2 questions on the 12 SEL

[BrApple]

So we are starting to look for a new car for my wife and the Focus is on the short list. We both really like my Focus. However there is one issue with it. AS a passanger my wife is ver comfortable in the car. However being on the short side while driving the car isn't as comfortable. Because of the manual seat, when raised up, pushes the seat back forward the headrest pushes on her head and make it uncomfortable. Also the bolsters on the seats get in the way of reaching the shifter, either with the 5sp or the atx. We test drove a recent build SE Sport yesterday and the adjustable headrest didn't help, mine has the fixed headrests.

So the question is, would an SEL with power seats adjust differently? IE would raising the seat not push the seat back and headrest forward? Also are the bolsters any different? Plan is to get find and sit in an SEL with cloth and leather seats to see if they are any different/better then the SE Sport.

Also what package would I look for on an SEL to get the Sync system like I have in my SE? Would prefer not to have MFT, but when building a SEL online it isn't clear to me what the radio options are. I noted that the 300a has sync elements w/USB, what is that? Then there was an option that was for Sync that reduced the cost and sounded like the SE Sync system. Just isn't clear to me.

[Sponsor]

[Timthom62]

Originally Posted by BrApple

So the question is, would an SEL with power seats adjust differently? IE would raising the seat not push the seat back and headrest forward? Also are the bolsters any different? Plan is to get find and sit in an SEL with cloth and leather seats to see if they are any different/better then the SE Sport.

Also what package would I look for on an SEL to get the Sync system like I have in my SE? Would prefer not to have MFT, but when building a SEL online it isn't clear to me what the radio options are. I noted that the 300a has sync elements w/USB, what is that? Then there was an option that was for Sync that reduced the cost and sounded like the SE Sync system. Just isn't clear to me.

I'm in pretty much the opposite situation - wife has an SE with the 203A package and I have an SEL with the 303A (MFT and all that).

I can say for sure that the power seat that comes with the SEL 302A package does adjust better than the manual seat on our SE. Whether it would meet your needs or not is a question you'll be able to answer fairly quickly at the dealer.

I did look at one SEL with the 300A package when I was shopping back in April and it seemed to be pretty much similar to the 203A package on the SE as far as the Sync functions went. However, I didn't really mess around with it much so I can't say for sure.

So, in summary: Maybe.

[Altis]

I think SEL comes with sync and the 4" screen as standard kit, with MFT being the available option.

As for seat adjustments, the power seat still moves the seat a bit forward when raised, as it the nature of most height adjusting seats.

I'm not sure how moving the seat upwards affects the headrest positioning... Never heard of that one before. She may have the seat back too upright, causing it to push forward.

My lady is very little and has no issues with the seat positioning. She did mention the side bolsters when she drove mine before buying hers, but even with the manual transmission, she got used to it quickly and hasn't had any issues with it. You just have to make sure your upper arm is beyond the bolster, not within it.

Hope this helps a bit!

[BrApple]

Yes I would say the seat is to upright and that is part of the issue, however that is how she likes to sit in the car.

We do plan to head to a dealer again and sit in an SEL, but having good information ahead of time is always good.

[r1derbike]

Does it have a manual back release? I have to manually kick-back a notch in the back recline position, for the exact reason. Works for me.

[pozi240]

Originally Posted by r1derbike

Does it have a manual back release? I have to manually kick-back a notch in the back recline position, for the exact reason. Works for me.

The recline (back release) is also power, but is independent of the other controls. I like it much better than the power seats in my trucks.

[BrApple]

Originally Posted by r1derbike

Does it have a manual back release? I have to manually kick-back a notch in the back recline position, for the exact reason. Works for me.

Yes the manual seats have a back release. Setting it back one click is more comfortable for her but she does not like that seating possition. She preferes to sit straight up. Doing this, coupled with the angle of the headrest, and having the manual seat all the way up causes the headrest to push her head forward, which is uncomfortable for her. I asked about driving with the seat one click back from straight up, but she doesn't like it.

So the goal here is to see if the SEL power seats would adjust in a way so that this wouldn't happen. If she can't get comfortable then we will have to choose another car over the Focus. She spends 45 minutes in the car each way to work and needs to be comfortable.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by BrApple

Because of the manual seat, when raised up, pushes the seat back forward the headrest pushes on her head and make it uncomfortable. Also the bolsters on the seats get in the way of reaching the shifter, either with the 5sp or the atx. We test drove a recent build SE Sport yesterday and the adjustable headrest didn't help, mine has the fixed headrests.

So the question is, would an SEL with power seats adjust differently? IE would raising the seat not push the seat back and headrest forward? Also are the bolsters any different? Plan is to get find and sit in an SEL with cloth and leather seats to see if they are any different/better then the SE Sport.

Also what package would I look for on an SEL to get the Sync system like I have in my SE? Would prefer not to have MFT, but when building a SEL online it isn't clear to me what the radio options are. I noted that the 300a has sync elements w/USB, what is that? Then there was an option that was for Sync that reduced the cost and sounded like the SE Sync system. Just isn't clear to me.

If you wanted just the power seat you need to also be willing to accept the leather and reverse parking sensors as those are all bundled with either 302a or 303a, but only 302a has the same sync system as 203a, only without the sirius module as they only put that on models with MFT if you went for either an SEL or a Ti.

Sync elements with usb = Sync G1 V3.11 = Sync with myFord like the SE 203a.

As to the side bolsters I'm not sure that they are different between the SE sport package and the SEL, or Titanium. Only the seat cloth is different. I don't find that the bolsters get in the way of the shifter for me, but I do understand that different people are built differently.

The power seat vs the manual seat shouldn't be tied into the headrest position, but then I don't have the problem with the headrest being in the way even with the manual seats with the four way head restraints. I do find them to be more comfortable in their upright position than the job 1 through early job 2 builds with their harder head restraints that are also bent forward permanently.

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by BrApple

Yes the manual seats have a back release. Setting it back one click is more comfortable for her but she does not like that seating possition. She preferes to sit straight up. Doing this, coupled with the angle of the headrest, and having the manual seat all the way up causes the headrest to push her head forward, which is uncomfortable for her. I asked about driving with the seat one click back from straight up, but she doesn't like it.

So the goal here is to see if the SEL power seats would adjust in a way so that this wouldn't happen. If she can't get comfortable then we will have to choose another car over the Focus. She spends 45 minutes in the car each way to work and needs to be comfortable.

You could always shim the seat bottom. Put a couple of washers under the seat frame in your SE and re-bolt it down. You'd be amazed what a difference it makes.

I had a Jeep that I put a 3" lap belt in so when I was rock crawling I could still lean out the doors but be strapped in somewhat. The brackets went under my rear seat mounts and were held in by the same bolts. Just that little bit of steel(3/8") caused me to have to re-train my seating position as I did not want to shim the front as well.

Hope it works out for you!

[BrApple]

Originally Posted by suss6052

The power seat vs the manual seat shouldn't be tied into the headrest position, but then I don't have the problem with the headrest being in the way even with the manual seats with the four way head restraints. I do find them to be more comfortable in their upright position than the job 1 through early job 2 builds with their harder head restraints that are also bent forward permanently.

What I was hoping we would find out is that the power seat can be raised up but not force the seatback forward at the same time as the manual seat does. With the manual seat all the way up and the seatback in an upright position the angle of the headrest just not good.

Even with the 4 way headrests on a manual seat the angle of the headrest is to much and it pushes my wifes head forward and make it uncomfortable for her.