How to replace Octavia Front Seats

[RexUK]

After much consideration I bought a new Octavia 2.0 FSI Elegance just over 6 months ago. Generally I've been pleased with the car - good performance, reasonable economy, good equipment level etc however in the last few months the seats have been driving me absolutely crazy. Like Robert in this post http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-o...pain-me/53871/ I too think that the plastic frame of the seat is too high in relation to the side bolsters, such that I am constantly aware of the seat digging into my right leg.

However unlike Robert I've tried all the various combinations of adjustments - height, recline, steering wheel position etc - but still can't get comfortable.

I've also been back to the dealer who doesn't seem to be able to do anything to help, yet admits that several other people have been in with the same problem.

I'm in a position now where I'm not really sure what to do. I think my 2 options are either 1 - sell the car and lose thousands (not something I can really afford to do) or 2 - replace the seats.

With the second option in mind is there anyone out there who has successfully replaced the fronts seats in their Octavia? Having trawled round the net I haven't been able find a guide explaining how to do it nor I have been able to find many places that stock sub frames for an Octavia with the appropriate airbag resistor built in.

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated!

[bahnstormer vrs]

I have just, this week, replaced the driver's seat in my Octavia vRS for a Recaro 'Style' seat that I had in my two previous cars. It was straight forward. I went to Auto Trim in Leicester who are Recaro a main dealer/repairer.

They provided the appropriate Recaro Base frame/runner and fitted the seat for about £225. The fitting included appropriate wiring as the Style seat has electrical adjustment, and mine has heating/cooling as well, plus a 'resistor' to fool the diagnostics into thinking there is still a side airbag fitted. No reset of the airbag warning light was required (this had been needed when the seat was originally fitted new into an Omega in 2000).

Recaro seats are by no means cheap, but I would rate them as the best for aftermarket fitting and they do last; mine is 7 years old and had done about 140,000 miles, in two previous cars, with my bum on it and it is still going strong. With the fitting into my vRS I also had the seat base foam replaced as this had gone firm and flat over time; that cost about £125. PS> pre-owned Recaro setas can be found on e-bay from time to time but avoid ones that are vehicle specific, and if you buy a fabric covered one, Auto Trim will always be able to recover to your spec (leather inc.)

Good luck.

[Lummox]

Amd removing the seat itself couldnt be easier, only four bolts.

[RexUK]

Thanks both.

I certainly like the Recaro seats - the Specialist M in black cloth looks pretty decent. I had been hoping to fit a set myself but dealing with the airbag does worry me a little. I'm Surrey based but would certainly consider travlling to Leicester if I thought the return journey would actually be enjoyable! I'll get a quote this week. I'm also going to check with Skoda what the affect on the warranty will be.

[sworrall]

i have exactly the same problem in mine rex and on my right leg. its been back to the dealers and they said they couldnt find anything wrong and they didnt notice any lumps. my wife can notice it though and at the moment im just putting up with it

[Lummox]

Originally Posted by RexUK

I'm also going to check with Skoda what the affect on the warranty will be.

Well I would think you wont have any warranty on the seats and associated systems like airbag.

Sadly there isnt much dealers can do if Skoda have cocked up the design of the seat unless Skoda come out with a rework of some kind.

[sworrall]

Originally Posted by bahnstormer vrs

I have just, this week, replaced the driver's seat in my Octavia vRS for a Recaro 'Style' seat that I had in my two previous cars. It was straight forward. I went to Auto Trim in Leicester who are Recaro a main dealer/repairer.

got any pics bahnstormer?

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by sworrall

got any pics bahnstormer?

Thought someone would ask me that! Here are a couple that I took about six weeks ago when I dusted it off in preparation for sale, but then decided it was too good to sell and arranged to fit it into my Octavia. The runners that are fitted are from the installation in my Fabia, since removed,





However, I guess you would want to see some pics of it fitted into my Ocatvia.

Sorry, I haven't got any of these yet but will get some done soon (not sure when as the only daylight I get at home at this time of year is at the weekend); OK?

