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Model 3 seats are horrible compromise decision
- Thread starter EVDRVN
- Start date
I have not heard of that but it would not surprise me that the material is abrading the foam as it is so soft. I would take photos and save them for warranty.
It seems like you have a defective seat - having problems with the seat in 1 week / 500 miles. Suggest you get them fixed under warranty. I have covered more than 10K miles on my M3 in the last 5 months, and I have not experienced any of the problems with the seats that you have mentioned.
Last month I completed a 2600 mile round trip in 8 days, including a trip up Brasstown Bald Mountain in Georgia. Drove in excess of 600 miles on a couple of days and did not experience any of the issues you are having, no fatigue, no backache. I am 5'11" and 180 lbs. The only issue I seemed to have with the seat, is that when I tried to take a quick nap during charging breaks, I did not find it too comfortable for a nap. But then I have the car to drive not to nap, so not making a big issue out of it. My TL was really comfortable for a nap.
As a matter of fact, my wife who has a bad back, and always had a problem after long trips in my previous 2015 Acura TLX and 2011 Acura TL had zero back ache even after a 2600 mile trip. In fact, she has already started planing another road trip for Spring, whereas earlier she preferred trips by Air instead. Looks like Tesla will turn her into a road warrior as well.
After reading your post, I specifically checked all over the seat, and could not feel any metal anywhere other than the bottom of the seat near the floor. Speeding through the twisting roads on the Brasstown Bald Mountain, did not feel any roll. I was too busy enjoying the exhilarating drive, and the super handling. No creases or blemishes anywhere on the seats after 5 months and 10K miles.
Yes, I agree that the seat could be slightly longer to provide support for the thigh, but it is not a deal breaker for me. My Acura TLX had the same problem, compared to the TL which had a longer seat. Also, the seat material is definitely not top class, it is not real leather, but then the M3 is not supposed to be a high end luxury vehicle, even though the price is.
I have been using leather seats since my 2005 Honda Accord days, yes I miss the feel of real leather, but the super handling and the features of the M3, more than make up for the lack of real leather here. I could spend another 1500 and buy Recaro seats, but I am staying with the original ones.
I agree the white seats are soft and you can debate whether they belong in a performance car.
Personally I like them better than the next gen seats I had in my model S - granted, I haven't driven the 3 much, but the seats are actually one of the few things I like better about the 3 vs the S.
Personally I like them better than the next gen seats I had in my model S - granted, I haven't driven the 3 much, but the seats are actually one of the few things I like better about the 3 vs the S.
Glamisduner
Active Member
I can't disagree with you yet but I can say they are miles better than my ford focus seats. They are maybe better than my manual chevy volt leather seats, but I don't think they will hold up as well.
Try the seats in the chevy Bolt. you will come running back to tesla and model 3 seats
I bet the IPace has better seats but I have never sat in one.
I do find myself playing with the adjustments daily on my 40 mile commute, they probably should be more firm and supportive.
Seats are VERY important!
Different strokes for different folks.
I have taken many (>6) ~270 drives in my Model 3 and found the seats comfortable for the long and short drives. I have about >6K miles on the clock. I am actually quite amazed at how comfortable they are and the fact that I have not had to adjust them at all since, roughly, my first month of ownership.
I cannot reliably comment how good or supportive they are in spirited drives with twisty roads/switchbacks. At a high-level, I do recall on one particular exit ramp I took at a high speed I was wishing for a seat that had more side bolstering. However, that situation represents <5% of my driving.
I have taken many (>6) ~270 drives in my Model 3 and found the seats comfortable for the long and short drives. I have about >6K miles on the clock. I am actually quite amazed at how comfortable they are and the fact that I have not had to adjust them at all since, roughly, my first month of ownership.
I cannot reliably comment how good or supportive they are in spirited drives with twisty roads/switchbacks. At a high-level, I do recall on one particular exit ramp I took at a high speed I was wishing for a seat that had more side bolstering. However, that situation represents <5% of my driving.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Tesla has a history of constant improvement for its vehicle seats.
The Model S has had several modifications since the originals.
This just the first generation. Imagine they also will get improved as they find ways to make improvements.
