Factory Recaro seats in new Defender

[Anodyne]

Can anyone shed some light on the factory option of part leather Recaro seats?
Are they worth the money?
I'd appreciate comments from owners, particularly whether they have good lumbar support, and whether as some have mentioned, they are hard to get into/out of.
I'm looking to order these but there don't seem to be many around to try.
Thanks in anticipation

[ericvv]

Simply said, the factory Recaros are in a league apart. And I say this after 5.5 years SVX ownership and 67k km.
They give much better support than standard or the relatively new upgraded Defender factory seats, and also much better than the often praised Scheelman seats which you find in some small numbers limited edition Defenders like the Black Pearl and the Hunter editions.
Good support, some people call it hard, but for longer trips, the firmness actually means that you arrive in better shape.
As they are relatively thin, I believe leg room is a bit improved too versus standard seats, and they are rather low mounted, so more headroom too and a better view out of the windshield.
If you buy them, know that Land Rover also offer dedicated seat covers for these Recaros. I have bought those for my SVX and very happy with them while the seats side leather is not getting damaged.
They are not difficult at all to get in and out, the sides are not that high.
If you want to see pictures of seats plus seat covers, there are plenty in my gallery on defender2.net. (my user name is ericvv there too)
Good luck, Eric

[Drover]

100% with Ericvv. 5.5 years of SVX ownership and just love the seats (& lots of other stuff) and so does the missus.

The seat are sooo good, supportive, comfy and look trick.

I'm about 3 hours south of you but if your down this way you are welcome to have a sit in mine.

Cheers

[danske]

Awesome choice , I have them in my SVX and 114 ,000 kms later , i cant fault them. Everyone who sits in the passenger seat large or small , love them. I regularly travel 8 hours to my folks house and I always get out feeling good , whichis more than i can say for my Rangie seats or my old disco 2 seats. I also drive new discos and Rangie Sports on saturdays for work and my defender recaros are way better after 6 hours of driving . I have extension mods from Mulgo with mine , and they work well leg room wise. ( Only seats that I found better were the RR Vogue seats in my 03, but they were big and spacious)

I didn't know you could get factory covers for the seats , I will be investigating them. The seats are the most comfortable thing in the car , go for it.

[ericvv]

SVX Recaros seat cover is Land Rover part number VPLDS0038

[Chops]

Can I ask how much extra they are as an option. I often wonder if I should have done this when we bought ours, especially now as the seat-back has shagged itself :mad:

I know to buy after market, they are very expensive :(

[jimb]

Does anyone know where to buy in AUS?

[ProjectDirector]

Does anyone know where to buy in AUS?


You can get them from LR. Last year when I bought mine I thought I heard the sales guy saying they were ~$5000, I might be wrong but that is why I didn't include them as extra instead I ordered the premium leather.

[jimb]

Yeah. I should have asked, dies anyone know where to get them in Australia, apart from Land Rover.

I have looked at some o/s sites. Which model is best or which model does the svx come with?

[Rick Fischer]

I have found them to be very comfortable and good for long trips, lots of support and off road good body holding :) However:


reversing becomes even more painful; literally as well as figuratively, one has to learn to do it on the mirrors, really crook with an empty narrow boat trailer :(
Both LR and Recaro "don't wanna know". Recaro says see LR, and LR says see Recaro. The seats are orphans! :(.............and there is no info in the MM even in the SVX supplement.
Standard inflatable Recaro lumbar supports cannot be inserted.
On mine, previous owner had worn the coating off of RH outer bolster and seat leather; and
if like me you happen to like sheepskin next to your body as you drive, no one makes sheepskins to fit Recaros . not that I can find anyway. They will build a set for you though $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :(

Hope this adds to the general sum of knowledge :)



Cheers



RF

[muddys1]

I priced these 4 years ago from r/c not sure if i can say the name but large LRp arts co here in Oz, $8000 each was the quote for recaros

[RVR110]

I priced these 4 years ago from r/c not sure if i can say the name but large LRp arts co here in Oz, $8000 each was the quote for recarosMake sure you clarify if they are factory installed or dealer installed. At that price I'm guessing that you've been quoted for dealer installed Recaros not factory installed.

[jimb]

Found a few in AUS suppliers, which I now remember I found sometime ago- but got lost on the models and lack of instant pricing feedback.

APT fabrication are selling the specialist model for $1700 + base / seat.

A web site called RECARO – Idealseat Company – Orthopaedic Seating Specialists – A new dimension in seating (http://www.idealseat.com.au/html/overview_all.html)
has the range, and looks like the distributor for australian stockists.
Be keen if someone could identify which seat the SVX comes with from this site.

