Driver feels pinch of ‘unbearable’ seats

By David Wrottesley

19th July 2008

Sports seats are a favourite with car buyers because of the extra support they provide. But if you’re thinking of upgrading to buckets, make sure you try them for size before signing any sale agreement.

Reader Andy Lepine of Bromley, Kent, says he wasn’t warned just how tight the sports seats in the Audi A6 S line were. After buying the car, he realised they were so uncomfortable he couldn’t even drive it!

“I had test driven the SE with standard seats, which were fine,” Andy told us. “So when choosing a car, I asked the salesman at Audi Beckenham if the S line’s seats would fit my six-foot-one, 18-stone frame. He said they were exactly the same as the SE’s, but the ‘edges came up higher’.”

Having collected the car, however, Andy got only 10 minutes into his first journey before becoming uncomfortable. Two hours later, he told us he was in severe pain, and bruising later appeared on his legs. He called the supplying dealer, but was told new seats would cost £5,000 – plus VAT and labour! When Andy complained, the dealership eventually offered £200 compensation, which Audi agreed to match.

But he rejected this, and got local upholsterer Cass Brothers to modify the seats. Although they were an improvement, he says he still has to stop driving after an hour. And, because it has been modified, Audi refuses to buy the A6 back.

Andy said: “It is ridiculous. I’ve spent more than £30,000 on a car I can’t drive.”

When we called Audi, its spokesman defended the salesman, arguing he had specifically mentioned the width of the A6 S line seats to Andy.

The spokesman went on to add: “Although we are satisfied that the dealership has explained the different specifications, we are prepared to offer £1,250 – half the cost of fitting an SE seat.”

But Andy argues that isn’t enough. “They are willing to pay towards changing only one seat,” he said. “If my partner drives and I am the passenger, the same problem exists.”

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