Front sensors and lumber support

Twinfan · Sep 20, 2017

Front parking sensors were available as an option on the 981, as were 14-way and 18-way seats. Neither are a standard retrofit, so they'll be £££££ even if you can find the parts.

I think keeping an eye out for another car with those options would be your best bet.

Strasbourg · Sep 20, 2017

Good morning. I have returned to the club having sold my 993 two years ago and I am now the owner of a 981 S. To say it is thrilling is an understatement.
A little background to put my enquiries in context. I am 79 so exhibit a few inconveniences as a result! No cruel jokes please. The car I have now is a fairly basic spec. partly because of price and availability. Better spec. higher mileage and greater price did not excite, the only other option at the time. No complaint at all, driving is key rather that bells and whistles. But this approach has thrown up two points. Lack of front sensors, whilst not vital, they can improve peace of mind. A little more important though is lumber support adjustment, which is lacking. After that lengthy preamble I ask has anyone found a way to upgrade these two features? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Motorhead · Sep 20, 2017

Welcome back to the Club Richard and to the Cayman forum. Good to hear that you're enjoying your new car.

Unfortunately, as David says, I think that retrofitting those two features is out of the question because of the very high cost involved, so I think that you're going to have to look at aftermarket components.

Sorry I can't help with specific advice but I'm sure there are plenty of options online for front parking sensors and for lumbar supports which can be fitted externally to the seat.

Jeff

Strasbourg · Sep 20, 2017

Thanks for your suggestions and welcome. Neither of these omissions are killers but I imagine driving for a day might introduce the odd creak to my spine. Nothing that my osteopath cannot sort! I suspected retrofitting, even if possible, would be at silly cost.

I selected the car for condition and provenance, having a keen eye on price/value. Fortuitously it is in my preferred colour Agate Grey and equipped with sensible sized wheels. My previous family transport was an excellent diesel but was fitted with flash looking wheels and elastic bands for tyres. Where I live the council think potholes are part of life so banging and crashing made for unsettling motoring. The taught structure of the Cayman allows it to glide effortlessly onward. I can also enjoy the six cylinder wail I so enjoyed in my 993 at full chat. You see I am a child at heart.

Thanks again, Richard.

ralphmusic · Sep 20, 2017

You might investigate these for parking sensors

[link]http://www.proxel.com/en/[/url]

Buddy · Sep 20, 2017

Hi Richard and welcome back to the fold, a young friend of mine ( not everyone with comfort issues is of retirement age ) had a problem with comfort in his 987 in that it felt too narrow for his ribcage or maybe it was just that he didn't like such positive support in the sports seats that he had fitted, the solution that he came up with was to visit a trimmer who made a copy of the main foam but relieved the areas where he felt excess pressure, he still has the car and has made no more complaints to me regarding the comfort. It is now about 5 years since the mod' was carried out so I would suggest that you talk to a car trimmer, it may take one or two before you find one who can do the work but it may be well worth it for you.

My friend still has the original foam insert so it can be put back to standard but he also still drives the car regularly.

Strasbourg · Sep 20, 2017

The speed of response is impressive. Progress has been made. The front sensor proposal will be pursued. I had wondered whether a chat with a local trimmer specialising in Porsche may offer something, now I am convinced. All this and I have not had the car for a week yet. Thanks very much.

Gazoak · Sep 20, 2017

[attachment=Front Parking Sensors.jpg] I think you may be able to install more foam behind the centre lower portion of the drivers seat without having to have a leather trimmed centre section made specifically. As for parking sensors, the four rears are in a separate valance beneath the bumper and the two outer front sensors are located within the air intake grilles beneath the lights so I would have thought those could be ordered from OPC parts, as I am sure could the wiring loom. Unfortunately the inners are part of the bumper to the left and right of the number plate housing but you may get away with just the outers at the front. Alternatively, these could probably be retrofitted in the centre air intake section beneath the number plate. There is also an isolation switch located near the centre rear view mirror. I would imagine the display on the PCM is just a software upgrade. If PSE can be retrofitted, I don't see why parking sensors can't. Anything is possible at a price!