I purchased a freshly imported Japanese MX5 Mk2 at the start of the year. The car is completely rust free and been 100% reliable since I got it and I am using it as my daily driver.
My problem is it is so bloody uncomfortable to drive. I am slightly too tall measuring 5"11, which means that my head touches the roof and my legs are against the steering wheel.
I read through this forum and decided to take some foam out of the seat. I took about an inch of foam out. This has actually made things even more uncomfortable.
I realise bucket seats have been done to death on this forum but please bear with me. I really want to love my car and want to find a solution. If I can’t get a more comfortable, the car is just going to have to go.
From what I can see there are a number of bucket seats that are usually suggested like the Cobra Monaco Pro and the Sparco Sprint. However, looking at a lot of forums, generally seem to suggest these seats are pretty uncomfortable.
I can see that JK Composites do bucket seats that seem to get pretty good reviews. Most folks says that they are very comfortable. Perhaps this would be a good contender.
My key requirements are 1) comfort, 2) comfort and 3) sufficient height reduction.
Can anybody recommend a really comfortable replacement seat? I am not planning on taking my car on the track.
Does anybody have a MK2 with JK Composites seats? Will they make me want to keep the car? Are they the solution?
Final question, is the floor plan of the MK2 the same as the MK1? Will any seat that fits a MK1, fit the MK2? Are the holes for the runners at exactly the same place?
Hello and welcome Sorry to hear of your problem. I am 5’10" and have no problems with any of the 5’s We have members who are 6’+ who drive long distances in theirs. Can not help with the bucket seat but some one will.
Sorry to hear this. I’m 6 foot tall and like you when buying I found my head brushed against the inside of the soft top (on the Mk 2.5s I tried) plus my eye level met annoyingly with the upper windscreen frame when driving. Given those factors I decided against buying that model and went for the MK3 NC instead. Plenty of room in there, and much more comfortable. So if you do decide to part with your current car all is not lost, go for the Mk3 instead and you’ll fit perfectly.
I’m pretty certain that they are simply standard fabric seats.
Good to know that the MK3 would be a potential option although I’m keen to try and find a soultion for the car I have. I think I’ve managed to find a good MK2. It is completely rust free and has now been completely undersealed. It really drives well and has had a new hood fitted. The only problem with it, is that after driving it, I need to go and see a back specialist. The last car I had was a smart roadster. It was comfortable and great to drive. Unfortunately, it was the most unreliable car I have ever had the misfortune of owning. Given, that I’m sure I’ve got a good one I would be kind of reluctant to let her go.
Hence why I’m keen to find the most comfortable bucket seat on the market!
Add a location to your profile, that will help people to help you, and post a pic of the seats.
I am just over 6 foot and have had my imported JDM spec MK2 for 7 years, its a daily driver and I have never had any problems with comfort, in fact it is more comfortable than our MK3.
It could be that the seats in yours are not the corrrect ones.
First looks at the pictures suggests stock seats and not higher than usual and they are well back against the back firewall.
Your height is not more than others who are not having a problem.
Therefore it would seem at first thoughts your combination of lower leg length, upper leg length, body height and neck and head height is out with the norm, just one of those things.
It seams weird that you have both a roof touching problem therefore suggest a higher proportion of body, neck and head proporation compared to leg length but you also have a leg problem with the steering wheel which suggest the opposite a higher leg length proportion while other who are a bit taller fit OK. On the other hand it could well be a different lower leg / upper leg length proportion than the other tall posters here.
Therefore it is time to get the seat out, it is held in by four 14mm AF bolts that tend to be very tight and there may well be some electrical connections to disconnect. Do some measurements, see if you can lower the seat frame or constructivley talk to a the various after market seat manufacturers to check if they have a comfy seat that is a bit shallower than the previous seat.
Mk1 seats will fit runner hole wise but the seat belt receptical may be in the wrong place, not a game changer just something that needs sorted.
Has this seat any height adjustment and or maybe it is just a touch higher at the back.
