Opinions on Series II R3 Recaro seats
 

I am looking to replace my 2005 RX8 that was totaled last year and am considering a 2009,10 or 11 RX8. I like some things about the R3 model except the seats. I find them somewhat uncomfortable myself and most reviews agree. However I have read someone say that their seats eventually adjusted. Another alternative that I considered is having an upholsterer make some changes to the bolsters. I have seen others do this by replacing the material with memory foam.

How about some opinions from folks that actually have lived with these.

Thanks,

The series 2 interior section may yield more/better responses.

The answer is simple. If you don't care for the recaros, sell them. You can probably get around $1500/pair. Buy a nice set of leather GT seats and pocket the difference. You'll probably end up a grand ahead.

I bought my son an R3 and he loves the recaros. I don't mind them, they definitely keep you planted. The R3 is a great car. Just change the seats if you're not digging them.

I love the seats in mine.

the only problem I see is if you are height challenging (I am 5'7), you are gonna sit very low in the car.

I like the seats in mine quiet a bit. They are fine for me on my 30 min-each-way commute and other daily driving.

I used to think the seats were pretty good but after long drives (like 1 hour or more) it starts to hurt my lower back. The lumbar support (or lack of it) seems to be the problem. They're awesome on the track though... really holds you in there.

Anyway I use a small pillow for lower back support on long drives lol... getting old =(

the seats are brilliant
They are incredibly supportive - were great at Road Atlanta recently and prove very supportive in the daily commute in and around town-
They are a tight fit, but worth it, in my opinion. When I sit in other 'performace' cars, I always miss the R3 Recaro seats.

I don't think the leather is the best in the world. No matter how much I condition them they're still wearing out a little too fast.

I had planned to get an R3 rather than a GT; however, when I finally got a chance to sit in one at a dealer in the Detroit area, I came to the conclusion that the seats were a bit too narrow for me. The reviews I read stated that if your body is shaped right, the seats are fantastic, but if not, they can be torture after some time. I could feel the seats pinching the upper-back of my legs. I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs. My ass isn't big (my wife actually tells me I have no butt), but I do have fairly large legs from 16 years of martial arts practice. I felt that the R3 seats would have been fine for maybe up to 30 minutes or so, but after that I think I would have been in some pretty serious pain, so I bought a GT that was at my local dealer lot, instead.

Seats are swappable, as mentioned if you dislike them after a while, sell them and replace them.

In regards to the "lower-back" issue, I had the same thing when I first got my '04 rx-8. I am also only 21 let you know this, and in "good" shape. I didn't think it was my car at first, though when I ended up doing was playing with the actual seat adjustments until I felt more "up-right."

I still have the seat back-rest leaned "back" a little, but I have the back part of the butt area raised and the front of it lowered a bit. This has helped me overcome that lower-back issue and haven't had it since.