[Hedge]

Nice seat that. Looks very similar to the chairs I had in my S6.
One question though, does the base of your seat sit higher than the standard seat?

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by Hedge

One question though, does the base of your seat sit higher than the standard seat?

I haven't measured it exactly but previously in my Fabia the Recaro was able to go about 1cm lower than OEM and now in the Octavia is just about the same as OEM, or maybe 0.5cm lower. Legroom in the Octavia is no change (excellent) from OEM

PS> As pictured the seat has the runners for fitting into a Fabia attached, the floor pan of which is quite low (hence the height of the runners). For the Octavia the mounting brackets are less tall as the fixing points in the floor pan are raised.

I have now looked up my bill from Auto Trim and the fitting costs were;

New base foam (after 7 years it had got flattened) £65.74 plus fitting into seat (strip and recover) £40.00; Recaro Base Frame/runners (listed as being for VW Touran & SEAT Altea) £119.15, Installation of seat with electrical function inc. 'air bag resistor' £95.00 TOTAL £319.89 plus VAT = £375.87

[andfit]

Just got my new vRS at the weekend and am also struggling with comfort. I've got long legs compared to my arms it seems and to get my legs comfy I feel too far from the wheel, what I'd like is the ability to raise the front part of the seat squab to give me more leg length in less space with my thigh still supported.

What are people's thoughts on packing the front seat fixings up slightly (and using longer bolts of a suitable type if needs be)? Am I ok doing this or is it a big no-no?

If Skoda had only made the rake & reach adjustment or seat adjustment as good as a Volvo....

[timjfw]

Nice garden too !

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by andfit

Just got my new vRS at the weekend and am also struggling with comfort. I've got long legs compared to my arms it seems and to get my legs comfy I feel too far from the wheel, what I'd like is the ability to raise the front part of the seat squab to give me more leg length in less space with my thigh still supported.

Not recommended as this then put most of your body weight onto your bottom/lower back with possibilities for long term strain problems.

What are people's thoughts on packing the front seat fixings up slightly (and using longer bolts of a suitable type if needs be)? Am I ok doing this or is it a big no-no?

If Skoda had only made the rake & reach adjustment or seat adjustment as good as a Volvo....

I can understand your desire to get the front of the seat angled up by a few degrees and a couple of penny washers slipped between the floor and seat runner would likely work, with the OEM bolts perhaps being long enough BUT as you are fiddling with an OEM setting there may well be warranty/insurance implications.

Whilst I have changed my seat I had no particular problem with the OEM one and IMHO for an OEM seat the vRS is pretty good. I too am tall, 6ft 3in.

My suggestion to you would be to;-

1. get the seat back as far as you need for legroom/pedal operation and fairly low, then
2. get the backrest into quite an upright position (too many drivers recline their backrest way too far) and
3. adjust the steering wheel (up/down) so that it is at the correct height to give you a good clear view of the instrument binnacle, and finally
4. set the steering wheel (in/out) so that, with your arms straight, you can rest the underside of your wrist joint on the top of the wheel. Then, when you hold the wheel in a natural 10 to 2 position, your arms will be slightly bent.

If you are not used to this sort of position it may seem strange but, trust me, it is the best and recommended position by any orthopaedic expert, used in the handbook that comes with a Recaro seat and is mimicked by Race and Rally drivers the world over.

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by timjfw

Nice garden too !

Gee, thanks.

[andfit]

Originally Posted by bahnstormer vrs

I can understand your desire to get the front of the seat angled up by a few degrees and a couple of penny washers slipped between the floor and seat runner would likely work, with the OEM bolts perhaps being long enough BUT as you are fiddling with an OEM setting there may well be warranty/insurance implications.

Whilst I have changed my seat I had no particular problem with the OEM one and IMHO for an OEM seat the vRS is pretty good. I too am tall, 6ft 3in.

