971 UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS
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Joined: Sep 2018
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971 UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS
I just bought a 971 Panamera Turbo. Super excited about the car. After driving it for 30 minutes I noticed my back started hurting and so did my friend's back who was in the passanger's seat. Previously to this i had an M6 and could drive for hours. I have 14 way seats. I heard that the 18 way seats are much more comfortable and are much softer. I don't know what to do now. I am wiling to buy these 18 way seats and install them myself or maybe find some cushion 
In any case, does anyone have experience with this and is there a good solution? If there is a totaled car with 18 way saddle brown seats let me know
Thanks
Gleb
In any case, does anyone have experience with this and is there a good solution? If there is a totaled car with 18 way saddle brown seats let me know
Thanks
Gleb
Last edited by imgleb; Sep 15, 2018 at 05:05 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,049
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From: Manitou Springs, CO
Seats are such a personal preference. Only way to know if they are comfortable is to get some time in them. See if you can borrow a Panamera with 18-ways for a weekend.
Personally, I love my 14-way seats. Best seats I've had outside of my wife's Volvo.
Personally, I love my 14-way seats. Best seats I've had outside of my wife's Volvo.
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Joined: May 2012
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When I bought my second 970 I had issues with the 14 way seat although it was supposed to be the same as the car I traded. I was convinced something was wrong so returned to the dealer and tried other panamera seats. What I did find is one of my seat adjustments, seat tilt IIRC was set to a crazy position. Once that was fixed, the seat was a comfortable as the car I traded.
So spend a lot of time varying the adjustments before returning to the dealer. Good luck.
So spend a lot of time varying the adjustments before returning to the dealer. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 148
I would agree. Note which setting makes your back hurt. Try adjusting.
Start with all settings in the most relaxed settings (most open, most accommodating). Then, start tightening things up one setting at time. Once you think you got a set, save in position 1.
Make additional adjustments and save in the other position 2, then position 3. This way you can switch between the changes quickly.
I have the 18-way sport seats. Drove from San Diego for 18 hours non stop, and loved every second of it, despite not knowing well how to set up seats.
However must say comfort is such a personal thing, no one else can give you pointers on to make it more comfortable better than you.
Let us know how you made out.
Start with all settings in the most relaxed settings (most open, most accommodating). Then, start tightening things up one setting at time. Once you think you got a set, save in position 1.
Make additional adjustments and save in the other position 2, then position 3. This way you can switch between the changes quickly.
I have the 18-way sport seats. Drove from San Diego for 18 hours non stop, and loved every second of it, despite not knowing well how to set up seats.
However must say comfort is such a personal thing, no one else can give you pointers on to make it more comfortable better than you.
Let us know how you made out.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 298
Likes: 36
i know the comfort seats from the bmw too well after having them across various models in the last 12 years. HAving moved to a 971 with 18 way seats, I really can't complain. I feel more tucked in with the seats, one of the reasons why i bought the 18 way instead of the 14 way
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 267
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From: SF Bay Area
I would like to find out more from others as well. My Panamera Turbo S seats I think either 14 ways and very very firm. It is much firmer than the Cayenne or the Macan and might be even firmer than my 996 C4S.
For others talking about tilted seat, was something broken on the sesr or just the adjustment being off?
pL
For others talking about tilted seat, was something broken on the sesr or just the adjustment being off?
pL
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I've had a couple of Porsches in the past, currently a 991.2. I got a Panamera 4 with base seats as a loaner and in about 15 mins my back started to hurt badly. I found the driving position a bit odd but related to the alignment of my right hip with the gas pedal. Seem the latter is a bit to the left making you force your right hip inwards (adduction). Given your back thoracic spine is somewhat steady on the seat, the lumbosacral spine is forced to bend (levo concave).
That doesn't happen on the 911 at all. Neither the Cayenne 958.2. I don't know about the new Cayenne.
I drove the ST equipped with the 18w seats on the PSDS and I don't recall that happening, but it was on a figure of 8, at high speed/hard braking and only for a few minutes.
