Macht Schnell seat base + emulator questions

H

Hysteric

Member
Hi all, I've searched the forum and couldn't spot an answer so apologies for the potentially silly question.

I've got a z4m e86 and picked up a set of cobra nogaros I'd like to swop in. I'd like to retain the oem 3point belt.

I like the look of macht schnell lightweight seat bases but not sure where / how the seat belt fixed connection and srs pretensioner (buckle) mounts to this? Am I missing a piece of kit for this?

Lastly, any recommendations for reliable emulator to plug and play the airbag to be permanently on?

Many thanks
 
My previous thread is here.

I bought the 'hybrid' bracket that allows you to use both road belt and harnesses. This is a thin rail with a 90º bracket at the back, so the belt attaches to it on the door side, and the buckle/pretension attached to the transmission tunnel side.

I got most of my bits from CA Automotive when the were a thing, and this is the hybrid seat belt bracket I bought (which is not strictly needed if you're sticking with the standard 3-point belt)...

I didn't get an emulator, as I got my hands on a relatively cheap, new, genuine seat occupancy mat that I fitted under the Recaro cushions. But if you have a later model than mine and have the passenger airbag deactivation switch, then you may not need an emulator at all).

You can 'just' about see the bolt/bracket where the door side belt is mounted to the rear of the Recaro mount / logo...



Those were Macht Schell ones, but you can get smaller/simpler ones, just for the 3-point belts, like these...
Rail and seatbelt mount.png
 
Last edited:
Thanks @mmm-five - just to be clear did you get the 90deg bracket piece for both tunnel and door side? Does the buckle connect to this or to the side of the seat mount on the tunnel side?
 
I got a pair of the hybrid set for both sides...but I've not got the car with me, so can't see how I've attached the seat belt buckle receptacle (it's very tight in there, so might not even be able to get a photo anyway) - but I'd assume I've simply connected the receptacle to the lug on the outside of the bracket...as I did for the seat belt on the other side of the seat.

I did see some offerings where there was simply a 1" square block welded on the bracket that could only be used to screw the original items into - so the difference is simply these being hybrid and being able to screw a harness mount into them as well.

ms_bolt_in.jpg

My whole list looked like this...
  • 2 x Recaro Pole Position ABE seats (black ambla and silver dynamic as champagne were no longer available) - £1440
  • 2 x champagne alcantara cushion sets for ABE seats (from car-bone.pl) - £650
  • 2 x Recaro side mount sets - £220
  • 2 x Recaro seat sliders - £150
  • 2 x Macht Schnell floor mounts - £370
  • 2 x Macht Schnell Hybrid seat belt brackets (the kit pictured above) - £216
  • 2 x female seat belt buckles - £164
  • 1 x genuine BMW passenger occupancy sensor mat - £60
Here's a photo of the PSDesigns version - which weren't available when I was buying - and I think they show the bolt/eye options for 3-point belts and harnesses better...
psdesigns-harness-lap-belt-oem-seat-belt-mount-brackets-bmw-e9x-e8x.jpg


...and here's one of the simpler 90º brackets for 3-point belts only...
SeatBeltMount2.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the incredibly detailed breakdown and the photos, mmm-five! It really clarifies the nuances between the different bracket options and how the buckles connect. This kind of thorough explanation is invaluable for anyone looking to do a similar installation.
 
Super helpful @mmm-five - the psd option looks solid.. may go with macht option just to keep it all one brand.

Next step is to the remove the existing buckle and see how that's connected.

Current state of play - trial fit without mounts.

IMG_20260406_151550410.jpg
 
So thought I might capture where I ended up for posterity.

Mainly because I am too tight to pay £100s for seat bases essentially flat bits steels with threaded holes I took a punt on these.


Paid about £85 / side after making an offer. They fit just fine. CNC machines, threads are good and fits the standard mounting points. Actually have two options so allows the seats to be either forward or more set back position.

IMG_20260508_190348184.jpg

I was re using the existing 3 point OEM seatbelts so I then used the XC3 belt mounting bracket as it's UK made and exactly the same as VAC option. Bought that from clubsport.

I bought a new occupancy sensor mat for the passenger seat and cobbled together the connector blocks for pretensioner and seat buckle.

Used an Autophix 7910 to clear the airbag code and jobs a good un. Hope that helps others in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom