993 Driving Position
993 Driving Position
Author
Discussion

mbutchers

Original Poster:

703 posts

250 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
So, after a long lay-off from Porsche, I have returned to the fold with the purchase of my 1st 993.
1st impressions are that it's a great car....... BUT....
What's going on with the driving position?
Offset pedals - No problem, but the steering wheel position is too far away.
I spent at least 10 minutes looking for the steering reach and height adjustment lever - can anyone tell me where it is....laugh
Seriously though - any ideas on sorting this out - would not mind a different wheel and then a longer reach boss to get the thing closer to me....

Answers, as always, gratefully received....

Cheers whistle

Edited by mbutchers on Friday 12th April 21:16

mollytherocker

14,465 posts

239 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
It's a bit challenging isn't it? biggrin

First thing to do is to angle your body towards the centre of the front of the car and then just try the seat in different positions.

I find mine great when pushing on, but a bit of a bind when you are on the motorway. I wish I had cruise!

retreat

326 posts

249 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
I wish I had cruise!

And automatic wipers and PDKsmile

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Wozy68

5,436 posts

200 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
retreat said:
I wish I had cruise!

And automatic wipers and PDKsmile

Sorry, couldn't resist!
Lol. Joking aside I really wish mine had cruise. Can you retrofit and if so where and how much?

Solarized

442 posts

171 months

Friday 12th April 2013
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Like molly said some seat adjustments and you.ll be fine. The 993 driving position is spot on once you sort the correct seat angle and distance from the pedals.

unclepezza

791 posts

173 months

Friday 12th April 2013
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Solarized said:
Like molly said some seat adjustments and you.ll be fine. The 993 driving position is spot on once you sort the correct seat angle and distance from the pedals.
Agree in a LHD one, I've had both and the LHD one was easier to get a good position in as the pedal offset was much less. Very noticeable to me after having the RHD one first.

Great cars though.

PiB

1,201 posts

300 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
I said it before and I say it again (for me) it was awkward at first. I never sat in it initially and said "ah ha!" there's the seating position I want. I did my best and adapted to it. Having said that, i was driving last night in a sporting fashion (over a year after acquisition) and I thought to myself, you know this isn't to bad at all. Heal toe and all.

I also initially found/thought the seats just weren't supportive enough around my sides. I almost felt a bit naked without a deep bucket but again whilst out on a spirited drive the seat held me in just fine. I'd prefer a bucket but the standard seats work for me.

It's just the gawd awful steering wheel now.

A993LAD

2,127 posts

251 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
PiB said:
It's just the gawd awful steering wheel now.
Changed my standard wheel for a 996 3 spoke. It's a nicer wheel to hold and seems to suit the 993 quite well. Also smaller diameter so you can move the seat a bit closer without catching knees on steering wheel. And its easy to fit and the airbag plugs in.

PiB

1,201 posts

300 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
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Yes I've seen some really nice remade ones. Need to get to that project once I settle some others.

Wozy68

5,436 posts

200 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
PiB said:
Yes I've seen some really nice remade ones. Need to get to that project once I settle some others.
I wanted to replace my steering wheel with a non airbag one, just been told this is illegal and most probs invalidates your insurance. Is this true?

PiB

1,201 posts

300 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
But you can send in the three spoke or even a four spoke airbag type and some company will trick it out so it's thicker with high quality leather and stitching. I think I saw even a 4 spoke that looked really nice. (of course you remove the airbag when you send it in)

mollytherocker

14,465 posts

239 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
PiB said:
But you can send in the three spoke or even a four spoke airbag type and some company will trick it out so it's thicker with high quality leather and stitching. I think I saw even a 4 spoke that looked really nice. (of course you remove the airbag when you send it in)
I don't see that making much difference though? Certainly not to its position.

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

234 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
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Perhaps it is because I am average height and build (well average build from 30 years ago!) and that I have LHD 993 but I find driving position fine. Could also be that I have had enough 911s that I am so used to the driving position it feels comfortable, even if it isn't.

mollytherocker

14,465 posts

239 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
Schnellmann said:
Perhaps it is because I am average height and build (well average build from 30 years ago!) and that I have LHD 993 but I find driving position fine. Could also be that I have had enough 911s that I am so used to the driving position it feels comfortable, even if it isn't.
For me, it just is was it is. It's part of the cars character and you get used to it.

I would be lying if I said that long trips through France had been comfortable, I am sure that my Laguna would have been a much easier and 'pleasant' journey.

Would I have enjoyed the journey in the Laguna? Yes, but not nearly as much! Taking an old 911 on a long journey is something special and very satisfying.

An adventure, if you like.

Edited by mollytherocker on Saturday 13th April 08:16

PiB

1,201 posts

300 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
I guess what I could compare it to is a slew of rental cars I've driven. I've always plopped right in rentals and found a pleasing position, seat, pedals, steering wheel reach, side mirrors although, the rentals are all automatics. I adjusted the seat rake in the 993 numerous times in the 993 to get it right and then it still felt awkward. Also I point my side mirrors (wing mirrors?) not directly backwards but towards the blind spot. I can't get the 993's to go sideways enough - this might be adjustable if I physical turn the mirror - I've done that on other cars. I always set my seat as low as possible no matter what but the dash in the 993 is quite high so that was initially unusual to me. The first time I drove a 993 in 1996 I was probably 17 so understandably it all felt new to me - it was a lovely experience - but there too the hinged pedals really threw me off. M3 of the same area - get in and drive. Sorry I'm so verbose.

graemel

7,226 posts

247 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
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Your door mirrors should adjust in all directions. Give the mirror glass a little push to get it right

madala

5,063 posts

228 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
....the offset driving position plays havoc with my right hip on long journeys.....but I am getting on a bit.....smile

Kiwi Carguy

1,202 posts

246 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
I've never really found the driving position uncomfortable in my 993 but I'm pretty sure I have read on Rennlist about a spacer kit to bring the wheel closer. That's probably about the best you could do.

wtdoom

3,742 posts

238 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
You can get a specialist to put a spacer on the steering wheel , it will be closer then .
I like to sit close so never really been an issue .

mbutchers

Original Poster:

703 posts

250 months

Saturday 13th April 2013
quotequote all
So, my normal positioning procedure is that I adjust the seat height and position, and then adjust the wheel out until the top of the rim touches my wrists with arms outstretched... This gives me a nice relaxed bent arm position with hands at 3 and 9 o'clock.
The problem is that with the wheel being non adjustable, my knees are a little too high and bent and interfere with the bottom of the wheel with my arms at their correct reach. I reckon that 50mm will do it, maybe even less. So it looks like a spacer with a better looking wheel if poss.
Anyone know where.... the usual googling is producing nada....