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Cloth Recaros are Killing Me!

27636 Views 35 Replies 27 Participants Last post by  Procharged beast
After 2-3 hours my left thigh alternates between numb and painfull. Not sure dropping 40 lbs would even help! I do like the FP aftermarket Recaros, but don't want to drop $3k on a set unless I know they will resolve my issue. Looked at Corbeau - don't think so - and recently Braum. Like the look but need more info. Anyone have any experience with Braum and/or FP aftermarkets? Or a general opinion they'd like to share? Much appreciated......
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I had a serious debate two weeks ago about seats and glad I went with the leather ones in the convience package. I sat and test drive both. The 30 year old in me said Recaro but the actual 55 year old on the outside realized, that I just did not fit in the Recaro thst well. As you said the sides were fine but the bottom and it’s bolsters were digging into my thighs. You might find a person to trade with. Or sell them on eBay to help buy the FP ones.
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I had a serious debate two weeks ago about seats and glad I went with the leather ones in the convience package. I sat and test drive both. The 30 year old in me said Recaro but the actual 55 year old on the outside realized, that I just did not fit in the Recaro thst well. As you said the sides were fine but the bottom and it’s bolsters were digging into my thighs. You might find a person to trade with. Or sell them on eBay to help buy the FP ones.
Having been spoiled by the climate-controlled power seats in the '17 GT PP I traded for my 350, I also went with the convenience package, even though I'm "only" 49, and am "only" trying to lose another 15 pounds or so.

To the OP: do you perchance keep your wallet in your left rear pocket? If yes, try shifting it to the other side, or setting it in the little tray in front of the shifter.
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I have the suede lined recaros in my R. If I leave *anything* in my back pockets or side cargo pockets of my shorts I’ll begin to have this problem a bit. And I’m only 35... so 50+ years old will make it worse. Honestly though, the recaros are no joke when it comes to holding you in place. Way better than buckets.
I have the Recaros and they fit me perfectly (I'm lucky). However, I can certainly see how they wouldn't fit everyone. You might give it a bit more time to see if you can acclimate to them as I hate to see anyone have to immediately spend a bunch of $$ to change out seats? Having said that, you can likely sell the Recaros and recoup some of your expense. I'm not a fan of the Alcantara and would love to have the Recaros in perforated leather with lumbar and more adjustability.
I’m 72, 5-11, 180# and have no problem with the Recaros for 3 hour drives. Wallet, keys, and cell come out of the pockets.
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I'm 6'4" and 220, not fat but a big guy. 36 inch waist. I sort of like having the heated and cooled seats, if I move to MN then I'l really like the heated seats. I had a 2018 GT convertible when I was there in April and I also liked the heated steering wheel. Wish the Shelby had the new 2018 LCD gauge glister, that was really nice to make it appear in various modes. I'm betting the GT500 will have it.
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My bride didn't want the Recaros because she wanted electric seats and really enjoys the heat/cool seats. She drives the car as much if not more than I do. She said the 2018 version is "much more better" than the '67 version we had when we got married. :)
Over 60 and still thin. No problem with the Recaro’s, want them Leather though. I have seen leather kits :rolleyes:
I’m 58 5’9” and 180 the Recaro seats really hold you in one position which is what a track car is meant to do. But I do not carry a wallet or phone in my pockets, cargo pockets help . I’m looking into changing the bolsters vs. changing the seats and the cost.
One point that has not been said, is that these Recaro seats were not designed for the long haul. They were designed to keep you planted during track days. Yes, these are limited in their ability to be adjusted but they are also best suited for "track style" positioning, which is not your every day cruise around town comfort position. Go to YouTube and search for "track position seating" and you may learn something that helps. I have tried "cruising" style and found it uncomfortable after awhile along with the aforementioned emptying of pockets. I now drive in "track positioning" all the time which helped a lot as far as comfort goes and also has you ergonomically 'familiar' with the car's feel on the road, which should be the same on street and on track, not one position for the street and one position for the track! Don't forget that your wheel telescopes!

