Questions - Front Seat Options

[Fatboy]

HI Everyone, the seats in my 170,000+ mile 1986 Lux are getting a bit tired (Vinyl and pinstripe cloth), and I've been looking for some replacements - ebay turns up a few replacement options but I'm wondering what the most comfortable seats I could put in there would be.

As well as being more than a smidge on the portly side, I've got a big frame, and on a long drive (3 hrs+, that I do quite often) the edges of the seat frames start to dig into my hips, so I'm wondering is it just that my seats are knackered, meaning I'm sitting on the seat frame where I wouldn't if the seat cushions were new, or is it likely a feature of the 944 seats, in which case I'd be better off looking at something different from regular 944 seats for replacement?

I don't remember it being an issue in my old 944, which had had some repairs in the drivers seat, but then again it was a few years ago and I didn't use it for many long journeys, so the question goes out - what's my best option for long distance comfort seats:

1) A set of good condition used 944/968/964 seats - effectively like-for-like replacement (probably go for black leather though)

2) Get my seats rebuilt - new foam/covers - any recommendations in the North West?

3) Seats from something else that might fit well - Boxster/996/928 etc?

I'm not looking to spend a huge amount, but I do plan on keeping the car for the forseeable future, as I love the way it drives and the way it looks, so don't mind spending money I wouldn't see back if I sold it...

 

[PSH]

hi

I think it may be your seats themselves rather than you being too big for them, I'm not exactly on the small side myself but have never had a problem with long journeys in my car, in fact I prefer the 944 seats when compared to most other cars that I have driven. IIRC most of the seats from other Porsche's from the same era will fit but do check first as I haven't tested this myself. Can't help with upholsters in the NW but I've used Southbound in the south and their work is first class.

regards

Pete

 

[944 man]

Yes, your seats are simply sat-out! My car has fully electric script seats which are sat-out too. I have several alternatives but I havent bothered so far, as whilst I can tell that theyve lost a lot of their support, it hasnt been a big enough issue to encourage me to go to the trouble of swapping.

Also, Im not sure what to fit... I have:

Mint black leather sports seats with matching black vinyl rears.
Linen 928 fronts with matching vinyl 944 rears.
Mint black script comfort seats, similar to the original but Im not sure whether theyre full lectric or not.
Sparco race seats with a 968CS rear seat delete (which could also go with the lblack sports seats too).
Mint black pinstripe comfort seats, which are fully electric, but are a bit steady for a Turbo.

As I cant decide Ive decided to leave it as it is, and try not to notice the frame when Ive sat still for too long.


Simon

 

[Cater_Racer]

ORIGINAL: Fatboy



1) A set of good condition used 944/968/964 seats - effectively like-for-like replacement (probably go for black leather though)

2) Get my seats rebuilt - new foam/covers - any recommendations in the North West?

3) Seats from something else that might fit well - Boxster/996/928 etc?

4) Loose weight.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

4) Loose weight.

Now that's not really helping, is it? [][]

I'm also a bit on the wide-side, and don't find the standard seats an issue. Mine are pretty much original condition.

I do find the sports seats a bit of a squeeze, and Peter Empson's passenger bucket did cause me issues getting out again! Half-decent 944 seats are usually considered very good; I've done 4-hour trips without any problems, and that's with my rheumatoid arthritis which makes me VERY sensitive to seating position.

 

[Fatboy]

ORIGINAL: Cater_Racer
4) Loose weight.

[]
I was hoping for advice I'd be likely to follow though []

 

[eddieedmo]

stick with 944 best seats I have been in.I have sport seats which for me are great really keep me in place , and never feel stiff after a long drive , I am a slim build.
Rebuild and cover would be a very expensive option !

Nick []

 

[Frenchy]

I personally prefer the standard "comfort" seats over "Sport" seats, i have Recaro Pole Positions in my Turbo S though which are incredibly comfortable and really grip you..............once you have manged to climb in................bit of a tiddler though, took my mate Steve to Hexham who is a big lad and he was wedged into the car and did not look comfortable.
The sport seats with their big bolsters do not allow me to relax my arms bringing my elbows down and they tend to have to reach out which causes fatique in my shoulders on a long run.

