Have had my new car 3 weeks. I have really found it a problem to get comfortable. Think I have set seat at best set up. Compared car with a new Seat Leon Cupra R (had a Leon Stylance TDI for 4 years, no problem). Seat seat / driving position was vastly superior, fitted like a glove like the Cupra R. Wish I knew who makes their seats, as it had height adjustment too.

Measured throttle pedal to seat base squab / height etc on both cars. My neck and back is in spasms. If I don`t cure problem, may have to sell car but enjoy the rest of it too much.

Does anyone know a good seat trimmer who could modify backrest? I am positive that this is the problem area. Seats like Recaro`s have a flatter backrest, which suites me better, but so expensive.

Any help would be much appreciated, as is giving me a few sleepless nights

Edited 27 January, 201115 yr by teebee

''Seat seat / driving position was vastly superior, fitted like a glove like the Cupra R. Wish I knew who makes their seats, as it had height adjustment too''.

Your seat should have height adjustment and tilt facility as well. I find the VRs seats very comfortable!

Edited 25 January, 201115 yr by firestormwest

Covered in quite a bit of depth in this thread...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/185553-vrs-seat-base-digging-into-leg-what-to-do/

Some good recommendations on how to improve the situation too

Does anyone know a good seat trimmer who could modify backrest? I am positive that this is the problem area. Seats like Recaro`s have a flatter backrest, which suites me better, but so expensive.

If the seat are the problem surely it would be cheaper to buy and fit a Recaro compared to what you will lose by selling the car so soon after buying it.

Edited 25 January, 201115 yr by PSM

''Seat seat / driving position was vastly superior, fitted like a glove like the Cupra R. Wish I knew who makes their seats, as it had height adjustment too''.

Your seat should have height adjustment and tilt facility as well. I find the VRs seats very comfortable!

I realise it has a tilt facility, but the problem is with the seat backrest. The lower section is pressing into my back. Have tried so many permutations so far. The backrest doesn`t fit me where it should. Have emailed Recaro UK to find nearest stockist with seats I can try out. In my opinion the VRS seat design could be much better. All Audi sport seats / Seat / Recaros have a flatter backrest without fancy padding designs. Pure and simple, the way it should be. Also sat in a new Golf GTI with leather and twin lumber supports, it was not comfortable for me. Too many separate panels but no support where I needed it with lumber off. Seat had too much convex curvature.

After an hour test drive in Octavia I was ok, but after a month, a different story. We will see

Edited 27 January, 201115 yr by teebee

If the seat are the problem surely it would be cheaper to buy and fit a Recaro compared to what you will lose by selling the car so soon after buying it.

I totally agree with you. Love the car otherwise.

Something a lot of people forget is that the sterring wheel does BOTH Reach & Rake, Skoda is one of the few cars that do this.

Just a question, have you adjusted the steering wheel as well.

I realise it has a tilt facility, but the problem is with the seat backrest. The lower section is pressing into my back. Have tried so many permutations so far.

Presumably you've adjusted the lumbar support to minimum?

I've noticed that if I have the seat adjusted too low the bumper at the front under my thighs pushes my legs up slightly, over-extending my lower back. Compensated for this by raising the seat slightly (and raising the steering wheel if need be) until I can no longer feel pressure under my thighs.

Edited 27 January, 201115 yr by BigC

Also, check that the lumber adjustment is actually working. I seem to remember previous posts saying that they're often broken and so turning the wheel on the seat makes no difference.

Having gone from a preFL vRS with cloth seats to a FL vRS with leather, the leather seats do seem more comfortable to me and although the seats look the same shape it has been mentioned on here that the seat base is slightly different.

I noticed some discomfort when my car was new until I got it all adjusted correctly after a few weeks. The steering reach made a big difference to me. Drove 800+ miles last weekend and I was absolutely fine (well a bit knackered but no back problems).

Edited 27 January, 201115 yr by juan27

Something a lot of people forget is that the sterring wheel does BOTH Reach & Rake, Skoda is one of the few cars that do this.

Just a question, have you adjusted the steering wheel as well.

Yes. All permutations possible. The backrest is the problem. I am exploring all options and will see what is best.

Presumably you've adjusted the lumbar support to minimum?

I've noticed that if I have the seat adjusted too low the bumper at the front under my thighs pushes my legs up slightly, over-extending my lower back. Compensated for this by raising the seat slightly (and raising the steering wheel if need be) until I can no longer feel pressure under my thighs.

I started with seat in the middle range, then upper / lower. Have not got pressure on my thighs as far as I can tell. Had steering wheel up down in and out. Knowing my luck, probably had the right setting, but the backrest shape is the real issue at the moment, Will keep trying and then leave for a week and see. Do not like lumber support and have never used it on any car, until now. Giving it a try, as otherwise seat back only touches in a few places and seems to have hollow spots. Maybe seat is defective. Plan to sit in passenger seat and see how that compares.

Edited 27 January, 201115 yr by teebee

I had the same in my old Mondeo ST when I had that new. You need to give the seats time to soften up.

