Euro Recaros Question for People who have done the Install

[Cmnair]

Wanted to get some information on the install if anyone can help. I have a source for Euro Recaros from a 2004 RS6 Plus. How much of a plug and play is it?

What components need to be transferred from the US seats to the Euro Recaros to make everything work (airbag light etc)?

Has anyone managed to fit the memory model to the Euro Recaros? If not, any issues with steering wheel and side view mirror memory transferring over?

Do the memory switches on the US door cards work with steering wheel and side mirrors?

Has anyone successfully transferred courtesy lights over to the Euro Recaros?

Sorry for all the questions but I just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

Thanks in Advance

[kevcp]

Wanted to get some information on the install if anyone can help. I have a source for Euro Recaros from a 2004 RS6 Plus. How much of a plug and play is it?

What components need to be transferred from the US seats to the Euro Recaros to make everything work (airbag light etc)? You will need to transfer your seat belt buckle receiver from the US spec seats over to the Euro spec seats.

Has anyone managed to fit the memory model to the Euro Recaros? If not, any issues with steering wheel and side view mirror memory transferring over? I did not use the memory functions before, I will test this later to see if the steering and mirror functions still work and report back.

Do the memory switches on the US door cards work with steering wheel and side mirrors?

Has anyone successfully transferred courtesy lights over to the Euro Recaros? I did not bother even trying this.

Sorry for all the questions but I just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

Thanks in Advance

Answers to some of the questions above..

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19172&stc=1

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19173&stc=1

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19174&stc=1

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19175&stc=1

Some Alcantara pieces I had made, the steering wheel is in process..

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19176&stc=1

[Cmnair]

Thanks kevcp for the feedback! are there other components you transferred over? I had installed new door cards a year ago and didn't want to change them out now. Also how do you like the seats? :)

[Cmnair]

Anyone tried the memory retrofit? I have my settings and my wife's stored.

[Cmnair]

i went ahead and pulled the trigger on this. Will try and figure out seat memory and courtesy lights

[kruat]

What was the damage if you don't mind me asking?

[Cmnair]

He said he is going to get them cleaned up ...no tears but some creases on the bolsters....

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19177&stc=1https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19178&stc=1

[DHall1]

I’ll take em!

if you don’t.

[Cmnair]

I’ll take em!

if you don’t.
Hahaha Dave....will keep you posted.

[hahnmgh63]

You will need the Seatbelt portion off of your seats as their are a couple of wires that go to a plug. The Euro ones don't get the wires on their seatbelt plug so you get the airbag warning without it. Just don't get rid of your OEM seats until you get the new ones and you will see what I mean. You will have to splice a couple of wires but it clears the codes. I did not get the memory function to work, nor did I try.

[Cmnair]

You will need the Seatbelt portion off of your seats as their are a couple of wires that go to a plug. The Euro ones don't get the wires on their seatbelt plug so you get the airbag warning without it. Just don't get rid of your OEM seats until you get the new ones and you will see what I mean. You will have to splice a couple of wires but it clears the codes. I did not get the memory function to work, nor did I try.
Thank you ...yes the US seats will stay in the car till I get these.

[Cmnair]

Any issues with driver and passenger sides being switched since this is coming from a UK car? Was wondering if any coding needed to be done to get seat heater to work. These cars don't have a seat occupancy sensor right for the passenger seat?

[hahnmgh63]

I'm not sure if there were different Sport seat options as far as with or without heat but if I remember right mine had 2 plugs and the U.S. seats have 3 plugs. The 2 plugs are a straight plug in, one if for the seat heat and should work just fine, the other is for the Airbags, 3rd is for the memory which I don't have. It will all make sense when you get the seats and have them side by side and you are swapping that inner seatbelt anchor over. Just make sure you tie wrap them out of the way so they don't get caught when you are moving the seats.

[rah]

i went ahead and pulled the trigger on this. Will try and figure out seat memory and courtesy lights

Let us know how the install went and if you figured out the memory thing at the end. I have been wanting Euro seats for mine, make it a write up for all of us!

