GT Spec.B seats aren't that "spec"ial...

[Manaz]

Hi all,

I think the biggest issue I have with the car at present is the stock seats. Even coming from a luxury spec VW (the V6 AWD Bora was a $60k car new, and not set up for sportiness), the Liberty seats are flat and have terrible bolstering.

Are there any common mods to improve the stock seats at all?

Other than that, and I have a feeling this will start to get expensive, what replacement options are commonly looked at? I'd want to stick with black leather, and it'd be nice to keep the electric/memory function. If I did replace the seats, being able to go back a fraction further and down a little lower than the stock seats would be great (I'm 6'4"/192cm tall, and the seating position with the stock seats all the way back and down is still borderline - long drives get quite uncomfortable.

[owen]

Yes, I have swapped pre facelift seats into mine. They sit lower and have tighter bolsters. Unfortunately there are no other options that allow you to fully retain factory airbag functionality unless you spend 3k on STI Recaros that have occupancy sensor, position sensor and bolster airbags.

Trust me I've searched long and hard...

[Manaz]

Yes, I have swapped pre facelift seats into mine. They sit lower and have tighter bolsters. Unfortunately there are no other options that allow you to fully retain factory airbag functionality unless you spend 3k on STI Recaros that have occupancy sensor, position sensor and bolster airbags.

Trust me I've searched long and hard...

Thanks Owen. I might have to try to find a set of pre-FL seats in good condition.

Nice selection of cars you have there too. What generation GTI?

[owen]

Cheers, MKV GTI with APR goodies

[owen]

Also, before some smartass decides to contradict what I've said and chimes in with "just stick a resistor in the airbag sensor"

Yes this tricks the airbag light into staying off, but you now have no occupancy sensor and position sensor. Which means passenger airbags will either not deploy, or deploy at full height and velocity upon impact, even if you have a 20kg kid in the front seat.

[GTbee]

What about getting the PFL seats, maybe getting a motor trimmer fit some denser foam for better bolstering again as the PFL seats still leave something to be desired, and getting the runners extended to give a little more room? I'm nearly as tall at 188cm and I might be looking at this option.

I already have a PFL but might grab some 2006 TbSTI seats with the suede/alacantra inserts whilst I'm at it.

[Newbie GT]

Hi all,

I think the biggest issue I have with the car at present is the stock seats. Even coming from a luxury spec VW (the V6 AWD Bora was a $60k car new, and not set up for sportiness), the Liberty seats are flat and have terrible bolstering.

Are there any common mods to improve the stock seats at all?

Other than that, and I have a feeling this will start to get expensive, what replacement options are commonly looked at? I'd want to stick with black leather, and it'd be nice to keep the electric/memory function. If I did replace the seats, being able to go back a fraction further and down a little lower than the stock seats would be great (I'm 6'4"/192cm tall, and the seating position with the stock seats all the way back and down is still borderline - long drives get quite uncomfortable.

Seats are fine Robert unless getting sideways and cornering often. I find them very comfortable

[Manaz]

I'm pleased for you that they are fine for you. They are not fine for me.

I corner at every corner I need to take. Fortunately for me (it would be boring otherwise), there are a lot of necessary corners for me to drive around on the routes I regularly drive. And even on the ones I don't regularly drive.

[RX25SE]

even if you have a 20kg kid in the front seat.

You should not have any kids in the front seat. Even with two stage airbags, they can cause serious neck injuries.

[Surge]

Do the sti seats provide better support for cornering?

[owen]

Do the sti seats provide better support for cornering?

If by STI you mean the STI Recaros out of a STI Spec R then yes. Liberty Tuned by STI seats are the same seats with red stitching. The best seats that came out in the Liberties would be the prefacelift TBSTI models, lower, tighter and has alcantara centers which provide more grip (unless you have a S402 Legacy)

[peadya100]

Could you just get the bolsters on the base of the seats made bigger and re-trimmed? They would have to interfere with the airbags then.
Im 6'3" and find the back bolsters to be ok, but slide around the base a lot. If I could just get the base side bolsters increased id be happy

[HyRax]

Yes, I have swapped pre facelift seats into mine. They sit lower and have tighter bolsters. Unfortunately there are no other options that allow you to fully retain factory airbag functionality unless you spend 3k on STI Recaros that have occupancy sensor, position sensor and bolster airbags.

Trust me I've searched long and hard...

Can you clarify this? Unless there's a difference between my facelift 2.5i and your facelift GT, I've put pre-facelift MY06 GT leather seats into mine and the occupancy sensor and airbags connected right up perfectly and operate as expected with no quibbles from the airbag system. I only had to make an adapter for the electric seat adjustment connector only.

[owen]

Yes, I have swapped pre facelift seats into mine. They sit lower and have tighter bolsters. Unfortunately there are no other options that allow you to fully retain factory airbag functionality unless you spend 3k on STI Recaros that have occupancy sensor, position sensor and bolster airbags.

Trust me I've searched long and hard...

Can you clarify this? Unless there's a difference between my facelift 2.5i and your facelift GT, I've put pre-facelift MY06 GT leather seats into mine and the occupancy sensor and airbags connected right up perfectly and operate as expected with no quibbles from the airbag system. I only had to make an adapter for the electric seat adjustment connector only.

That was exactly what I did. What I meant was that is our only option in terms of swapping seats. Aftermarket seats won't work if you want to keep factory airbag functionality.

[HyRax]

That was exactly what I did. What I meant was that is our only option in terms of swapping seats. Aftermarket seats won't work if you want to keep factory airbag functionality.

Ah, aftermarket seats - sorry, missed that.