2001 Boxster S
Discussion
Oh wow, the pictures really show just how much of a squeeze that is. That would really hurt the experience for me. Interesting that the 3cm extra you get on the seats can make such a big difference. Any chance of performing foam surgery on the seats? I know it's quite common on old Mazda's for tall people. Otherwise in with a bucket seat and low profile runners? 
Keep us updated. I'm interested in how you'll solve this!
Keep us updated. I'm interested in how you'll solve this! 
I bought myself a 2000 year boxster s a few months ago. The previous owner had swapped the standard seats out for the more modern ones found in the later models.
I'll try and find a tape measure to see of there's any difference compared to your measurements. I'm 6ft 3 and it's a struggle. I'm finding they don't go back quite far enough....
I'll try and find a tape measure to see of there's any difference compared to your measurements. I'm 6ft 3 and it's a struggle. I'm finding they don't go back quite far enough....
At 6’4 I had similar issues when I bought my first 986. There are a few things you can do to improve the situation.
1: Invest in a centre console delete. Google will give you the part numbers which are available from Porsche for about £120. This gives you much more space for your left leg.
2: Drive barefoot or in something thin-soled like TOM’s.
3: The engine access panel behind you seat has an inch thick layer of foam, presumably for sound proofing. You can shave it all off to gain a little in the angle the backrest can recline. A bread knife works well!
4: Find a trimer than can make up a custom, lower profile seat base cushion.
I did all of the above and transformed my enjoyment of the car.
Swapped it for a 981 earlier this year which is a much bigger car and has rake adjustment. That said, I’m glad I went for the PDK as it would be tight working a clutch.
1: Invest in a centre console delete. Google will give you the part numbers which are available from Porsche for about £120. This gives you much more space for your left leg.
2: Drive barefoot or in something thin-soled like TOM’s.
3: The engine access panel behind you seat has an inch thick layer of foam, presumably for sound proofing. You can shave it all off to gain a little in the angle the backrest can recline. A bread knife works well!
4: Find a trimer than can make up a custom, lower profile seat base cushion.
I did all of the above and transformed my enjoyment of the car.
Swapped it for a 981 earlier this year which is a much bigger car and has rake adjustment. That said, I’m glad I went for the PDK as it would be tight working a clutch.
Yes, get the centre console delete / GT3 console as per above. I'm 6ft3 and it makes a big difference.
Don't buy anywhere other than Porsche as Porsche themselves will be cheapest. For the entre console plus the plastic cap in the above image I paid about £160-£170 from Porsche Colchester (my local dealer). Cheapest I could find elsewhere was about £200. It was Metropole Blue and I placed my order on a Tuesday and it was at the dealer after shipment from Germany on the Thursday - not bad!
Don't buy anywhere other than Porsche as Porsche themselves will be cheapest. For the entre console plus the plastic cap in the above image I paid about £160-£170 from Porsche Colchester (my local dealer). Cheapest I could find elsewhere was about £200. It was Metropole Blue and I placed my order on a Tuesday and it was at the dealer after shipment from Germany on the Thursday - not bad!
So I've been driving this around now for almost a week. Put Tesco 99 in a couple of times so hopefully it's all reasonably recent petrol in the tank now. My driving is mainly just pootling around town so no chance for much WOT.
I did get stopped by some Police after a questionable overtake. They just had a quick chat and sent me on my way.
The car definitely seems to attract a lot more attention than I'm used to. I've never had a red car before so I am putting it down to the colour.
Other thoughts are the roof. I'm not loving the whole Boxster chop drama. So I guess I want the newer roof with glass window too.
I did get stopped by some Police after a questionable overtake. They just had a quick chat and sent me on my way.
The car definitely seems to attract a lot more attention than I'm used to. I've never had a red car before so I am putting it down to the colour.
Other thoughts are the roof. I'm not loving the whole Boxster chop drama. So I guess I want the newer roof with glass window too.
Loving this car.
Not its not perfect - I cant fit in, the exhaust is a bit asbo and the wheels / tyres need changing.
Otherwise I just love it. Cant quite put my finger on why. Perhaps its the glorious weather. Perhaps its the lovely smooth clutch action. Perhaps its the lovely brakes which just feel so right. Perhaps its the cars balance when throwing it around. Perhaps its not too fast so I can ring it out a bit without seriously braking the law. Perhaps its because it reminds me of my first Porsche.
Really pleased with the purchase. Not even interested in driving the other cars.
Not its not perfect - I cant fit in, the exhaust is a bit asbo and the wheels / tyres need changing.
Otherwise I just love it. Cant quite put my finger on why. Perhaps its the glorious weather. Perhaps its the lovely smooth clutch action. Perhaps its the lovely brakes which just feel so right. Perhaps its the cars balance when throwing it around. Perhaps its not too fast so I can ring it out a bit without seriously braking the law. Perhaps its because it reminds me of my first Porsche.
