Tall Porsche Drivers?

[RWD cossie wil]

Afternoon chaps, I am seriously looking at a 996 turbo for my next car, but one of my major concerns is that I seem a bit too tall for it? I am 6'4, average build but I just don't seem to "fit" the car?

I have driven my mates boxster (older shape 3.2s) a few times, which I am led to believe is the same size as a 996 interior, and always found it very cramped even with the seat right back, and sitting in the 911 (have only had chance to drive a turbo for a few minutes so hard to tell) I find the steering wheel is sitting on my legs, making it awkward to use the brake pedal, and difficult to put in large steering inputs.

How do any other tall people get on? Is there a way to drop the seat by an inch or two, or bring the steering wheel out/up further? The standard adjustment seems very limited.

[The Wookie]

I had a 997 C2 for a year and had no problems whatsoever and I'm 6'5", haven't driven a 996 or a Boxster I must admit but I've sat in a few and found the Boxster definitely a touch too short in the leg but didn't notice the same in the 996.

I'm surprised the wheel was too low on the 996, don't they have any adjustment?

[NorthDave]

I'm 6'5" and a fatty and have no problem. Seat as far back as it will go then adjust the back rest to suite. Granted it isn't Rolls type comfort but a few hours doesn't cripple me.

[RWD cossie wil]

Length (fnarr ) isn't really the problem, it is the vertical distance between the seat & steering wheel, & where the steering wheel sits across my thighs, makes me very nervous about being able to quickly hit the brake pedal & being able to get enough steering lock on quickly I need to.

[sundayjumper]

RWD cossie wil said:

...one of my major concerns is that I seem a bit too tall for it? I am 6'4, average build but I just don't seem to "fit" the car?

That's EXACTLY the problem I have. I'm the same height as you, no problem with headroom but the wheel is too low. It's only a partial solution but wearing very thin-soled shoes helps and I've changed the steering wheel to a slightly smaller diameter. That just about makes it OK. I reckon I could do with spacing the wheel towards me another inch or so.

Very poor pic of my wheel HERE.

FWIW I sat in a 997 at the same time as I looked at my 996 and it was only very marginally better. I subsequently tried a 991 and although they've finally added height adjustment to the wheel it's still too far away from me even at max extension. I've previously had a multitude of BMWs, 3, 5, 7 Series and an X5 and all of them were extremely comfortable. God knows why Porsche can't manage it.

[river_rat]

6 foot 6 and managed in a 996 for 4 years.

It certainly wasn't roomy, but was no problem either.

Boxster def has less leg room, I didn't buy one for that very reason but the 996 was OK.

[RWD cossie wil]

sundayjumper said:

RWD cossie wil said:

...one of my major concerns is that I seem a bit too tall for it? I am 6'4, average build but I just don't seem to "fit" the car?

That's EXACTLY the problem I have. I'm the same height as you, no problem with headroom but the wheel is too low. It's only a partial solution but wearing very thin-soled shoes helps and I've changed the steering wheel to a slightly smaller diameter. That just about makes it OK. I reckon I could do with spacing the wheel towards me another inch or so.

Very poor pic of my wheel HERE.

FWIW I sat in a 997 at the same time as I looked at my 996 and it was only very marginally better. I subsequently tried a 991 and although they've finally added height adjustment to the wheel it's still too far away from me even at max extension. I've previously had a multitude of BMWs, 3, 5, 7 Series and an X5 and all of them were extremely comfortable. God knows why Porsche can't manage it.

One solution I was thinking of is snap off steering wheel boss, as they move the wheel back towards the driver by about 2", and therefore up a bit as well? The airbag might be a problem though.... If the adjustment allowed it to pull upwards slightly all my troubles would be solved

[stuttgartmetal]

boxters are a bit, midgetty.
Dazren's run a 996TT for years. Had it fro new.
And he's a lot lot bigger than you.
He's f cking mahoosive.
And probably along to clump me round the ear'ole any second.

[sundayjumper]

RWD cossie wil said:

One solution I was thinking of is snap off steering wheel boss, as they move the wheel back towards the driver by about 2", and therefore up a bit as well? The airbag might be a problem though....

A quick release boss is on my radar too ! Airbag system can be tricked by using a 2.7 ohm resistor in place of the airbag, that's what I've done, no issues with warning lights. If you want an aftermarket wheel with an airbag you've got very limited choice and had better have deep pockets.