 

[PSH]

ORIGINAL: Frenchy

I personally prefer the standard "comfort" seats over "Sport" seats, i have Recaro Pole Positions in my Turbo S though which are incredibly comfortable and really grip you..............once you have manged to climb in................bit of a tiddler though, took my mate Steve to Hexham who is a big lad and he was wedged into the car and did not look comfortable.
The sport seats with their big bolsters do not allow me to relax my arms bringing my elbows down and they tend to have to reach out which causes fatique in my shoulders on a long run.

I agree, my car has the standard seat that I find a good balance between comfort and support for a lively drive. I drove a friends 951 with sport seats and found it very uncomfortable, mind you it wasn't anywhere near as bad as driving my sons Cossie with it's sport Recaro's.. that was horrid..

Pete

 

[DavidL]

Sports seats do hold you arouind the corners well. Comfort seats are well, comfortable.
My Caterham is still the most comfortable thing I've had - but you sort of wear the car not just the seat. Getting in and out with the roof up is a bit like origami!

 

[T3rra]

Do you want 2 keep the front and rears the same? I had white leather comfort seats in mine with leather backs and leather rears not vinyl! As Iv just relised how cheap the vinly looks in compersion as my turbo are vinyl backed and rears are complete vinyl.

The drivers bolster had split on the comfort seats at 100 000 miles I swap the fronts out with the intention off fixing, I retro fitted some 996 seats, they fit fine in terms off high and width, and the electric tilt adjustment button just clears the handbrake. Very close fit, pulling the hand brake up can cach the button and make the seat move, if there a few mm closer 2 the door but can be fitted without this issue.

The plus side on these 996 is there hard backed with pockets and the leather is often found in great condition due 2 there younger age and less miles. And there firmer and easyer 2 get in and out, different shape bolster design that done wear as easy.

They do require a illite be off work 2 make fit, electrics plugs swapping over the height adjustment cut off, as it prevents the seats sliding back, and some holes enlarged in the runners. As the runners work differently 2 the older models.

Iv got 2 navy blue ones 4 sale with all the mods done. And had them fitted 4 quite a while
Iv got white 944 set 4 sale as well

928 seats are ment 2 be 2 big? Not sure if they are. 996 seats arnt ment 2 fit ethir

993 seats are a direct fit, same frame just different leather design.
944 seats are the same fitted in 911 off the time.

 

[Fatboy]

Thanks for that T3rra, lots of useful information there...

I'm not too bothered about the fronts and rears matching, although I was going to go looking for some black leather rears. I'd seen a few Boxster and 996 seats on ebay, and wondered if they'd fit, so good to know the 996 will (I'm assuming that Boxster seats are not too different from 996 seats).

I would be after black leather only though, just because I'm a bit picky like that

 

[T3rra]

Yeah the 986 seats are the same. The dark navy seat do look almost black untill in bright sunlight. I thought I would bother me more, black Interoir and white carpets but it didn't, I just left the white rears down.

Did a little write up on another forum about the instole. The good thing is the seats don't look 2 far out off from the rear design ethir. So you could macth up 944 rear and 996 fronts.

 

[eddieedmo]

dark blue leather is relatively easy to re-dye black.If you go down this route give me a PM and I will advise .
www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

Nick []

 

[Fatboy]

That's interesting - didn't think about re-dying some seats - T3rra, what are you looking for for the Navy 996 seats? (and where are you - I'm in Cumbria, but travel down to the south coast quite regularly)...

 

[T3rra]

Hi you have a pm

 

[Ewan]

It's quite a few years since I played rugby for England, but I've retained my 17 stone frame! And I find the sports seats in my turbo about as comfortable as a car seat gets - in fact I wouldn't entertain anything else.

I have the hard backed sports seats in my 996 and although easier to get into, they are nowhere near as comfy or holding. If I had to go on a 2 hour (or more) journey I'd opt for the 944 every time.

But if you're big and want comfort over "grip", just go for standard 944/968 comfort seats. They look right and do the job. Easy.

 

[Fatboy]

Thanks Ewan, Lets just says it's been a few years since I was 17 stone -although I do have a big frame (6'4") sadly it wasn't rugby for England - more lager and pies for shits and giggles

I've sent a couple of email enquiries out to some trimmers, see what it would cost me to get mine rebuilt - if that's not too bad (about £400 a pair last time I checked it out for a mate's UR Quattro a few years ago) that might be a realistic alternative (especially as I could add heating elements).

I thought the Sports would probably be a bit too snug for me, although they do look very good