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Had a chance to visit the Recaro stand this week (GT v. GT350 seat comparison)

OppoLock

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For anyone that had the time to go to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, FL last weekend, there was an opportunity to step back into the paddock area and check out all of the various crews for the Indy, GT, and Super Truck crew tents. Had a great time briefly chatting with some guys running their Z28s and checking out various other cars out there (saw that S197 302S still repping!).

My favorite surprise was the Recaro tent that had a TON of products on display (i.e. their seats were lining the perimeter for you to plant your ass in them). They had Porsche Recaros, FoST's Recaros, track/race-spec Recaros, and of course, the focus of this thread, they had a Mustang GT Recaro seat sitting right next to the new GT350's Recaro seat. The They were both all black and the GT350's were cloth while the GT's was leather. They look quite different. But I can't imagine a better chance to get an objective comparison of these seats than literally hop scotching my rear end back and forth between them.

Some brief observations:
-The GT350 had nice suede inserts, but the cloth was pretty roughly textured on the edge of the shell.
-Mid-back lateral support is just slightly more snug; I think it has less to do with the bolster extension length and more to do with the actual pinch around your thoracic area. The seat spacing is fractionally narrower.
-GT350 thigh bolster support is much more aggressive. These seats will definitely keep your lower body in place. The GT's thigh bolsters are flatter and fan outward (but provide sufficient support based on my ownership and personal observations), whereas the GT350's are like cards wedged vertically. People on the heavier side with big hips and thighs might not have as great of a time in these.
-Surprisingly, lumbar support was worse on the GT350 Recaros. The long term comfort provided by the GT's Recaros is something that's been talked about here before, and I think my comparison confirms just how good that lower back support is.
-Looks wise, it's a toss up when the GT350's are in all black. I think the ones we've seen in press shots with the contrast white inserts will be more attractive, but looks are subjective.

After spending a lot of butt time in these seats, I'm no longer interested in the idea of selling my seats and ordering ones from the GT350. They're an improvement, but I suspect that the lateral support is a minor increase and the lumbar support seems lesser. So... that seems just about fitting given the GT350's high-po intentions. But make no mistake, you will all be very happy with these. These two were easily some of the best in the tent.

Pics were taken by a friend and he's planning on sending them to me soon.
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Clink

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Damnit, I should have made it down to check this out.

Would be nice to see and sit in different examples.
 

Todd15Fastback

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Thanks, Sean! Appreciate the unbiased feedback.

I am in love with my leather Recaro's. I have no gripes about them. Everyone always compliments the seats and they are like WOW...Racing seats in your street car? LOL..You can tell the non-car lovers when they make comments like that.
 

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For anyone that had the time to go to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, FL last weekend, there was an opportunity to step back into the paddock area and check out all of the various crews for the Indy, GT, and Super Truck crew tents. Had a great time briefly chatting with some guys running their Z28s and checking out various other cars out there (saw that S197 302S still repping!).

My favorite surprise was the Recaro tent that had a TON of products on display (i.e. their seats were lining the perimeter for you to plant your ass in them). They had Porsche Recaros, FoST's Recaros, track/race-spec Recaros, and of course, the focus of this thread, they had a Mustang GT Recaro seat sitting right next to the new GT350's Recaro seat. The They were both all black and the GT350's were cloth while the GT's was leather. They look quite different. But I can't imagine a better chance to get an objective comparison of these seats than literally hop scotching my rear end back and forth between them.

Some brief observations:
-The GT350 had nice suede inserts, but the cloth was pretty roughly textured on the edge of the shell.
-Mid-back lateral support is just slightly more snug; I think it has less to do with the bolster extension length and more to do with the actual pinch around your thoracic area. The seat spacing is fractionally narrower.
-GT350 thigh bolster support is much more aggressive. These seats will definitely keep your lower body in place. The GT's thigh bolsters are flatter and fan outward (but provide sufficient support based on my ownership and personal observations), whereas the GT350's are like cards wedged vertically. People on the heavier side with big hips and thighs might not have as great of a time in these.
-Surprisingly, lumbar support was worse on the GT350 Recaros. The long term comfort provided by the GT's Recaros is something that's been talked about here before, and I think my comparison confirms just how good that lower back support is.
-Looks wise, it's a toss up when the GT350's are in all black. I think the ones we've seen in press shots with the contrast white inserts will be more attractive, but looks are subjective.

After spending a lot of butt time in these seats, I'm no longer interested in the idea of selling my seats and ordering ones from the GT350. They're an improvement, but I suspect that the lateral support is a minor increase and the lumbar support seems lesser. So... that seems just about fitting given the GT350's high-po intentions. But make no mistake, you will all be very happy with these. These two were easily some of the best in the tent.

Pics were taken by a friend and he's planning on sending them to me soon.

All that and I did the same thing 2 months ago in my garage ;-D
 

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FPCV8YO

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some stock GT350 and R seat pics
Here's to hoping that the lettering on the R's seats is red. What kind of sense does blue make?
 

Todd15Fastback

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Here's to hoping that the lettering on the R's seats is red. What kind of sense does blue make?
Why doesn't the blue make sense? Seems to make a lot more sense to me vs. red? Unless I missing a red reference from the originals that I am not thinking of?

I think they are going after something like the CS logo from back in the day.
 

FPCV8YO

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Why doesn't the blue make sense? Seems to make a lot more sense to me vs. red? Unless I missing a red reference from the originals that I am not thinking of?

I think they are going after something like the CS logo from back in the day.
2015 R = red brake calipers, red emblems and red accent stripes. If all of those were blue...
 
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OppoLock

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Damnit, I should have made it down to check this out.

Would be nice to see and sit in different examples.
Done goofed son! It was a blast. :D

From what I recall, the contrasting Recaros are only for the GT350R.

Thanks for the review, and looking forward to seeing your pics.

-T
I really think the R's materials and contrast design look much better than the GT/GT350's. I would almost be tempted to sell mine and buy a set, but the difference in feel is just not substantial enough to be worth it. Would make sense buying custom seats at that point. I'm still working on the pics my friend. :thumbsup:

Thanks, Sean! Appreciate the unbiased feedback.

I am in love with my leather Recaro's. I have no gripes about them. Everyone always compliments the seats and they are like WOW...Racing seats in your street car? LOL..You can tell the non-car lovers when they make comments like that.
Amen brother! One of my favorite options.

some stock GT350 and R seat pics
The R seats look so good! These pictures make you think that they'd offer an order of magnitude more grip than other seats, but it doesn't feel that way in person. Smart move by Ford; keeps it perfect for daily drivability.
 

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Todd15Fastback

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2015 R = red brake calipers, red emblems and red accent stripes. If all of those were blue...
Gotcha!! I was thinking the other direction...old to new..not new to old:D
 

R 350 gt Donson

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The "R" seats will for sure be RED...with red deviated stitching, along with Red stitching on the steering wheel ...the white and blue was pre-production. promise !
 
 








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