I have a very clean NB Icon but could do with a bit more comfort ! What other MX5 seats will fit which may be a bit more comfortable? Obviously my original seats look reasonable perhaps a more modern seat would improve matters?
Any suggestions other than a seat rebuild.
Any NA/NB seat will fit.
1990-93 “Tombstone” seats: UK, Japan market. Seat runners will not have seat receivers fitted. NB seat runners can be transferred over. Note, these are old seats, the seat foam is likely split inside, allowing wire springs to pull through.
1993-95 “Tombstone” seats; Japan market. Look similar to earlier, the fabric is slightly revised, Seat receiver is attached to the seat and the belly pan. Also an old seat, but seems to be in better order than earlier.
1994-1997 Adjust headrest seats: UK market, and some Japan special editions. Seat squab is shorter than previous seats. Fabric wears horribly on the bolster. Same seat runner/seatbelt arrangement as 1993-95.
1996-1997 Tombstone seats: Japan market. Seat Squab is shorter. Cloth wears horribly. Reupholstery kits not available, so you will need bespoke reupholstery. Same seat runner/seatbelt arrangement as 1993-95.
1998-2000 UK Adjust Headrest Seats; broadly similar to earlier seat (different fabric), with changes to the seat runners such that the seatbelt receptical is no longer attached to the bellypan
1998-2000 Japan Tombstone Seats: I believe these are the same as 1996-97 seats, with different fabric and runners
2001-2005 Tombstone highbacks; The tallest seat, common to Japan and UK. In Japan there was also a (rare) red fabric option.
Rarities
RS Limited Recaros: £1000-2000 a set. I believe they are not particularly comfortable.
M2-1001 Buckets: Super rare, unobtanium. I can attest a Westerner will not fit these
“Driving” Option Seats (there are various names): Superficially similar to original tombstone seats, in Nubuck leather, but actually completely different, with deep, metal supported side bolsters, extended squab, trim accoutements on plastic fittings (all plastic fittings are moulded in prototype white, painted, adding to the mystery). They do crop up occasionally, often for not that much, as they are mistaken for standard seats in leather. In my view, the most comfortable seat of the series
Bride “Recaro”; Seen on a few imports. Its a Recaro-retracting seat, of the style seen on Capris and Cavalier SRis, with fishnet headrests. Look bulky, probably super comfortable, ususally very tatty
Nakamae leather buckets; Super rare, ridiculous pricing when they appear, to pay the JDM tax.
Option seats
Difference between a 1990-93 and later belly pan, inboard
The later seat has a welded tab for the seatbelt receiver, but also extra bracketry to stiffen the squab bolster.
Other seats can be made to fit. I believe its not too hard to fit RX7 FD seats, if you can find them, and they are super comfortable
RX8 seats in a NB
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