Recaro Mods (retitled for less negativity)

[dhminer]

Recaros in the focus and fiesta were both too small for me. Really wanted the leather trim though for dog hair mitigation. Upholsterer could shave some of the foam to your liking and trim the cover to fit if you're looking to go that route. Was years ago but I recall being quoted roughly $1,000 when I was car shopping. Could solve part of your problem but probably not all of it.. I ended up with base seats and love them minus the dog hair that sticks like crazy.

 

[gtx3076]

So after I let the new headrest sit in my car for a night the whole car started smelling like cigarette smoke. It's either menthol cigarettes, or the previous owner tried to use some kind of air freshener on top of the smoke smell. Either way it smells gross. I've removed the cover from the foam padding and have been using either baking soda, or wiping it down with vinegar. The baking soda after being rubbed in then vacuumed out has done a good job at removing a lot of the smell from the cover, but I dunked it in warm water with dish soap anyway.

The foam pad I've treated by wiping it down with a diluted vinegar and sitting it in the sun to dry.

I'm hoping all this will be enough that at least prevent the headrest from off gassing into the rest of the car.

 

[germanFST]

Received and swapped the headrest with 2012 FoST ones, made the best seats even better, the adjustability makes a big difference. Totally approve, endorse and recommend this mod.

 

[FiSTerMr]

I do think it's a great mod for sure... Although that stupid gap at the base would irk me to no end
...but I'm a self-realized whack job [emoji43]

2017 w/Recaros - bone stock

 

[PunkST]

Received and swapped the headrest with 2012 FoST ones, made the best seats even better, the adjustability makes a big difference. Totally approve, endorse and recommend this mod.

These are a direct fit?

 

[germanFST]

These are a direct fit?

yes 100% direct fit!

 

[TyphoonFiST]

yes 100% direct fit!

Not quite yet Pat Sajak....its like 95% fit due to the gap from the FoST Headrest.

 

[germanFST]

Not quite yet Pat Sajak....its like 95% fit due to the gap from the FoST Headrest.

by direct fit I meant that the two shafts align perfect with the existing ones, the gap does not bother me at all. I am driving and do not look at the gap! lol

 

[TyphoonFiST]

I Mind all gaps...Especially the ones on the Chive!

 

[FiSTerMr]

I Mind all gaps...Especially the ones on the Chive!

2017 w/Recaros - bone stock

 

[McSwine]

My Nephew has a Focus ST with the Recaro option and I drove it last week while visiting with the whole family in Charlotte. His wife hates to drove the FoST because it's difficult for her to see over the steering wheel. Once I got in the car to drive it I discovered that she wasn't the only one to have difficulty with the low seating position. I'm 5'10" and while I could see over the steering wheel I felt as if I had climbed into a Le-mans Prototype racer.

I had a 2015 FiST I happily drove until 2017 when another driver turned in front of me and I t-boned her doing about 45. Later that year I bought 2016 Focus SE for my son to drive to/from college, replacing his POS 2003 Acura RSX. I thought about getting a FoST but a quick drive in his Focus changed my mind pretty quick. Like you, I don't like the seating position at all. In addition, it feels cramped. So I ended up with a 2019 FiST (base seats). I looked for a car with the Recaro's but the pickings were pretty slim. I may be for the best...I'm not sure if I would "fit" or not.