed 1544 times
Reassemble in opposite order-

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2022 5:31 pm
by Zulu4
Nice job Stuart.
Where did you source the bolster heated pads from ?

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2022 6:30 pm
by IRD
I saw these seats yesterday as they move towards completion. They look absolutely stunning. They look almost like new. If I was looking for some in this colour I would be trying to persuade Stuart to sell. :D

M-Sport seats; refurb

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 pm
by JPCanta
Fantastic job. I Did the same, but unfortunately only after install in the car I notice that the heating was not working. Thab after 3/4 weeks of research l, I found out that this Msport seats has a center heat pads.

Do you have some pictures of the wiring connections that you made?

Another question: can you send me the reference if the generic heater that you bought? Is the thermic sensor work properly for the Z4 E85?

Thank you so much!