S3 Seats & Seating Position

[Penti]

Are any other tall drivers having difficulty finding a good seating position in their A3/S3? I'm 6' 2", and coming from a WRX. I love the S3, but I'm really struggling to find a driving position that's both comfortable, and good for spirited driving. As the SuperSports seats weren't available in the US when I ordered back in Sept', I have the standard sports seats. It seems like the travel on the steering column reach adjustment is quite limited, so with the seat far enough back for my legs, the steering is too far away even when fully extended. Something I'll have to get used to, but combined with the relatively unsupportive seats, it's frustrating. Just wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same issue, and what solutions you've come up with.

[ZachPDX]

Are you me? I was literally thinking about posting exactly this today. I've had mine about two weeks and have the exact same issue. I wish the steering came out two or 3 more inches and I'm only 5 10.

[Penti]

Yeah, annoying isn't it! Not something I'd noticed on my test drives. Every time I think I've found a half decent position, the next time I drive it I feel the need to adjust again. So far that's the constant cycle. Ultimately I could look into replacing the seats, but that still wouldn't address the steering reach issue. Hopefully I'll get used to it, but having never had this problem in any other car before, it's surprising and unfortunate to be having it now in this.

[ZachPDX]

Every time I think I've found a half decent position, the next time I drive it I feel the need to adjust again.

Literally every single day I "tweak" something, either come up a bit in the front, move the entire seat back, change the angle of the back or even the damn lumbar trying to get it perfect.

I think I found the solution however, should give us that extra inch or two...... i mean... its type s, close enough right?
http://www.amazon.com/Type-AC50092-6.../dp/B001PRX7WK

[hamz01]

I am 6' and also have the steering wheel extended all the way toward the seat.

Also, I have the bottom portion of the seat positioned so the front is raised to the max and the rear is lowered to the max. Anything other than this seems like I'm sliding off the seat toward the front of the car. Anyone else feel like that?

[LINDW4LL]

This came up in some of the reviews; it's very hard to get a good driving position.

[slo_s3]

yep, i noticed this as well lol. And usually once I've gotten a good position, the wash guys I use move it to vacuum underneath and I have to start all over again wish the thing had friggin memory seats

[slvrb7]

Lol I put my seat to where I want it then disconnect it so my settings can't be moved. I am 6'2 and I find it more comfortable then my rs4 on long drives; however, the seats don't do very well at holding you in when carving canyons.

[949]

there was a site I have seen, they made and sold special seat rails that moved the stock seat back further.

[Spoonie]

I'm 6' no issues as of yet.

[Penti]

@949 - Thanks. The seat itself moves back plenty, but adjusting for legs leaves the steering to far away.

[piaadoll]

OMG!! I don't have an S3 (just a wanna be S-Line A3) and I can't find a happy spot either.

I'm on the opposite spectrum....female, that's horizontally challenged at 5'1. The steering wheel feels too high up even on the lowest position. I try compensating by raising my seat but that doesn't feel right with the pedals. My arms get tired, I think it's due to the steering wheel height.

When my hubby drives my car, I seriously fiddle with the seat for 10 mins or so. Wish it did have memory seats!

[phillyquattro]

How the hell does the car not have memory seats? What is this 1995? Is that an A3 specific thing or does the S3 not have memory seats as well?

[ZachPDX]

How the hell does the car not have memory seats? What is this 1995? Is that an A3 specific thing or does the S3 not have memory seats as well?

s3's don't have them either

[949]

@949 - Thanks. The seat itself moves back plenty, but adjusting for legs leaves the steering to far away.

no problem. the only other thing that comes to mind might be a little ghetto to some and others might love the idea, but you could get a removable steering hub. that alone should give you an additional 2-3 inches or more depending on which brand and removable steering wheel style you go with. they have thin versions to normal thick version to quick release. I have also seen where they are all black and look pretty stock. but the goal here is to give you the extra length you need.

here is an example.

http://www.racinglab.com/nrg-qr1-srk-200bl.html

https://www.getnrg.com/products/quick-release

[949]

OMG!! I don't have an S3 (just a wanna be S-Line A3) and I can't find a happy spot either.

