Seats - Model 3 - feedback from owners

[chris56]

I am looking at getting a Model 3 Performance to replace my BMW 530E. Car will be used for commuting into/out of London daily with 28 mile journey in and then 28 miles out. Journey time is around an hour and half each way.
I am sensitive to car seating and in particular car seats which give little lumbar support. I prefer seats with hard backs and good lumbar support such as Recaro seats. Not driven a Model 3 but I have read a number of reviews which say the seats are not great in this area. Normally I would borrow a car for an extended test drive and try it out for a couple of days including doing the commute to and from work to ensure this was ok but this seems more difficult with Tesla.
Be interested in owners views about the seats particularly those of you who have back problems now and then and how you find the seats compared to other cars

[ZesPak]

Are the TM3 seats different to the TMS seats? I love the seats in my Model S, my Jaguar was comfortable but the model S seats are on another level.

[UnderSteerD]

I drive my 3 140 miles each way for work (with a night in between) and find the seats very comfortable when adjusted properly.

They are, however, quite soft - like a French car's seats often were back in the day.

[MOBB]

I find them very comfortable, but they are very “American”. Similar to my laziboy chair, soft rather than firm

Very poor side support though if you corner hard

[DuraAce]

Whilst I'm not an owner I did test drive one for several hours.
Seats were just awful and stopped me buying the car.... Main issue for me was that the seat base seemed quite short and didn't offer enough support under my thighs. Lack of extendable/adjustable thigh support was very dissapointing on a 50k car.
If the seats were anything like bmw/merc I would have bought the car.

[RobDickinson]

I love the seats but I am a short arse.

Lumbar support has 2 zones you can control independently

[aestetix1]

DuraAce said:

Whilst I'm not an owner I did test drive one for several hours.
Seats were just awful and stopped me buying the car.... Main issue for me was that the seat base seemed quite short and didn't offer enough support under my thighs. Lack of extendable/adjustable thigh support was very dissapointing on a 50k car.
If the seats were anything like bmw/merc I would have bought the car.

They have to be very short because the car is very low and the cabin a bit cramped. If they were longer it would be even more difficult to get in and out.

Basically the whole design of the car is compromised by the need to be extremely low to get the range they wanted while still hitting the price point they wanted.

[Jam0r]

My other half says the seats are the comfiest she's ever sat in resulting in less wiggling on long trips and no dead bum.

I find them comfy enough and I'm 6'2" however with that said I would prefer some more side support as I'm a skinny chap and slide around a fair bit. I miss my Recaros from my Sportage GT.

[Zcd1]

The lumbar support is both good and adjustable, but asking if the seats are comfortable is like asking if we like pudding....

Answer is: it’s personal, and nobody can tell you what they’ll feel like to you.

They are soft, overall.

[anonymous-user]

A test drive is essential as the seats are quite marmite. I like them but totally understand why some don't.

Get chummy with local sales team and try to arrange a longer test drive.

[stabilio]

RobDickinson said:

I love the seats but I am a short arse.

Lumbar support has 2 zones you can control independently

Had my M3 a Month now and never realised this until I you tubed it!
https://youtu.be/hh_3LqLw9yk

[SWoll]

Jam0r said:

My other half says the seats are the comfiest she's ever sat in resulting in less wiggling on long trips and no dead bum.

I find them comfy enough and I'm 6'2" however with that said I would prefer some more side support as I'm a skinny chap and slide around a fair bit. I miss my Recaros from my Sportage GT.

6'4" here and agree on the lack of side support (thought not been described as skinny since in my teens). Other issue is lack of extendable thigh support , although the lumbar support is pretty good.

The seats in both the front and rear certainly aren't a Model 3 strong point IMHO.

stabilio said:

RobDickinson said:

I love the seats but I am a short arse.

Lumbar support has 2 zones you can control independently

Had my M3 a Month now and never realised this until I you tubed it!
https://youtu.be/hh_3LqLw9yk

Me neither, will have a play tomorrow.

That video though. If your'e going to film the car interior give it a quick clean first FFS..

Edited by SWoll on Friday 31st January 20:50

[stabilio]

I also just found out the seat base can be tilted up at the front rather than just the whole seat base being raised/lowered as one. Already feels like there's more support

[Zcd1]

stabilio said:

I also just found out the seat base can be tilted up at the front rather than just the whole seat base being raised/lowered as one. Already feels like there's more support

Changed that position during my first long (6+ hour) drive - made a big difference for me.
(6’ 2”/200 lbs.)

[coach]

Fantastic seats but there is SO much scope for adjustment you have to spend some time getting it right. When done - save to your profile

[Blue Oval84]

Zcd1 said:

stabilio said:

I also just found out the seat base can be tilted up at the front rather than just the whole seat base being raised/lowered as one. Already feels like there's more support

Changed that position during my first long (6+ hour) drive - made a big difference for me.
(6’ 2”/200 lbs.)

I always adjust my car seats like that. We've got a Leaf at work and a TM3. I can't even get comfortable in the Leaf for short journeys due to crap adjustment, but the 3 is fine seat-wise.

The only issue with the TM3 is there's nowhere to put your right foot when on cruise control, this leads me to have to rest it flat on the floor at a really odd angle. Not as comfortable as my Volvo by any stretch of the imagination.