gloryhornet Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Well, I'm into week 3 of Edition 30 ownership & am loving it apart from the seating position. The seats are giving me chronic back ache, especially on long drives. I've tried all combinations but the seats are really uncomfortable around the middle back. I even saw an osteopath today!!! Its got to the point where I'm considering radical action. Options are 1) sell the car, 2) Buy a mark IV GTI or mark V non gti seat 3) Keep trying lumbar rolls etc ( no luck so far) I just wished VW hadn't tinkered with the design, raising the side supports so high. I'm 6ft 5 & never experienced anything like it before. I had no problems with my Mark 2,3 & 4 Anyone had similar experiences or ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 It must be your height thats causing the issue. I have to say the standard gti seats are for me, the most comfortable seats ive ever sat in. I hope you come to a resolution but please, dont sell the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 I also find the seats very confortable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyGTi Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Sorry to hear that Small Block Have you got the electronic lumbar adjustment on your seats ? I'm surprised you hav'nt found a comfortable position with all the controls on offer. I really like the ED 30 seats, they feel similar to the standard GTi ones, but the heat and lumbar options add something extra, especially in this cold weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryhornet Posted November 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 I've got the full lumbar options, but the trouble seems to be just below where the head rest sits when fully down. I'm going to phone the dealer tomorrow to see what options are available. Cheapest is going to be a mark Iv seat. Runners may be an issue though. I doubt whether I could sell it to a private buyer anyway. Have to stop these negative thoughts!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 I find my seat really comfy but are the ED30 seats different to the regular GTI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 This is interesting. My Father in Law has an Ed 30 and complains that he doesn't find it very comfortable. He's about 6'4" and probably 18 stones. As a smaller person 5'8" and about 11.5 stones I find the seats fit me perfectly - nice and tight. I can imagine though that for bigger people it must be a bit tight and almost sitting on the seats rather than in them. Perhaps the recaro's offer a better shape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 The Recaro's feel much more comfortable than I expected but the sides really are very steep and high, and so not quite so easy to get in and out of the car. I'm exactly 6ft and find the GTI seats extremely comfortable - I've done several one-session drives of over 750 miles each and not felt tired afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyGTi Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I find my seat really comfy but are the ED30 seats different to the regular GTI? [/ QUOTE ] There the same shape but with full lumbar adjustment (see button on photo) and are heated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggySteve Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 I too have an ED30. I'm 6ft 4” and weigh 16 stone (on a good day!!). I experienced the same sort of problem as you’re experiencing in the early days of owning the car. I developed a dull aching pain in my lower back, usually an hour into a long trip. I too tried every combination with the seat set up and found that the only relief came from having the heated seats turned up to 5 and fine tuning the lumber support. I've now had the car for 9 months and touch wood, things have improved and I rarely experience back pain. My back structure must have adapted to the new driving style. Stick in there and what ever you do, don’t sell the car on this basis. If all else fails, you could always try and track down some lovely GTI embroidered cushions!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbucket Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 I found mine uncomfortable to start with, but after winding out most of the lumber support they are ok now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryhornet Posted November 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 It looks like I've got a bit more lumbar/recline action to sort out. Work has also suggested a thin car seat wedge,which I might try. On a slight aside I've been through a few web sites & can't believe how much after fits are. Recaro have some sweet seats, but well out of my wallet after buying this baby. http://www.recaro-seats.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pany Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 It is worth sticking with. I am 6 3" and found the seats really uncomfortable for about the first month. With me, it was the seam between thr top 2 cushion sextions of the seat. However after the first month or so, the problem seems to have resolved and now I love them, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trefor Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 6ft 5 here and no problems at all. Done some very long drives with no aches or pains. Hope you get it sorted - no point in suffering, its only a car. Try another model if it doesn't get sorted. Your health is more important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csi_basel Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 I've had my car for over a year and its only very recently that my back pain has lessened. I'm 6 feet tall, less than 12 stones and have never suffered from any back pain before I got my GTI. Any drive over an hour would cause pain in the middle of my back. I tried, moving the seat forward, back, up and down without any real benefit. Recently thought I have increased the electric lumbar support so I definetly feel it and the seat feels more rigid. This has helped. I think part of the problem is that I only drive the car on weekends and sometimes 2 or 3 weeks can go by without me sitting in the car. Don't worry guys, car is garaged! