Re: headrest replacement options

["Paul Souza" <psouza@skyserv4.med.osd.mil>]

On Feb 20, 11:56am, Charudatt wrote:

> I'm still not entirely convinced that the head restraints/rests
> are exclusively whiplash protectors- if they were, why would
> they be adjustable front-rear about the axis of the lower bar?
> The adjustment is friction based and would not hold up to the
> force of the impact of a head snapping back. I can only conclude
> that they are also supposed to enhance comfort- hence the adjustability.

Maybe, but mine did hold my head from snapping back, so I'm convinced.  I'm not 
argueing that they are strictly whiplash protectors, but that the seat, 
including the headrests, are designed as a unit, and do their jobs very well.  I 
would hesitate to just replace the headrests.  And even if you did, I doubt that
you would be satified with the results. 

If you don't care for them, replace the entire seat.  You mentioned Recaros, 
which are great seats. It's only money. 

> I think we should also consider why Audi's latest seats no longer
> have the upright rectangle head-restraints/rests, well, OK, it could be
> on account of some marketing drone wanting the cars to look more like
> BMW and MB but I doubt it, more likely, IMHO, they figured that you can
> have more comfort without compromising safety.

Sure, but what's comfort to some isn't to others.  And, the new Audis are
a far cry from the earlier ones.  Maybe they just want to seperate the 
identities from their earlier vehicles.
 
> As someone mentioned earlier, Volvo leaves no doubt that the monstrosities
> on their earlier seats were purely head restraints and NOT anything to
> do with comfort. I'm curious as to how much of a gap they design in
> between the back of the head and the restraint on those seats.

Nobody has ever accused any of the German automakers of making plush, 
comfortable interiors.  Not even Mercedes.  That's for the british and the 
americans.  They designed their seats not to be a "rest" for your head on those 
long drives, but to prevent your head from being snapped back when some guy in 
his S class Benz barrels down on you at 100+ MPH and forgets about the backed up 
traffic on the Autobahn outside Stuttgart, turning your car and his into one.

My guess is they decided to spend the money on seats when they redesigned the 
whole car from the 90 to the A4. And the seats ain't the only thing that the A4 
does more then the 90.

Paul


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Paul Marcello Souza     Internet : psouza@skyserv4.med.osd.mil
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