2001 Boxster S

[ConnectionError]

ATM said:

Today I learnt that Recaro SPG do not fit in a Boxster if you are taller than 4 foot

Are you?

[ATM]

ConnectionError said:

Are you?

I'm not a gimp

[Mikeeb]

ATM said:

Hi the offer I emailed a while ago still stands.

[ATM]

Mikeeb said:

ATM said:

Hi the offer I emailed a while ago still stands.

I'm not giving up yet. I'm going to try to angle the seat a bit and see if I can make it fit. You only want the XL seat right? I'd like to at least sit in it for a bit before giving up on it.

[Mikeeb]

ATM said:

I'm not giving up yet. I'm going to try to angle the seat a bit and see if I can make it fit. You only want the XL seat right? I'd like to at least sit in it for a bit before giving up on it.

Hi

I’ve not tried either sizes to be honest. But my guess was the xx would be better. But if the standard suits then that’s would work too.
If you want to take it further PM me.

Cheers

[ATM]

So I've tried fiddling with the mount. Here is a before and after pic. Seat is oriented rear left and front right.

You can see I have tried to angle the seat as upright as poss.

What you cant see is the bottom of the seat is interfering with its mount at the front so it cant go any lower in those criss cross holes.

Even with the seat in this super upright position it is still interfering with the roll over hoops and wont go far enough back to give me any legroom.

[ATM]

My next option is to remove a Pole Position from the 911 and try that in the Boxster. Either with the mount from the 911 or with the BBI mount. I'm pretty sure the 911 mounts holding the Pole Positions are not adjustable so there are just 2 holes for the seat in the side mount and that's that. I'll know more once I have one removed. The Pole Positions in the 911 have always felt a bit odd in that they are raked too much for my liking.

[shalmaneser]

Have you looked at the Cobra Nogaro seat?

They look like a nice road car compromise and are supposed to be pretty comfy. I know they fit nicely in the 996 and I guess they work well in the 986 too.

[ATM]

I've decided I dont fit in the car with standard seats. 9x7 seats better than 9x6 but still a bit cramped. So idea was to try some buckets I already have to get a feel for room available. If I cant get comfy then the car can go. If I can get comfy then it can stay. I assumed a bucket from a 996 would just slot in. Hadn't thought about the roll over hoops.

[RM]

How about Elise seats?

[ATM]

RM said:

How about Elise seats?

I'm sure there is a solution out there. I'm more mindful now about seat back height and headrest width. I've seen some cute looking retro buckets with small headrests. Maybe no headrest is the way to go.

[ATM]

ATM said:

My next option is to remove a Pole Position from the 911 and try that in the Boxster. Either with the mount from the 911 or with the BBI mount. I'm pretty sure the 911 mounts holding the Pole Positions are not adjustable so there are just 2 holes for the seat in the side mount and that's that. I'll know more once I have one removed. The Pole Positions in the 911 have always felt a bit odd in that they are raked too much for my liking.

So I finally got around to this. Took the Recaro Pole Position from the 911 and transferred one over to the BBI mounts which are more adjustable. They fit well. The seat above which didn't fit so well was way higher or taller. The Pole Position still sits quite high - I'll get some better pics showing how the back interfaces with the hoops and the rear bulkhead. But the good news is I can feel the back of the Pole Position now is hard up on the bulk head. I have a lot more leg room as a result which is exactly what I wanted.

I've added some pics below. One is the seat forward to show the angle or incline and the next is all the way back. Yes I left the BBI side mounts back to front because I didn't want to completely dismantle them. Whoever assembled them before Me ground a lot of the bolt threads down and therefore I didn't want to get into any thread / cross thread related problems.

The last 2 pics show leg room. You can clearly see in the first pic that I have a couple of inches between thigh and wheel this is with feet off the pedals. In the next I have my left on the clutch and still have a good inch of room. No need to even think about centre console delete although I might still go this way we'll see. And obviously this is with the standard steering wheel for now.

So now I'll drive the car around for a few days and see how we get on. If I like the new setup then the car has a better chance of staying. If it's staying then I can start working through some of the niggles or issues. I wasn't motivated to do that before when I didn't really fit in the car.

