[CanadaCraig]

I've owned my black/black MDX now for just over a week. I like everything about it EXCEPT for ONE thing. This ONE thing is really upsetting me. In fact - I'm SERIOUSLY considering selling it. [something I do NOT want to do] The ONE THING is the seat. I can NOT get comfortable no matter what I do. I think I've moved that seat every which about a hundred times. I'm trying to figure out exactly what bothers me the most. The seat part of the seat is TOO short. The back part of the seat is shaped wrong. [at least for me!] I'm a big guy - but that seat makes me feel as though I'm Andre the Giant. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE!! I've been trying to find a solution to this problem. I need some help!! IF I sell my MDX - then what?? I went through weeks of searching and studying and concluded that the MDX was 'the' one to buy. The only POSSIBLE solutions I can think of are replacing the seats [with what - I don't know] or going to a 'shop' and having the seat RE-shaped.

I talked about this at the Edmunds board. But thought I'd see if any of you have any ideas. I'd appreciate ANY help.

Thanks!!
Craig

Cars I own!! [are we supposed to do this??!!]

2001 Acura MDX [black/black]
1998 Volkswagon New Beetle TDI [white/black]
1991 Acura NSX [red/black]

 

[Guest]

Just a few things I can think of (I am sure you tried these but just in case).
Ajust lumber support, try to tilt the seat back (lifting the front of the seat up and back down), ObusForme back support.
I hope something helps. DO NOT SELL MDX!

 

[Acura4Life]

Worse case...rip the seat(s) out & put custom seats in the MDX. There is no other SUV that is better.

Don't do it !!!

 

[Guest]

Nope, can't put custom seats in, or fit seat covers (despite what they might say about so-call custom airbag compatible stitching) because the side impact airbags + sensors are integrated into the front seats. All Acuras have this design, unlike MBzs or BMWs which have the side impact airbags built into the doors.

I hate to say it, but if you're truly uncomfortable, perhaps you will have to sell your vehicle or perhaps pass it on to someone in the family. If you're not comfortable in the seat, the other gizmos do not seem to matter at all.

Good luck resolving your problem!

 

[Acura4Life]

Or...give up the side air bags.

I wouldn't, but it is still an option.

Good luck !

 

[CanadaCraig]

Thanks guys!!

Thanks david, Acura4Life and Todd!! I appreciate your help.

Todd - you're right. I'm finding it difficult to enjoy my MDX - thanks to the problem I'm having with the seat. The very first thing I notice whenever I get into my MDX is how my lower back hits something hard in the seat. [the area BELOW where the lumbar support goes in and out] I like to SIT in a seat - with my back firmly against the backrest. I'm starting to wonder - IF I could remove the part that bothers me [or take out some of the padding] then PERHAPS I'd be more comfortable. Do you think that's possible?? An upholstery shop in town does custom work on seats and I'm thinking about paying them a visit. My ONLY concern is that something could be damaged [seat heater, airbag sensors, etc.] if the seat was altered in any way. Do you think Acura would be of any help?? I'm avoiding contacting them out of fear that they will say 'too bad - not our problem'!!

I'm starting to hear others complain about the seat AND the fact that the steering wheel is off-center. At least I'm not completely alone with this concern!!

Thanks!!
Craig

 

[Acura4Life]

Acura will be more than HAPPY to take your money.
Probably over charge you too.

Check it out.
Give them a call.

IT'S WORTH A TRY.
Best bet is to go with Acura (cause' sensors, side airbags, etc.)


Good luck.

 

[bluetooth]

This is the downside of a highly integrated and sofisticated car (most of the new cars)... You want to change one thing and now you have to worry about a whole bunch of things - airbags, heaters, seat mem...

Before getting my MDX, I was considering the new volvo cross country (i had even placed an order)... One thing that I read in almost all the reviews, message boards - extremely comfortable seats, esp. for long drives 1-2hrs+. Unless you need a high SUV, that would be a good alternative. Ofcourse you will have to deal with European build quality - frequent visits to service stations...