The cheapest way to begin with is as you suggest, try some MK1 and early Mk2 Mazda UK supplied seats to see if that sorts things.
Have you tried different MK1 and Mk2 cars to check if they fit you otherwise it could be only a change of car that would suit you.
I’m pretty certain that the existing seats can not be lowered without a bit of work. The seats rest of two humps. I was wondering about whether it would be possible to cut these humps down. This would definitely lower things. However, that would be beyond my skills.
I think part of the problem I am also having is the seat feel rock hard, which is not helping my back issues. I suspect that what happens after 17 years.
I think I am at the point that the only real option is to replace the seat. I’ve pretty much read all the threads on bucket seats. The problem is I live in Scotland and there really is nowhere to go and test various different seats. The seats that seem to get the most positive reviews are by JK Composites. I realise comfort is a very personal thing. I’m going to end up having to order a couple of seats blindingly and hope for the best. Has anybody replaced the stock seat with something that has been much more comfortable and softer?
I haven’t tried any other MK1 or MK2s. So the four bolts are in the same place for the MK1 and MK2? The chairs are completely interchangeable? Same floor plan?
If you realy like the car a trip to Englandshire or a quick flight down is just part of the costs of running the car to sit in some other seats.
I think as one of the first steps I would try out some other MK1 and Mk2 cars.
I will have a look at the floor pan on my MK2 and see if something can be done there.
The cost of some mods there that any body shop can do are likly to be a few hundred pounds at most, cheaper than new seats and you can keep the original seats. Unless that particular set have gone hard.
Thanks Drumtochty. To be honest the existing seat that I have has to go. I trip down to Liverpool to sit in the JK Components seat may well be in order. Many thanks for your help
Have a look at central Scotland mx5/eunos group Facebook page or post query on mx5 OC Scotland forum page.
Quite a few modified mk1s and Mk2s owned by younger owners in eunos group who use them for various types of motorsport. Very likely there will be cars with modified seating. Worth asking them the question. They meet up in central belt generally Edinburgh area.
Appreciate everybody taking the trouble to reply. I wonder if the Japanese and UK models had different seats. Mine is an imported Eunios Roadster 1.8 MK2.
Hi Newguy. We’ve got a Mk1 1.8iS, had her for 7 years now and love it to bits, but now we’re getting ancient, the seats are becoming quite uncomfortable. The seat squabs are too firm, and the backs lack side and lumbar support. So we’ve started looking for replacements. Buckets are right out, we’d never prise ourselves out - so we’re looking for a ‘sensible’ fabric seat that has more padding and support. The only co. I’ve looked at so far is GSM http://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/
Why dont you contact your local area and try other members cars. Find out when the next meeting is and pop alone. Just because you are not a full member yet will not stop you going to a meeting.
Lotus Elise seats have less padding (virtually bugger all) and can use the existing MX5 runners. There’s a bit of fabrication to do but you may find you sit lower down.
My OH put them in his mk2 - here’s his for sale ad, which gives you some more pics and an explanation of the fabrication, or like he says, you could bold directly to the floor to be even lower.
There’s loads of info on MX5Nutz if you search their site for ‘Lotus Elise Seats’ if you are interested in going down this route.
I managed to speak to GSM Performance who run SportsSeats4u. They were helpful and suggested three seats that would solve the height issue, namely a Cobra Monaco Pro, Sparco Sprint or a Micro GT. They have a showroom that you can try the seats at but I am a bit far away. Reviews online suggested that the Cobra Monaco Pro were likely to be rather uncomfortable. The Cobra Classics might be quite good for you. They fit on your existing runners, so no good for my height issue. Thanks for the tip. Good luck finding something for your own car.
Hi Mal Jone
Thanks. I was planning on contacting my local club and/or visiting liverpool to try the JK Composites. Ive been a bit busy recently as I’ve just moved!
Hi Planet Claire
I had considered Lotus Elise Seats but the good ones seem to be expensive and the lack of padding was a concern. Comfort as well as height are the two areas of concern for me. Hopefully, somebody will have one in my local Central Club for me to try out.