This has been discussed plenty. LWBS = 39lbs, standard seats = 47lbs, 18-way = 62lbs. Thus, they weigh 30lbs more total than the standard seats. This extra weight is centrally located in the car. It will make no difference whatsoever in performance. I love the adjustability of these seats, and I had to have heated seats driving a Spyder in the Northeast US, so this was the only choice for me. I had 18-way in my previous Cayman GTS and in my daily driver Macan GTS. If cost is not an issue, then there is no practical reason not to get the 18-way over the standard. If you really want the LWBS, that is a different matter. There are also other weight savings measures you can take. For the price of LWBS, you can get the 18-way and then do a lightweight battery, for instance. Or get PCCB, which drop weight in a location that it makes a bigger difference.

 

wizee had a different weight summary which I linked few posts ago:

Summary:

• 18-way sport seats plus weigh approximately 127 lbs (63.4 lbs x 2)
• 2-way sport seats plus weigh around 86 lbs (43.2 lbs x 2)
• LWBS weigh around 76 lbs (38 lbs x 2)

To me, the 2ways at only 10lbs premium over the LWBS are all but indistinguishable from them in terms of weight but more comfortable AND can be heated. The 18ways at a 50lbs premium over the LWBS not so much. For me, both the 2ways and LWBS are almost a perfect (custom) fit and see no reason to pay the 18way's $$ and LB premium. I just don't need all those motors whirring in my seats for my backroads fun cars. For the highway luxo-sedan mule, sure. YMMV.

 

I’ve owned the standard sport seats (14 way, narrow at the top), sport plus 18-way and sport plus 2-way. I had the 18 way on my Targa and I have 2-way on the Turbo S.

For me, I don’t fit right in the regular sport seats and won’t buy a Porsche with them. They push at my shoulders but I’m a bigger guy with broad shoulders.

I can confirm that the 18 way and 2 way are the same seat from a shape, size, materials and comfort perspective. The bolsters on the 2 way are not adjustable like on the 18 and the 2 way is like the 18 way in the widest setting which I liked. Smaller folks may prefer the adjustable bolsters to bring them in tighter and people that like to pump lumbar support out will also prefer the 18s.

For me, I will be ordering the sport plus 2-way. I find them to be super comfortable. I have never needed the 18 way adjustments and would prefer to put the $$ elsewhere. In terms of resale, I’ve seen regular sport seats hurt a car’s price/marketability but I haven’t seen that between the 2 way and 18 way sport plus seats.

 

For me, I love the absolute precision fit you can obtain with the 18-way. When I am out on a 3-4 hour mountain drive, the comfort and adjustability become huge factors. This has nothing to to do with being a luxo-sedan. It has to do with the enjoyment of longer driving experiences. All depends on how you use your car.

 

OK, my typical backroad runs are in the 30min-2hrs range which I have no problem doing in either buckets or 2-way SS+. Maybe I too would need the 18ways if I was doing 3-4hr runs on a regular basis, though I doubt it.

Ultimately, I think it's just a matter of fit. If you're lucky that the LWBS and 2way fit you nicely, then you probably won't see the need to pay the $$ and LB premium for the 18ways. If you're not, then the 18ways make perfect sense. Makes no sense to suffer in discomfort to save 40/50lbs.

 

I do 6 to 8 hour day drives in my Turbo with the Sport plus 2-ways and love it. Less to fiddle with

Trying to pick seats online is like trying to buy a couch based on someone else’s experience sitting on it. There is no way to know other than to find the seats and try them out.

 

https://rennlist.com/forums/718-gts-...l#&gid=1&pid=7

If you look at halfmonkey's post on "non PTS database" near the end you can find some interesting pie charts.

0.6% opted for 14 ways
15.6% 2 ways (sports seat plus standard I think)
28.9% 18 ways
54.8% LWBS

So twice as many opted for 18 ways vs 2 ways and twice as many opted for LWBS vs 18 ways. Keep in mind the majority of the cars (86%) are GT4's and Spyders.

 

I had the 2 ways in my Boxster. I would consider them again under two conditions: I’m the only driver and I’m not driving for long distances. I have 14 way in my Macan Turbo and 18 way in my Targa GTS. I could live with 14 way, but the 18s are just so infinitely adjustable and are the sportier seats over the 14s. I can drive from VA to IL with ease in the 14 ways, but they are a little more comfy than the 718 14 ways.

My wife and I both drive our cars so when we put the order in for the Spyder, we easily agreed on the 18 ways despite not having memory. I got tired of having to lower the seat every time, it’s not fast or easy. And my wife got sick of raising it. Moving fore and aft isn’t so bad. But at least with power, it’s an easier process to move the seat. Also my wife has sciatica so all the adjustability helps her stay in the car longer with or without me. And I must confess sometimes I need a little back and bolster support which is nice to have. As beautiful as those LWBS are, I just can’t use them.

As far as resale, maybe if you’re selling the GT4 as a pure track car, then you’d buy it with as few options as possible and resale would be easy to the right buyer. However, I kind of feel the Spyder is for a different driver who wants it all, the GT experience with creature comforts.....that’s me lol.

 

Thanks for the great stats

 

Hopefully it's clear to anyone trying to decide among the several seat options that the 18-way Adaptive Sport Seat Plus is not the same base seat as the 14-way Power Sport Seat only adjustable in four additional ways. It is a completely different seat to begin with. That said, the 2-way Sport Seat Plus is the same seat as the 18-way but without the multitude of motorized adjustments.

 

Is it accurate to say the 2 way seats get you the lowest in the car between the non carbon seats?

 

I’m honestly not sure, I think they seemed the same to me when I was trying them out. It may be an optical illusion that the LWBS is higher because of the taller side bolsters but they are deeply scalloped.

 

Thanks, is the lever on the right , big horizontal one for upward or downward movement of the seat? Behind it i guess is the power switch for backrest adjustment

 

Not to thread jack, but does anybody have a good link about swapping seats? I've searched and haven't found anything great.

I'm thinking of buying the two way sport seats for DD and store the LWBS for track days. I have read it isn't too hard to do.

 

From talks I've had with track folks and mechanics it's a hassle and not a good idea to swap seats between street and track use. You will eventually strip the bolts and things will become loose which can become a safety issue, as well. Though some people do it for rare track events.