Regarding off-center steering wheel - I didnt notice it. But ofcourse, I used to have a Jeep Wrangler - After getting used to that one, I can even sit sideways in a car ;-) ;-)

goodluck, hope you get used to the seats and wont have to ditch the MDX

 

[Guest]

Hi Craig,

Glad to offer my thoughts. As I understand, the seats in cars nowadays have high/low/medium density foam inside. So it's not as simple as ripping open the seats and taking the stuffing out. I too, would be concerned about damaging the leather, seat heater, or more importantly, the side airbag mechanics. Remember that there is a pyrotechnic charge inside the seat which deploys the airbag. If one is inexperienced with the location of this device and accidentally hits it, the charge is enough to send the person flying across the room. I know that a couple of inexperienced/ignorant locksmiths or police offers that have tried to slim jim the doors of late model MB or BMW cars (side airbags in the doors) have received a nasty blow when they punctured the charge.

I don't think that Acura would help should something happens to the seat. They would probably void the warranty since it was tampered with by an outside shop. I can understand their position since if the seat catches on fire/the airbag fails to deploy in an accident, they may face some (costly) litigation. Same goes for the upholstery shop. They may decline to do the job because of the complex electronics/hardware inside the seat. Perhaps the foam inside could be shaved and reshaped?

I understand what you mean about actually sitting in a seat rather than simply on a seat. I also own a 2001 MB ML430 (MDX is my wife's) and the seats are far more supportive than the MDX's. Looks like Acura has a lot to learn from Volvo, BMW or MB when it comes to seat design and comfort for people of all shapes and sizes. Have you tried the M-class' seats? They're very comfortable even after long stints behind the wheel.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Guest]

By the way Craig, I understand what you mean by "the seat of the seat is too short". Although I'm of average height, I have a medium torso but long legs, and the front and second row seats do not provide enough thigh support for me to be very comfortable. I leave the lumbar support at its undeployed position since it feels like there is an unnatural lump at my back. My S.O has not complained though, perhaps because she is only 5'4".

 

[CanadaCraig]

Thanks [AGAIN!!] guys!!

Thanks Acura4Life, bluetooth and Todd!!

bluetooth - I seriously considered the Volvo Cross Country. Just wasn't familiar enough with Volvos. [even though I owned a '79 242DL YEARS ago] One of the main reasons I chose the MDX is BECAUSE I of my experience with Honda's. I've owned LOTS of Honda's. I still own my '91 NSX. THAT car - I think - is the best in the world!! The seats are fantastic. Probably WHY I never even thought twice about the seats in the MDX.

Todd - I appreciate your help. DO you think it WOULD be possible to put in different seats [like Recaro, or something] IF I'm willing to give up the driver side 'side' airbag - the seat heater and memory seat thing?? Is the side airbag connected [in any way] to the other airbags?? Funny you should mention the Mercedes-Benz. This is why I'm so upset. I traded IN a '98 ML320 to get this MDX!! The ONLY thing that I regret IS the seats. The MB seats were wonderful. IF my MDX had THOSE seats - I'd finally be able to jump into the MDX 'fan club' without ANY hesitation. As it is now - it's like having a pet you don't want to name because it will make it all that more difficult to get rid of!! [Something I STILL don't want to do with my MDX]

Thanks again. Any other thoughts, guys?? Please don't hesitate to share them with me!!!

Craig

 

[rat]

You seem to have a unique problem with a seat that no one else seems to identify with. I think you should have your butt checked as it is the remaining element in the equation. Good luck.

 

[Acura4Life]

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I'm rollin' ova' hea' !!!



No disrespect CanadaCraig, but that was funny as ALL hell !!

 

[Guest]

Ah, if you've been sitting IN the comfortable MB seats & the wonderfully supportive sport seats in your NSX, I can certainly appreciate your concerns and understand your discomfort. You are correct in guessing that the side airbags are linked up to the others. Basically, if you disconnect the airbag, the "airbag off" and SRS idiot lights will be on permanently. I think that it may be a distraction. Also, I hate to sound cynical, but I doubt that any seat shop will want to rip out the seat for fear of litigation in an accident; this is the same reason why most dealerships refuse to disconnect airbags.

Craig, you've got me perplexed as to what you can do next . Are you equally comfortable (uncomfortable) in the passenger's side seat without the lumbar support?

 

[p0key]

CanadaCraig, my dealer wants me to wait 2-3 months for an MDX, so while I sympathize with your obvious discomfort, I'm also quite eager to buy your MDX. I'd hate to see it ruin your back or something. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Guys!!

Hi!!

