Sport - bouncy / springy seats?

[spd]

Took a 1.4 Sport out today and the one thing overall that I noticed was that I felt I was almost sitting on a space hopper - the seats seemed very springy.

Something that would settle in over time I would imagine. Would like to cpmpare to the Pop.

Si.

[Suasexed]

In terms of seats I'd expect them to be very similar... just as springy if not more; as the seats in the Sport are 'sport style' seats with thicker bolstering and firmer material (vinyl in place of fabric) - but the difference will be negligible.

[simmo]

You might find that was the suspension !?!

I test drove the 1.4 sport, and found the ride a little bit fidgity, even on dual carraigeway at 60, it felt a bit on edge... not in a bad way though, just in a keen way

[Mark Elvin]

I found no problem with them. They are 'firm' seats yes, I think you will find what you were feeling was the effects of the 16" wheels on the ride quality!!!!!

I am, since driving the 500 last night, convinced that on the standard dampers 15" wheels are as large as one should go unless you spine is made of titanium.

It's feels like the damper rate on the high speed damping on the suspension is slightly to high and the low speed damping slightly low. But I tend to notice these things & others would not notice. Having said that, it's a long way of being a problem for me, I just noticed it as it's very different.

[simmo]

I totally agree with Mark..

the car i drove had the 16's on, and within 5 mins out of the dealership i thought the wheels were too big, and it was over tyre'd, and there was no compensation in the suspension settings

unfortunately my dealer in question had the Lounge sitting in the showroom and were keeping it shiney, but with the 15" wheels think it will be completely different..

also i think there is something kinda cool about the small wheels...

[Mark Elvin]

The 15's on the Lounge still look pretty big (in a good way) on such a small car, the thing really is tiny, it must be 400-500mm shorter than a Mini.

[Suasexed]

Yeah, it's definitely more to do with suspension settings, wheel diameter and tyre profile, not the seats... but then again, Si's inital question may have actually been about the seats themselves... who knows... come back Si

The 500 is quite a lot smaller than the MINI. I'm glad they didn't Zerox the 500 to the extent BMW did with the MINI. 16s are the smallest wheels that look good on the MINI, as soon as you go down to 15s it just looks rubbish.

[spd]

Originally Posted by Suasexed

Yeah, it's definitely more to do with suspension settings, wheel diameter and tyre profile, not the seats... but then again, Si's inital question may have actually been about the seats themselves... who knows... come back Si

I think it might be my thin boney arse

Drove a 100HP today, spent all the time adjusting the seat, then got back in my car and thought 'ooh, these seats feel like they've got no padding'..

So, I think it's a combination of a few things...

1. My aforementioned skinny arse
2. The fact that I've worn in the leather seats in my car
3. The seats are new in the 500 I drove
4. 16" Wheels.

Leaning towards the Panda 100HP ATM, just concerned about fuel economy, or rather the lack of it.

Still want to drive the 1.3MJ 500 though.

Incidentally Tom, I took my wife's new Mini for a spin tonight (on her 15" wheels - don't worry, I won't mention it) - felt like there were springs sticking in my jacksie, so it's probably all down to me.

Si.

[Scrogg]

The 1.4 Sport that dealerships have as demonstrators are indeed running on 16s.

I've now driven a Sport with both 15" and 16" wheels and there is a noticeable difference in the ride quality between the two.

The consensus amongst everyone I have spoken to over the last 2 days is that a Sport with 15" wheels is the best overall package in terms of comfort/ride quality/handling.

[spd]

Originally Posted by Scrogg

No!

See my 'What We Learned At School Today...' thread

Just did - but not quickly enough - soz about that - you'll see I deleted my post, but not quickly enough - must have done it while you were typing yours.

Brindley in Wolverhampton told me today that they had a 1.2, but weren't allowing drives, so I didn't get to verify that.

Si.