Really pleased with the purchase. Not even interested in driving the other cars.
ATM said:
Loving this car.
Not its not perfect - I cant fit in, the exhaust is a bit asbo and the wheels / tyres need changing.
Otherwise I just love it. Cant quite put my finger on why. Perhaps its the glorious weather. Perhaps its the lovely smooth clutch action. Perhaps its the lovely brakes which just feel so right. Perhaps its the cars balance when throwing it around. Perhaps its not too fast so I can ring it out a bit without seriously braking the law. Perhaps its because it reminds me of my first Porsche.
Really pleased with the purchase. Not even interested in driving the other cars.
I'm exactly the same with my Boxster at the moment. Everything is just judged to perfection, brakes, steering weight, creamy throttle response. It's not the fastest car I've ever owned, but I've never gelled with a car like I have with the Boxster.Not its not perfect - I cant fit in, the exhaust is a bit asbo and the wheels / tyres need changing.
Otherwise I just love it. Cant quite put my finger on why. Perhaps its the glorious weather. Perhaps its the lovely smooth clutch action. Perhaps its the lovely brakes which just feel so right. Perhaps its the cars balance when throwing it around. Perhaps its not too fast so I can ring it out a bit without seriously braking the law. Perhaps its because it reminds me of my first Porsche.
Really pleased with the purchase. Not even interested in driving the other cars.
In terms of the seating position, a 987 seat may be worth a try but I wouldn't invest too much in it just in case. I've had both (986 and 987) and whilst the later seats feel thinner (less padded), I think that in reality a lot of the increase in perceived room in the 987 actually comes from the steering rake adjustment.
LennyM1984 said:
In terms of the seating position, a 987 seat may be worth a try but I wouldn't invest too much in it just in case. I've had both (986 and 987) and whilst the later seats feel thinner (less padded), I think that in reality a lot of the increase in perceived room in the 987 actually comes from the steering rake adjustment.
I'd agree with this. I don't find my current 986 S too bad, but my old 2.7 gave me terrific back and hip problems.A small bean cushion helped a little. Another aspect is the clutch weight. A heavy one (sign of wear) can really ascorbate hip and back problems.
My 987's have felt a little better ergonomically but not night-and-day different.
Good tyres will help with steering feel, as can move to another compatible profile for the rim. But, in general, the way the steering loads up through bends is a well-known characteristic of a well-sorted 986. Second only to the Elise in my car history and, in its class, miles better than the Z4 and especially the S2000.
Personally rather than anything 'fancy' I'd go for a set of the regular 17" Boxster S wheels -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324718983269?hash=item4...
Refurbed in nice bright shiny OEM silver, coloured centres, and some good quality road biased tyres.
I experiemented with going from 205 to a 225 on mine to quell understeer on track and it ruined the steeering feel. Stick with 205 on the front, and maybe even go down to 235 on the back.
(Of all the 986/996/987/997 wheel and tyre combos, the early 17" Boxsters have the most pronounced stagger front to rear!).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324718983269?hash=item4...
Refurbed in nice bright shiny OEM silver, coloured centres, and some good quality road biased tyres.
I experiemented with going from 205 to a 225 on mine to quell understeer on track and it ruined the steeering feel. Stick with 205 on the front, and maybe even go down to 235 on the back.
(Of all the 986/996/987/997 wheel and tyre combos, the early 17" Boxsters have the most pronounced stagger front to rear!).
snotrag said:
Personally rather than anything 'fancy' I'd go for a set of the regular 17" Boxster S wheels -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324718983269?hash=item4...
Refurbed in nice bright shiny OEM silver, coloured centres, and some good quality road biased tyres.
I experiemented with going from 205 to a 225 on mine to quell understeer on track and it ruined the steeering feel. Stick with 205 on the front, and maybe even go down to 235 on the back.
(Of all the 986/996/987/997 wheel and tyre combos, the early 17" Boxsters have the most pronounced stagger front to rear!).
Yeshttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324718983269?hash=item4...
Refurbed in nice bright shiny OEM silver, coloured centres, and some good quality road biased tyres.
I experiemented with going from 205 to a 225 on mine to quell understeer on track and it ruined the steeering feel. Stick with 205 on the front, and maybe even go down to 235 on the back.
(Of all the 986/996/987/997 wheel and tyre combos, the early 17" Boxsters have the most pronounced stagger front to rear!).
The wider the front tyre the less steering feel. I changed from 225 18 to 205 17 on my 996 and it transformed the steering for the better. But this was without spacers. Recently I have added 15mm spacers to the 996 and its dramatically changed the steering feel again but not necessarily improved it. I think I preferred without spacers.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff