Couldn't find the information I needed on a search and need the advice in a hurry. Thanks in advance.

I'm looking at a new 2009 C4S at a very attractive price but it has one disadvantage for me. It has sport bucket seats instead of the standard, comfort or sport seats.

I will be driving long distances in this car and visit the track only rarely and although they fit me well (I have sat in them in a showroom car only), I don't believe they will be very or as comfortable on a long drive.

Is it possible to swap bucket seats for power seats? Is the wiring already there to do this? What other modifications are necessary to make the swap work?

Is there a way to make a heated seat work with out any controls on the dash from the factory?

Is it likely that I could find a swap for either comfort or adaptive seats or am I dreaming about a solution that likely won't happen?


Thanks. John

 

I'll drive down and install my standard seats plus some cash for those buckets.

As for heated and adaptive seats, they will be very difficult/pricey. The wiring harness that is installed in the vehicle is dependant on the options (not pre wired). You're probably stuck looking for a manual seat. The good news is that they're still really comfortable.

email me if you're interested. adam.roseneck@gmail.com

 

Anything is possible, but at what cost? I would check with your local dealer and find out if the wire harness is pre installed. I am sure it isn't, and it is likely going to be cheaper to find the right car for you.

 

ATR911. Do your standard seats have power recline and manual foward/backward? If power recline, what wiring is involved or
are we winging it? What is the condition of your seats with how many miles? Are 996 seats the same style as 997? Obviously I won't buy the car until I work through the seat issue.

 

I just did this exact swap. I traded my sport buckets for GT3RS seats. The wiring harness was there which allowed for power recline. I do not believe there was any other wiring (power options/heat) available. For me I got great looking, super comfortable/supportive seats with manual front/back/up/down and power recline.

As hinted at by the responses your seats are worth a bunch of money. I had several high dollar offers but in the end decided on a trade from a valued friend/partner...Alex (Sharky)

Good luck...you will love the change!

 

Twinspin, thanks, this is good to know. A couple of questions for you.

Is your car an 09 or later like the one I want to get?

Can you describe the GT-3RS seats to me, their cost to buy, and where to get them?

What do you think I could sell the sport bucket seats for (black leather)
on the forum?

As mentioned in my first post, I am concerned about the comfort of the bucket seats on long trips with out any recline feature, as well as easy entry and exit because of the higher bolsters.

Thanks. John

 

It's pretty much plug and play. I run a service centre so I have a little automotive experience. I have never done this particular swap but I don't think I'd consider it 'winging' it.

My seats are black with manual for/aft and electric recline. They have about 20,000 miles on them but are, for lack of better words, mint.

Email me if you want to set something up or get some pics. One advantage is that I'd drive to you and do the swap on the spot for ya too.

 

P.s. The sport buckets are $6,500 new from suncoast.

Is the car you're looking at a launch edition C4?

 

There are two of them (2009 C4S coupes) almost identically equipped I'm looking at. One for sure says launch code on the window sticker, I don't know about the other one, don't have the sticker yet.

BTW, what does launch code mean?

 

John-
See my remarks below-

 

Launch car is just a car that porsche produces with the identical set of options, usually showcasing new options/features (the seats are one example). They are all identical and usually represent a reasonable value compared to the sum of the cost of all included options.

 

Thanks for everybody's help, but I've decided there are too many unknown's and likely a lot of hassle, possible hidden costs and delay to bother with this car, despite a great deal on it.

 

You have a diamond in the rough. With 1 post here and / or at RennList you would probably have half a dozen offers for your seats plus $3500 with them covering labor. You'd just go pick up your car and it would have the stock seats or sport seats - whichever you decide you really want.

 

Not knowing the full details of the "great deal", you will probably net positive $ for selling your sport bucket for more comfortable seats. Although there are plenty of people who keep their P-cars bone stock, you may find yourself modding something on a substitute car.

I think it's also rare to find a car on a dealer's lot that fit all of one's exact specifications, unless of course your list of must-haves is short.

Take a peek at a recent thread titled something like "Mods for $1000 or less". If you'd be inclined to do any of those mods, I'd say you'll be fine treading into swapping out your sport buckets for a different solution.

Is it a hassle -- yes. Try to go with a vendor(s) that will go out of their way to make life a little easier for you. Someone mentioned Sharkwerks helping them with their seat conversion -- why not give them a quick call and see what they have to say before you move on from this car.

 

My first ever 911! Have a 08 Cayenne also but obviously not a comparison. What a thrill to drive this car and quiet and comfortable to boot. I also have a Ford GT and Lingenfelter Z06 Corvette with lots of suspension mods so I am not that easy to impress from a performance point of view.

I decided to go with a new 2009 C2S instead of the C4S with sport buckets because it had the power seat package stock and to a lesser degree had other options I wanted, also preferred it's color inside and out.

After talking to several Porsche service centers about the seat swap, I decided against it because there are a lot of potential and real problems. There are airbag sensors in 997.2 seats with fiber optic communication wiring which would limit which seats could safely and properly replace the buckets. Possible warranty issues could arrive with check engine or warning lights if there was a problem. Also the time to find the right specific seats for swap, the right style, color and condition. Then for two parties removal and installation costs, making custom packing, and freight costs, which being in Iowa is a strong possibility as the Porsche ownership population tends to be on the two coasts. Plus the unknown surprises that can happen in unexplored territory like this all meant to much hassle for me.

I have never plugged a car salesman before in a forum, but Mike Diaz at Aristocrat Motors in Kansas City deserves a high five. He allowed me to demo three different cars for several hours while answering all my questions by letting me experience the differences for myself. He was never pushy and really wanted me to be happy with my choice.