Remember, Tesla is currently making 10,000 of these seats a week. While comfort, control, wearability, stability, structure, materials, style and color are major issues for the customer, the major issue above all these, is the inherent safety for the occupants. Must withstand multiple impact forces, maintain integrity for airbag deployment, have active headrest deployment and interact with the frame mounted seat belt restraint system.
Lots of considerations, and of course so many different people with specific body experiences.
The Model S has had several modifications since the originals.
This just the first generation. Imagine they also will get improved as they find ways to make improvements.
Remember, Tesla is currently making 10,000 of these seats a week. While comfort, control, wearability, stability, structure, materials, style and color are major issues for the customer, the major issue above all these, is the inherent safety for the occupants. Must withstand multiple impact forces, maintain integrity for airbag deployment, have active headrest deployment and interact with the frame mounted seat belt restraint system.
Lots of considerations, and of course so many different people with specific body experiences.
super20g
Member
My black seats are doing this with 1K miles on them... I thought service left a bunch of debris behind when they were working on it for the past month. Looked at it closely and it was foam particles... I just vacuumed it up but next time with take a pic and send to service I guess?
Actually turns out it is still doing it after another couple hundred miles...
My black seats are doing this with 1K miles on them... I thought service left a bunch of debris behind when they were working on it for the past month. Looked at it closely and it was foam particles... I just vacuumed it up but next time with take a pic and send to service I guess?
Actually turns out it is still doing it after another couple hundred miles...
This is exactly what mine are doing!
I'm surprised by the OP's thoughts on the seats.
The first thing anyone that gets in my car says is "Man these seats are comfy".
I love the seats, they are wicked comfortable.
The first thing anyone that gets in my car says is "Man these seats are comfy".
I love the seats, they are wicked comfortable.
I can assure you these are not the 1st gen, more like Gen 4-5 of this production. They are also a full departure from a great seat they could have used. Also the first design you never saw was better than the most recent Model S seats. These are dumbed down versions of a better seat that never made production and they are also poorly built. The foam on the bottom seat bolsters of both my seats has different firmness and is already degrading from minimal use. The seats in the early cars were actually better IMO.
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You can sit on a pillow and say it is comfy. Drive in a seat for a serious period of time and see how that pillow feels. Also the seats feel depends on height ,weight, age (at times). You can make a firm seat feel comfortable for more people than a soft, poorly made seat any day of the week. I'm going to bet they abandon this seat design in the near future. Also, there will definitely be warranty issues on this batch of seats as the foam will fail sooner because it is not the proper density for the its size.
Regrading the comments on Bolt seats, those are POS seats as well, GM tried to fix them and it boggles the mind how they made a poor seat after all these years.
super20g
Member
Service told me "That looks like it could be residual material from the factory when the car was built. I have never seen any type of deterioration on seat padding before." Hoping he is right, but either way I don't see how these seats being this soft already could stand the test of time. I would love nothing more than to be wrong on this.
My black seats are doing this with 1K miles on them... I thought service left a bunch of debris behind when they were working on it for the past month. Looked at it closely and it was foam particles... I just vacuumed it up but next time with take a pic and send to service I guess?
Actually turns out it is still doing it after another couple hundred miles...
This is a feature of "regenerative foam" it sheds very few days.
super20g
Member
I do have a feeling it is left over material from too fast paced production of the seats. I don't see how it could be failing with 1K on the odometer...
So when are they going to offer the extended warranties on the 3's? I bet they get a pretty good take rate.
I love the model 3 seats! I think they are the most comfortable they have made yet.
Service told me "That looks like it could be residual material from the factory when the car was built. I have never seen any type of deterioration on seat padding before." Hoping he is right, but either way I don't see how these seats being this soft already could stand the test of time. I would love nothing more than to be wrong on this.
They won't. Ask any pe
I believe you do. Questions:
How tall are you?
Age?
Height?
How many miles do you drive in one sitting for long trips without stops?
What other Tesla models and specific seats do you have and their use as well?
6'1"
62
Still 6'1"
Up to 650 miles per day, about 4 hours between charges, normal days are much less
2X model S owned, and several loaners along with our Model 3, Toyota Rav 4 Ev also (for sale in the vendors section) ((1/2 Tesla!))
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