[catriple]

All you need to do is recode the airbags to "rest of world" and no more airbag light for the front seats. thats the way they come from factory. you dont need to re-wire anything.

[Cmnair]

All you need to do is recode the airbags to "rest of world" and no more airbag light for the front seats. thats the way they come from factory. you dont need to re-wire anything.
Thank you...yes going to try that. The seller told me the same thing. Seats should arrive by Friday will keep you posted. Looks like the seats do need a thorough refreshing though.

[catriple]

Thank you...yes going to try that. The seller told me the same thing. Seats should arrive by Friday will keep you posted. Looks like the seats do need a thorough refreshing though.

No Problem. You must have nabbed these from Steve! Great guy. Those actually look pretty decent as far as 17 year old white seats go. Good snag man. Feel free to reach out if you need help with coding. Literally a 3 min thing.

[Cmnair]

No Problem. You must have nabbed these from Steve! Great guy. Those actually look pretty decent as far as 17 year old white seats go. Good snag man. Feel free to reach out if you need help with coding. Literally a 3 min thing.

Thank you...yes it's from Steve and a guy called Tighe arranged shipping.

[Cmnair]

Pics of seats


19186

[kruat]

Dang, nice. Color me jealous.

[Cmnair]

So i just got the seats and dropped them off to my detailer/restorer. Overall in good shape but needs some TLC..seats have a nice patina. Added Bonus, looks like the PO installed TVs in the headrests....not sure if I want to keep those or not. Also i am not sure if memory can be transferred (will try and see what can be done along with courtesy lights). If memory cannot be transferred there is a chance that I might let them go..they are being cleaned and reconditioned right now.

[nene]

Same as mine. I did the inserts in headliner matching Alcantara because they needed some TLC as well and that gave it a newer/refreshed look.
Even though my order also came with door card inserts, I decided to keep my stock ones as they were in better shape, and sold the ones that came with the seats.

http://www.htms.org/img/052006/Recaros/RS6Recaro_01.jpg

http://www.htms.org/img/052006/Recaros/RS6Recaro_04.jpg

[Cmnair]

Same as mine. I did the inserts in headliner matching Alcantara because they needed some TLC as well and that gave it a newer/refreshed look.
Even though my order also came with door card inserts, I decided to keep my stock ones as they were in better shape, and sold the ones that came with the seats.

http://www.htms.org/img/052006/Recaros/RS6Recaro_01.jpg

http://www.htms.org/img/052006/Recaros/RS6Recaro_04.jpg

Dang that's nice!

[nene]

If you decide to part with your seats let me know. I would probably get them to dye the piping red, dye the white edges in black, and do the inserts in grey alcantara to match exterior car color.
Just some ideas. Hope you do keep them. I don't remember installing the welcome light nor if the memory function works. But honestly I have not missed it either. Just having those seats make the interior so much cooler that I was ok with not having a couple of other functions. Really hope you decide to keep them and enjoy them first. If after the install you decide a few months later you don't like them, you can always replace them with your stock units, and sell Recaros to me.

I think the headrests are the same size on both Recaro and stock seats. I believe I installed my stock headrests on the Recaros, again because they were in better shape. So you don't have to worry about the TVs on the headrests. I am assuming you currently have the silver stock set. If you have a black stock set, you could probably try to source the silver ones from other folks that have parted out broken RS6s.

My rear Recaros did not come with a key. Obviously now I can't lock them in place to prevent trunk access as you are able with the stock ones. Still not a bit deal.

[Cmnair]

Thanks Nene will keep you posted. Didn't think about the key for the rears oops. My stock seats are in really good condition that's why I am going to wait and see how the Recaros come out. Yes I can swap the headrests from my stock seats. I also got new seat belt buckle receivers for my stock fronts which I might swap out to the Recaros if I decide to keep them

[Cmnair]

Pics of the seats at the Detailer just after they arrived. Note the rust on the lower bracket....weird.

