Seat swap

[steronz]

I typically hate leather seats and seat heaters, but certain recent events involving poo on a shoe made me rethink my position. The backs of both of my front seats are getting increasingly filthy, and my first idea was to cut off my kids' feet, but I don't think that's a good long term solution.

I got to thinking about swapping in RX-8 seats, but apparently they're not bolt-in, and while I think they look cool, I don't want to add a headache (namely getting the airbags and the seat weight thing working).

I got to thinking about swapping in MS3 seats, but apparently they're neither leather nor heated.

It looks like my options are Mazda5 seats, or Mazda3 sedan leather seats with heaters.

Can anyone weigh in on what's the most comfortable? Or any other options? I was wondering if Volvo C30/S40/V50 seats would plunk in, but they don't look any more comfortable and are harder to find.

 

[thaxman]

Volvo is NOT the kind of car company that makes things easily interchangeable. They did a refresh on the S60 & V70 in 2005 and the seats will not even interchange before and after that refresh. I highly doubt that Volvo seats will bolt in, shared platform or not. Better luck with C1 seats from a 2nd gen Focus, but of course shipping and maybe VAT can kill that thought....
Perhaps getting the fabric steam cleaned (yes, it can be done in-car) and then a couple of seat covers may be the best option.
Or, you could do some searching. A forum member had a set of leather skins made and installed for his 5 a year or more ago.

 

[Heat]

I'm pretty sure that they used the company "Katzkin"
http://www.katzkin.com/

I could have sworn that the price was around $800 if you did it yourself, but now I'm not seeing the "do it yourself" option. Rather, they want to refer you to installers and the suggested prices are around $2,000.

 

[flcruising]

$2000 for seats is crazy.

I suggest you invest in some of these - http://www.target.com/p/Eddie-Bauer-Seat-Back-Protector/-/A-13301722

 

[steronz]

lol, $10.49 a piece?

You may be on to something....

 

[crawford]

I was wondering if Volvo C30/S40/V50 seats would plunk in, but they don't look any more comfortable and are harder to find.

I don't know about the practicality of doing so, but as a former S40 owner, I can confirm that the seats are 100x more comfortable than the Mazda5.