[nismo48]

ATM said:

ATM said:

My next option is to remove a Pole Position from the 911 and try that in the Boxster. Either with the mount from the 911 or with the BBI mount. I'm pretty sure the 911 mounts holding the Pole Positions are not adjustable so there are just 2 holes for the seat in the side mount and that's that. I'll know more once I have one removed. The Pole Positions in the 911 have always felt a bit odd in that they are raked too much for my liking.

So I finally got around to this. Took the Recaro Pole Position from the 911 and transferred one over to the BBI mounts which are more adjustable. They fit well. The seat above which didn't fit so well was way higher or taller. The Pole Position still sits quite high - I'll get some better pics showing how the back interfaces with the hoops and the rear bulkhead. But the good news is I can feel the back of the Pole Position now is hard up on the bulk head. I have a lot more leg room as a result which is exactly what I wanted.

I've added some pics below. One is the seat forward to show the angle or incline and the next is all the way back. Yes I left the BBI side mounts back to front because I didn't want to completely dismantle them. Whoever assembled them before Me ground a lot of the bolt threads down and therefore I didn't want to get into any thread / cross thread related problems.

The last 2 pics show leg room. You can clearly see in the first pic that I have a couple of inches between thigh and wheel this is with feet off the pedals. In the next I have my left on the clutch and still have a good inch of room. No need to even think about centre console delete although I might still go this way we'll see. And obviously this is with the standard steering wheel for now.

So now I'll drive the car around for a few days and see how we get on. If I like the new setup then the car has a better chance of staying. If it's staying then I can start working through some of the niggles or issues. I wasn't motivated to do that before when I didn't really fit in the car.

Looks tight, but fair play and perseverance usually pays off

[Greedydog]

ATM said:

So I finally got around to this. Took the Recaro Pole Position from the 911 and transferred one over to the BBI mounts which are more adjustable. They fit well. The seat above which didn't fit so well was way higher or taller. The Pole Position still sits quite high - I'll get some better pics showing how the back interfaces with the hoops and the rear bulkhead. But the good news is I can feel the back of the Pole Position now is hard up on the bulk head. I have a lot more leg room as a result which is exactly what I wanted.

I've added some pics below. One is the seat forward to show the angle or incline and the next is all the way back. Yes I left the BBI side mounts back to front because I didn't want to completely dismantle them. Whoever assembled them before Me ground a lot of the bolt threads down and therefore I didn't want to get into any thread / cross thread related problems.

The last 2 pics show leg room. You can clearly see in the first pic that I have a couple of inches between thigh and wheel this is with feet off the pedals. In the next I have my left on the clutch and still have a good inch of room. No need to even think about centre console delete although I might still go this way we'll see. And obviously this is with the standard steering wheel for now.

So now I'll drive the car around for a few days and see how we get on. If I like the new setup then the car has a better chance of staying. If it's staying then I can start working through some of the niggles or issues. I wasn't motivated to do that before when I didn't really fit in the car.

Depending on your desired level of comfort, you could remove the base cushion to see how much extra space that gives, then replace/modify with a thinner version?

[ATM]

Greedydog said:

ATM said:

So now I'll drive the car around for a few days and see how we get on. If I like the new setup then the car has a better chance of staying.

Depending on your desired level of comfort, you could remove the base cushion to see how much extra space that gives, then replace/modify with a thinner version?

So the seat position feels good. It's maybe a little upright but the legroom is great. I'm really happy with it.

However I've found a puddle of water in the passenger side under the mat which is now removed. Had a good feel around. Found some damp behind the driver seat too. But the passenger floor is not just damp It's an actual pool of water.

[ATM]

Now have the passenger seat in. I'm not using the standard belt buckle clasp thing - not sure what we call this - but instead testing a universal version I found on eBay. It has webbing and is therefore more bendy and its a big longer so it is much easier to use. I sourced this for some different buckets in another car but thought I'd try it here and it is much much better so it will definitely be staying. I'll get some pics - the one below is from the other car.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125164782758

[ATM]

ATM said:

However I've found a puddle of water in the passenger side under the mat which is now removed. Had a good feel around. Found some damp behind the driver seat too. But the passenger floor is not just damp It's an actual pool of water.