19189

[Cmnair]

Some pics just after they arrived

191901919119192

[Cmnair]

Question...these don't have lumbar adjustment like the stock seats? I forgot to check

[nubcake]

Only in horizontal plane. That 2-pos switch.

[Cmnair]

Only in horizontal plane. That 2-pos switch.
Ok thanks...I didn't the the additional switch cluster like have on the stock seats

[nene]

Gets some metal sand paper and clean the bracket. Cover the seats and just use some black paint and the bracket will be as good as new.
I think you could spend a bit more to get them fully refurbished properly. Using a plain leather cleaner won't change the year and use those seats have endured. You just need to find the right place to do it.

[Cmnair]

How much would it cost to refurbish?

[nene]

I upholstered my inserts back in 2006 for $1200. I used A1 Upholstery (http://www.a1boston.com/services.html) near Boston. Highly recommended.
They offer redying services as well, which would be closer to refurbishing in that same color without having to upholster anything. Not sure of the pricing however.

[Cmnair]

I upholstered my inserts back in 2006 for $1200. I used A1 Upholstery (http://www.a1boston.com/services.html) near Boston. Highly recommended.
They offer redying services as well, which would be closer to refurbishing in that same color without having to upholster anything. Not sure of the pricing however.

thanks..it's at one of the top detailing shops (Detailing Dynamics) on Long Island. Just getting steam cleaned and treated right now...will see how it comes out and then decide what to do.

[Cmnair]

https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19194&stc=1https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19195&stc=1https://www.rs6.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19196&stc=1

[fukinavit]

Very nice.

I ended up with a set of seats from the b7, same but without the RS6 stitching and needed mount brackets fabbed.

[Cmnair]

Any suggestions on getting the dents out of the rear cushions? My detailer says steam will damage the leather

[nene]

The seats came out pretty nice.

[Cmnair]

The seats came out pretty nice.
Going to go check them out tomorrow.

[kruat]

Those look real nice. Wouldn't those dents rebound back over time?

[Cmnair]

Those look real nice. Wouldn't those dents rebound back over time?
I think the dents need to be treated with heat ...mild heat.

[rah]

Seats are looking nice. I was under the impression that steam would work those dents out for some reason, but maybe only if the leather is taken off the seats to be reworked. I could be wrong.

[Cmnair]

Seats are looking nice. I was under the impression that steam would work those dents out for some reason, but maybe only if the leather is taken off the seats to be reworked. I could be wrong.
It's possible but too much heat might damage the leather. Needs to be done carefully.

[Cmnair]

Nene is the new owner of these seats. Great to meet you Nene!

[nene]

It was great to meet you my friend. Your ride is gorgeous and glad to see it has a good home. We don't see so many RS6 around and finding good homes that care for them as much as we do is hard to come by. I really enjoyed seeing that Kohlenstoff front lip on the car. In person it really is a good fit and look.
I'll have to bring in my beast when we finally open Manhattan soon, since you are so close.

[Cmnair]

Sounds good! Keep me posted on the seats!

[nene]

Recaros dropped off at A1 Upholstery yesterday. Met with the owner and explained the work being requested. All new leather going in and only item expected to remain and touched up is the Recaro/RS6 embossed section.
Asked to also cover rear plastic piece of front seats in leather as well. Make it a bit fancier.
Seats will be in all leather, no Alcantara this time around. Plan is to stick with something similar to the image shown below.
I had a similar setup on my 2000 S4 and always liked it, but it had Alcantara. I think using the center in the same silver color leather as the rest of the interior it will better match the door cards and interior of the car.

TVs will be gone. New seat heating system is going to replace the stock unit.

19200

[Cmnair]

Nice! Keeping piping the same color or red? How about memory?

[nene]

Unfortunately you lose the piping detail. I don't have original seats to check how the wiring diagram is for the memory feature. I have access to the software and I can try and find out if shows on the list of available wiring diagrams. I don't believe it is going to be an easy implementation to get memory to work.