With some cars I find I can get in and sit comfortably almost immediately. The Superb isn't one of them.

Not that the seats aren't comfortable, they are. For me it's the driving position. I spent about 15 minutes today adjusting and readjusting my position in my new car. The problem I found was that, because I like to sit fairly close to the wheel, when I had the seat far enough forward my left leg would foul the dashboard when changing gear.

It's a good rule of thumb for getting seated correctly that when you sit in the driving seat with your left arm extended, your left wrist should rest on the gearlever in neutral.

I struggled to get a decent compromise between both of the above.

Eventually I've managed it after adjusting the seat every which way plus use of the reach and rake adjustment of the steering wheel. Just as well the car has memory seats as I wouldn't like to have to sort it out again.

Is it just me with this issue or has anyone else found similar?

Mark.

Nope - not had a problem.

Have 3 drivers on the memory. Myself, wife and son. We all found a position straight away and have stuck with it. Really comfortable, relaxing seating position.

Agree that the memory is such a boon. My first car with it.

The seats in my Combi are much more comfortable than my 2008 Hatch, they are softer. They did take some time to set up with my first Superb, now on number three, so I had an advantage in setting up. I am 5' 10" and have no problem in obtaining an extremely comfortable driving position. Remember the distance required for safety if the airbags activate.

So far, I've not really sat in the seat for much more than an hour or so in one go but on a positive I've not felt the need to adjust & readjust.... after my first fiddle & setting the memory (which for me is also a first & absolutely FAB!) Having the Key coded to me so that I don't have to shoe-horn myself in after the wife has been driving the car is a godsend :p

The only issue I do have is that I feel the seat base is too short - ok at 6ft 2 I'm not the smallest but not exceedingly tall. There is pleanty of leg and arm room but the seat base just seems soo short (to me).

The proof will be when driving to Austria/Switzerland in the summer - normally a 10hr stint with about 2hrs of breaks....

Previous Vectra was good for about 2-3 hours and then lower back started to feel the strain meaning shuffling seat every 1/2 hour but I think the Superb is notably better giving nice firm but comfortable support

Stef

It's a good rule of thumb for getting seated correctly that when you sit in the driving seat with your left arm extended, your left wrist should rest on the gearlever in neutral.

The rule of thumb that I was taught by the Institute of Advanced Motorists was that with arms out straight (but relaxed), your wrist should rest on the top rim of the steering wheel.

When I get into any car, I get the seat comfortable as;

1) Move the seat forward/back so that when the clutch is fully depressed, my leg is still bent.

2) Adjust the seat height so that there is gentle support on my leg when the clutch is depressed. If my leg pushes down into the seat base when using the clutch, the seat is too high and leads to leg pain when doing loads of gear changes.

3) Adjust the seat back so it is comfortable.

4) Move the lumber support so that it can just be felt touching my lower back.

5) Adjust the steering wheel height/rake/reach so that with arms out straight (but relaxed), your wrist should rest on the top rim of the steering wheel.

6) Adjust the head rest so that the center of the back of your head is in the middle of the headrest. (a correctly adjusted headrest can prevent whiplash)

So for me this gets seating sorted relatively quickly and I find in all but the new Renaults and People Carriers that the gearleaver falls nicely to hand.

This was taught to me by my physio 20 years ago after a major car crash (third party loosing control on a straight road!) when I started driving again and found it impossible to get a comfortable driving position. She said (and the IAM agree) that in addition to being the correct seating posture, this means no joints are in a dead straight position, so should I be in a collision, the joints act as a shock absorber rather than piling into each other. Other than whiplash, most injuries she treated were where the thigh bone had been pushed into the pelvis and dislocated shoulders from where the the whole arm had been pushed back into the shoulder blade.

The only other car that I have owned that comes close to the Superbs seat comfort was my SAAB 9000, the SAAB 95 isn't as good.

Thanks for those tips,I'll try them tomorrow.My back hurts if I drive more than 20-30 minutes.As much as I try to get a better position I just can't...