Driving the car every day now. Damp definitely reduced. No more puddle in passenger footwell. Windows not really steaming up after driving the car. I suspect I need to check out the rear drains and the foam insert below the soft top but as the hard top is on I cant really get to this easily.

[ATM]

New seat belt duffers are in now

Edited by ATM on Wednesday 25th January 13:37

[ATM]

ATM said:

Been out driving most of the day. Did a good 5 or 6 hours. Initial impressions are -

It's a bit slower than my other cars which I'm used to. Went for a couple of over takes today in 3rd and then decided to brake and pull back in. It goes well if you ring the revs round over 5000. But below that it's quite lethargic. So I need to be grabbing 2nd for the over take instead of leaving it in 3rd.

The seat or seating position or both are really not working for me. Constant pain from my lower back. I had to stop a few times to just walk it off. Now I have been out of the car over an hour and I still have back pain. Oh dear. This must be priority number 1.

Brakes are very good and progressive and will really stop the car well if you stamp on them.

Air conditioning does not work. Been hot and bothered all day. Hard Top is still on as I will need an assistant to help me get it off.

Steering feel is not as good as I'd expect. I'm hoping this is related to the 9 year old tyres

Sporty back box has a bit too much boom for my liking.

Otherwise car is working well.

So I thought it was time for an overall update from when I first got the car to now because it feels like I have finally turned a corner with the car and that's why I'm starting to like it now. I had a big list of niggles which I'll explain here without going on too much .. hopefully. I've tried to put these in some form of priority order which will help me prioritise and focus my attention on the jobs which need doing first



1. DAMP / LEAKS
2. My legs did not fit
3. Boomy exhaust
4. Wheels and Tyres
5. Engine / Gearbox mounts
6. it's a bit lethargic below 5000
7. Rattles / Clunks - I think from Suspension
8. Gear shift sometimes feels out of alignment going from 2nd to 3rd
9. Air conditioning does not work
10. Rear plastic window pierced
11. Keys damaged - will sort this



1. DAMP / LEAKS
Fixed Almost
This was really p155ing me off obviously and that's why I've put it as number 1. I've wanted a 986 with HardTop for years and I finally get one and it leaks - badly. What's worse is taking it on and off the car is a 2 man job and I dont live with another man. Anyway I am now pleased to report that the car is sealed much better. It is not perfect yet but it is getting there. When I get in the car now the windows are basically dry inside and they dont really mist up. I still think I have some water getting in via the pollen filter which needs investigation and this was maybe one of my most serious water ingress problems which I didn't even know about. Also I get some damp behind the driver seat so suspect the foam liner and rear drains need to be checked. Will add to these to the To Do list below.

2. My legs did not fit
Fixed
Pole Positions give me much more legroom. I've only done some shorter stints in the car but I will try some longer stints and see how we get on.

3. Boomy exhaust
Fixed Almost
I put the original back box back on the car. It was much better at first but has recently started booming a bit. I think I have a blow or leak so it needs checking. Engine / Gearbox mounts could be making this worse if its all moving around too much.

4. Wheels and Tyres
Waiting
I did get a set of wheels freshly powder coated for the car but never bought tyres as I was dealing with the other niggles. I can get this finished next.



1. DAMP / LEAKS - Check Pollen Filter housing + the foam liner and rear drains
2. My legs did not fit - Fixed
3. Boomy exhaust - Standard exhaust is blowing a bit
4. Wheels and Tyres - Order some tyres
5. Engine / Gearbox mounts - might need to go somewhere for inspection or I could just change them
6. it's a bit lethargic below 5000 - Some people here have recommended a replacement MAF
7. Rattles / Clunks - I think from Suspension - might need to go somewhere for inspection
8. Gear shift sometimes feels out of alignment going from 2nd to 3rd
9. Air conditioning does not work - needs gassing or checking over - not a big deal to Me
10. Rear plastic window pierced - not too bothered about this for now as HardTop is on
11. Keys damaged - will sort this

[ATM]