Tubby vs E46 M3

[Lauren]

I like loads of cars, loads and loads

I probably like a hell of a lot more cars than you do in fact.

I think you missed what I was hitting on. The only MR2 you've ever gushed about is the mk1 that you had.
Every other MR2 you seem to take quite pride in puttin down for every thing possible. I'm pretty sure you'd suggest the thread distance on the wheel nuts of an Integra is better than that of a Tubby if it came up.

You might like more cars than I do, who knows, but I'm not sure how that's relevant? As to whether you have more knowledge is a different matter. Not sure what you are getting at really.

I've had 3 MK1s then there is the SE which was Mark's car. What one did I gush about?

I don't put down people's individual cars do I? I might talk about the MK2 as a model, but not individual cars.

[matt_mr2t]

Lauren, every opportunity you get you put the MR2 down. I didnt say you knock peoples cars, but buy knocking the MR2 itself, which you do a LOT, you are inadvertantly doing so as thats what the majority of people here own and love.

This is an MR2 forum, I dont think they're the best car in the world like some members do, but with the amount you put them down I wonder why you're here most of the time.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only member that has noticed how often you take a swipe at MR2's.

[Lauren]

Well I'm entitled to my opinion I guess. I think of it as balancing out more than anything. I see Recaro seats as the best seats you can get. In fact looking at the clio RS you can spec them for £850, I'll spec them if that's the next car I go for.

But I understand that people love the mk2 and fair enough everyone is entitled to their opinion. I believe in free speech etc.

I really love the MK1 and I do like the MK3. Two out of three isn't bad.

[steve b]

I thought Recaros were an optional extra for the mk2 MR2? Certainly loads of GTS's have them fitted.

[matt_mr2t]

Well I'm entitled to my opinion I guess. I think of it as balancing out more than anything. I see Recaro seats as the best seats you can get. In fact looking at the clio RS you can spec them for £850, I'll spec them if that's the next car I go for.

But I understand that people love the mk2 and fair enough everyone is entitled to their opinion. I believe in free speech etc.

I really love the MK1 and I do like the MK3. Two out of three isn't bad.

A friend has the Megane RS with the Recaro's. Not sat in them but they look fanfrickingtastic! Much more so than the race type seats with fixed seating position and thin padding.



Another mate of mine used to have a Focus ST (mk2 2.5 turbo one) with leather Recaro's. Now from first hand experience, those WERE comfy and hugging.



It's not that I dont like Recaro's, or bucket seats at all. For track use they are no doubt one of the most important things for a car. But if it's a road car and daily driver you have to balance it against comfort. Sadly the lightweight racing type ones have never been what I'd deem comfortable.
The ones in the mk1 MR2 arent bad, they look very similar to the ones you used to get in the Escort RS Turbo's and various RS Cosworths.

[toxo]

I thought Recaros were an optional extra for the mk2 MR2? Certainly loads of GTS's have them fitted.

I've used most of the different types of OEM seat in the MK2. Stock cloth and GT half leather (which have more padding, same as the full leather UK ones) both have adjustable bolsters and lumbar support. The extra padding in the leather/half leather ones is noticeable. However Lauren has a point in that the bolsters are only on the upper part of the seat, so they can work to hold your torso in place but not your hips/thighs. The earlier factory recaros (mesh headrests) are quite good but there are later ones as well where the headrest is a single part with the back, and they are excelent seats. Proper comfy, reclining, adjustable and a bit bucketed (but not to the point where it's difficult to get out of them). Not dissimilar to the Megane ones posted above.

However these are all what I would consider to be OEM MK2 seats so you can't tarnish them all with the same brush

[matt_mr2t]

More cool but uncomfortable looking seats!

[Lauren]

Recaros in the clio RS:

[steve b]

I thought Recaros were an optional extra for the mk2 MR2? Certainly loads of GTS's have them fitted.

I've used most of the different types of OEM seat in the MK2. Stock cloth and GT half leather (which have more padding, same as the full leather UK ones) both have adjustable bolsters and lumbar support. The extra padding in the leather/half leather ones is noticeable. However Lauren has a point in that the bolsters are only on the upper part of the seat, so they can work to hold your torso in place but not your hips/thighs. The earlier factory recaros (mesh headrests) are quite good but there are later ones as well where the headrest is a single part with the back, and they are excelent seats. Proper comfy, reclining, adjustable and a bit bucketed (but not to the point where it's difficult to get out of them). Not dissimilar to the Megane ones posted above.

However these are all what I would consider to be OEM MK2 seats so you can't tarnish them all with the same brush

Yes so its good to clarify which seats people are talking about. There are the non Recaro stock MR2 seats and the two types of Recaro stock seats. the later Recaros being the best for the MR2, so people statements that the non-recaro MR2 seats are the best seats probably isn't quite right, there was a superior stock option.

[toxo]

There are the non Recaro stock MR2 seats

Both kinds of - you'll see from my post that the standard cloth seats have inferior padding/cushioning to the seats with leather. </pedant>

[Ekona]

The most comfortable seats I've ever sat in were the Exige seats in my old VXR220, which looked like this:



I could travel for hundreds of miles in that with track-tuned suspension and be as comfortable as anything due to the fantastic support they offered. The seats in my current 350Z may be full leather, full electric, fully heated and so on, but they're not nearly as comfortable at all. I think it's more to do with the design of the seat along with the actual driving position that determines comfort rather than just lots of padding or lots of support.

[toxo]

You have plenty of padding onboard too though Dan

[Ekona]

Another good point though: Even though those seats are made for people with a waist line akin to a fountain pen, even a podgy old sod like me fitted in there with consummate ease. Best seats ever, I reckon.

[matt_mr2t]

Perhaps you just got lucky and they were made with you in mind.
I dont like the idea of not being able to adjust the seats.

[LimeyMk1]

Most comfortable seats I've experienced were in a Volvo (T class IIRC), after 7hrs driving I felt like I'd done 2. I've also spent hrs driving the Mk1 and never been uncomfortable.

Least comfortable were in an 08 plate Astra (our pool car) after 2 hrs my right leg was in agony from knee to lower back. Even our old Morris Marina was better.

[matt_mr2t]

My crappy astra seats (19997 mk3) are comfy but not remotely sporty. But then it's not a sporty car.

Oddly, my old Clio 16v seats were VERY supportive but also comfy. They looked really cheap and flimsy, but you just kinda plugged into them. I could've slept in them I reckon and I'm a bad sleeper.



Did quite a few time consuming trips when I had that old car and about the only issue was the cable opperated clutch which you cant blame on the seats

[Ekona]

Perhaps you just got lucky and they were made with you in mind.
I dont like the idea of not being able to adjust the seats.

That's exactly what I was afraid of, but it really wasn't the case at all. Tbh if it wasn't for the fact I want to keep the 350Z fairly standard I'd have pulled the seats out and replaced them with some Exige ones a while ago.

[matt_mr2t]

I admit I only went round the block in a 350Z but I thought the seats were pretty comfy!?
He had the orange leather ones.

[Ekona]

They're fairly comfy on a short trip, but over long distances and on track they're just not supportive enough. Well, I don't think they are anyway.

[RobCrezz]

I want some Recaros, but they are so bloody expensive!