Thanks Pokey!! I'll keep that in mind. I'm still going to see what can be done. If I wasn't perfectly comfortable in my other cars - I'd KNOW it was ME and NOT the seat!! I'm a big guy. [6'3" tall and about 240lbs] I've noticed, lately, that a LOT of NEW cars are coming out with smaller then usual seats. I guess it makes it LOOK like there's more legroom if the seat is smaller. Who knows!!

Thanks Todd!! I'll have to try out the passenger seat - like you suggested. That way I can [most likely] eliminate the lumbar support thing as being the cause of my discomfort. I appreciate your help. What I'd LOVE to be able to do - to be honest - is to find a set of BMW M3 seats - and put THOSE into my MDX!! [which would be easy to do - if it were NOT for that side airbag thing] Speaking of that airbag... I can't help but think that IF it ever DID go off in an accident - the only thing that would happen is that I would be able to add 'missing arm' to the list of injuries!!

Hi Rat!! Good advice. I saw an 'ass' doctor yesterday. He said he's never seen such a oddly shaped butt. I'm going in for surgery next week!! Wish me luck!!

I hope that all Americans have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

[Dennis]

Seats in Trooper

Craig...
I read your post with great interest. I bought a 1998 Isuzu Trooper, and traded it in a year later for a 99 with the leather package...my reason for getting rid of the vehicle?..the seats were just TOO UNCOMFORTABLE!! Although the leather seats in the 99 are much improved both vehicle's seats suffered from what you mentioned..the seat part that you sit on was too short!! I'm 6' not really that tall and I find that the seats don't support my thighs.

I was just starting to do research on the MDX as I'm considering buying one, and now I'll take a really long look at both the seats and the steering wheel being off center!

Thanks for your post!

 

[Guest]

Craig,

LOL, the M3's seats don't have side airbags since the airbags are built into the doors ;-)

I hope that you manage to find a (simple and inexpensive) resolution to your problem. Nah, the airbag won't take off your arm. It deploys to act as a cushion between your body and the door. Of course, the door mounted side airbags in your '98 ML320 are a little further away, but the MDX's should work the same way.

BTW, you didn't mention this, but did you take the MDX on a test drive before purchasing it? I'm curious as to why you didn't notice this problem before. If you did take a test drive, I'm guessing that it wasn't an extended one?
Have you sat in the '00 M-class? If you have, did you find it as comfortable as before? The seats were changed (different leather, larger head restraints) from your '98 model.

 

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Dennis and Todd!!

Hi Dennis!!! I'm almost 98% sure that I'm NOW going to trade in the MDX. I'm looking at what BMW has to offer. Perhaps I'll leave the SUV-world behind and get a 330ci or something. [WITH THE SPORT SEAT OPTION!!] This is all very upsetting AND frustrating. I can't help but wonder if Acura hired 'Billy Barty' to design the seats!! As far as I'm concerned - sitting in the MDX is like sitting on a dozen basketballs. It's THAT uncomfortable. The steering wheel being off-center is also annoying!! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!! I posted a long-winded message comparing my 1998 Mercedes ML320 to the MDX [I traded in the ML!] in the 'comparisons' section.

Hi Todd!!! I really DO appreciate your help!! YES!! I took TWO test drives in the MDX. Mind you - neither one lasted longer then about 20 minutes or so. Besides - it's not exactly a 'real' drive when you have a salesman sitting next to you. I drove a 2000 ML320 once last spring when I brought MY ML in for service. The seats - as far as I could tell - were exactly the same. I say this for no other reason then the fact that I DIDN'T notice anything different with the seats. I DID, however, notice the new stereo the ML has. VERY confusing. A big 'door' has to open in order to access the cassette player. Silly - I think!! Take care!! Craig!!

 

[Dennis]

Craig...

Sorry to hear you're trading in your MDX. I went to Acura here in Austin TX yesterday in the hopes of test driving an MDX, but they didn't have one available. They did have one I could look at, sit in etc. After sitting in it for only a minute or two of course, I decided the seats were more comfortable than the Trooper leather seats. I tried to figure out what you were saying about the steering wheel being off center? I looked, but didn't find it that way..I must be missing something.

Anyway, the dealer said they get 18 a month, are selling at sticker price, and have a waiting list of 90 people! I think the 90 number is inflated as they immediately said that I could get one sooner if I wasnt picky about color or features..

Anyway I think I'm going to take a look at the new Montero Limited today. Take care!