Help me pick options

[Hack]

Looks like I might get a chance to place an order next week. Don't congratulate me yet as I have not negotiated price yet. :(

Anyway..

I was wondering whether anyone might have measured the width between the bolsters (both back and hip/leg) on the standard Recaros. If so, could you please post them? I realize I could probably modify the seat frames and then take the seats to an upholsterer and get them to fit me better, but it's something to think about.

I was thinking all along that I would get either the base GT350 or the track pack. I'm planning to daily drive the car, so I think adjustable suspension would be great. I don't think I need the coolers though. It's cold here much of the year in Minnesota and I'm a bit concerned whether some of the coolers might actually cause issues with the car's performance when it's below zero. I'm also sure I could get by without the Magneride, but the extra $$ might be worth it.

However, now I've started to wonder whether I might be better off getting the tech pack. I don't care about the fancy screens and nav and heated/cooled seats and all that, but I think I might be a lot more comfortable in the tech pack seats. I also think when it comes time to sell it might be a lot easier to sell the car. Also, the car will look more normal when coworkers look at it. I've felt a little self-conscious in the past buying newer cars, if you know what I mean. It's also a big reason I might get a black car rather than race red and forget stripes. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll enjoy the features, but 5 years ago I was driving 80s Mustangs with engine swaps, so my level of tech need is still low.

I recently went to a HPDE in my base GT, and I didn't feel that I had any trouble staying in my seat. I know the GT350 will corner harder, though. I will be taking the GT350 to some HPDEs.

So I have a lot of questions and thoughts going through my head and I'm looking for your thoughts and advice. I have always been amused in the past when people post this type of question, but I'm having a lot of trouble with this decision. I will probably keep the car for a while - maybe 5+ years or even more - if I make the right decision. This will be by far the most expensive car I've ever purchased and especially buying it without driving or even sitting in one is a huge deal to me.

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[bullittman]

From the pics the B1 seats are MUCH more bolstered than the GT premium. I do a couple of driving events a year in my 500......I'm not a pro but run pretty hard,seats in 500 are OK. The tech seats in the 350 are clearly more bolstered. I am 175# 5'7"

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

I felt the same way you did about the seats. I work out and have a fairly wide back, and I was worried the side supports would be uncomfortable for any long rides. I have sat in the Tech Seats and they were very comfortable, and with the material you actually sit on (not sure if its alcantera, or swede) but you will not slide around. Also very comfortable for a bigger guy. GO tech if your worried, plus the car will have better resale down the road. (hopefully..lol)

 

[Hack]

Thanks for your advice. I'm 6'4" and I'm a broad person. My hips are too wide for the stock 2015 Mustang seats, so I am always partially sitting on the bolsters. The same is true of the back of the stock 2015 Mustang seats. I feel the bolsters squeezing my lats, but I don't really fit between the bolsters. I'm more partially on them and partially between them.

When I was at the HPDE they tell you to always have both hands locked on the steering wheel at 9 and 3 (other than when shifting), and I found that this really helps to anchor your body in place.

 

[chopsui]

From the pics the B1 seats are MUCH more bolstered than the GT premium. I do a couple of driving events a year in my 500......I'm not a pro but run pretty hard,seats in 500 are OK. The tech seats in the 350 are clearly more bolstered. I am 175# 5'7"

They look identical to me.

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=598377&postcount=598

 

[Hack]

The tech pack seats do look very close in shape to the standard GT seats to me, but it's hard to tell from photos sometimes. I know Donson has actually sat on the tech pack seats, so he definitely knows what he's talking about. The Recaros look to me like the spacing between the bolstering might be wider, but with a sharper angle between bolster and back/seat. If I can actually fit between the bolstering in the Recaros I would love to save $7,500 on the car. Those Recaros really are cool. That's why I was hoping someone would have measurements.

I'm really leaning toward tech pack, but I still want to spend more time thinking about this to do my best at making a good decision.