I also noted the A pillars are way too inside of the car and my head is right by the B pillar. I'm going to measure the distance between the pillars and compare to the wife's cayenne.
I would try to return the car, but that's a long shot, depending on the dealer. Maybe they have a model with 18w seats for you to try, for at least an hour I would think, before attempting a trade or return. I doubt this is news to PCNA, but like the PDK stumble on the 991, they will pretend that doesn't exist.
That doesn't happen on the 911 at all. Neither the Cayenne 958.2. I don't know about the new Cayenne.
I drove the ST equipped with the 18w seats on the PSDS and I don't recall that happening, but it was on a figure of 8, at high speed/hard braking and only for a few minutes.
I also noted the A pillars are way too inside of the car and my head is right by the B pillar. I'm going to measure the distance between the pillars and compare to the wife's cayenne.
I would try to return the car, but that's a long shot, depending on the dealer. Maybe they have a model with 18w seats for you to try, for at least an hour I would think, before attempting a trade or return. I doubt this is news to PCNA, but like the PDK stumble on the 991, they will pretend that doesn't exist.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 267
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From: SF Bay Area
Thanks for your detailed input on the car John. I purchased the car private party from the second owner so I don’t have a whole lot of recourse, other than selling the car. And I definitely do not want to do that. Will try to play around with the seats to get a comfortable position, but it definitely is firmer than my 996 standard Porsche seats.
I've had a couple of Porsches in the past, currently a 991.2. I got a Panamera 4 with base seats as a loaner and in about 15 mins my back started to hurt badly. I found the driving position a bit odd but related to the alignment of my right hip with the gas pedal. Seem the latter is a bit to the left making you force your right hip inwards (adduction). Given your back thoracic spine is somewhat steady on the seat, the lumbosacral spine is forced to bend (levo concave).
That doesn't happen on the 911 at all. Neither the Cayenne 958.2. I don't know about the new Cayenne.
I drove the ST equipped with the 18w seats on the PSDS and I don't recall that happening, but it was on a figure of 8, at high speed/hard braking and only for a few minutes.
I also noted the A pillars are way too inside of the car and my head is right by the B pillar. I'm going to measure the distance between the pillars and compare to the wife's cayenne.
I would try to return the car, but that's a long shot, depending on the dealer. Maybe they have a model with 18w seats for you to try, for at least an hour I would think, before attempting a trade or return. I doubt this is news to PCNA, but like the PDK stumble on the 991, they will pretend that doesn't exist.
That doesn't happen on the 911 at all. Neither the Cayenne 958.2. I don't know about the new Cayenne.
I drove the ST equipped with the 18w seats on the PSDS and I don't recall that happening, but it was on a figure of 8, at high speed/hard braking and only for a few minutes.
I also noted the A pillars are way too inside of the car and my head is right by the B pillar. I'm going to measure the distance between the pillars and compare to the wife's cayenne.
I would try to return the car, but that's a long shot, depending on the dealer. Maybe they have a model with 18w seats for you to try, for at least an hour I would think, before attempting a trade or return. I doubt this is news to PCNA, but like the PDK stumble on the 991, they will pretend that doesn't exist.
RL Community Team
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Originally Posted by bzliteyear
Thanks for your detailed input on the car John. I purchased the car private party from the second owner so I don’t have a whole lot of recourse, other than selling the car. And I definitely do not want to do that. Will try to play around with the seats to get a comfortable position, but it definitely is firmer than my 996 standard Porsche seats.
As you said, try different positions. Use the memories and exchange as you drive. Some exercises can help too, build up your waist muscles to reinforce your spine.
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Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My experience: I have a 1 month old (1,030 miles) 2018 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid with the 14 way seats. I always thought the seats were great when test driving. However on the first semi long drives (100 miles) I noticed my back aching. Not sure if it was the seats or not causing the discomfort, I started making more adjustments and trying different settings. I think I found the right combination as I made a 2 way trip yesterday totaling close to 300 miles. My back felt fine and no pain at all. I hope that it was due to just playing until I found that sweet spot. So I encourage you to keep trying different settings and I wish you the best as the car is truly one to enjoy.