Test Drove the GTI

**Corey_R** · 03-11-2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by aeon

I kept playing with all sorts of adjustments, seat height, back incline, fiddling with lumber support, distance to the steering wheel, and steering wheel position... and I managed to get it feeling not too bad, but still couldn't seem to really "relax" into the seat. I think it's just that I'm not used to such well bolstered/supportive seats, and not used to sitting in a more "correct" position!

Yeah - I went from a Toyota Echo Sportivo to a Golf GTI and found it really hard to get used to the seats. After a while I found that 'raising' the base of the seat actually lifts the back slightly more than the front to give a better balance between hip and knee height. I then had the backrest is a more upright position and then experimented with the lumbar support a lot.
But once I had it right, MAN was it right! I literally drove 11 hours from Sydney to Brisbane with only a single 30 minute stop for bathroom/fuel/food stop, and still felt fresh another after that to go out with my friends when I arrived

**Splashalot** · 03-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by aeon

I don't actually drive around with my head on the headrest... but this is what I've worked out what may be happening - the headrests obviously do protude forward from the seat... to counter this you can adjust the seat to be at more of angle, however I don't like driving like this, I prefer being fairly straight up (without being ridiculously vertical), and with my body size/shape (an average to skinny 5'9), sitting in a "normal" position for me had the headrest hitting the back of my head (when usually there is a few cm gap).

Will go in again and see if my suspicions are matched! On more though this IS a deal breaker for me - can't spend nearly $50k on a car and be unhappy about the seats!

Exactly the same here - I'm the same height and also slim. With the backrest in my preferred reasonably upright position (but not ridiculously so) the headrest actually pushes my head forward uncomfortably. The only way to keep my head clear is to slouch in the seat and curl my upper body forward so my back & shoulders aren't in the seat. Very uncomfortable, I can assure you. I suspect it's mostly slim people who have the issues.

I realise we're all different shapes and sizes, but all it would to fix this problem is fore-aft adjustment of the headrests, like many other VAG cars already have. Geez, even my old 1991Toyota Corolla had 4-way adjustable headrests.

**Corey_R** · 03-11-2009, 07:47 PM

I'm slim as well, and taller... so again I ask the question, did you raise the headrest?

Cause Splashalot if you read this thread careful, aeon, who you quoted, has since gone back and looked again and realised that there is no issue with the headrest.

**Splashalot** · 03-11-2009, 08:17 PM

[QUOTE=coreying;411340]I'm slim as well, and taller... so again I ask the question, did you raise the headrest?

QUOTE]

Yes - I was at the dealer yesterday buying oil so took the opportunity. I raised the headrest as high as it would go, and it made not a skerrik of difference. I tried every headrest position between fully down to fully extended and still they pushed my head forward uncomfortably unless I sat forward out of the seat. Good luck to aeon - I'm glad the seats fit him, but they sure as hell don't fit me.

**Corey_R** · 03-11-2009, 08:23 PM

Hmmm.

They tilt forward slightly towards the top, but at the base they're flush with the seat, like many other headrests, including the MK5. Since you are relatively short, I simply don't understand how your head could be even touching the headrest in a 'normal driving position' unless your leaning your head back. Raising the headrests higher only moves the angled portion further up away from where your head should be. But I guess everyone is built differently, so I'll leave it at that

**Lima** · 03-11-2009, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by cme2c

According to the manual (and it worked for me) the top of the headrest needs to be level with the top of your head...

Yep, that sounds more like it (and makes more sense, too!).

**aeon** · 03-11-2009, 09:53 PM

Yup I tried it both with the top of the headrest in line with the top of my head, as well as in line with my eyes (which is pretty much how it is in the lowest position anyways)... glad the headrest issues have gone away, though now I have to ponder about the "comfort" of the seats in general. When I was adjusting it heaps today, I kinda wished it had electric adjustments, though I'm not willing to pay for those. :p

**Corey_R** · 03-11-2009, 10:18 PM

To me it's like the BMW 'Comfort seats' vs 'Sports seats'. The comfort seats are basic in design and probably fit most people quite easily in their 'neutral' position. The sports seats have adjustments all over the place (the regular stuff the GTI has, plus bolster inflation, base length and base tilt). If you take the time though, the sports seats are more comfortable than the comfort seats... plus they'll hold you when you're doing 80km around a corner which is sign posted for 40km

The VW GTI Sports seats, although not quite as flexible as the BMW ones, are much the same. A bit fiddly, but once you've got it right, they're great. Everyone is built differently, so I know results will be different. But spend more time with it if you need, I'm sure you'll find some way which will work!