Lightweight seats...what's the deal?

[RMDB9]

A lot of people seem to care about the lightweight seats option. Can someone explain why? The cars are generally quite heavy, so I guess the weight saving would not make a noticeable difference to how the cars behave.

Or is it more because of their rarity which makes them so desirable for some?

Then again...owing an AM is an expensive pleasure in general, so why not take some 10,000 GBP and retro-fit them, it does not make much of a difference money-wise when looking at total cost of ownership.

[chesby]

The lighter weight of the seats is not a consideration to me, I’m a fat bd.

Both myself and my mrs, who is 5’ 8” and a size 12 find the light weight seats in our V12 Vantage S more comfortable than the sports seats we had in our previous V8.

The lightweight seats, in my opinion, also suit the hardcore nature of the V12 Vantage better than the sports seats.

[nickv8]

Same as Chesby - more comfortable. I’m looking for a V12 Vantage and really want these seats. I had two V8 Vantages, both with standard sports seats and I never found them particularly comfy even with so many possible adjustments.

I’ve tried the CF lightweights and they are instantly more comfy.

Only downside is that they don’t have side airbags which is not as good mentally when I take my son. I never use heated seats, so losing that aspect doesn’t bother me.

Oh - and they look great!

The weight saving is nothing to do with it for me.

[leman600]

As nickv8 says.
I like the comfort of them but further adding to the exclusivity is probably the main point.
Retrofit-I think the button on the side of the dash that tilts the seat fully forward is not on other models so a small consideration.
Also retrofitting anything on AM not so well accepted as on other makes. (rightly or wrongly)

[JohnG1]

(A) look cool
(B) feel more connected to the car - less padding so you feel the road more
(C) feels like - but not measured - lower in the car
(D) look cool

Lightweight - not bothered. If I wanted lightweight then drop the B&O or, more sensible, buy a 911 GT3 RS. Or a 911 GT2 RS if feeling ballsy...

[phumy]

They just look so right in the Vantage, mine are alcantara and they dont need heaters as they dont feel cold. The longest ive sat in mine driving is just over 4 hours in one stint and didnt feel any aches/pains whatsoever, cant fault them.

[IanV12VSRs]

I have had both and now prefer the CF seats. When I specced my V12VR seriously thought about including them but they felt quite harsh and decided not to go with them. When Flugplatz came along tried the CF seats again and felt they were less harsh, more comfortable and just felt very right. They really are superb, suit the character of the car so well and didn’t think twice in getting them on the AMR when that was specced.

[cypriot]

from a seating position, the CF seats feel like you sit in them. The sports seat feel like you sit on them. Big difference, with the CF being miles better from a driving perspective.

[V8V Pete]

Connection with the car totally different. Just drive a car with them and you'll know ......

They do also look very cool and the bolsters don't wear like the standard seats do.

[GrahamPM]

I've had 2 (or 3 if you include the one that I rejected on collection day!) V8 Vantages, the first with the standard sports seats, the second a N400 spec with carbon seats.
I'm tall at 6'3", and long in the body, so the lower the seat the better - and that's exactly the reason that now I'm looking for a V12S, it has to have the lightweight carbon seats.
I'm sure someone on PH did an upgrade with Works Service to LW Carbon - I'd be interested on the cost, as I've seen numerous suitable looking cars only to see they have the regular seat!
Cheers
Graham

[chesby]

GrahamPM said:

I've had 2 (or 3 if you include the one that I rejected on collection day!) V8 Vantages, the first with the standard sports seats, the second a N400 spec with carbon seats.
I'm tall at 6'3", and long in the body, so the lower the seat the better - and that's exactly the reason that now I'm looking for a V12S, it has to have the lightweight carbon seats.
I'm sure someone on PH did an upgrade with Works Service to LW Carbon - I'd be interested on the cost, as I've seen numerous suitable looking cars only to see they have the regular seat!
Cheers
Graham

I’ve heard from more than one AM dealer that they don’t like speccing the lightweight seats because apparently they are harder to sell.

I think in certain models such as the V12S they are essential. Lightweight seats were the only “Must Have” when I was looking for my V12S.

Luckily I found one.

[RMDB9]

Ok thanks. So the standard seats are rubbish, and the lightweights are how they should have been from the beginning?

In my early DB9, I have the 1st gen seats, before the ones with the little window below neck height. They are ok, but lumbar support does not extend far enough.

[nickv8]

RMDB9 said:

Ok thanks. So the standard seats are rubbish, and the lightweights are how they should have been from the beginning?

In my early DB9, I have the 1st gen seats, before the ones with the little window below neck height. They are ok, but lumbar support does not extend far enough.

I wouldn’t go quite so far to say the standard sport seats are rubbish, but the CF seats are a definite highlight in Vantage on the forecourt

[nickv8]

GrahamPM said:

I'm sure someone on PH did an upgrade with Works Service to LW Carbon - I'd be interested on the cost, as I've seen numerous suitable looking cars only to see they have the regular seat!

I did make a loose enquiry a year ago and it was approaching £20k (!!!). Over £10k for the frame and the rest for trim and fitment.

Some settings need changing as the side airbags are deleted and as someone else mentioned, there’s a fold button.

As you can imagine, not remotely worth it for a V8, IMHO.

[Jon39]

I am reliably informed that as we grow older, knees are often 'not quite what they used to be'.
The painless way to exit cars, then become the legs swing first action. That might not be possible with the lightweight seats.
A small point, but something to consider if your car is a keeper.

[RMDB9]

leman600 said:

Also retrofitting anything on AM not so well accepted as on other makes. (rightly or wrongly)

Really? Even if AM offers facelift bumpers etc.?

[Dewi 2]

GrahamPM said:

I'm sure someone on PH did an upgrade with Works Service to LW Carbon - I'd be interested on the cost, as I've seen numerous suitable looking cars only to see they have the regular seat!

Yes indeed.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

No mention of cost, but possibly this gentleman did not have to pay retail.

[lime1]

Jon39 said:

I am reliably informed that as we grow older, knees are often 'not quite what they used to be'.
The painless way to exit cars, then become the legs swing first action. That might not be possible with the lightweight seats.
A small point, but something to consider if your car is a keeper.

My left knee is fairly knackered as a result of an ACL rupture around 36 years ago. I manage still with the lightweight seats on my V12V although I do admit my entry and exit technique may have changed a little. I still wouldn't go back to sports seats which I had on previous V8V and DBS for all the reasons already mentioned and nothing to do with saving weight. Look cool and really comfortable.

[cornershop]

The lightweight seats are strange in that they are more comfortable than they look - 4-5hrs seat time in one hit is no issue for me.

Compare that to my previous Recaro Pole Position (in my old 911) - 2 hrs max before left leg/butt cheek started feeling numb.

Might just be extra padding in the V12 seat, the PP was quite thin in this respect.

[hashluck]

V8V Pete said:

Connection with the car totally different. Just drive a car with them and you'll know ......

They do also look very cool and the bolsters don't wear like the standard seats do.

This,