I'm on the opposite spectrum....female, that's horizontally challenged at 5'1. The steering wheel feels too high up even on the lowest position. I try compensating by raising my seat but that doesn't feel right with the pedals. My arms get tired, I think it's due to the steering wheel height.

When my hubby drives my car, I seriously fiddle with the seat for 10 mins or so. Wish it did have memory seats!

that's another point for BMW. even their lowest model, the 2 series, has memory seats.

[BlackAudi87]

5'9 havent noticed any issues with sitting positions for me

[BlackAudi87]

serious

that's another point for BMW. even their lowest model, the 2 series, has memory seats.

[4rings2turbos]

that's another point for BMW. even their lowest model, the 2 series, has memory seats.

Audi would probably point out the standard xenon HID headlights and panoramic roof. But it's not always worth ditching things that should be available no question.

[949]

serious

that's what the salesman told me. it was one of the items I wanted as well but since the bmw is a two door and I really need a four door, I ended up passing on the car. plus the look of the S3 looks way better.

in my opinion, I would say comfort features and technology is are offered more in the bmw. if you want looks then audi is spot on.
I don't have first hand on performance but the specs on both cars are very similar.
for the price, you would get more in the bmw model though. audi is pricey for what is offered so people tend to buy those other brand more than the audi because of the price.
having a higher price is not always a bad thing either because I prefer to be different. in my area the majority of brand cars are BMW, lexus, and Mercedes Benz. there are very few audi around here. thusly, it makes that car stand out way more.

I was also on the bmw forum. their site has a section where people post up questions about pricing or how much the person paid. most people there buy bare minimum. that places that car price range below the S3 of $51,xxx and still with more options.

[Penti]

Just saw this A3 review for the first time. I guess I spent too much time searching out S3 reviews when I should have been reading this! ;)
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...3-20t-quattro/

[949]

Just saw this A3 review for the first time. I guess I spent too much time searching out S3 reviews when I should have been reading this! ;)
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...3-20t-quattro/

are you saying this is a bad car as the ending paragraph suggests??

[Penti]

I would have known to give the driving position more scrutiny had I read that.

[EBS4]

Wow that is a pretty lousy review of what is a very nice car. They had some legitimate gripes though I guess. Can't believe Audi cheaped out on memory seats. At least you guys got front parking sensors though - not even offered on the S4!

EBS4.

[ZachPDX]

no problem. the only other thing that comes to mind might be a little ghetto to some and others might love the idea, but you could get a removable steering hub. that alone should give you an additional 2-3 inches or more depending on which brand and removable steering wheel style you go with. they have thin versions to normal thick version to quick release. I have also seen where they are all black and look pretty stock. but the goal here is to give you the extra length you need.

here is an example.

http://www.racinglab.com/nrg-qr1-srk-200bl.html

https://www.getnrg.com/products/quick-release

Would something like this still allow you to use controls and stuff like airbag? If so I could see this helping!

[949]

I don't know. I have never used this product before.

[piaadoll]

Wow that is a pretty lousy review of what is a very nice car. They had some legitimate gripes though I guess. Can't believe Audi cheaped out on memory seats. At least you guys got front parking sensors though - not even offered on the S4!

EBS4.

Yikes! That is the first negative review I've read on the A3. Not sure how this one slipped past my radar. I love my A3, I just thought I'm so attached to my b6 a4, that I just need time to get used to this one....

[Penti]

Quick update, with more detail to follow if anyone wants it. I've been meaning to add something for a while.

It's not pretty, but having escalated from an annoyance to a major discomfort, I began experimenting with lower back support. Those mesh deals do very little, and the Brookstone type memory foam supports are too bulky, so I made my own. It helps significantly with back support and comfort, and a little with position. Could be the difference between keeping the car or selling it at a loss.

