Backache in 987 Boxster (997 too?)
Discussion
I've found a fair few discussions about Porsche seats causing backache and my 987 certainly doesn't suit me, because lumbar support is poor. Otherwise I like the car enough to keep it. So I did some searching, found out that the centre section of the seat can be lifted up far enough to put suitable padding behind.
I bought a sheet of 1" thick horse hair padding, cut it to the width of the centre section and about 5" high. You can pull off hair to taper it towards the top and once you're driving, you can move it up or down to put the bulge where your back needs it. The seat is now superb and I look forward to a long drive somewhere.
We're all different shapes, so probably only a minority will have suffered, but it's useful to know that the seat can easily be altered to suit.
I can post a picture if ot would help.
I bought a sheet of 1" thick horse hair padding, cut it to the width of the centre section and about 5" high. You can pull off hair to taper it towards the top and once you're driving, you can move it up or down to put the bulge where your back needs it. The seat is now superb and I look forward to a long drive somewhere.
We're all different shapes, so probably only a minority will have suffered, but it's useful to know that the seat can easily be altered to suit.
I can post a picture if ot would help.
I also struggled with the standard seats on longer journeys. The folding buckets in my GT3/RS's are perfect (I had some extra lateral padding added in the GT3 to make it even more snug) and I can do four, five hour drives without the slightest problem.
In my wife's Macan the backache went as soon as I set the side bolsters very tightly to mimick a bucket seat. I first played around with lumbar support as it appeared to be the more obvious solution but that did not change a thing
In my wife's Macan the backache went as soon as I set the side bolsters very tightly to mimick a bucket seat. I first played around with lumbar support as it appeared to be the more obvious solution but that did not change a thing
Are we talking about the same problem? Or the same seats? Mine is a 987.
Bolsters don't give support to the lumbar region (small of your back). They provide lateral support.
I've altered the center section of the seat (using upholsterer's horse hair padding) so that it curves outwards more and provides support for my lower back that the standard seat doesn't.
Bolsters don't give support to the lumbar region (small of your back). They provide lateral support.
I've altered the center section of the seat (using upholsterer's horse hair padding) so that it curves outwards more and provides support for my lower back that the standard seat doesn't.
Edited by Ashley James on Tuesday 10th May 16:20
With my 981 14 way seats, it took me a few months to realise that the bolster moves up and down as well as in and out.
I had a ruptured disc a few years back which gives occasional twinges but the 14 ways are superb. The extra thigh support adjustment is good for long legs too. So glad they were in the car. I'd rate the seats 3rd on my "future options" list, after PASM and cruise (it's a daily driver).
18 way seats add the adjustable side bolsters.
I had a ruptured disc a few years back which gives occasional twinges but the 14 ways are superb. The extra thigh support adjustment is good for long legs too. So glad they were in the car. I'd rate the seats 3rd on my "future options" list, after PASM and cruise (it's a daily driver).
18 way seats add the adjustable side bolsters.
Ashley James said:
Are we talking about the same problem? Or the same seats? Mine is a 987.
Bolsters don't give support to the lumbar region (small of your back). They provide lateral support.
I've altered the center section of the seat (using upholsterer's horse hair padding) so that it curves outwards more and provides support for my lower back that the standard seat doesn't.
Was the same in my 986 as well as a 997. Both with sports seat option.Bolsters don't give support to the lumbar region (small of your back). They provide lateral support.
I've altered the center section of the seat (using upholsterer's horse hair padding) so that it curves outwards more and provides support for my lower back that the standard seat doesn't.
Edited by Ashley James on Tuesday 10th May 16:20
I also initially thought the issue was about lumbar support. I played also around endlessly with it on the x-way adjustable seats in my wife's Macan. What counterintuitively helped was the side bolsters. Once the spine is locked into position, you don't need any force to keep it straight. that did the trick for me
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