Took ownership of a 1.1 active eco today after a quick five min test drive.
Perfectly happy with everything apart from the seats.

After a thirty minute drive home my back aches like anything and after ten mins in the car it was incredibly difficult to get comfortable.

The problem is, I don't think the seats are worn or broken - just incredibly firm so replacing like for like wont help.

Anything I can do???

Some have fitted Ford Ka seats and reckon they're good.

I took my seat bolster off (easy - two 10mm short bolts under seat squab) and shifted the foam around inside it. That was a pain as the underside is a metal pressing with only a few access holes, but a bit of persistence got it as I wanted it.

I shoved more foam in (cut to shape with scissors) to give me a bit more side bolster, and managed to reduce the foam in the centre. As I said - a skinned knuckle and language job, but possible.

Ah great. Thankyou for that. Will definitely look into both of those options. Appreciate it.

Think yourself lucky you hav'nt got the height adjustable ones, when lowered they kill your lower back!

I find the height adjustable seats in my 100hp very comfortable even on long trips.

Guess it must depend on your shape!

I also like the height adjustable seat. I find that I can tilt it to perfection and it's comfortable for me. I still prefer it to the seats in the Accord despite all the adjustments that can be made there.

I think I know what the problem is.

Although the seats are firm, it's the position and angle of the pedals which is causing the issue.

To operate them properly my heel is on the floor and my foot is flexed backwards almost upright.

This is causing massive aches and pains up both legs and into the back. I've seen a post on another thread about increasing the height of the floor (using foam). That might help I suppose. But if it continues I'm going to have to sell the car as it's proving a painful nightmare...

Sadly I think it might be a case that you just dont fit the car, its happened to me with Renaults, I just don't seem to fit right in any of them.

The thing that gets me with the 100hp seats is right at the bottom of the backrest, it feels like there isn't enough padding in that section as there's 'something hard' digging into my lower back (make of that what you will )

Dom100HP said:

The thing that gets me with the 100hp seats is right at the bottom of the backrest, it feels like there isn't enough padding in that section as there's 'something hard' digging into my lower back (make of that what you will )

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Other owners have complained about this so your not alone, many change them for abarth front seats but they're not cheap.

Gavv8 said:

Other owners have complained about this so your not alone, many change them for abarth front seats but they're not cheap.

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Ooo I bet they look nice in the Panda. Anyone got any photo's of these seats in the Panda?

The alternative looks to be Ford Ka seats. I imagine they're equally pricey?

Where's the best place to buy seats from? breakers yards? I imagine main stealers will charge a fortune for seats.

Search for threads featuring Demi and his modified 100hp, he used a lot of abarth bits and pieces and also explained how he sourced and fitted them.

Dom100HP said:

The thing that gets me with the 100hp seats is right at the bottom of the backrest, it feels like there isn't enough padding in that section as there's 'something hard' digging into my lower back (make of that what you will )

Click to expand...

Yeah, It's because they are a bit of a strange setup - rather than the whole seat going up & down just the base does so when it's down the lower bar of the backrest is in the way.