I'm having real problems getting comfortable in the cloth seats. Despite trying all sorts of adjustments - including the suggestions in Labrat's thread - I can't stop the nasty cross rail at the bottom of the backrest digging into my lower spine. It's obvious all the time but really bad over bumps and when accelerating. There seems to be amazingly little padding over this cross bar and I can't believe this one got past the designers.
Has anyone else encountered this and if so is there a Mazda fix on it? I reckon on a long trip I'd be walking out of the car with bruises!

No problems here - I'm about 72kg and 5'10" tall. Do you feel the same on the passenger side?

I'm also 5' 10" but 65kg - not much padding at the back end! The passenger seat seems fine as far as I can tell.

Nick

Have you tried tilting the seat back alittle more? The middle and higher end of your back will touch more of the back seat than your butt right against the cross rail.

I have not read the other thread it is just a suggestion.

Regards
Phillip

No problems at all as i have leather .ha ha ha

Love the smell of leather in the morning as u drive into the beyond .

michael

I'm 5'10" and 85Kg :eek: (not ONE word, takahashi!) and have no problems either. I tend to drive more upright in this car than before. I spend at least 6hrs/wk in long distance driving. Perhaps there is something wrong with your seat because I can only just feel the bar :confused:

Originally posted by NickG
I'm also 5' 10" but 65kg - not much padding at the back end! The passenger seat seems fine as far as I can tell.

I used to weigh 60kg.. then I got too close to 30 :(

Originally posted by timbo
I'm 5'10" and 85Kg :eek: (not ONE word, takahashi!) and have no problems either. I tend to drive more upright in this car than before. I spend at least 6hrs/wk in long distance driving. Perhaps there is something wrong with your seat because I can only just feel the bar :confused:

I reckon you're right Timbo. Will raise it with the dealer at the 1000k service. There's a similar thread on the US site so I suspect this may be an isolated, but recurrent problem.

I agree with the upright seating too. For years I used to drive a bit long armed ie with the seats tilted back, until I did a BMW Advanced Driver's course when I had my last car. The case for driving closer to the wheel was very well demonstrated. Now I wouldn't consider anything else. Unfortunately the 8's lack of steering wheel reach adjustment means this can only be accomodated by making the backrest more upright. One of the few weaknesses/ommissions I have so far identified with the car....

178cm (5'10"), 90+kg and I'm comfortable without any issues ... although I was in pain driving home last night after soccer practice (and I have the scars to justify it).

Takahashi's chart says I am under tall if you tip it on it's side, but at 110+ kg and 186 cm I am very comfortable in my cloth seats.

I also drive more upright after attending the Murcott course.

Cheers,
Hymee.