[S3pang]

How in gods name did they call these sports seats. I mean the Chrysler 200 even has better seats than us.
I am beyond disappointed overall with the seats.
Thank you for the leather but what the hell with crap leg and side bolsters!! I feel like I slide all over the place.

Miss my 135i and r32 seats for sure.

[slo_s3]

How in gods name did they call these sports seats. I mean the Chrysler 200 even has better seats than us.
I am beyond disappointed overall with the seats.
Thank you for the leather but what the hell with crap leg and side bolsters!! I feel like I slide all over the place.

Miss my 135i and r32 seats for sure.

couldn't agree more. At least the super sports try to make up for this

[BenGieCruz]

I'm good with the positions of the seats, what i don't like is that they don't go any lower, this makes me miss my R more and more!

[Spoonie]

OMG!! I don't have an S3 (just a wanna be S-Line A3)

At least you get a badge on your front fenders. S3 doesn't get anything. Always wanted the S3 to have a badge on the fenders like the other S cars but what would it say? "I4T"? doesn't sound or look right. Oh well.

[WildHareMS]

I'm good with the positions of the seats, what i don't like is that they don't go any lower, this makes me miss my R more and more!

I am with you on this one. The only thing I wish is that the seat would go about 1/2" lower. I don't even really need it for my headroom, I would just like to sit a tiny bit lower.

I'm 6'4"... I kind of chuckled a bit when I saw someone 5'9" post, but maybe they have issues too. Aside from that, I noticed to OP said for both spirited driving and comfort. I go for the spirited driving position so I have faster reaction times for the people on the road that don't have good driving skills. I have the seat back slightly more upright than reclined. I also am sitting just far enough back that I can have my arms bent about maybe 110° so I don't feel like I'm too close but I can whip the wheel around just about as fast as possible.

I have issues with my lower back (bulging/swollen disc), as well as piriformis syndrome. I pretty much have to buy a car for my seating position and comfort. lol My B6 S4 was great for it but I felt like the seat needed to be down and back. This car, the 8V however, I can finally drive every day in that more spirited position and still be able to walk when I get out from a long drive.

[Penti]

@WildHareMS - I guess you also have pretty long arms then sir, but I'm amazed you're not scraping your head on the roof. At 6' 2", I only have an inch or two gap above me when the seat's fully lowered at the rear (front has to be raised a bit to provide any leg support at all). I've figured out a few things, like lowering the steering wheel as far as instrument vision permits, shoving myself as far back in the seat as possible, keeping the back rest as upright as reasonable etc. In the end though, the only thing that's saved me from constantly adjusting the seat as I drive, and having back ache during and after driving, is adding a 1.5" piece of memory foam into a mesh back support. It honestly makes a huge difference.

[BassMiesterNJ]

I'm in a 2 week old 2015 A3 with standard seats and at 5'7" I feel like the seats and steering wheel position were custom engineered for me. Fits like a glove and I love that I can sit up high. I haven't had to mess with the seat or steering wheel position at all. This was a major selling point for me and something I am very conscious of on a test drive. That said, I could see how taller folk could have some minor issues.

PS: I have never used or do I even look for memory seats in any vehicle past or present or future. I think a total waste of time.

[JsnMR2]

I'm not over 6' ( I am 5'10 - 5'11" ) but I find the seating position in my S3 perfectly fine for road driving, and for auto cross. I have a sensitive back as well, and I did pretty well on a 4 hour drive in the car.

[MS3toS3]

Im 5'10" 180lbs, and I fidget everyone minute or 2....just when I think I got a good position, my wife drives the car and completely loses it....fml

[Penti]

Saw the S Sport seats are now on the website. Only $1450! Gutted. I'd have had those in an instant if they'd been on the options list last year.

[Penti]

Anyone still having lower back issues with the std sports seats? I think I've finally made some progress on this, without the need for any padding.

[Speedybrit]

Did anyone ever find a solution to their back pain? I've had my S3 for a month now and last week I started to get pain in my lower back and it's been constant since then; no matter how I adjust my seat.