Oh, and the Recaro's headrests are way back to accommodate a helmet.
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So, I just got back from two 5hour long trips from VA to Greenville, SC in these Recaros utilizing the "racing position" and had little to no back discomfort. I am further advocating for this seating position as previously stated. I am 5'10" 185lbs of husky bruteness and poor posture because of years in my line of work. I hope the information helps your discomfort. Give us an update after giving it a try.
Hi, rs I picked up my second Shelby last week (consecutive, not concurrent!) with the heated and cooled seats. My first Shelby had the cloth Recaros, and they fit my narrow frame better--I slide around a bit in the new ones. --if your seats are like new, and we could work out the shipping, I'd be willing to swap out my seats for yours. Something to consider : ) cheers, ge "Jack"
Recaros make it difficult to get in and out of the car

Having been spoiled by the climate-controlled power seats in the '17 GT PP I traded for my 350, I also went with the convenience package, even though I'm "only" 49, and am "only" trying to lose another 15 pounds or so.

To the OP: do you perchance keep your wallet in your left rear pocket? If yes, try shifting it to the other side, or setting it in the little tray in front of the shifter.
I just purchased my 350 from dealer inventory so I did not get the comfortable seats. I use the car as a daily driver and the the seats are not practical. Has anyone purchased seats from a salvage yard out of a regular GT premium and installed them their 350? Is that even possible? Please advise PS Yes I must take my wallet our of my pocket.
Shopping for a gt350 now. Test drove one with the Recaro's and they are just not for me. So glad I test drove one as I thought thats what I wanted. I'm 5'10'' at 170 pounds ( fit ) and with in five minutes of test driving my sides of my body were sweating retarded. I have heated and cooled seats in my hellcat and now I know I have to have them in my gt350 when I get it. Plus I just want power so I can multi set my seat the way I like!

Not much of any help to the O.P. just wanted to share!
I just purchased my 350 from dealer inventory so I did not get the comfortable seats. I use the car as a daily driver and the the seats are not practical. Has anyone purchased seats from a salvage yard out of a regular GT premium and installed them their 350? Is that even possible? Please advise PS Yes I must take my wallet our of my pocket.
I swapped the driver Recaro seat out for a leather GT take-out seat (old man seat as Leno calls them) as I could not get comfortable (6'4" 220#) and ingress/egress was a PIA. I found a pair of brand new take-outs on CL. I didn't bother installing passenger side.
I had to run a dedicated power and ground wire to seat body connector to get the adjustment functions to operate. Very easy.
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I had the leather Recaro's in my GT500, much better IMO for the type of driving I do with the car.
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I'm looking at a 2017 350 with the heated/cooled. Ideally I'd like Recaro's. How likely is it that someone would swap seats?
I'm looking at a 2017 350 with the heated/cooled. Ideally I'd like Recaro's. How likely is it that someone would swap seats?
Someone swapping Recaro's with you would not be able to utilize all the features of the heated / cooled seats...body harness not all there, seat heating module not there, IP switches for heat / cool control or however they are controlled to turn on and off not there.

Just wondering what the value proposition would be for those taking the non-recaro seats.
I swapped the driver Recaro seat out for a leather GT take-out seat (old man seat as Leno calls them) as I could not get comfortable (6'4" 220#) and ingress/egress was a PIA. I found a pair of brand new take-outs on CL. I didn't bother installing passenger side.
I had to run a dedicated power and ground wire to seat body connector to get the adjustment functions to operate. Very easy.
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I had the leather Recaro's in my GT500, much better IMO for the type of driving I do with the car.
SVT,

Did you get the air bag light "ON" after you did this? I put GT350 comfort seats in mine and now my air bag light is on.

Thanks,

Joe
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SVT,

Did you get the air bag light "ON" after you did this? I put GT350 comfort seats in mine and now my air bag light is on.

Thanks,

Joe
No issues...No airbag light, and the seat belt reminder (SBR) also functioned.
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I only had to add the power + and ground - to get my seat, fore-aft, tilt, and height adjuster motors to function. All other pin outs were left untouched..The remaining (original) bodyside wires are for the airbag, SBR and seat track position sensor connection.
Of course seat heat and A/C will not function and is in the second seat side connector.
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