Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-27-2015, 10:59 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 147
986 seat upgrades?

On my most recent 700+ mile roadtrip, I learned that the standard Porsche seat used in basically everything until the 981/991 doesn't fit me any better than it did when I had my '88 944S.

It wasn't limited to just me, either--my other half, who is built night and day different than I am, was squirming around uncomfortably on the longer stretches of our trip (2-3+ hours).

One of the primary reasons I upgraded to the 986 from my heavily modded NA Miata was the potential for long-distance driving (the Miata was a miserable car for any drive lasting more than an hour due to high noise level, rough ride, and poor in-cabin airflow).

Obviously the seat issue negates this potential advantage for the 986, and has me thinking about other options. I'd also like a seat that allows me to sit lower in the car, if possible (tough thing to achieve in cars like this without bolting the seat directly to the floor, I realize--it's a common issue in the NA Miata world too).

I've tried the OEM sport seats before, but only on a test drive. Does anyone here have significant experience with them? How are they on longer drives in terms of support?

What about aftermarket options? I want something that is supportive but not confining like the OEM GT3 seats. I don't need power functions (I'd not mind losing the weight of my current power seats w/memory, actually, as long as the move fore/aft manually and recline).

__________________
'02 Boxster S
'16 GTI PP
'17 Bolt (with a B)
Nmbrsix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2015, 11:55 AM   #2
Registered User
 
CHRISP357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 308
I guess I don't understand. I bought mine and drove 26 hours straight to get home and the next morning, couldn't wait to get in and drive another 3 hours to show it off.
5'10" 185 lbs
CHRISP357 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2015, 12:19 PM   #3
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
Could you describe exactly what about the stock seats and your driving position (often they are inter-related) is uncomfortable and could you describe the uncomfortable symptoms that you experience?

Does your butt ache?
Back ache?
Shoulders ache?
Legs too cramped?
Arms too cramped?
Need more recline?
Need more headroom?
Seat bottom or seat back not wide enough?
Not enough lower back support?
Seat too hard? Too soft?
etc...

This will help us recommend solutions. Thanks.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor

Last edited by thstone; 09-27-2015 at 12:25 PM.
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2015, 12:41 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 147
Great feedback. Allow me to add more detail:

-Thigh Cushion seems too short (same issue I had in the 944), causing my legs to ache ( I find my leg muscles are tense a good deal of the time in this car, something I've never experienced in any other car)
-Seatback has insufficient lumbar support
-Seatback seems a bit narrow
-Seatback lacks shoulder support (I'm no football player, but I have wide enough shoulders that they stick out beyond a typical modern-day Coach airline seat)

Best seats I've ever had: OEM Recaros in my Mk2 Jetta GLI:



The OEM seats in both our '12 GTI and '12 Golf TDI (same seat, different fabric) are also fantastic--more supportive than the Porsche seat while being all-day comfortable.

__________________
'02 Boxster S
'16 GTI PP
'17 Bolt (with a B)
Nmbrsix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2015, 06:16 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: GA
Posts: 160
My boxster seats are great. My 996 seats have worn out and need repadding. It now hurts my back. They hsve similar mileage sonim not sure why the 996 seats wore out faster. They atent exactly tge sane but very close. I have a set of sport seats but ive found them less comfortable on road trips. That was before the padding got all mashed down. I just weigh 170 lbs so i dont think its weight. Im going to gave them repadded or buy some 997 seats if i can find them for a reasonable price
__________________
2001 Boxster S 3.6, 2003 E46 M3, 94 968 Cab, 80 911 Weissach Edition, BMW 1200 CLS
smshirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2015, 07:12 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Perfectlap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
I've had lower back issues for years (curvature) and I find the GT3 seats more comfortable on long trips because it holds my upper back in place.
Although with the Fabspeed exhajust long highway trips of 2 hours are out of the question unless I bring my V-modas M100s (great headphones).

I also had a NA Miata. I should have kept it as my track/autox car...biggest mistake ever selling it for a mere $5,500.
I had KYB AGX adjustables and FM mounts, smoother ride than my Boxster.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570014_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570023_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570110_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570011_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570093_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1114/2141/2783570022_large.jpg
__________________
GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
GT3 Aero / Carrera 18" 5 spoke / Potenza RE-11
Fabspeed Headers & Noise Maker
BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW

Last edited by Perfectlap; 09-30-2015 at 07:15 AM.
Perfectlap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2015, 08:58 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 147
Nice Miata! Much fancier than mine was...

I had a '94 R with a bunch of upgrades, mostly go/turn/stop stuff. Nothing for looks

I wish I fit better in the GT3 seats...unfortunately after trying them a couple of times, it's clear I don't.

I need to find a car with sport seats and see if they are sufficiently improved.
__________________
'02 Boxster S
'16 GTI PP
'17 Bolt (with a B)
Nmbrsix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2015, 04:17 PM   #8
"50 Years of 550 Spyder"
 
10/10ths's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: The Road
Posts: 918
Just...

...buy these and start enjoying life:

We SHIP 97 04 Porsche Boxster 986 911 996 Recaro Turbo Sports Black Seats | eBay

__________________
550 SE #310---"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow."
10/10ths is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page