hello,

recently aquired this and never even thought of it, but realised that entrance to third row is incredibly bad.
Even for small children, its like impossible to get in.
I also have an Vw atlas, and it has great fron moving/folding upwards seat that allows very easy acces to thrid row.

My question is, would second row bench, specifically passenger side outer seat, from a newer 4M Q7, fit inside 4L Q7? I dont care about heated seat at this point, I need it to move away better.

 

When I first got my Q7, I didn't understand how the seat release levers worked, and I also thought it was nigh impossible to enter the third row. After I read through the owner's manual and learned how to use those levers correctly, the 2nd row seating moved forwards further, allowing for easier ingress. I was even able to climb into the 3rd row myself pretty easily, so I'm guessing you maybe haven't read the owner's manual yet?

There's all kinds of things you'll learn about your Q7 to make your life better if you do read the owner's manual. The accessory heater unit and how to turn it on for faster Winter comfort...that's just one of the nuggets you'll find in there.

 

There are 2 levers on the seats, its not science fiction.

Seat slides forward and back maybe 3 to 4" and seat back folds down. it should slide at least another 6" to make it accesible for kids.

I am.literally gonna sell the car because of it or remove passenger side 2nd row seat conpletelly out of the car.
But then im left with half usable middle seat.
I have 4 kids so need the seats.

 

I'm sure I must not have already encountered (in 2019), after owning a Grand Voyager minivan for 17 years with three rows and three children, LOL, the exact same issue you are now experiencing for the very first time. How silly of me. Only one side is designed for ingress to 3rd row, like on a minivan, and if you don't pull/hold the release lever correctly, then the seat section don't slide forward as much as it should. No, it's not a huge opening and the seat don't do flip & fold gymnastics, but it is definitely usable and accessible by children. Granted, most adults would most likely struggle to get back there though.

I figure if I, as a full grown adult male, 5'11" and 190lbs can slip through that opening, which I did multiple times, after operating the mechanism correctly, then small children will have no problem whatsoever.

I would definitely recommend getting an aftermarket floor liner set like the Husky exact-fit floorliners, which are very affordable for all three rows.


Here's a base description for the base set (two rows coverage) off Amazon, and they are on sale currently too. These fit better and offer greater floor coverage and water/spills control than the Weather Tech brand. A must have with kids, not to mention adults.:

Husky Liners Weatherbeater Floor Mats | Fits 2007-2015 Audi Q7 | Front & 2nd Row, 3-pc Black - 96421

On the off chance you still can't make sense of it, there was an optional second row seating offered, which is a rare option in North America Q7s. It has captains chairs and a center console in 2nd row seating, which is removable, etc...so a pass-through to third row, AFAIK. If you want to see it, or ask questions/get info about it, then go look at the thread on the Overlander build project which is near the top of active threads currently. IIRC, he installed that setup on his build project.

 

Yeah, it doesn't open up overly much, but I feel like enough to get in and out... if you're small and nimble, particularly. I'm really not sure who thought this was a good idea for accommodating seven passengers. Newer offerings like Atlas, Ascent, etc., are WAY better seven-seaters if you are going to use the capacity on a regular basis.

 

The MK2 opening is only slightly better, lol. @Kittrell just did a two row conversion that is beyond slick. Check out his build (which I'm too lazy to search for ATM) but you can see what that middle row conversion might look like.

 

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-...3069351/page2/

As noted, captains chairs were an option the the 2007-2009 4.2 Premium. You would essentially just do the swap and leave the center console out. Use your existing carpet and there won't be any holes in it for the brackets. We had considered this when we initially thought we wanted to keep our third row. The only additional step you may want to take is to have the frame modified to attach an armrest. Any competent upholstery shop should be able to do this. I planned to use the armrests from an Atlas.

 

Ive been looking around, but seem they are not available in canada

yes, I have an atlas as well, and this realisation was a massive disapointment. I didnt expect the same as atlas, but this is crazy

Ill try to find, otherwise, Im not sure Im gonna even keep this car because that third row for me is crucial. Then I could of bought another sedan again.

wait wait, youi are telling me there are holes in the floor to install captain seats? O know they existed in Qs, I even saw one long time back with them.
I would definitelly remove 3seat becnh, and put in two captain seats if car has needed holes?

 

The holes are there but you need the seats and the brackets under the carpet to install. You swap out the passenger side bracket and install the driver side. There are plastic plugs in the nutserts. The rear center console bracket sits on top of the seat bracket. So in your case you just wouldn't install that.

 

thats amazing info, literally couldnt find a solid info anywhere on this.

Now slowly keeping an eye on part out cars to source the seats and brackets. You wouldnt by any chance have part no for brackets?