Back Pain - Cheap Recaro Alternative??!

[FAST_aD13]

So... I get a sharp tingly pain in the base of my back after driving my 182 for any reasonable amount of time I've adjusted the fuNk out of the standard seats to no avail and i still get back ache when i drive the 30mins to work (worse on longer trips).

The seats are in mint condition (as am I ).. So not faults there - must just be that my body shape doesnt fit the seats as they're intended to work.

I'd love some Trendlines, however can't justify almost £1400 on car seats.. Second hand would be great, but they still they go for around £700ish which isn't a small amount of cash.

Alternatively I could go for Sportlines or similar out of an Evo for (eBay guesstimating) around £400 a pair... but i'd always want that "factory Trendline look" so having looked at a few pairs don't think i'd go for this. (Unless convinced otherwise)


HOWEVER.. having sat in a standard clio (non RS) the seats are allot firmer then the ones in the 1*2's and definately appear ALLOT more supportive. They don't have adjustable lumbar support, but the firmer foam makes up for it, so here's what i'm thinking:

Grab a standard clio seat from the scrappers - try it for a few weeks and providing it solves the problem, get it retrimmed in Leather/Alcantara (ala the rest of the interior) problem solved for less then the other solutions!

What are everyones opinions? Anyone else experienced the same back ache from the standard seats?? Alternative suggestions?

 

[b1lly]

place a cushion / rolled up towel inbetween your lower back and the seat, used to suffer really bad back pain a few years ago and this helped me sit more upright

 

[Curtis!]

Existing back injury hurting and has nothing to do with the seats?

I personally think my non sport ones are cack, but hey ho.

 

[Jaff]

i thought dynamique/etreme seats were just he same as sport ones but cloth noth leather. the cups have the non Rs reats do they not?

 

[FAST_aD13]

place a cushion / rolled up towel inbetween your lower back and the seat, used to suffer really bad back pain a few years ago and this helped me sit more upright

I'll give it a go, however ideally i'm looking for a more.. OE looking solution if that makes sense?

Existing back injury hurting and has nothing to do with the seats? .

Haha, fortunately not :rasp:.. I love the look of the seats, but just can't seam to get them setup comfily

 

[Beef-Mc]

i thought dynamique/etreme seats were just he same as sport ones but cloth noth leather. the cups have the non Rs reats do they not?

Ayet, expression/autentique seats are so much gasher in comparison.

 

[FAST_aD13]

the cups have the non Rs reats do they not?

Interesting, might have to try finding someone with a cup to sit in.. Yeah the seats (as far as i'm aware) are the same except for the coverings and type of foam used - RS seats have softer foam but lumbar support to compensate.

 

[cat171]

Get another set of nice set of seats, don't worry about the 'recaro' name.

 

[ForceIndia]

Um, why retrim? Just use the covers off the rs seats. May not just be the seat, could be the relationship between seats/wheels/pedAls. Try removing the vibration washers to lower the seat.

 

[FAST_aD13]

May not just be the seat, could be the relationship between seats/wheels/pedAls. Try removing the vibration washers to lower the seat.

Good point, I'd be better trialing the removal of the vibration washers 1st to see what diff it makes.. also the acclerator height is easy to change too (recent thread on here involving a couple of M10 nuts iirc). That should allow me to move the seat further back/upright/height adjust slightly.. a few variables to play with before messing with changing the seat.

Thanks for the ideas! :approve:

 

[T. 12 E E D.]

I found my standard 182 seat's more comfy than the trendline's the trendline's only move back and forward were the standard seat's adjust on the lumber, up and down, don't get me wrong the trendlines and very supportive but if your looking for comfy seat's imo don't go for trendline's.

 

[FAST_aD13]

..it's more the support that i'm after (Hence the slightly odd idea about re-sknning a standard seat). I've just managed to pick up a cheap Trendline off the 'Bay so will see how i find it.

 

[Derelict-UK]

Might be a stupid question, but do you sit with the chair reclined like a boy racer or with the correct posture?

I had a bad back and a simple adjustment from a slight reclined position to a fully upright position in the car (And at home/work) made all the difference within a couple of months.

The car might not be the only reason you are getting back pain, I recommend going to a physio (on the NHS), the car may be a factor but changing the seat might not solve the problem.

 

[st3ve]

In mk2's you've no choice but to use and I quote "the bolt upright position" JC

 

[Peperami]

I find lots of it is to do with the general driving position, not the seats. A large amount of which is caused by the non-reach adjustable steering wheel. Unless you have ape arms, this causes you to slouch forwards to reach it, meaning your lower back is rounded, causing the back pain.

 

[FAST_aD13]

Might be a stupid question, but do you sit with the chair reclined like a boy racer or with the correct posture?

Lol, no i don't drive with gangsta lean.. I've tried the seat in lots of different positions bolt upright, seat far back - seat laid back, close to the pedals and it just doesnt work - with a twinge in my lower back returning after 20mins + driving.

I find lots of it is to do with the general driving position, not the seats. A large amount of which is caused by the non-reach adjustable steering wheel.

This is mainly what i atribute the problem to... Evo's review of the 182 also comments on the slightly un-supportive seats/driving position.

Anyway, I've just picked up a Trendline off eBay for a bargain bucket price and it seams to have cured the problem with allot better support lower down (albeit at the price of a firmer seat - but that i don't mind) than the standard seats do... only problem is, I now need to try find another to match it (second hand preferably!)

Photo Doesn't really do it justice as the seat is practically brand new. Its Black half Alcantara/Fabric... not Ambla leather/Alcantara but its good enough and matches the interior quite well.