My suggestion to you would be to;-

1. get the seat back as far as you need for legroom/pedal operation and fairly low, then
2. get the backrest into quite an upright position (too many drivers recline their backrest way too far) and
3. adjust the steering wheel (up/down) so that it is at the correct height to give you a good clear view of the instrument binnacle, and finally
4. set the steering wheel (in/out) so that, with your arms straight, you can rest the underside of your wrist joint on the top of the wheel. Then, when you hold the wheel in a natural 10 to 2 position, your arms will be slightly bent.

If you are not used to this sort of position it may seem strange but, trust me, it is the best and recommended position by any orthopaedic expert, used in the handbook that comes with a Recaro seat and is mimicked by Race and Rally drivers the world over.

Thanks for that, I was taught this was the way to sit too but due to a lack of range adjustment on the steering column I have no chance of getting my wrists to the rim with the seat in the right place!

I've experimented with a slightly higher seating position this morning and its not too bad, but my problem with cars tends to be knee pain, not back. I'm only 5'10" but seem to have long legs compared to my arms... Due to the floor hinged throttle my right heel dictates how far back I sit because if I'm too close I won't be getting enought thigh support from the (fantastically long) seat squab (one of the reasons I liked them so much!). Because I'm not that long in the body with the seat at its lowest the rest of the car seems to be very high, including the steering wheel.

I'll keep fiddling but I'll have a look at the front seat mountings and washers option, might be all I need to solve it?

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by andfit

Thanks for that, I was taught this was the way to sit too but due to a lack of range adjustment on the steering column I have no chance of getting my wrists to the rim with the seat in the right place!

I've experimented with a slightly higher seating position this morning and its not too bad, but my problem with cars tends to be knee pain, not back. I'm only 5'10" but seem to have long legs compared to my arms... Due to the floor hinged throttle my right heel dictates how far back I sit because if I'm too close I won't be getting enought thigh support from the (fantastically long) seat squab (one of the reasons I liked them so much!). Because I'm not that long in the body with the seat at its lowest the rest of the car seems to be very high, including the steering wheel.

I'll keep fiddling but I'll have a look at the front seat mountings and washers option, might be all I need to solve it?

Hmm; interesting situation.

I think, as you have found, a higher (mid way?) seating position would seem to be the way to go for you. Headroom ought not to be an issue.

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by sworrall

got any pics bahnstormer?

Here are a few pics of my Recaro as now fitted. Seat is two notches forward of rearmost position and as low as possible.

[RexUK]

Certainly looks very comfortable!

I didn't have much luck getting in contact with Auto Trim/Captial Seating by email. I ended up giving them a call. Sounds like it could be as much as £650 per seat inc VAT (approx. £425 for Specialist M, £125 runner and £100 labour). I knew it wouldn't be cheap.

I'm still getting some other quotes and considering fitting myself (particularly seeing as the Specialist range don't have any electrics built in). I'll update this thread with the results.

[olski]

This is exactly the solution I have been considering for the awful seats in the VRS - just been scouring the web to see if I can find a bargain which is proving hard!.

I find I get lower back pain as the contour of the backrest is completely wrong for me and no amount of adjustment will cure it. It's strange but everytime I get in the car the seat feels good, but after 1/2 hour or so I am bloody uncomfortable.

Bahnstormer VRS, does the combined height and tilt on your style offer enough adjustment? I was considering an Ergomed, only because it has separately adjustable height and tilt.

Cheers

Olly

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by olski

Bahnstormer VRS, does the combined height and tilt on your style offer enough adjustment? I was considering an Ergomed, only because it has separately adjustable height and tilt.

Cheers

Olly

I believe it does; for height adjustment it is certainly as good as the OEM seats, plus when you get to the lower 1/4 of the height adjustment the front of the seat stops and the base then pivots down so the when fully 'down' there is a moderate tilt on it.

To be more specific, when the seat is fully up to, say, 2/3 or 3/4 the way down there is a degree of tilt and then when the seat gets lowers there is more tilt. Clear?

I would highly recommend the 'Style' seat as it also has an inflatable lumbar cushion so you can get the perfect amount of support and also the 'wings' of the backrest are adjustable to take account of the width of your shoulder blades. I don't know that you need to go to the expense of the Ergomed.