So, my apologies in advance, I'm sure this has been debated many times, but I couldn't find a good thread..

I'm about to back down from Full leather interior 14 way to 4 way seats (sport) in my new build.. I'm just not sure the memory and infinite adjustment has much value... I'm thinking I'd rather spend the difference on another option instead.... maybe even upgrading from Bose to Burmester or maybe SPASM..

The memory, is one of those things I've had on cars.. but I'm the only one who will ever drive it.. And for the most part once I adjust the seat in my car I almost never change it when I've had multiway adjustments..

I've had an Audi TT for a number of years with just basic manual seats and never touched them other than to vacuum the car.. so I guess I'm wondering about the value of it...

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who feels this way about it? I'm fretting over things like not including SC, but 14 way doesn't seem like I'm going to miss anything...

 

i opted for the sport seat plus cuz i have a sore back and these are very comfortable and give me a little more bolstering on the track. they are heavy however.

the Sport seat PLUS is the way to go. Just $800 more.

the basic seat is an improvement over the 997.

i would use the extra money for a sport exhaust. I have the burmester but I dont think its worth it.

 

You are not the only one who feels this way! I've had the standard manual adjustment (basic) seats on my last 2 Porsches and they are great seats. I can find a very comfortable seating position easily; set it and forget it! This time around, I opted to go for a little more aggressive bolstering and got the 4 way sports seats plus (which is a $920 option in Canada). Like you, I'll be the only one who will drive my car and I feel electric seat adjustment is of zero value to me. I do feel the 4 way sports seat plus is a good value as they are more heavily bolstered and you get the grey/silver hard shell back. I opted for performance options like sport chrono, Spasm, a nicer sport design steering wheel etc. I kept my build to a minimum and I'm perfectly happy with my choices!!

Congrats and let us know what you decide on!

 

But you don't feel you lose any needed adjustablity by only having the 4 way? Also noticed you had a TT.., which I also had.. The seats there (mine were the manual equivalent of 4 way) were fine for me.. I suspect these are probably a lot nicer than those anyway..

On the Burmester, you didn't think it is that good. Or just wasn't worth the additional money? I'm not sure I'm as picky as all the audiophiles claim to be, but I do appreciate good sound and music.. I've been strugging with the audio system selection.. I've had Bose in my Audi and it was just kinda eh..... So Bose in a car doesn't really excite me as they are more about marketing that audio quality. So I'm thinking of either going with the basic, or going all in and getting the Burmester..

 

In my opinion, it is Base or Burmester. The Bose is only popular because people feel like they have to get it. I think the Base system sounds considerably better for $2K less.

I agree with your assessement on the seats. I too am not interested in paying more for more adjustablility and memory functions that I won't use.

 

I went with the standard sound system. I'm sure it sounds fine. I prefer the soundtrack of the Porsche flat 6 behind me! If only they had an option for an upgraded sound symposer to let even more sound into the cabin

 

Yeah, the only thing with the bose is if you get the HD radio and XM/Sirus with base, then the Bose is about $1K more.. But still not sure if I want those.. although a friend got XM in his new ride just because it came with it, and found he really liked it.. Gonna have to think about this a bit..

But yeah I'm going to dump the 14 way... That also gets rid of the premium package.. which for the most part seems to be extortion for forcing me to get stuff I don't care about.. PDLS has absolutely zero value to me.. It's cool, but useless based on where I live and drive.. and by not taking it I think I can avoid the stupid chrome headlight washers I have to pay another $300 just to paint in the color of my exterior. The seat heating.. I've used mine a couple days a year.. but I live in southern California...

 

I did get XM/Sirius as a stand alone option- reasonable price- - the input quality of satellite radio is likely wasted on the Burmester anyway

 

Yeah, it's ok and as good as the HD radio.. which is probably wasted as well on the Burmester.. Most of my music is probably going to come off of my iPOD anyway..

Well I struggle with the price of the XM as being reasonable.. Since it is one of those things that comes free now days in almost every other car.. (I believe the cost of the hardware is heavily subsidized by XM/Sirus.. )...

But... I know it's like everything else on a 911.. If I was worried about how reasonable the cost was, I'd buy a Camery..

 

Yes, I meant "relatively" reasonable as far as Porsche is concerned !!

 

standard sound here. forgive me, i could not hear the difference between this radio and the high end...then again, i listen to npr almost exclusively.

I do have the 14 way adjustable seats and find them comfortable in short and long drives. maybe i'm getting old but I like the comfort entry and exit settings and my daughter get a kick out of having her own seat setting for her rare drives in the car (the seat setting also sets display, temperature, bluetooth and lots of other features). the seats came with a package that I deem essential - the lights turn with the car. here in the dark and creepy country it is essential to avoid Bambi and his friends.

 

+1

The base stereo is totally fine, but earlier today when I picked my son up from a class, he paused the music so we could listen to the engine anyway. But really, who wouldn't take live over a recording, right?

Oh yeah, the seats... So I got the 14-way and really like them, particularly the extension to support longer legs. And the butt cooling! I'm totally spoiled now.

 

I had manual sport seats in my previous porsche. Hated every minute of it. Couldn't drive longer than 30 minutes. Now I have the 14-way and couldn't be happier, so much more comfy, much more body support, perfect seats for me !
I have base stereo but can't comment on it. It's off all the time, pse is on :-)

 

I have the 4-way sport plus seats and just completed a 5 hour drive and feel great! I had the multi-adjustable multi-memory seats in e90 M3 and adjusted only once... I have the Bose but to be honest it's not a requirement, base is probably good and have not listened to the burmester. Got the PSE, sport PASM and SC with a MT... LOVE IT! Sometimes we get caught up with the options but in the end, go for what feels right. Try as much stuff as you can beforehand.

If I was building from scratch, from what I know now I would dump my Alcantara and deviated stitching and go for full leather. I also love black but I would now go for Rhodium. But as I told my wife that's the next one

 

My first 991 came with the 4-way seats and my latest one has the eighteen-way. Although the latter is definitely more comfortable and does do a better job with holding you in place, I probably could live with the 4-way if I had to. The headlights for that matter are quite a different story: I first thought they were a waste of money, but quickly changed my mind during a late-night drive along the Saw Mill River Parkway.

In regards to the sound system (I do have the Bose): I'd say skip the Bose and enjoy the music coming from the rear of the car.

Good luck with your new 991, they're really something to behold.