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 I'm 6 foot and considerably heavier than you with a history of back problems - should probably lose some weight and I have to say i've had no problems with my seats at all. In fact I would go as far as to say I find them one of the comfiest supporting places when i'm having issues. I guess if you're an extra 6 inches taller though all the support points for the back are different. Not sure if the lumbar bar can be moved up and down or just in and out?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 I am so pleased to hear others have the same problem!! I have the normal GTI Mk5 seats and I get bad back pain in the middle/lower back when I am sat in them for longer than 5-10 minutes. There is completely inadequate lumbar/thoracic spine support (I am a doctor, folks). I have to have a jumper folded in 2 placed half way between my shoulder blades and backside and this really helps. Basically, the seats are too concave in the middle of your back, they need to be straighter at that point. If my girlfriend's Micra can achieve this, why the heck can't VW?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryhornet Posted November 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Johnny, you've described exactly what I'm suffering from. I'm not sure how you can keep a jumper in place, but I've tried a lumbar role there, but its miles too thick. It appears quite a few people have put up with back issues to keep in the GTI way. It shows how good the car is. The standard Mark V seats are fine (friend has a GT). I'm now looking down this route rather than selling it, once the wedge support route is exhausted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Johnny, you've described exactly what I'm suffering from. I'm not sure how you can keep a jumper in place, but I've tried a lumbar role there, but its miles too thick. It appears quite a few people have put up with back issues to keep in the GTI way. It shows how good the car is. The standard Mark V seats are fine (friend has a GT). I'm now looking down this route rather than selling it, once the wedge support route is exhausted. [/ QUOTE ] You are right, lumbar roles are miles too thick. You only need something like a thin jumper folded in 2. I am going to get some material made to that thickness in a square shape, then hand it from the headrest by 2 thin straps. If I can be arsed, I may get a car upholsterer to stuff some more padding in the middle of your back area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbetts Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Johnny - I must be missing the point here - The GTi has adjustable Lumbar which you can inflate and deflate and rise and lower as well - Are you saying that this is inadeqaute? or the seats are just crap in the posture department in general? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Johnny - I must be missing the point here - The GTi has adjustable Lumbar which you can inflate and deflate and rise and lower as well - Are you saying that this is inadeqaute? or the seats are just crap in the posture department in general? [/ QUOTE ] Hi mate. I have the lumbar support inflated fully, but it doesn't really inflate enough, and it is too low for my problem. As I said earlier, for my back and others on this board, there needs to be more suport higher up the chair back in the lower thoracic area as well as the lumber area. Essentially the middle if the seat back is fractionally too concave, it just needs filling out slightly. Otherwise I love the seats, good lateral support, I like the bases, love the checquered fabic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csi_basel Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 I think Johnnysenna is correct in his assessment. The lumbar support is too low. I've jammed a t-shirt in but this is just a temporary solution to try and fill out the back more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I think Johnnysenna is correct in his assessment. The lumbar support is too low. I've jammed a t-shirt in but this is just a temporary solution to try and fill out the back more. [/ QUOTE ] Hi mate. You have done the same as me. I would be interested to hear what you do as a more permanent fix. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 OK fellas, I have spoken to my local vehicle trimmer. They are going to have a look at putting extra padding in the seat for me......right in the middle of my back. Hopefully this will be possible. I'll let you know how I get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csi_basel Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Was wondering if there had been any new ideas over the seat back issue. Johnnysenna did you get extra padding put in? Drove my car for the first time in 3 weeks and the back pain resurfaced after an hours driving. Going to try and get a thin cushion, but if that doesn't help, I might look at the TT... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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