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

HACK....I love the looks of the base seat far more than the TECH, I know looks are not the most important thing here. One thought is to contact Recaro main office and ask for dimensions ? or...a local speed shop that sales recaro in area may have some for a big guy to set in....

 

[Alkhater]

HACK....I love the looks of the base seat far more than the TECH, I know looks are not the most important thing here. One thought is to contact Recaro main office and ask for dimensions ? or...a local speed shop that sales recaro in area may have some for a big guy to set in....

The base seats look to be a variation of the Recaro Sportster. Only difference seems to be the bolster styling.

Here are the dimensions of the Sportster CS:

 

[Backorder]

The base seats look to be a variation of the Recaro Sportster. Only difference seems to be the bolster styling.



Here are the dimensions of the Sportster CS:

Thanks for posting that! I'm gonna have to measure my @$$ today lol won't matter though, I'm getting the track pack and if I have to maybe I'll just start starving myself lol

 

[Spa2k]

Dimensions really aren't going to help much, because everyone's body shape is different. For example, I wear a size 42 or 44 suit because I have wide shoulders - and every Recaro I've ever sat in has been uncomfortable because the nonadjustable side bolsters poked me in the side (and sometimes even the back). Trust me, you will be very uncomfortabe on the track or even around town if the side bolsters are causing you to balance on the bolsters, preventing your back from sitting flat against the backrest.

The best solution for me is the Tech Package seats plus an over-the-shoulder harness that will hold me tightly in position on the track. A lot of people think that Recaros or comparable seats are the only way to go, but a good set of belts is really all most people need - especially if the car is going to spend most of its time on the street.

 

[Alkhater]

Dimensions really aren't going to help much, because everyone's body shape is different. For example, I wear a size 42 or 44 suit because I have wide shoulders - and every Recaro I've ever sat in has been uncomfortable because the nonadjustable side bolsters poked me in the side (and sometimes even the back). Trust me, you will be very uncomfortabe on the track or even around town if the side bolsters are causing you to balance on the bolsters, preventing your back from sitting flat against the backrest.

The best solution for me is the Tech Package seats plus an over-the-shoulder harness that will hold me tightly in position on the track. A lot of people think that Recaros or comparable seats are the only way to go, but a good set of belts is really all most people need - especially if the car is going to spend most of its time on the street.

This may apply to you, but just an FYI - some Recaro seats are available in different sizes and different models cater to different body dimensions.

Not all Recaro seats have the same dimensions is what I'm trying to say.

 

[Spa2k]

This may apply to you, but just an FYI - some Recaro seats are available in different sizes and different models cater to different body dimensions.

Not all Recaro seats have the same dimensions is what I'm trying to say.

Of course you're right; I should have said "standard" Recaros. However, the ones in the GT350 (and almost always in street vehicles) have to meet a price point and I'll bet will be of the standard, not wide, variety. My point is that unless you're average or skinny from top to bottom, you may not be happy with the fit of the GT350's Recaros - unless they're significantly different in build than the ones already available in the GT and other 6gen Mustangs. The side bolsters on these versions are very uncomfortable for me up high, and in the absence of any information from Ford to the contrary, I'm assuming the fit on the GT350's Recaros will be the same.

 

[Hack]

HACK....I love the looks of the base seat far more than the TECH, I know looks are not the most important thing here. One thought is to contact Recaro main office and ask for dimensions ? or...a local speed shop that sales recaro in area may have some for a big guy to set in....

Thanks for the idea. I sent them an email.

I agree the base seats are really good looking.

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

I will make this offer to anyone....if you do not want your base seats, I will trade you my Tech seats.....of course this offer is only good when they are brand new !

 

[MarcW]

That probably won't work, as the base seats will only have the electrical connections for the airbags, while the Tech seats will have power for the powered seat functions, connections to the HVAC module for the heat/cool functions, as well as those pesky airbag wires. So not only would you have to hack up your under seat harnesses to get the airbag light off, the new owner of those fancy powered heated cooled leather seats would not be able to move them or heat or cool them.

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