New Golf GTI (230ps) seats are killing me.

[Vwjap]

With me it takes about 80 odd miles before I feel it, only had a 10 minute test drive

[fredgroves]

I'd have a look at the seat and steering wheel setup - you could find you've got it less than optimally setup.

I know we are all different, but I find the seats in both the Mk7 GTD's I have had to be really comfortable. In fact the best I've experienced.

Maybe the only thing they lack is an adjustable leg support that pulls forward, but other than that its good.

On the other hand, a friend of mine who is a little bigger than me says its uncomfortable because the seat isn't wide enough for their more manly build... I have read Americans moaning similarly.

I'd doubt if a more race orientated Reccaro will be better. In fact probably worse. Maybe a less sporty car like a Merc or a SUV style (Tiggy perhaps?) would be better for you?

[Jim_mk7.5]

I've racked up 10k since July and find it perfect and no issues with 3-4 hours driving at a time. Perhaps you haven't got the seat position set up correctly? I had a new shape C Class prior to this and the Golf is a little bit more comfy on a long journey.

[thatdidntlastlong]

I thought it was just me.  It was very exciting to take delivery of my new GTI last summer after a long wait - but after the first trip of more than 30 miles, and only driving on motorways up to then, I also had the severe back pain together with numbness in my legs.  It was a standard 230ps, with standard wheels, and no DCC.  I'm 16st and 6' 4", but I'd never had a moment's discomfort in either the Golf TDi or the Porsche 996 that I was driving prior to the GTI.

The causes for me were the combination of the hard seat base and thin seat cushion, with the hardness of the suspension.  I tried every possible adjustment, plus lots of separate cushions and gel pads, but I had to admit defeat in the end and sell it after 6 weeks for the sake of my health.  Not an easy decision, and I'm very envious of those of you who can drive these otherwise great cars in comfort.

[fredgroves]

I wonder if its to do with the width at the hips?

Could also be a arm/leg length - I'm pretty short as well as skinny.

I'd have thought that being 6'4" would be a problem with most cars... Clarkson like!

Mind you, he had a GTI for a long old time as his daily driver and if he got rid of it, I doubt it was because of comfort. Given that he could have had pretty much what he wanted, yet he stuck with a Mk7 Golf... I'd doubt if he was any lighter than 16 stone too!

[Sootchucker]

I'm no orthopedic expert or anything, but I've read a lot online about how most of us don't have our seat position set optimally. The angle of arms, elbows, hips, back etc all play a vital part in a proper seating position.

But then there's the physical thing. We are all different sizes and shapes. I am on the (cough, cough) rather chunky side of things and 6'1", and maybe due to my inbuilt padding or that fact that all of my MK7's have had DCC, but I've never had a issue - even on journeys of 4 hours or more. In fact I become more tired generally then my back or legs etc. However someone who is taller, shorter, bigger, skinnier than me all have their own seating requirements,  and I guess (and only guess) that most manufacturers try and cater for the largest demographic when designing their seating, but unfortunately can't cater for every possible combination of size and shape. 

[Vwjap]

Mine might be to do with a broken back form a motorcycle accident when I was younger 😉

[mcmaddy]

I'm no orthopedic expert or anything, but I've read a lot online about how most of us don't have our seat position set optimally. The angle of arms, elbows, hips, back etc all play a vital part in a proper seating position.

But then there's the physical thing. We are all different sizes and shapes. I am on the (cough, cough) rather chunky side of things and 6'1", and maybe due to my inbuilt padding or that fact that all of my MK7's have had DCC, but I've never had a issue - even on journeys of 4 hours or more. In fact I become more tired generally then my back or legs etc. However someone who is taller, shorter, bigger, skinnier than me all have their own seating requirements,  and I guess (and only guess) that most manufacturers try and cater for the largest demographic when designing their seating, but unfortunately can't cater for every possible combination of size and shape.

Be interested to see where you have your seat set Andrew. I'm constantly moving mine too find a comfortable position after the dealer ignored my request to not move my seat position under any circumstances due to my back issue.

[wooders2]

I get lower back pain and was really worried when my back started hurting after my first hour plus drive in mine.

For me I've found that lowering the seat height, making the back rest more vertical and making sure my bum is right back in the seat has cured it, especially as that then allowed me to use the lumber support.  It's obviously going to be a very personal thing, but my point is that I manged to go from pain to comfort with a bit of experimentation.

I do a lot of road cycling and have had 'bike fits' where they fiddle with the set up of the bike to make it fit your biomechanics, not sure if there might be someone who could offer a similar service for cars.

[Guzzle]

Biggest issue for me, I just wish the seats would adjust a little bit lower. The seats themselves are fine, other than the cheap feeling fabric.