Which Seats?
Author
Discussion

Danpunch

Original Poster:

73 posts

101 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
Just placed an order for a Cayman GTS (Manual) but need to finalise spec. Currently have standard seats in 718BS which are fine/comfy but lack a little lateral support at times. Seriously contemplating the sports buckets (not the full). Pretty big decision and I can go and try them in a car on a test drive but wondered what they’re like to live with. This won’t be an everyday car so don’t need to worry about day to day journeys etc. I’m 6”2” but presumably they’re fully adjustable unlike the full buckets.
Thanks.

JasonSteel

587 posts

120 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
there's quite a bit of discussion on this on other threads but essentially the Sports buckets are the older seat and have no adjustment except backwards and forwards. i have these and find them extremely comfortable and they can be optioned with seat heating too. on a cold, crisp winter morning it's great as the seats warm up in seconds and keep you warm while the rest of the car warms up.

the Full buckets are more modern looking but can't be heated. they do however have up and down adjustment as well as back/forwards, and some prefer that they sit lower in the car than the Sports buckets.

i find non bucket seats uncomfortable and a bit numbing in comparison but as with everything, YMMV.

Geneve

3,999 posts

243 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
I’ve done my time in various Porsche buckets - from early 70s (M471) to the latest 918s (GT4) and folding (GT3T) and you know what, unless it was for track use with a harness, I’d go for Sports seats next time - especially on a GTS for road use.
The buckets can suit some people, but certainly not everyone, and I found them a pita for everyday use.
I’d put the money saved towards pccbs.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

289 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
I only buys cars with sports buckets.

You will get 3 answers 1/3 for each seat.
Been done to death and now a bad topic imo.
You just have got to buy the ones you want and really take zero advice on here, as some guys are 18stone and 6.5” and some guys are 8 stone and 5 foot, you don't get to see this on forums, also some people lie and stick up for the seats they already have......

I love the folding buckets that’s all I can say.
Would never spec sports seats on a new car.

Edited by Porsche911R on Saturday 18th January 10:48

Twinfan

10,125 posts

128 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
At 6 foot 2, I'd check the Sports Buckets (folding) don't sit too high in the cabin for you before you buy if that's the way you're leaning.

Danpunch

Original Poster:

73 posts

101 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
Appreciate the insight chaps. Looks like it’s not as straight forward as I’d expected. It’s a pricey option to get wrong. Will check other threads too.

craigjm

20,546 posts

224 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
The only issue I had with mine was that it meant getting in and out in car parks if a car was parked next to you a bit of a challenge. Women passengers tended not to like them either for similar getting into an out of reasons hehe once in though I thought they were supremely comfortable. Agree with need to try them as different heights and body shapes have different experiences

Budflicker

3,799 posts

208 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
I'm 6ft2 and have folding buckets in a 987 and they are very comfortable.
A little tricky to get in and out of as mentioned already.

They really look good as well, the 918 buckets look even better in my opinion.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

289 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
craigjm said:
The only issue I had with mine was that it meant getting in and out in car parks if a car was parked next to you a bit of a challenge. Women passengers tended not to like them either for similar getting into an out of reasons hehe once in though I thought they were supremely comfortable. Agree with need to try them as different heights and body shapes have different experiences
See I have done 35k plus miles in folding buckets and never given it a thought, my oh also loves them to bits.
Unless you are 95 it’s a non issue getting in imho.
Fat people have issues and sit on the side bolsters hence all the bent ones on 2k mile cars from obesity. But that’s why the 918 are bigger and macca now offer 2 size seats, people are getting bigger. These seats are a long way from a recaro pole or a 996 GT3 seat now days. But even then from my 5 cars ALL with buckets my OH loves the recaro poles the best and falls asleep in them. I also think they are the best seat over any Porsche oem setup. Now they are a tat harder to get into.
I have had too many cars to talk about but 918 styles seats are some of the worse seats I have owned to date.

But others will say they are the best seat they have sat it.
So you just goto buy what you fit in and like.

mr pg

2,044 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
Try the sports plus seats, they're a very good compromise. Very comfortable (do 2500mile plus trips in ours), and also much more supportive than the standards.
I'd like to have had buckets (my wife wouldn't!), but in my garage built in the '30s I have very, very limited door opening and there is no way I would get in or out of a bucket anyway.

craigjm

20,546 posts

224 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
mr pg said:
Try the sports plus seats, they're a very good compromise.
They are the standard seats on the GTS

jayxx83

543 posts

220 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
Agree with 911r. Had pole positions on a daily beat seats ever. The folding buckets were the only seats that reminded me of them unfortunately in my 987 spyder they weren’t heated, but that was the only bad thing.

