Bucket seats - can they be set to reduce angle of backrest?

[Whaleblue]

Copying this from another thread as I’d really appreciate some input ASAP.

I have a question regarding the bucket seats in general, as I’ve ordered my car with the comfort seats, and time is running out to change spec…

I ordered the comfort seats as the bucket seat backrest is too laid back for me - i.e. I’m too far from the steering wheel when the seat is in the right position for the pedals.

I’m now wondering if it’s possible to tilt the seat a little? This would be done by putting the front at the lower setting and the back in the middle or upper position. Can this be done without drilling out the holes? Logically it wouldn’t seem possible, but I may be missing something?

Any advice much appreciated.

[bcr5784]

Whaleblue said:

Copying this from another thread as I’d really appreciate some input ASAP.

I have a question regarding the bucket seats in general, as I’ve ordered my car with the comfort seats, and time is running out to change spec…

I ordered the comfort seats as the bucket seat backrest is too laid back for me - i.e. I’m too far from the steering wheel when the seat is in the right position for the pedals.

I’m now wondering if it’s possible to tilt the seat a little? This would be done by putting the front at the lower setting and the back in the middle or upper position. Can this be done without drilling out the holes? Logically it wouldn’t seem possible, but I may be missing something?

Any advice much appreciated.

The simple answer is no you can't without at least making either front or back holes oval. However the steering is adjustable for both rake and reach - and there is a lot of spare adjustment both away and (especially) towards you where I sit. So I'm surprized you can't move it far enough.

Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 27th January 13:53

[johnnyreggae]

Going back about six months there's a thread about making new holes - having said that the three standard positions do give different rake as well as all the steering positions noted above

[Whaleblue]

Thanks bcr. I’m at the dealers tomorrow so will double check that I’ve maxed the steering column extension. To be honest, it’s a problem I often have, and usually it’s as simple as tilting the backrest forward to compensate. Hence the comfort seat choice. I’ve just got a thought that long term folk are finding the buckets the better option though.

[Whaleblue]

johnnyreggae said:

Going back about six months there's a thread about making new holes - having said that the three standard positions do give different rake as well as all the steering positions noted above

Ah! Does the lower position tilt the backrest more forward than the middle position?

[neil-g8km6]

Sabelt Bucket recline angle moved to more upright.
14-12-21, 14:33
I do suffer from back injuries and find the bucket seat way too reclined for my comfort. I will post two photos to help with the explanation.
The Mid height setting/pre-drilled holes are just right but the front of the seat needs to be dropped to get a more upright angle for my back.
I used the top rear hole mounting point, photo 1 and drilled another hole 1" down from the front top mounting hole. The distance between the two hole centers is exactly 10 and 3/4" NB these are measured in inches and done on the inside of the stainless side panels, I used a ruler with 1/16" increments for accuracy. Use a 9mm cobalt drill for the stainless and a good pillar drill.
Hope this helps.
https://flic.kr/p/2mQHyFN
https://flic.kr/p/2mQHyGK

[Whaleblue]

Thanks all. Went back to Martins Winchester today and tried the buckets again. I can make them work, simply set in the low position, with steering wheel all the way out.

I’ve updated the order accordingly, and that’s also allowed going to the base 17” wheels which in truth I prefer for the extra sidewall compliance, saving quite a lot on the overall price.

Must mention that Adam and James at Winchester are lovely to work with. Hoping to get the car in April.

[timbo999]

Whale - where are you based? Just wondering if I soon won't be the only orange Alpine in the Village... I'm based near LA; a mate owns an orange Evora close by so there are two founder members of the orange sports car club.

[Whaleblue]

timbo999 said:

Whale - where are you based? Just wondering if I soon won't be the only orange Alpine in the Village... I'm based near LA; a mate owns an orange Evora close by so there are two founder members of the orange sports car club.

LA California? If so unfortunately I’m around 5,500 miles too far away to readily become your third club member! Shame!

