I vote getting LWB seats and recovering the center cloth section to Pepita or similar pattern. I almost bought a Touring with 18 ways and had them spec LWB seats as a second set, the price was truly unbelievable, as in almost $30K. Doing the reverse would be much easier/less costly and having a set of LWB seats to sell... you would actually make money. In the end buy what you like but try the LWB seats, they are drop dead gorgeous but those who say they are comfortable... sometimes people make themselves believe certain things.

I had a 991.1 GT3 with 18-ways and a GT4 with standard 2-way sofas (basically same as the 4-way sofas standard on 911). Sure they were comfortable and easy to get into and out of.

Now one I have a 981 Spyder with LWBs, and while they are more of a chore to get into and out of, they not only look great and hold you snugly in place during spirited driving, but I actually find them more comfortable and supportive on hours long drives than I did even the 18-ways. I suppose the snug fit and forced posture is better for my back than slouching that the sofas allow.

Importantly, the LWBs seem to change the driving experience in a positive way if you’re into feeling as connected to the car as possible, which most GT enthusiasts are. They go lower and help you to feel at one with the car more than the sofas do.

Pay no attention to the peanut gallery here about which is more appropriate for a GT3 Touring, and get what you like. The car will be super special and hold its value well either way.

I have a GT3 Touring on order with LWBs (CXX ones actually, with houndstooth and piping), and am excited thinking about it. Were I ordering it to use as a DD, which I am not, I would probably go with the standard 4-ways for ease of access and comfort of passengers, as well as to save $$$$. For most people, the 4-ways are just as comfy, if not more so say some, as the 18-ways, and they look the same too.

I’ve had 4 ways in both my GT4 and now my touring. They fit me extremely well (though the buckets do too). The decision came down to folding and access to the rear seat area.

Currently if I had to do it again I think I’d probably go buckets. Tough call and it might be buyer’s regret speaking, but buckets seem more special. The surprise for me is that the Touring itself is special enough to really justify buckets. In the GT4 I had zero regrets specing 4 ways, but in the Touring they’re almost seem beneath the car (practicality be damned). Folding buckets would be my top choice, but in their absence LW buckets just work- they really play to the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” persona of the Touring IMHO....

I say that despite the fact that I’d probably still skip buckets in the winged GT3, where I almost feel like they’re trying too hard. If I really needed something I’d simply spring for a HANS ready Racetech.