The issue I had was I limited my imagination with the seat adjusters/steering wheel. Being used to cars with limited adjustment I kept forgetting that if I was not comfortable I could move the seat and then the wheel. The fact that the seat moves every which way and the steering also moves in and out gives the whole thing a new dimension, to me at least. I suppose it took me a few weeks to adapt to a truly comfortable position, thank god for seat memory. I would be driving along and change the seat and set the memory instantly and I did that several times. I found in the end I was sitting much higher than I normally do in other cars.

I suffer with lower back problems also but despite this I spent 5 mins setting the seat position and lumbar support up when I collected the car and it was perfect for the 280 mile (just short of 6hrs due to the M! & M25) drive home, I only stopped once and that was 15mins into the journey to fill the car up.

I suspect your position close to the wheel will not be helping things, as others have said the optimum driving position is with your limbs just bent when reaching their furthest point ie clutch all the way down, reaching for 1st gear and the top of the steering wheel.

The only critism I have is that I wish the steering would pull-out further

The only critism I have is that I wish the steering would pull-out further

+1.

I would also add seat base extender to make it longer (with 6'5" it is not a whim). Ideally I would have a multi-contour seat from BMW

But seriously I'm planning to have the driver's seat extended by about 3 inches.

Took me a while to get comfy but finaly got there, did Glasgow to Milton Keynes (non stop) a couple of weeks ago and no problems. The Superb is not a good as my Saab 95 I had, but now its sorted it matches the Jag X type it replaced.

The driving position is very Italian ie Short leg / Long arm position, it would be good if the column came out little more

The problem I found was that, because I like to sit fairly close to the wheel, when I had the seat far enough forward my left leg would foul the dashboard when changing gear.

Clearly sitting too close to the steering wheel.

It's a good rule of thumb for getting seated correctly that when you sit in the driving seat with your left arm extended, your left wrist should rest on the gearlever in neutral.

Possibly the least useful method of getting the optimum seating position.

There are some areas to compromise and others that are of prime importance, but working out what is best for you is an itereative process since making one adjustment will affect more than one aspect.

Perhaps the first thing is the seat height, since you need to be able to see over the steering wheel and, hopefully, not bang your head on the the roof when you go over a bump in the road.

Since I'm fairly tall I always have to put the seat to the lowest setting, then sort out getting leg distance about right - which means being able to fully depress any of the pedals without having to stretch - so the seat base needs to be as far back as possible while this is stil the case.

Next I have the seat backrest fairly upright - driving doesn't require armchair comfort; you're not lounging in front of the TV. Instead it requires workplace comfort. The backrest combined with steering wheel adjustment should result in you being able reach all around the steering wheel without having to stretch too much, although in practice the shoulder will come away from the backrest when reaching to the top of the wheel.

You'll find as the backrest is adjusted, the leg reach is changed, hence why you need to keep working through the adjustment process until the best position is found.

Clearly sitting too close to the steering wheel.

Possibly the least useful method of getting the optimum seating position.

There are some areas to compromise and others that are of prime importance, but working out what is best for you is an itereative process since making one adjustment will affect more than one aspect.

Perhaps the first thing is the seat height, since you need to be able to see over the steering wheel and, hopefully, not bang your head on the the roof when you go over a bump in the road.

Since I'm fairly tall I always have to put the seat to the lowest setting, then sort out getting leg distance about right - which means being able to fully depress any of the pedals without having to stretch - so the seat base needs to be as far back as possible while this is stil the case.

Next I have the seat backrest fairly upright - driving doesn't require armchair comfort; you're not lounging in front of the TV. Instead it requires workplace comfort. The backrest combined with steering wheel adjustment should result in you being able reach all around the steering wheel without having to stretch too much, although in practice the shoulder will come away from the backrest when reaching to the top of the wheel.

You'll find as the backrest is adjusted, the leg reach is changed, hence why you need to keep working through the adjustment process until the best position is found.

I have still found that the steering wheel does not come back enough, so I have to move the seat forwards and now my legs feel slightly cramped.

No matter what method you choose to get comfy, it does not neccasarily mean the car will allow you to acheive it.

Even in the Supurb, I'm having to sit in a compromised position, it is still pretty comfy though and not too far away from my ideal position and better than all the other cars I have tried and one of the prime reasons I bought the thing.

Edited 16 January, 201115 yr by Tankdave

Clearly sitting too close to the steering wheel.

