Weight Saving

[KieranM]

How much weight can be saved by stripping out the rear seats and replacing the front seats with bucket seats? I was hoping to try and strip about 100kg out of my ED30 without doing anything to drastic, I want the car to be able to return to standard trim when it comes time to sell it on. Is it possible to save 100kg or are you realistically looking at 50-75?

[Burbs22]

I'm not sure on exact weights but rear seats spare wheel buckets etc I reckon you could save nearly 100kg. I reckon about 80-90 easily. I strip the rear out for track days and the car feel's much crisper to drive. I have also got ally front hubs and arms, braille b2015 battery (6.8kg), lightweight brakes, carbon bonnet still to fit, lightweight wheels etc. When it is in 'track trim' it is a pleasure to drive and really performs on track. Next is going to be buckets I think that will save about 20kg a seat.
I have also heard that the 8P A3/S3 front crash bar is a straight swap for ours and that is 8kg lighter as it is ally... that is a long way out in front of the car. If someone can confirm this that would be awesome!

[slix]

Remember the added noise from exhaust you get from removing rear seats 

I reckon 50-60kg in rear seats and belts. Spare wheel went on mine ages ago.

[ROH ECHT]

I remember someone here removing the spare and rear seats for the track once...and they posted just between 40 and 50lbs(20kg) reduced after removing them and weighing each one. Not sure of the front weight differences though. I know where I can weigh one oem w/leather though... 

[Pesky jones]

I remember someone here removing the spare and rear seats for the track once...and they posted just between 40 and 50lbs(20kg) reduced after removing them and weighing each one. Not sure of the front weight differences though. I know where I can weigh one oem w/leather though... 

Spare wheel and rear seats weighing around 20Kg? Seems very light.

My leon is fully stripped interior (apart from dash) with bucket seats, but also has a full cage so not sure on whether i've actually lost any weight 

[Dan_FR]

Rear seats weigh sod all, they are very very light..... The front however weigh a ridiculous amount. I'd say 20kg for both the rear seats and the spare is around right

You also need to remember that losing all this weight at the rear of the car isn't ideal for weight distribution and handling..... You can make the rear end too light and very skittish.

Compensating by relocating heavier items like the battery to the boot area is a good idea when going down this route

[Pesky jones]

Compensating by relocating heavier items like the battery to the boot area is a good idea when going down this route

Hmm   

[AJP]

Rear seats weigh sod all, they are very very light..... The front however weigh a ridiculous amount. I'd say 20kg for both the rear seats and the spare is around right

You also need to remember that losing all this weight at the rear of the car isn't ideal for weight distribution and handling..... You can make the rear end too light and very skittish.

Compensating by relocating heavier items like the battery to the boot area is a good idea when going down this route

Exactly.

I personally think if you're looking into weight saving you've just got to bite the bullet and do a proper job. All interior trim, air con, stereo, speakers, battery relocation, wishbones, wheels, anything steel that can be swapped for alloy, carbon bonnet & wings, lightweight buckets, the lot.

And accept that it'll sometimes be a rather nasty place to sit, but with that lot you'll actually make a proper dent into the overall weight and feel some performance benefit.

[ROH ECHT]

I agree with the "more weight" theory...when I go to COSTCO and head home...the thing feels much more planted and solid....slower, but planted.