New seats or fix them
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 762
Likes: 182
New seats or fix them
So now I have to decide if I want to replace my 99 vert seats with Corbeaus..or fix the old seats..which looks to be a huge PITA. opinions? I'm leaning toward replacement.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
I'll probably replace mine as well. I don't think the stock seats will ever have the lateral support of some of the aftermarket options. Personally, I'm looking at the Corbeau Evo X and A4 seats...my preference seems to depend on the day, but they both will fit.
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Replacing the seats with a good aftermarket set would not be a bad thing to do. Or, depending on your budget, look into vendors like Apsis or Caraviggio for some great looking seats that use the stock seats as cores.
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fixing the rocking seat with less than $0.50 in plastic washers and some time is easy and replacing the covers is not that bad....just take your time and buy quality covers
or spend a lot of money
or spend a lot of money
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
Another aspect I've been looking at is the cost. The seat covers on my car are in pretty good shape, so I'd need to rebuild everything underneath and that'd be cheaper than aftermarket seats. From what I've found, to replace the bladders, hoses leading to the bladders, foam, and the seat cushion repair kit, the cost is approximately $650. For Corbeau A4s with the options I'd want, it'd be approximately $1500 all in, and for the Evo X seats, it's approximately $1200 all in.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
Please post an update on what you end up doing...if you end up replacing the seats, I'd be curious how it all ends up looking!
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
Com'on guys... these seats are push pins, zippers, and velcro. Get Ridies leather, Ecklers foam, some 1/2 inch thick jute material,...and when youre done, you will say to yourself.....Why didnt I do this sooner???..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
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From: Orange County, CA
I put in new foam, "ballistic nylon cloth", and the jute material into my Z06 seat. Had to take out the jute because my head was too close to the ceiling (would bump it going over bumps). I'm 6'3" so my experience certainly won't be the same for everyone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
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From: Miami
It really depends on what you want to get out of your "seat experience", and it's not just about cost. I've done the track fix and about 9 months later I changed my seats to Corbeau Evo X's. A seat track fix will not help you in corners, and I'm not sure how much a complete seat foam padding and leather fix will compare to a dedicated sports seat. I never did the new foam + new leather fix on mine but someone else can speak on the matter. Pros and cons on each. Biggest con on the Corbeau Evo X for me is that because of its aggressive side hip bolstering and shoulder bolstering, it makes entry and egress a little more difficult (not really difficult, but you can't just fall and drop into the seat like a couch potato into Corbeaus as you would with stock seats.)
Last edited by turabo87; Jul 18, 2019 at 11:18 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
It really depends on what you want to get out of your "seat experience", and it's not just about cost. I've done the track fix and about 9 months later I changed my seats to Corbeau Evo X's. A seat track fix will not help you in corners, and I'm not sure how much a complete seat foam padding and leather fix will compare to a dedicated sports seat. I never did the new foam + new leather fix on mine but someone else can speak on the matter. Pros and cons on each. Biggest con on the Corbeau Evo X for me is that because of its aggressive side hip bolstering and shoulder bolstering, it makes entry and egress a little more difficult (not really difficult, but you can't just fall and drop into the seat like a couch potato into Corbeaus as you would with stock seats.)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Thanks! I think they suit the cabin well and their spartan look match the C5 cabin, especially with black interior they almost look like a modern, sport seat factory option. However, I must stress that they do not recline (fixed back), but they do slide forward and back. I don't miss the recline function at all and they're comfortable enough for me, but that's a matter of preference. I also don't know how they would look on an open vert, since the headrest sits somewhat tall on the Corbeau Evo X, taller than stock at least.
Last edited by turabo87; Jul 18, 2019 at 01:40 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
Thanks! I think they suit the cabin well and their spartan look match the C5 cabin, especially with black interior they almost look like a modern, sport seat factory option. However, I must stress that they do not recline (fixed back), but they do slide forward and back. I don't miss the recline function at all and they're comfortable enough for me, but that's a matter of preference. I also don't know how they would look on an open vert, since the headrest sits somewhat tall on the Corbeau Evo X, taller than stock at least.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Grand Rapids MI
I believe they're the same height technically; however, I think the base height of the A4 is an inch taller but you can shave the seat cushion by an inch. The seating position should end up the same, but that would have the A4 being about an inch taller. I'm less worried about the height personally and more with the lines of the seat vs. the car.