Prob going to get a set of poles and retrim for my current 987. The seats have been designed by orthopaedic doctors. Nuff said. Any pain u feel is the body adjusting to how correct your posture should be.

IMI A

9,955 posts

225 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
OP go for these folded bucket seats if you can get comfortable. They're heated nowadays and very desirable come resale on a Boxster/Cayman or 911.

Think they're circa £10-12k new if you want buy them from parts afterwards so defo option on config if they fit you yikes


HokumPokum

2,086 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
The problem with the folding buckets... and I agree they fit better than 918 buckets is that they are positioned too high. In fact, they are positioned higher when seated than the standard sports seats.



HokumPokum

2,086 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th January 2020
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
See I have done 35k plus miles in folding buckets and never given it a thought, my oh also loves them to bits.
Unless you are 95 it’s a non issue getting in imho.
Fat people have issues and sit on the side bolsters hence all the bent ones on 2k mile cars from obesity. But that’s why the 918 are bigger and macca now offer 2 size seats, people are getting bigger. These seats are a long way from a recaro pole or a 996 GT3 seat now days. But even then from my 5 cars ALL with buckets my OH loves the recaro poles the best and falls asleep in them. I also think they are the best seat over any Porsche oem setup. Now they are a tat harder to get into.
I have had too many cars to talk about but 918 styles seats are some of the worse seats I have owned to date.

But others will say they are the best seat they have sat it.
So you just goto buy what you fit in and like.
I agree with all the above except you actually want the SPG.... they are narrower and even more snug. Can't get them wrapped in leather but why would you. Fabric is more grippy.

khushy

3,973 posts

243 months

Sunday 19th January 2020
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
See I have done 35k plus miles in folding buckets and never given it a thought, my oh also loves them to bits.
Unless you are 95 it’s a non issue getting in imho.
Fat people have issues and sit on the side bolsters hence all the bent ones on 2k mile cars from obesity. But that’s why the 918 are bigger and macca now offer 2 size seats, people are getting bigger. These seats are a long way from a recaro pole or a 996 GT3 seat now days. But even then from my 5 cars ALL with buckets my OH loves the recaro poles the best and falls asleep in them. I also think they are the best seat over any Porsche oem setup. Now they are a tat harder to get into.
I have had too many cars to talk about but 918 styles seats are some of the worse seats I have owned to date.

But others will say they are the best seat they have sat it.
So you just goto buy what you fit in and like.
What do you think of the Recaro Pole Positions please?

woodysnr

1,128 posts

252 months

Sunday 19th January 2020
quotequote all
My experience ...have non heated folding buckets in the 987 Spyder did not come with that option ….on my 981 Spyder I had folding buckets with heaters....I am in my 70,s 5.8 12st find the best way to get in and out is push the seats all the way back to get out and pull forward once in ...I have a short legs so in order to reach pedals have the seat well forward but need a small bolster which can be fitted under the alcantara just to give me that wee bit extra height ….the 918 seats have no heaters but as said do have height adjustment and suite me better .The fb are £2300 and the 918 are £3400 .If buying would go 918 they look good . every one has their own opinion just mine.

Steve Rance

5,453 posts

255 months

Monday 20th January 2020
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
I only buys cars with sports buckets.

You will get 3 answers 1/3 for each seat.
Been done to death and now a bad topic imo.
You just have got to buy the ones you want and really take zero advice on here, as some guys are 18stone and 6.5” and some guys are 8 stone and 5 foot, you don't get to see this on forums, also some people lie and stick up for the seats they already have......

I love the folding buckets that’s all I can say.
Would never spec sports seats on a new car.

Edited by Porsche911R on Saturday 18th January 10:48
This. Try all of them and buy the seats that you prefer. I prefer the full buckets but some (like 911R) prefer the folding buckets. No wrong or right but if you are tracking the car, makes sure that your seats will accomodate harnesses.


JayK12

2,369 posts

226 months

Monday 20th January 2020
quotequote all
Another one for Full Buckets. I'm 5'7 but find Sports Buckets just sit too high, I like to be sat on the floor though.

Armitage.Shanks

2,971 posts

109 months

Monday 20th January 2020
quotequote all
I'm 6' 01" and think the folding buckets are a bit low but they can be heated and a more comfortable than the 918 that somehow pushes you head/shoulders foward. So there you are everyone has a view.