[Jay964rs]

I'm lending my 996tt to my mate for his wedding and he's 6ft 7".
He fit in alright without complaint.

[tjlees]

My 6ft7 friend fits and drives ok in a 996 but fits much better in a 997 turbo even with a sunroof. The seats from memory are standard and can be almost lowered to the deck.

[jsb]

When I was looking for my 997 I was told to look for the electric seats as they went lower, I am 6'5" and large build!

I fit ok, wheel not near my legs, but I never tried a manual seat so can't confirm, perhaps go try both!

[RtdRacer]

The Wookie said:

I had a 997 C2 for a year and had no problems whatsoever and I'm 6'5", haven't driven a 996 or a Boxster I must admit but I've sat in a few and found the Boxster definitely a touch too short in the leg but didn't notice the same in the 996.

I'm surprised the wheel was too low on the 996, don't they have any adjustment?

6'4", 17 stone ex-pro rugby player. Plenty of room in a 996, but wheel is a bit too low...

[gd]

I'm 6'7" and just under 17 stones, I ran a 996 C4S for 3 years, and have previously run another 996 and two Boxsters too.

My secret was something called the "GT3 console delete kit", a little trim set that replaced the console between the gearstick and dashboard (only works on non sat-nav cars as the console is then just a CD tray). By installing this you can put your legs either side of the steering wheel rather than under, and it worked just fine for me... lots of space.

Have just upgraded to a 997 turbo with sunroof and adaptive sports seats. Lots more room in there, so no modifications required.

Gary

[james280779]

6'5 17 stone and I drive an old '85 911. Plenty of room until shift into fifth which I have to move my knee to accomodate. You just get used to it.

I do also have a TVR Chimera 4.3, that has loads more room due to Peter Wheeler being 6'6 so they were specifically designed for tall people.

[RiccardoG]

I am 6ft5 (13 stone) and I found that 996s were not as comfortable for me to drive as the 997s with their adjustable steering and lower seating position (or less foam in seats).

I also don't fit in any RHD air cooled 911 as the steering is too offset and my knee gets in the way of the gearlever.

[tezza77]

RWD cossie wil said:

Length (fnarr ) isn't really the problem, it is the vertical distance between the seat & steering wheel, & where the steering wheel sits across my thighs, makes me very nervous about being able to quickly hit the brake pedal & being able to get enough steering lock on quickly I need to.

I am 6'5 and this is most definitely a problem for me.

Getting a decent amount of left hand lock is the biggest problem as the center console is in the way and doesn't leave enough room for knee + steering wheel, as you dial on the lock theres a hand vs knee incident.

Ultimately I will need to put on a different steering wheel to sort this out as it does border on dangerous at times but I knew it would be tight before buying the car and I decided its such a sweet car I would just live with it. I am really concious of it now so I try to plan ahead when im going to need a massive wedge of left hand down.

If a new steering wheel doesnt help then its off to the hospital to shorten the legs I think.

[Podro]

I'm 6' 7" and had the same problem until I fitted the cup steering wheel with eccentric boss. I'll post pics when home... Totally transformed the car for me and made it really driveable.

[Podro]

I really noticed a difference with my current 996 compared to the one I owned about 7 years ago, i.e. I couldn't position the steering wheel correctly in the current one, but could in the last. Suspect that is something to do with current comfort seats vs previous sports seats as the comfort's have a higher seat base.

The seat rails are not a problem as they actually go too far back so the wheel had to be swapped. I spoke to a few people and the best option to move the wheel closer to you is a 996 cup wheel which is heavily dished and you also have the option to fit an eccentric (off centre) boss adapter which lifts the wheel height.

In total I gained nearly 6cm in reach and 3cm in height over standard and it has transformed the car for me. They also feel amazing in alcantara and enhance the overall driving experience. I got the wheel from Carnewal with the boss and airbag deactivation resistor for about 350 GBP delivered and the eccentric boss adapter came from Demon Tweeks for about 25 GBP. Fairly straightforward DIY fit if you are reasonably competent with a soldering iron and take your time; in total about 3 hours.

Downsides are I have lost the airbag which I can live with, upsides are I can drive the car comfortably and the yellow band matches my ceramic calipers

[RWD cossie wil]

Great info there mate, thanks for taking the time to post the pic up.