Untrue. Your opinion only. Most professional drivers will sit quite close to the wheel to get good control. Sitting way back with your arms out straight is only for posers.

Possibly the least useful method of getting the optimum seating position.

Really? And what do you base that on? What I said about resting your left wrist on the gearlever (in neutral) and what RS3100 rightly commented about sitting relaxed with your right wrist on top of the steering wheel to determine a correct driving position are methods taught to advanced driving students by the IAM and to advanced Police drivers. Tests I succesfully passed over 20 years ago and have requalified on several times since as well as building on that experience with additional advanced driving qualifications.

Stirling Moss is on record as utilising this method of achieving a good driving position. Of course, if you know better then enlighten us.

Mark.

Hi

I belive getting comfortable is a very personal thing as we are all diffrent shapes !, and probably use the car for diffrent purposes

i pesonally drive 40k per year in this car and have done this type of millage for the last 20 odd years

i find that the worst single thing you can do as a bloke is to drive with your wallet in your back touser pocket as if like me you end up with lots of recipts then the wallet becomes quite thick (not with money i would like to add but that would be nice !)

i used to get back problems driving and found that taking my wallet out made a massive difrence as it twists the spine

I am also finding it dificult getting the perfect driving position but this i belive is down to driving 4x4 for the last 8 years which have a much more upright driving position

iam getting there but it takes time and also changing it can help if you do get a "twinge" i find rolling to lumbor support up and down does the trick

but having said all that i find the most comfortable position is legs slight bend when clutch fully in, shoulder blades on seat hands at 10-2 slight bend seat height so it supports the lower leg and so i can see all dials

so if that doesnt work try the back seat and get someone else to drive

Andy

Hi

I belive getting comfortable is a very personal thing as we are all diffrent shapes !, and probably use the car for diffrent purposes

i pesonally drive 40k per year in this car and have done this type of millage for the last 20 odd years

i find that the worst single thing you can do as a bloke is to drive with your wallet in your back touser pocket as if like me you end up with lots of recipts then the wallet becomes quite thick (not with money i would like to add but that would be nice !)

i used to get back problems driving and found that taking my wallet out made a massive difrence as it twists the spine

I am also finding it dificult getting the perfect driving position but this i belive is down to driving 4x4 for the last 8 years which have a much more upright driving position

iam getting there but it takes time and also changing it can help if you do get a "twinge" i find rolling to lumbor support up and down does the trick

but having said all that i find the most comfortable position is legs slight bend when clutch fully in, shoulder blades on seat hands at 10-2 slight bend seat height so it supports the lower leg and so i can see all dials

so if that doesnt work try the back seat and get someone else to drive

Andy

Hi!

+1 on the wallet! Exactly my experience as well when I go for the longer trips. For my self I like to sit relatively high up in the car.

And when it comes to the distance to the clutch... what clutch?

/Superbjoser

Most professional drivers will sit quite close to the wheel to get good control.

It's a question of degree. Too close means the main controls, (steering wheel, pedals), are awkward to use. If your leg gets in the way of your steering, you're almost certainly sitting too far forward, (or your body shape doesn't allow proper control of the vehicle).

Sitting way back with your arms out straight is only for posers.

Agreed. Which is why I mentioned about having the backrest fairly upright and iteratively adjusting the seat to keep the leg position good and yet still arrange to have good control of the steering wheel.

And what do you base that on?

When you're driving you are not continuously changing gear. It is better to adjust the seating position to optimise control of steering and pedals, since they are in use continuously.

the IAM and to advanced Police drivers. Tests I succesfully passed

If you want to trade authorities, mine are IAM, RoADAR and having spent loads of dosh being coached by police driving instructors.

Please forgive the long spiel but I have just read this thread with real interest, and out of desperation, as the only thing that is stopping me enjoying this otherwise great car is that I simply can't get comfortable, to the point that driving it is actually painful and I am now thinking of changing it for almost anything else, just to try and address the issue.

It was fine during an extended test drive and not an issue during recent shorter journeys but a round of longer trips this week in particular has changed my attitude abolut the car because it has left me in agony. I just don't seem to "fit" this car (or it me) but before I make a mistake (and an expensive one at that), I would appreciate some advice as it may be something I can solve with some help.

