Seat Bolsters

[doshoru]

Owner of a M3LR with white interior. Shopping for a MYLR and noticed that (at least with the black interior) the seat bolstering in the front was much bigger/stiffer -- which for me is a plus.

Asked the Tesla sales rep what the difference was...

- Difference between years?
- Between 3 and Y?
- White vs Black?

His answer was that the Y had more "space" so they took advantage of it by including better bolstering.

Not the answer I was expecting, and it doesn't really make sense. I would think tighter bolstering would take less space, and why does the SUV have "sportier" seats than even a 3?

My next question was: Can we swap the seats? E.g. I'll be driving the 3LR and the wife would drive the Y. Sales rep said no, not interchangeable...Also not the answer I was expecting in such a modular car.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

3/Y/Black/White seats are all exactly identical (literally the same part number) except:

• Front seats were slightly changed in 2018
• Rear seats are slightly different (wider center cushion) in the Model Y
• White material feels slightly more supple than black

And yes, any year/model seat simply swaps right in to any other.

 

[doshoru]

That's what I *thought* but I just sat in a 22 (just re-checked) Model Y LR with black interior and the side bolsters up front were very noticeably thicker. I'm 5'7" 170lbs and our current Model 3 LR with white interior -- I slide around. The bolsters don't "grab" my back. I have to shift left or right to even feel them.

The Model Y -- I can feel them on both sides simultaneously while not moving.

I didn't want to think of this as another Tesla QA issue, but....they feel like totally different seats.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Check a Model 3 vs a Model Y of the same year. Other variables include that the seats may wear in (bolsters get pushed outward and foam gets compressed as you sit in them more).

Tesla have made subtle changes to the seats throughout the years, but it may not be documented.

One difference with the Model Y is some may be equipped with a far side airbag:
Tesla's new airbag helps prevent front passengers from colliding [video]

Model 3 part numbers for entire seat:
1ST ROW SEAT ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK
7654322-01-E
1ST ROW SEAT ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR WHITE
7654322-02-E
Parts Catalog

Seatback cover part numbers:
1ST ROW SEATBACK TRIM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR WHITE
1452890-02-F
1ST ROW SEATBACK TRIM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK
1452890-01-J

There are however two different foam assemblies for some reason:
1ST ROW SEATBACK FOAM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND
1112658-00-D
1ST ROW SEATBACK FOAM PAD ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND
1450868-00-E
Parts Catalog

Model Y has a version that is a different part number (might be airbag mentioned):
1ST ROW - LEFT HAND DRIVE - SEAT ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK
6654322-T1-A
FRONT ROW - LEFT HAND DRIVE - LEFT HAND - SEAT ASSEMBLY - PUR WHITE
6654322-T2-A

But also has ones that are same part number as Model 3:
1ST ROW SEAT ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK
7654322-01-E
1ST ROW SEAT ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR WHITE
7654322-02-E

Parts Catalog

The seatback cover part numbers for Model Y also have some that are identical to Model 3:
1ST ROW SEATBACK TRIM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR WHITE
1452890-02-F
1ST ROW SEATBACK TRIM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK
1452890-01-J

But also a different one for the ones with farside airbag:
1ST ROW SEAT BACK TRIM ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - PUR BLACK - FARSIDE AIRBAG
1763883-01-C
1ST ROW SEATBACK TRIM - LEFT HAND - WHITE
1763883-02-C

Here are the foam part numbers has one identical to Model 3:
1ST ROW SEATBACK FOAM PAD ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND
1450868-00-E
Another one with farside airbag:
1ST ROW SEATBACK FOAM PAD - LEFT HAND - FARSIDE AIRBAG
1744935-00-B

Parts Catalog

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

Have center airbags been implemented on American cars?

 

[doshoru]

It's definitely not seat wear -- One of the things I noticed when it was new (used to driving sporty cars and DDing a bucket seat, lol). M3 only has 6k miles on it.