GR86 Driver Seat Side Bolsters- How To prevent wear?

[Conscript]

I was pretty proud that when I sold my GT86, the interior was pretty much immaculate for a 9 year old car. However there was one area that was very worn - the bolster on the side of the drivers seat (ie, the part of the seat which protrudes from the back slightly, not the bolster on the seat base). No matter how carefully I got in and out of the car, it was impossible without sliding over this bolster, and as I wear jeans 99% of the time, it inevitably began to wear quite heavily. It never actually failed, but by the time I got rid of the car, it was pretty unsightly. A common issue, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, the design of the seats in the GR86 is almost identical. Great for comfort, but it's still very hard to avoid getting into the car without rubbing past the seat bolster. I'm trying to look for ways to prevent the same happening again, so throwing this out for discussion and ideas - any suggestions anyone can think of? I'm wondering if there might exist some sort of interior PPF solution which is sacrificial and can be replaced every few years. At the same time, I'd like not to have anything too visible (any solution which looks crap to keep the seat looking nice kind of defeats the object).

 

[ZN8]

I've seen seat bolster protectors on Porsches, they are usually covers made from the same materials and stitching, they look good but seem only to be fitted to the seat base, not the sides, I don't know how you would secure it.

 

[Will300]

I think your going to struggle to find something that "looks nice" as a solution, as far as I can tell our seats are one piece so getting some sort of protection to attach will be quite difficult.

You could try and get something like this made up, but I suspect attached it would be quite hard:

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/protecting-seat-bolsters.15566/

The expensive option is to get a trimming company to make some SARD style seat covers:

SARD :: SARD Racing SEAT COVER

 

[Conscript]

Hmmm. Might have to be Plan B then...

 

[Orro]

I had a set of recaros in my Megane RS and I treated the leather to a clean and apply leather balm every 2-3weeks and those were immaculate when I sold it.

 

[ZN8]

Definitely something that owners needs to be aware of, this is from a year old car in the states, some owners are reporting seeing wear with only 4k miles of use, that's not good.

 

[Conscript]

Yup, exactly the same wear pattern as the old car then. Perhaps I just need to work on my technique getting in and out of the car, try and keep my hand on the bolster to stop dragging across it or something.

 

[mackie]

In previous cars (some of which were very well endowed bolstering wise) I've always put my hand on the bolster where it would rub when getting in or out and never had a problem.

 

[OldManMarkoos]

If you are a shortarse like me, then one trick I learned from owning an Elise is to move the drivers seat all the way back before setting out. I use the same technique now in the GR86.
It gives you a lot more room to enter/exit the car and may reduce rubbing on the bolster...

 

[Conscript]

If you are a shortarse like me, then one trick I learned from owning an Elise is to move the drivers seat all the way back before setting out. I use the same technique now in the GR86.
It gives you a lot more room to enter/exit the car and may reduce rubbing on the bolster...

I'm not particularly tall, about 5'11" or so, but I already have my seat all the way back anyway, so no dice I'm afraid. Reclining the seat back helps a little - but I prefer to have it fairly upright for support, so if I do that, I will be constantly fiddling with it. For now, I think I am just going to have to get into the habit of placing my hand over the bolster as I slide in, but being, (ahem), "somewhat plump", it's not always that easy.

 

[Bathroom_Security]

I've been thinking about this. Only thing you can do is to put your hand on the plastic sills to get yourself in and out really

I'll replace mine with a set of recaros when they get damaged.

 

[DpM]

If you are a shortarse like me, then one trick I learned from owning an Elise is to move the drivers seat all the way back before setting out. I use the same technique now in the GR86.
It gives you a lot more room to enter/exit the car and may reduce rubbing on the bolster...

I have done this ever since doing a driving experience in an R32, the guy asked me to slide back the seat to get out as this also stops those nasty foot scuff marks on the door card and speaker.

 

[Dal3D]

If you are a shortarse like me, then one trick I learned from owning an Elise is to move the drivers seat all the way back before setting out. I use the same technique now in the GR86.
It gives you a lot more room to enter/exit the car and may reduce rubbing on the bolster...

Exactly this.

The CS Recaros on my focus have deep bolsters that can be prone to bad wear so I've now the habit to put the seat back all the way, shuffle my bum to the top of the seat and swivel to out.

With the GR86 being so low, it helps my old bones to get in and out anyway lol

 

[LukeC22]

I'm not particularly tall, about 5'11" or so

...Sir, this is tall.

 

[PVGR]

...Sir, this is tall.

Not for someone who is 6'6"

 

[Conscript]

Recent image of PVGR, me and LukeC22

 

[JonBon]

I'm not particularly tall, about 5'11" or so, but I already have my seat all the way back anyway, so no dice I'm afraid. Reclining the seat back helps a little - but I prefer to have it fairly upright for support, so if I do that, I will be constantly fiddling with it. For now, I think I am just going to have to get into the habit of placing my hand over the bolster as I slide in, but being, (ahem), "somewhat plump", it's not always that easy.

Would a set of these help?

 

[Conscript]

I was trying to avoid having to buy an entire seat cover...especially at that price. Thankyou though! For now I am just being more careful as I get in and place my hand over the bolster as I do so.

 

[AdamST205]

Is there any way you can get this sorted on warranty? My car has less than 7k and have noticed today whilst cleaning the interior the beginning of bolster wear. It is absolutely tiny and will most likely touch up to 99% but that is not the point. We are not fat and since noticing it I am doing the hand trick when getting in and out to try and prevent wear.

I understand it is a cheap car but my 180k mile 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero has better leather!

 

[Conscript]

Is there any way you can get this sorted on warranty? My car has less than 7k and have noticed today whilst cleaning the interior the beginning of bolster wear. It is absolutely tiny and will most likely touch up to 99% but that is not the point. We are not fat and since noticing it I am doing the hand trick when getting in and out to try and prevent wear.

I understand it is a cheap car but my 180k mile 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero has better leather!

I'd hope so! My last car was out of warranty before being bad enough to do anything about it, so I would say just go to them and kick up a fuss while you can and maybe they can sort it. If you do, let us know how you get on.

I've got into the habit of lowering myself into the car with my right hand behind me holding the bolster, so for now (about 11k miles) it still looks okay. But I can still see it degrading over time.