Considering there is actually not a Memory function (the reason I ordered the 18), is there a reason to keep the 18s? Is the 4 way still power? I was told 4way is manual, 18 was electric. Thanks for the help!

 

4 way is basically manual. no rake adjustment either. rake adjusts simultaneously with the seat's height adjustment. the seat back is the only power option on the 4 way. had them on my previous gt3 and will very likely go that way again.

18 way has more bolstering, etc. rake is independent.

 

I am the only driver of the car. Once seat position is set, there it will remain.

However, I understand the 18 way seat wings are adjustable and they may serve to keep you securely positioned. But more difficult to get in and out of the car.

 

I've had both. 18 way are no more difficult to exit. They just cost $2800 more. Their value is subjective. If they were free I'd take them.

 

One thought, when I was riding in mike's car in the twisty mountain roads, I could have used a bit more bolstering with the 4 way seats. I don't know if the 18 way seats are better in that aspect, and I would definitely never get them.. But for spirited driving a bit more lateral support would be good

 

I thought Mike had the 18 way? My plan is still buy 4 way, and then cough up the dough for the buckets when they are available.

I did see a recent 918 review though that said while the new buckets are comfortable, they are not as supportive as the 997 GT2/3 seats...which was a little concerning. I love the 997 gen buckets.

 

Mike, who? I thought that ride was hypothetical...

 

Mike, who indeed. FWIW, Mike had the 18 way seats and Alex could have tightened up the bolsters a bit if he had known. Hypothetically. The independent rake and extendable seat cushion for thigh support are the big advantages of the 18 way seats, AFAIC. The adjustable bolsters help on the 18 way but there's no getting around the fact that they aren't sport buckets. The 18 way seats are my hedge against the new buckets costing $12-15K aftermarket. I won't spend that much for seats.

 

I had the 18 Way seats on my C2S and now have the Base 4 Way Sport Seats
on my GT3 which I find just as comfortable. Basic seat shape appears to be the
same for both. I don't miss the 18 Way seats at all.

 

My understanding is that the steering wheel hight and front / back positioning is also adjustable with the 18 way. I figured that helped a lot in justifying the cost.

 

I think the steering is still manual with 18 way.

 

Appreciate that real world feedback. Exactly what I was hoping to hear.

 

I have the 4 way. I'm not sure about the math on these.

By my count there are 3 degrees of freedom;

- fore/aft (manual)
- seat back tilt (power)
- seat base rake (power)

What am I missing?

 

Chuck, FWIW, Porsche's describes it as a height adjustment with the rake being adjusted at the same time, within a narrow range. The other stuff is right; maybe they count fore and aft as "two ways"....there are no other adjustments AFAIK other than the ones you mentioned.

The thing I like about the 18 way seats is that even though they are the same basic seat as the 4 way, the height and rake can be adjusted independently over a wider range. I can get the seat into a "butt down" configuration that kind of mimics the sport buckets, but put them more level for comfortable long distance cruising. The lumbar adjustment helps my back on long trips and the thigh extension gives my legs more support. The bolster adjustments are a minor plus.

I think the 18 way seats offer definite advantages. Like every other option, it's whether they're worth the cost. To me, they were.

 

Yes, the seat base rack adjust does also change the height of the seat base - sort of - by tilting the back of the seat base up. If you want that seat base up, you are going to be sliding forward off the seat.

for me getting the seat base angle to something reasonable means 'all the way down'. So I sit very low in the car. this is not by choice, a higher seating position would improve visibility.