Tell me about B7 seats please

[Sims]

First thing you get asked when thinking about trading in/selling.....DOES IT HAVE BUCKETS and FB wheel????

A selling point IMO.

I agree.

However, if bolsters are worn, it also becomes a point for making price adjustments.

It's very much a personal preference. To give an example, the M3 CSL has a special lghtweight Recaro seat as standard with no options being offered. And yet owners take these expensive seats out, and replace them with an adjustable Recaro seat that is akin to the comfort seat offered on the RS4. Porsche 996GT3 owners often swap the Cup seats for the Comfort seats.

To give credit to Audi, at least they offered the option.

[svassileou]

Kev, the buckets are great but they're not the easiest seats to get into or out of (especially if you're parked on an incline or in a confined space which means you can't open the door as fully as you would like).

I have the Recaros (i.e. not the buckets) in my car - while I miss the "grippiness" of the bucket-equipped cars I've driven, for everyday use the Recaros may be the better, if less desirable, option.

[P_G]

Its a well know fact that cars with the electric Recaros are noticably slower due to the extra weight!!!!!!.... Buckets rule.....

It's also a well known fact that before you allow rear passengers into your bucket clad RS4 you'll have to amputate their legs first if you are over 5' 8" in height.

And as for the fatties thing, it wasn't my upper frame that struggled with fit, anyone with more than sparrow legs would not be able to touch the pedals comfortably without pushing against the lower bolster all the time and deforming them. I do a decent amount of cycling and have Maradonna legs and found them a real turn off when I test drove RS4.

The sports Recaros may not have the ultimate hold of the buckets but on a day to day and long distance basis for me they are far more comfortable. And I can find the limits of the cars handling without getting thrown about in them.

[HYFR]

my mate has a Corsa VXR with recaro buckets...the frame and shape look very very similar to the RS 4's but with less intrusive bolsters....I would suggest these would have been better as its the side (both upper and lower) bolsters which are the constraining items

[HYFR]

http://www.bendobson.co.uk/snaps/d200/p ... a_vxr3.jpg

[klauster]

I had recaros on my old S3 and always wished I had gone for buckets, practicality wise they do take up more cabin space, but they look so much better and I find them more comfortable... I do love pies but try to get to the gym twice a week

[Sims]

... I do love pies

How on earth did we get to pies in this discussion.. or was it it something I said

[blueaudi]

If I had my time again I would spec the recaro's, in every day use they're a better option. Passengers in the front always complained about access and the bolsters wear, despite 'reasonable' care. I agree about re-sale though, the dealer I traded with commented that my car had the right spec (wheel, seats), so it definitely helps.

[drcarrera]

Recaros were a must for me when I was looking to buy, both due to the greater comfort, and better rear leg room. I've never regretted the decision - I find them fantastically comfortable and superbly adjustable. A personal opinion of course but I think they look "classier" too.

[pad125]

I have Recaros in mine and love them. I've had 2 RS4 hire cars both with Buckets and I couldn't wait to give them back. The lower seat squab doesn't adjust in height and as I'm vertically challenged I found it really uncomfortable to drive plus they seem to be quite narrow across the shoulders, Recaro’s every time for me…….personal choice.

[Iain_S4]

The Sports Recaro for me too. Just saw them as a better option for everyday use, although as I bought my car after the order book had closed I would probably have taken buckets if the rest of the spec was right. Had to laugh when I phoned up one dealer and asked which seats the car had fitted to be told "the comfortable ones" meaning sports Recaros.

A while back, I had a loan car for about a month that had buckets........it didn't change my mind and was happy I'd made the right choice. Not too bothered about resale as I tend to hold onto my cars for a while and expect the RS4 might be even longer.

Each to their own though

[PetrolDave]

We've had this discussion every spring on here every year for the last 4 years...

Buckets WERE the "trendy" thing to spec on an RS4 when many RS4's were being bought by "posers" who simply wanted their current jewellery (the RS4 they were buying) to be different, and not real driving enthusiasts.

But I believe we've moved on from there and that there is now no difference in desirability (I've had dealers say to me "I'm glad you spec'd the Recaros, that will make it easier to sell" - so whether buckets or Recaros make a sale easier seems to depend on who you ask).

For me the "right" spec is what each of us finds comfortable and practical - try getting in & out of the buckets in a long evening dress (not me, my wife!). Combine that with my long standing back problem, and for us Recaros are the "right" spec.

But I fully understand that for other people buckets are the "right" spec.

BOTH buckets and Recaros are the "right" spec...

[HYFR]

BOTH buckets and Recaros are the "right" spec...

wholeheartedly agree with you there Dave

however

each has their own market, and im just taking a guess that there is a bigger market for the buckets...but thats just my hunch

but agree that both are just as good, depends on what you want

[crispy]

Hmmmm tough call. As everone says - each to their own.

I specced buckets on my car because I liked the look, the extra grippiness, and inflating them with the "S" button.

In reality 3 years on, I still think they are great. I have switched the inflation on "S" off, and I rarely now adjust the bolsters (Guess I've put a bit of extra padding on since I got the car!) and yes there are times when think I should have gone for the Recaros for eg -

- When I'm doing lots of short journeys and I'm climbing in and out a lot
- Whenever I have to take rear seat passengers
- The fact that my little lad is growing so fast, and there will soon come a point when he starts getting fed up with the lack of room

BUT, and it is a big BUT, I'm still glad I chose the Buckets!

[blueaudi]

When I traded my RS in January this year the first comment from the dealer was that it had the right wheel and seats (buckets). In reality, I don't think it makes a huge difference to residuals, but a car with the right spec sells quicker. In terms of the RS bucket seats are considered by the motor trade to be the 'right' spec, whatever we would like to think and whatever our personal preferences. If I do jump for an RS5 I won't order buckets again, but I fear it will hurt a little when the time comes to sell.