Rich

Have had my new car 3 weeks. I have really found it a problem to get comfortable. Think I have set seat at best set up. Compared car with a new Seat Leon Cupra R (had a Leon Stylance TDI for 4 years, no problem). Seat seat / driving position was vastly superior, fitted like a glove like the Cupra R. Wish I knew who makes their seats, as it had height adjustment too.

Measured throttle pedal to seat base squab / height etc on both cars. My neck and back is in spasms. If I don`t cure problem, may have to sell car but enjoy the rest of it too much.

Does anyone know a good seat trimmer who could modify backrest? I am positive that this is the problem area. Seats like Recaro`s have a flatter backrest, which suites me better, but so expensive.

Any help would be much appreciated, as is giving me a few sleepless nights

UPDATE

Wrote email to Skoda UK on 3/02, as lower back pain / neck ache / knee discomfort now beyond a joke. Explained that now convinced that poor seat assembly was probably to blame and not in keeping with a car costing £24,000. Can see foam clearly at base of both front seats, as seat cover does not reach bottom by some margin.

Rang Skoda UK Customer Service on Friday, to find out how long to get a reply. They were very helpful and told me they would get problem sorted asap,as representative had a similar issue with another customer recently.

Went to Motorline Dartford (not supplying dealer but nearest. Had first option but much more expensive) on Saturday, as ordered front mud flaps and ipod connector for MDI.

Spoke with After Sales Manager, who had a look at car immediately. Agreed that there was a hard lump at the base of drivers seat. Couldn`t have been more helpful, as understood problem straight away.

Looked at 2 new cars in compound with leather trim. Seats looked much flatter, apparently due to heated seat option and better made. Unfortunately couldn`t sit in cars as both sold.

Tried new Vrs manual standard spec in showroom which felt more comfortable. Set my seat to same height (14 pulls on lever)from lowest setting and same distance from throttle pedal.

Contacted Skoda Customer Service this morning, who were going to contact Motorline later today to get things moving. When I suggested worst case scenario, that may have to reject car if problem not sorted to my satisfaction, was advised `that would not be necessary car will be fixed`. Whatever it takes will be done.

Don`t yet know if seat will be stripped down or replaced. Offered to pay extra to swap for leather trim, but seems unlikely to be an option.

Keep you all posted.

Edited 7 February, 201115 yr by teebee

UPDATE

Wrote email to Skoda UK on 3/02, as lower back pain / neck ache / knee discomfort now beyond a joke. Explained that now convinced that poor seat assembly was probably to blame and not in keeping with a car costing £24,000. Can see foam clearly at base of both front seats, as seat cover does not reach bottom by some margin.

Rang Skoda UK Customer Service on Friday, to find out how long to get a reply. They were very helpful and told me they would get problem sorted asap,as representative had a similar issue with another customer recently.

Went to Motorline Dartford (not supplying dealer but nearest. Had first option but much more expensive) on Saturday, as ordered front mud flaps and ipod connector for MDI.

Spoke with After Sales Manager, who had a look at car immediately. Agreed that there was a hard lump at the base of drivers seat. Couldn`t have been more helpful, as understood problem straight away.

Looked at 2 new cars in compound with leather trim. Seats looked much flatter, apparently due to heated seat option and better made. Unfortunately couldn`t sit in cars as both sold.

Tried new Vrs manual standard spec in showroom which felt more comfortable. Set my seat to same height (14 pulls on lever)from lowest setting and same distance from throttle pedal.

Contacted Skoda Customer Service this morning, who were going to contact Motorline later today to get things moving. When I suggested worst case scenario, that may have to reject car if problem not sorted to my satisfaction, was advised `that would not be necessary car will be fixed`. Whatever it takes will be done.

Don`t yet know if seat will be stripped down or replaced. Offered to pay extra to swap for leather trim, but seems unlikely to be an option.

Keep you all posted.

Update

Car was at Motorline on 17/2. Drivers seat backrest stripped down but no fault found with assembly. Base of backrest is harder at bottom of seat and there are high spots further up. Bought a piece of foam for £4 from an upholsterer (who agreed that density issue could be the problem).Made a template on Saturday and cut it to fit backrest + first panel section of seat base. Now back pain minimal/ ok, so a good temporary fix.

Skoda UK to check foam spec with technical department. Will not give up until problem solved, as love my car more each day. Supplying dealer now aware and told me that Skoda Customer care it normally very good. We shall see!

Loan car was a Fabia 1.2 TSI + 7 speed DSG. Great engine + gearbox combination. Left it in auto and it changed gear faster than I could have managed.

Octavia now covered 1700 miles, fuel consumption improving by the day. At 50 - 60 mph average was up to 59 mpg on MFD on way back from dealer. Overall average now over 46 mpg (tank to tank fills) clear journey in morning 53 to 54 mfd average + 50 - 51 mfd with lots of evening traffic. Starting to open it up more, give a quick blast every night now car has bedded in.

Edited 21 February, 201115 yr by teebee