tell me about 1980s Porsche 944 seats - specifically these

I think these are the "comfort seats" out of an '87 944. Local and very cheap for my rallycross build. Before I drive out and see them, just a couple quick questions for anyone who has actually had a 944 or used them.

Keep in mind, I'm 6'0 and about 170lbs.

1. how supportive are they? Anything is an upgrade over the "BMW comfort" seats in my '85 318, but will they hold me in place fine?
2. are they reasonably stiff frames? don't want no noodles...
3. I assume they're reasonably comfortable for the 2-hour drive to events.
4. basically, will they be worth getting for $100 for the pair (other one is in not as good cosmetic condition apparently)?
5. if you know how hard it will be to fit them into a e30 BMW, that would be a bonus!

My experience with those same style seats at 6'2" and 205# is that they have plenty stiff frames and are reasonably comfy (a rolled towel between the padding and springs in the lumbar area helps) but not at all supportive for sporty driving. Despite the looks they're pretty flat and didn't hold me in place much. The other issue I had was that my shoulders were pushed forward by the firm padding above the ribbed sprung center section, but I'm taller than you and my height is in my torso more than legs so it may not be an issue for you. Not worth it over the BMW seats IMO - better to find a set of used BMW E30 sport seats. Drop right in, good support and comfort.

I've had a few of them. They are super solid and very comfortable. Made by Recaro. One thing that I love about them is that the base is longer than most seats and offers support almost out to your knees. If they're leather, they may be a little slippery.

They are heavy. I have two in my basement next to a scale and I can measure them tomorrow if you'd like.

They would be very easy to adapt to another car, as the four mounting points are just a flat rectangle. The factory sliders are also flat and rectangular. I always wanted to put a pair in a Jeep, because they would be a perfect upgrade for that.

$100 is a bargain. The last set that I sold went for $200 and I felt like I was giving them away.

When I was shopping for a 911, I really wanted one with the Sport seats, which are really deep. But I bought a car with the Comfort seats and I was really impressed with the support they give. Sport seats look cool, but I'm not disappointed that I didn't go with them.

thanks, my BMW seats are basically broken and practically flop back over bumps, so anything is better than them.

E30 sport seats in non-destroyed condition seem to run considerably more than $100 for a pair on all the usual sites. Will keep looking though.

The way you describe these instantly brings to mind my stock Triumph GT6 seats, which is not a good thing.

woody, thanks. The two differing opinions tell me that I really shoudl just go sit in them, lol. I'm 6'0, but have longish legs and so they may fit me better than pigeon.

I could always add to the bolsters and have them recovered or somethign anyhow....or take out some padding from the middles to get them to be less flat.

interesting...

Here's a photo of the bottom of a two way power Comfort seat that I removed from my 911. The rails are on it in this picture. I wish I had a shot of one without the rails. The four rail to frame mounting bolts can't be seen here, but when the rails are removed, you have a small flat plate in each corner and they are all in the same plane.

If your seats are power, you should just need a switched 12v wire and a ground to make them work.

woody, what is the width between the mount holes on the rails - if you are able to measure them?

irish44j wrote: woody, thanks. The two differing opinions tell me that I really shoudl just go sit in them, lol. I'm 6'0, but have longish legs and so they may fit me better than pigeon. I could always add to the bolsters and have them recovered or somethign anyhow....or take out some padding from the middles to get them to be less flat. interesting...

They are expensive to recover. I think a pair of vinyl covers is about $600 and a pair of leathers cost about $1400. Plus installation.

I'm 6'1" and I like them. Go sit in them.

Here are some photos of Comfort seats from the side:

1987 911 Carrera:

1983 911SC (the $200 set):

irish44j wrote: woody, what is the width between the mount holes on the rails - if you are able to measure them?

Sorry, I'm not home right now to measure, but I'm almost 100% sure that it's 16". I replaced the '87 seats with a set of Sport seats from a 2004 911 GT3 and the width was the same. It wasn't exactly a drop-in, though.

so the 944 seats and the 911 seats are the same?

I am almost certain of it. I think that 924S seats have flatter bolsters than the 944s.

Look on the Pelican 911 Classified forum. There are always seats on there. People generally ask $200 per seat, but nobody ever buys them because they're so expensive to ship. (As I recall, they are about 35 pounds each). People get sick of having extra seats around and will drop the price if you're local. That's what I did.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/

and lol at you thinking I'd get them professionally recovered :)

These are for my rallycross car, so making them pretty is not high on the list of concerns.

yep, been looking there. Also fairly local there's a set for $250 in very nice condition, but I'm looking for cheap so $100 is alot better!

Buy an $800 944, take the seats and part out the rest.

I already have three cars here. The wife would not be a fan. Plus it's about to be winter and all my bays are full (all three of them)....so no parting!

Honestly, I hate parting and selling stuff. I have a ton of e30 parts that I could probably make some money on, but dealing with shipping stuff or meeting up with people is such a hassle sometimes.

I would not be good GRM challenge material, haha.

irish44j wrote: yep, been looking there. Also fairly local there's a set for $250 in very nice condition, but I'm looking for cheap so $100 is alot better!

Don't bother looking for GT3 seats then.

don't worry, I won't. I have a general rule that my seats should cost more than the car they're going in (a $1000 e30)

hmm, the e30 tracks are 17" width spread.....

Don't forget about the $250 new seats I posted about ;)

I am not a fan of the Comfort seats. They are too flat.

Yeah, I was looking hard at that thread.....but it's hard to buy seats without sitting in them first. I've been to OG Racing so many times, and I always try out all the race seats there and always find that I hate how most of them feel....so a bit apprehensive about buying some and just hoping they fit...we'll see.

Also that's $150 I wouldn't have available to buy other stuff for this low-budget project :)

Once I get a rollbar and want to use a harness, I'll get appropriate seats for that (like those in your link). For the time being I'd prefer a "street" seat I think....

irish44j wrote: hmm, the e30 tracks are 17" width spread.....

Ooh, that's easy!

yeah, wouldn't be real worried about it anyhow, since the recaros have removable bases anyhow, so would be pretty simple to modify :)

you have a secret easy method though?

irish44j wrote: yeah, wouldn't be real worried about it anyhow, since the recaros have removable bases anyhow, so would be pretty simple to modify :) you have a secret easy method though?

Two pieces of flat steel and four extra bolts.

I have the exact same seats in my 84 944. They are from an 86, the early seats are terrible. I am 6'3" 230 lbs and I love them for my car. They aren't race-seat like in their support but I was VERY pleasantly surprised at how supportive they were at the track. They are also all-day comfortable, I much prefer them to the seats in my IS300. My brother has a cloth set in his 944 and they are even better in terms of support.

Bit of a hijack, but are these Porsche seats narrow enough to fit in a Miata? I'd love to find a more comfortable seat.