To put in context, I have been used to the upright driving position of my Discovery 3 auto and know that a move to a manual saloon car will take some getting used and would also point out that I had a ACL reconstruction on my right knee a few years back so driving can be uncomfortable on occassion. There's been no deterioration in my knee, butt longer journeys have exacerbated it this week to the point I don't really want to get back in the car.

But while I have fiddled and experimented endlessly with the seat and wheel setting, the problems persist. I'm 5'9" with a 30" inside leg and average arm length, and medium build, so nothing out of the ordinary.

The problem seems to be the combination of very firm leather with hard contours, a relatively narrow seat base (at the back) and shortish pad, combined with a obtrusive side bolsters which rubs the side of my leg and which is exacerbated on the r/g side by being compressed against the edge of the r/h seat base, where the memory buttons sit. But I don't think choosing the manual is really the issue, rather the seat.

However, if I try and set the seat back further to straighten my leg, I then find myself overstretching my left leg to reach the clutch. It's just impossible to get comfortable, but everyone else I passed in Superbs today on the M1 looked fine!

Before the Disco, I had a Merc E Class, Volvo V70, BMW 5 series and Subaru Outback autos and none of them gave me any such problems. I even thought it might have been a firm ride that was causing problems, and so put bought some 16" wheels and tyres for it but no change.

I tried out other Superbs with cloth trim and manual adjustment yesterday and those seem no better and the seat pad on the Yeti and Octavias seemed shorter, thought the Yeti felt the most comfortable overall

I spoke with the dealer today who said they had received no complaints about comfort in the Superb but had about the Yeti and suggested that it might be worth trying an auto Superb, but I can't see myself being any better off.

They aren't interested in taking the car back (too much used stock following the new reg issues) and they couldn't offer/suggest anything as a suitable trade-in, without a long wait for a new order and me taking a large financial hit - the depreciation after 2 months of ownership, even against a good purchase price, was frightening: but that is a separate issue.

Other than just trying to live with it, I can't see any improvement and I'm left with a car (and wheels/tyres) that I will probably need to sell privately.

Before I do, is it worth trying a gel seat pad or massage-type covering? has anyone else experienced the same?

Thanks

The only criticism I have is that I wish the steering would pull-out further

I second this, being a driver with long legs meaning the seat squab is set quite far back.

Personally, I wish the Superb was fitted with a softer seat squab, as in the Passat, while the seat back could do with more definition.

I also wish the seat squab angle could be adjusted. I understand this is possible with the electrically adjustible seats fitted to Elegance models.

The only critism I have is that I wish the steering would pull-out further

+1

Seating base could be longer as well, but I would be OK with the first. That would solve all my problems with seating

The front seats are by Audi.

Phil.

Before I do, is it worth trying a gel seat pad or massage-type covering? has anyone else experienced the same?

Thanks

I am almost the same build as you (5'8" medium-ish build 30" inside leg) and I can honestly say that my Superb is one if not the most comfortable cars I have driven (for me) I had major back surgery 3 years ago and still suffer with a torn disc, yet with the correct lumbar adjustment (and TBH anything other than full electric adjustment is pretty useless - for me) I can do 5hrs + driving without a break.

If you have tried the full adjustments and are still having no luck then try a leather Recaro orthopaedic seat, granted they are NOT cheap but they will probably cost you less than half of what you would loose in depreciation on a 2 month old car.

I find the seating the best I tried, but I would prefer to use it set further back so my legs are straighter (33" inside leg). If I get my legs good, the steering wheel is too far away and my upper back will go into spasm after a few days, so I HAVE TO get that right and live with the legs too close, it's a compromise of course but the excellent lumbar support makes up for this.

And yes, the seats are indeed Audi ones, change the rear footwell bulbs and you will see.

After about 4 months of ownership I still struggle to get really comfy and be sitting high enough to see out of the car properly. I'm ~5' 9" and found the old Mk 1 much better for long journeys.

Picked up my car today an within 2-3 mins has the most comfortable driving position I have ever had in a car. I still think I can get it better with more tinkering, but this the superb is much more comfortable then any other car I have driven.