[valvegear]

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Inspired by neil-g8km6 I measured the original seat holes and have done my own mod. Using the original seat fixing holes, as the bucket seat is lowered, the angle of the seat back increases. In the highest position the reference angle of the seat base from horizontal is ~3 deg, which increases by 1 deg per position as the seat is lowered (the pink holes/slots). This is hard to understand and poorly designed in my opinion. I'm tall so need the seat in the lowest position possible but with reduced rake. Therefore, I've added another hole at the rear of the bracket (blue) and slightly extended the slot for the front screw. The factory holes/slots are a very generous 9mm dia/width for the M8 screws so I made my new rear hole 8.5mm dia. The position of the rear screw maintains a constant distance to the adjacent holes and the edge of the bracket. The result is the seat angle moves ~3 deg nearer to horizontal vs. the factory position. It makes a huge difference to my comfort and my head is still clear of the roofline.

[Whaleblue]

Thanks for posting this @valvegear. If I’m reading that the right way around the lowest position is actually the “worst” for me - i.e. the seat back is laid back the most in that position.

I’m 5’11” so have a little room to play with. I might be better having the seat in the middle position.

I’ll be back to Winchester one more time prior to pick up (to sort out the admin) so will have a final chance to decide - hopefully they’ll have the same demo cars available with buckets in the low and mid positions.

[valvegear]

Yes that’s correct, the lower the seat the greater the back angle. The lowest position is the worst for me too (6’3”). I was unable to try the bucket seat before purchase so bought ‘blind’. You’re fortunate having a dealer with bucket seats in both positions.

I have the 17” wheels too, they look great, more compliant ride and are the lightest option by a few kilos (lighter than the Fuchs once you include the 18” tyres).

[Whaleblue]

That’s all very helpful - many thanks.

[timbo999]

Whaleblue said:

LA California? If so unfortunately I’m around 5,500 miles too far away to readily become your third club member! Shame!

Ah, no that's Little 'Ampton... although the Sussex coast is very reminiscent of California...

[Whaleblue]

timbo999 said:

Whaleblue said:

LA California? If so unfortunately I’m around 5,500 miles too far away to readily become your third club member! Shame!

Ah, no that's Little 'Ampton... although the Sussex coast is very reminiscent of California...

Aha! In which case I’m likely a thousand times closer!

Love to join as the 3rd member of the OSCC (Sussex division) when I get my A110…

[Liam22]

valvegear said:

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Inspired by neil-g8km6 I measured the original seat holes and have done my own mod...

FWIW, I would double check the properties of that bolt. A2-70 stainless steel has a far lower tensile strength than even 8.8 steel. I don't have the bucket seats, but I've run several track cars, and OE seat bolts are usually 12.9.

[valvegear]

A good thought, thanks.

[7en]

neil-g8km6 said:

Sabelt Bucket recline angle moved to more upright.
14-12-21, 14:33
I do suffer from back injuries and find the bucket seat way too reclined for my comfort. I will post two photos to help with the explanation.
The Mid height setting/pre-drilled holes are just right but the front of the seat needs to be dropped to get a more upright angle for my back.
I used the top rear hole mounting point, photo 1 and drilled another hole 1" down from the front top mounting hole. The distance between the two hole centers is exactly 10 and 3/4" NB these are measured in inches and done on the inside of the stainless side panels, I used a ruler with 1/16" increments for accuracy. Use a 9mm cobalt drill for the stainless and a good pillar drill.
Hope this helps.
https://flic.kr/p/2mQHyFN
https://flic.kr/p/2mQHyGK

What size safety torx bit do you need for removing the bolts?

[neil-g8km6]

Think it's 40🤔

[7en]

Cheers Neil, I think you're right from memory, easy enough to remove and refit the bolts I found, although they are supposed to be 'one use'.

I approached MPRezeau and they're considering fabricating more adjustable seat frames for the bucket seats in the future. If anyone is interested I would let them know so they're aware a few people would like to alter the position of their buckets.

While I'd like to try more or less recline out of curiosity, after much tweaking I think the overall position of the seats is quite spot on. The main issue I personally have with the buckets is the shell/cushion is too tight for the top of my hip joints, I am slim but do have quite wide hips. The comfort seats are wide enough, I just prefer everything else about the buckets - material, support, design and the lightness so want to make them work if possible, the kidney and shoulder bolsters are fine.

If anyone has the issue in the original post there's also the option of fitting a steering wheel spacer.

Edited by 7en on Saturday 20th April 07:42