Member Since: 16 Jun 2013
Location: South East
Posts: 2
Help - Problem with my Mk 4 HSE Passenger Seat
Hello, I am new to this forum, but very glad I have found it.
I suffer with a bad back and pelvis, We bought a Mk4 HSE and I hate the seats and the position of the passenger seat (I don't drive this vehicle) and hardly ever go out in the car as a passenger, as it causes me so much discomfort.
I am only 5'2" and find the seat far too long for my short frame. The seat also seems to be a very sculpted shape and for some reason I cannot to sit straight, I always seem to be at a slight angle. There is a large bulge on the transmission tunnel on the right hand side of the footwell and I think this maybe part of the cause.
This is our 4th Discovery and I never thought there would be be such a difference in the seating - The Mk 3 HSE seats were much much better and I never had a problem with angles or a bulge. The footwell seemed more spacious.
Has any one else had any similar problems?
Thanks.
16th Jun 2013 4:25 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
The seat pads are different and the door mouldings are wider so it make the cabin feel a tad slimmer but the footwell is the same size.
I agree with you on the seats ....at first they were not quite as comfortable as the D3's ...they feltl a bit too hard under my knees....but I'm getting used to them now ..it took me a month to find the right position 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Jun 2013 4:30 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
For those with a bad back the D3 was probably the best seat / car combination around. It set quite a benchmark for the D4.
It failed; but it is still reasonable.
I got my physiotherapist to help set my seat properly. If you have issues it is not something you can do by yourself as quite frankly you are not in a position to judge what needs to be set; your role is to suffer if it is wrong!
I booked an entire session with my physio to get it right and she was most amenable.
I learned to walk (again) at the age of 38 and retained my place in the armed forces. I systematical set out to improve and overcome every barrier in my recovery and my life. Accept nothing as the little things make big differences over time.
Regards,
Robbie (Age 42)
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 16 Jun 2013
Location: South East
Posts: 2
the first thing I did when I had a problem was go and see one of the Osteopath's who specialise in ergonomics and i
She was the person who Sid straight away that the seat length under my legs was too long for my frame.
I have tried everything, all sorts of foam, bolsters, specially made seat backs and seat pads - am thinking of having a wooden seat mad and padding it up, wish somebody made a adult size child seat to sit on the seat -but that does not sort out the footwell/angle problem .
16th Jun 2013 5:26 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Robbie wrote:
I learned to walk (again) at the age of 38
That sounds serious 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Jun 2013 5:28 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Difficult time, but I think there was more impact on my wife and daughter than me.
I'm just surprised that I managed to get all the way back to flying again!Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
All respect to you for overcoming your difficulties Rob 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Jun 2013 5:42 pm
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
Robbie wrote:
For those with a bad back the D3 was probably the best seat / car combination around. It set quite a benchmark for the D4.
It failed; but it is still reasonable.
I actually find the opposite I find the D4 to be the most comfortable seat for me. Although I didn't drive a D3 I was passenger in one for a long time when I was in a wheel chair and I could never say that it was 100% comfortable Just to paint the picture I have had 3 spinal fusions and still have 2 bits of angle iron in there along with a dozen self tapper screws and part of my right hip is missing I would go as far as to say the the seats in my D4 HSE are the best seats I have had in any car. I am taller than Sea Lover at six feet and have a not so athletic frame so that will probably make a difference but it goes to show that what is perfect for some people can be a nightmare for others. I also walk now with the help of lots of morphine and other drugs but arthritis is now my plague but since I retired at the end of 2011 I can take it easy now Cheers Ian
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16th Jun 2013 6:59 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The seam in the middle of the seat the lines up with natures own gap bothers me the most. My coccyx does not appreciate the stiffness of it and whilst it has softened over the first few months I still think cheesewire and my lower spine is more sensitive than most.
L4, L5 & S1 for me with some rather risky root-relief. Avoided the metalwork (it would have been curtains for my job) but suffering with 'micro-movements'; last MRI showed some of natures own fusion at work so they reckon another 2 years will see that problem gone.
Told me I would never walk again - pah!Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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I find the D4 to be the most comfortable seat for me. Although I didn't drive a D3 I was passenger in one for a long time when I was in a wheel chair and I could never say that it was 100% comfortable 
Just to paint the picture I have had 3 spinal fusions and still have 2 bits of angle iron in there along with a dozen self tapper screws and part of my right hip is missing 
I would go as far as to say the the seats in my D4 HSE are the best seats I have had in 
so that will probably make a difference but it goes to show that what is perfect for some people can be a nightmare for others. I also walk now with the help of lots of morphine and other drugs but arthritis is now my plague 
