A nice trivial one
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Simpo Two

Original Poster:

92,708 posts

294 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
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While other matters are underway, I'm multi-tasking... smile

When the seat is in a nice comfy driving position, the back of my head is 2" away from the headrest. The headrest is part of the seat and can't be moved or adjusted in any way - design genius.

My idea is to get some leather in the same colour and find someone to make up a headrest booster around a chunk of foam. Has anyone else tried this? It needs to look decent for obvious reasons.

Jon39

14,921 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
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Perhaps take a look at review videos of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S Class.
I think that might have small cushions on the front of the head restraints.


BiggaJ

1,262 posts

68 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
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It is amazing just how many cars have this design.

The best car for head comfort was a long while ago but happened to be a Renault Laguna. The head rest had a hinged from the top section so from the bottom you could adjust it out and it would stay in place quite effectively.

I've not had a car since that had anything like this and it's something I used daily.

oilit

2,805 posts

207 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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BiggaJ said:
It is amazing just how many cars have this design.

The best car for head comfort was a long while ago but happened to be a Renault Laguna. The head rest had a hinged from the top section so from the bottom you could adjust it out and it would stay in place quite effectively.

I've not had a car since that had anything like this and it's something I used daily.
C class mercs you used to be able to pull the pad of the headrest towards the screen and would achieve the same thing, not sure they still do that given not owned a new merc for probably 20years (blimey)

The original V8s also had optional headrest pads from memory.

JonnyCJ

1,309 posts

83 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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People call them a headrest but they’re actually a head restraint to stop you getting whiplash in the event of a rear ended.

2” is fine for that purpose.

Having said that, my ML has extendable ones which pull out an inch or so should you want to put your head on them.

Tried it and didn’t like it, so you might be better off working on the rear light if it’s a keeper !

Agent57

2,621 posts

183 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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My DB7 has a similar issue. Can't seem to get all the elements in the right place with the seat.

Our Ford Focus is excellent in respect of seat positioning and headrest.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

92,708 posts

294 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
BiggaJ said:
It is amazing just how many cars have this design.

The best car for head comfort was a long while ago but happened to be a Renault Laguna. The head rest had a hinged from the top section so from the bottom you could adjust it out and it would stay in place quite effectively.

I've not had a car since that had anything like this and it's something I used daily.
The best car I had in that respect was a 1993 BMW 730. The headrests went up and down electrically and could be rotated forwards so you got the perfect height and position. S-Type Jags were good, the XK was just about adequate (it rotated a bit but not really enough).

JonnyCJ said:
People call them a headrest but they’re actually a head restraint to stop you getting whiplash in the event of a rear ended.

2” is fine for that purpose.

Having said that, my ML has extendable ones which pull out an inch or so should you want to put your head on them.

Tried it and didn’t like it, so you might be better off working on the rear light if it’s a keeper !
I'm not keen on getting rammed from behind with a 2" gap, particularly.

The car is going to an automotive electrician next month.

As for the misfire, two coilpacks have been replaced, and six plugs, and I did the battery disconnect yesterday. But doing the coast downs is tricky due to roads and traffic, and I believe you can't have the headlights on. It still stutters, but that may because the car doesn't know it's had new stuff fitted. Honestly, I've never had such a ridiculous car.

Ah yes and the unwanted side effect of the battery is that the wing mirrors no longer retract automatically - the one thing that the 'Aston Specialist' did manage to do.

LTP

3,096 posts

141 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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Simpo Two said:
I'm not keen on getting rammed from behind with a 2" gap, particularly.
You'd be fine - the problem is over-extension of the neck; moving your head 2" and stopping it before the neck muscles can even tighten in reaction would be safe - much better than those spindly, adjustable head restraints.

The biggest risk of adjustable types is people adjusting them so they are in the wrong position, especially if they are set too low to act as a comfy "pillow" behind the head and neck (and handy fulcrum for your head to rotate about and try to break your neck if you're rear-ended). Also, some adjustable types adjust back and forward but don't physically lock in position; they are just held in place by friction - in a crash they will move all the way back to the physical stop.

Head restraints need to contact the back of your head above the ears and/or eye level.

Here endeth the lesson . soapbox

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

92,708 posts

294 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
The idea is not for a 'roll' in the back of the neck, but a flat pad no different in profile from the current offering, just in a position where it can be useful all the time. A bit like this: https://astonmartinparts.net/Merchandise/Accessori...

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

92,708 posts

294 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
The idea is not for a 'roll' in the back of the neck, but a flat pad no different in profile from the current offering, just in a position where it can be useful all the time. A bit like this: https://astonmartinparts.net/Merchandise/Accessori...

AdamV12V

5,314 posts

206 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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Why not just put one of those inflatable neck pillows around your neck, you know the ones for long flights etc.... Plenty of stuff like that on ebay for peanuts, or probably even the local poundshop. Plus it will probably look less ste than something stuck to your seats all the time.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

92,708 posts

294 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
AdamV12V said:
Why not just put one of those inflatable neck pillows around your neck, you know the ones for long flights etc.... Plenty of stuff like that on ebay for peanuts, or probably even the local poundshop. Plus it will probably look less ste than something stuck to your seats all the time.
I think it would look considerably more ste than a custom-made headrest in matching leather... silly

embdenb

167 posts

132 months

Saturday 22nd January 2022
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Some manufacturers take seat design more of a priority than others. I have a Porsche Macan and the seat headrest is adjustable. You simplify pull it forward until it touches the back of your head. It locks at that position.

LTP

3,096 posts

141 months

Saturday 22nd January 2022
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embdenb said:
Some manufacturers take seat design more of a priority than others.
Indeed; one notable example being Volvo, who expend considerable effort in making their seats both comfortable and safe. Their head restraints have been non-adjustable but integrated into the seat structure for many years.