Curious if Recaro have a base that can be lifted off as the standard seat base does? and how it works in the SVX?

Can some SVX owners lashed some light?

[jimb]

RECARO Sportster CS ?


The web site
INTERIORS : Recaro Carbon Seat (http://www.tunemydefender.com/interiors/recaro-carbon-seat-detail)
seem to have a good idea and suggest it is a Sportster CS? or at leafs this is a good option and looks similar form the photos.


However on the AUS distributor web site this model looks different on the base. The sides are high and I can imagine difficult to enter-


I have attached a photo from the tune site. hopefully it attached

[Anodyne]

You can get them from LR. Last year when I bought mine I thought I heard the sales guy saying they were ~$5000, I might be wrong but that is why I didn't include them as extra instead I ordered the premium leather.

Thanks to all who have replied, I get the message that these are worth having, I believe they are cheaper as a factory option but as some have mentioned it is hard to determine exactly which ones are fitted, or if these are a lower grade seat from the recaro range.
I'll post when I have better info

[Drover]

RECARO Sportster CS ?


The web site
INTERIORS : Recaro Carbon Seat (http://www.tunemydefender.com/interiors/recaro-carbon-seat-detail)
seem to have a good idea and suggest it is a Sportster CS? or at leafs this is a good option and looks similar form the photos.


However on the AUS distributor web site this model looks different on the base. The sides are high and I can imagine difficult to enter-


I have attached a photo from the tune site. hopefully it attached

There the one's !

Same as SVX anyway !

[danske]

Im sure all SVX are the same , thought I should mention it as i didn't see it in any of these posts. My seats are heated on the bottom piece. Great in winter !

[camo1221]

I spoke to the guys from Ideal seats a couple of years ago at a 4x4 show..... They told me that the "Sportster CS" is very similar to the seat they supply to Landrover. He recommended the "Specialist M" model as a replacement for standard defender seats.

I think he said they had a sprung base as opposed to the the solid base of the sportster. But I could be wrong as it was a few years ago.

I think both seats were around the 2.2k each including the defender mounting adapter. Which did allow easy access to the seat boxes.

I believe you can buy direct through them (in melbourne) or one of there stockists, which include some opposite lock stores.

[2stroke]

I think both seats were around the 2.2k each including the defender mounting adapter. Which did allow easy access to the seat boxes.

.
That's a lot of money but you got my attention when you mentioned easy access to the seat boxes. Seat box access, while not an issue on a Puma is most important to me.

[jimb]

Feedback so far 2 non~Landrover options

Option A
APT here in AUS

"Unfortunately the Recaro’s with the removable base were a onetime special build for Land Rover and they won’t re release them until a massive order is placed.

Prices between $1999 to $2099 + Land Rover specific seat mounting frames are $220 each

The seat bases are hinged so the seat flips back to allow access to the storage under the seat. "

Pair = $4400+ freight.

Option B UK tunemy defender

They have there own specific bracket that allows the seat base to be removed. This costs £50/pair + £60/seat for the LR adaptor. So add £170 for a pair. Seat cost is £912/seat. Without shipping.


The email replies both quick and helpful. It dies sound like the UK mob are into it a but more and they have the remove able base.

Pair =£1994 + shipping

Are the SVX recaro seats:
1. Reclinable to allow under seat storage or
2. Seat base removable ?

[kaz11]

The seat base removes.

I already miss my heated Recaro seats :(

[jimb]

Thanks kaz. I guessed as mych

[Drover]

Feedback so far 2 non~Landrover options

Option A
APT here in AUS

"Unfortunately the Recaro’s with the removable base were a onetime special build for Land Rover and they won’t re release them until a massive order is placed.

Prices between $1999 to $2099 + Land Rover specific seat mounting frames are $220 each

The seat bases are hinged so the seat flips back to allow access to the storage under the seat. "

Pair = $4400+ freight.

Option B UK tunemy defender

They have there own specific bracket that allows the seat base to be removed. This costs £50/pair + £60/seat for the LR adaptor. So add £170 for a pair. Seat cost is £912/seat. Without shipping.


The email replies both quick and helpful. It dies sound like the UK mob are into it a but more and they have the remove able base.

Pair =£1994 + shipping

Are the SVX recaro seats:
1. Reclinable to allow under seat storage or
2. Seat base removable ?

I just imported a diff from Ashcroft's in the UK.

With the current exchange rate and import taxes and duties you can pretty double the £ GBP to Aus $.