Because it's never easy.....

Found a really attractive '02 C4S in terms of mileage, options and color. It doesn't have lumbar support though, and the seat doesn't work for me without it. 2 dealers have said it can't be added after market. The only thought was if I could find a salvage seat with lumbar, I could install that after mounting the C4S' upholstery on the salvaged seat frame Anybody here have any other ideas aside from "keep looking": This C4S is mirage, and I won't find another easily as I think they discontinued the color back around '01 making this a pretty rare car......

Not really sure if they have what you at looking for but you could try L.A. Porsche Dismantlers. The first link is their home page and the second link will take you directly to their seat section. http://www.911pcar.com/ http://www.911pcar.com/Porsche_Parts...iors_seats.htm Good luck, I hope they have what you need.

I'm a little confused (happens often for me). It's an '02 but they discontinued the color in '01? Also don't understand why you can't get seats for it? Seams to me someone should be able to help you. Try some of the board sponsors.

Just what I needed . If I HAVE to do the upholstery switch/remount the seat, at least I know where to call and the approximate price. Damn it though. A $350 option at purchase will cost nearly $3000 to take care of. Maybe I'll just take my own seat and switch it out before I sell the C2..... Thanks for the link.

Didn't pay REAL close attention after my purchase, but think the mirage was d/c'd as early as '00. Back then, the 996 had several "special colors" that were $3000+ options. For instance, when I bought, I could have gotten one of the greens from that category. If not offered as a standard or special color, Porsche could (and I presume still will) do a "custom color", either matching a sample you provide or using ANY of their past colors (from ANY year as I recall) for more $$$. If I'm right about when the color was discontinued as a "standard" choice, then mirage on the C4S cars (debuting in '02) cost $3-5000 depending on whether it was an offered "special color" or the more expensive "custom" option...... They can also do leather to sample as well. Just a matter of whether it's worth the $$$ to you......

my friend has an '03 C4S FS, 9k, well optioned with lumbar supports.AS/Blk. Make sure a C4S is what you want, changing to easier shocks is not realistic. Test drive the car, it IS a sport suspension and will be firm, maybe try a regular c4.

That's why I started the thread on the suspension. You're saying what I'm thinking..... Firm is OK. When I tested the '99 sport suspension I felt it went through firm to "harsh". The M030 springs alone seem just right as I found the stock suspension a little sloppy. Just caught that the M030 is STANDARD on the C4S in the specs yesterday, and am getting cold feet. OTOH, it sure is a good looking car.......

If you're looking at 3K to solve this problem, I would be happy to sell you a pillow for 2K that will also solve the problem and make it easy for you to return the car to stock...

I bet!!! So would my wife (actually, she's probably thinking of hitting me over the head with the seat itself). I figured it'd be $350 and several hours of labor!

No way!! It won't take you a couple of hours to put the pillow against the seat back!

So let me get this straight: You've got a $350 pillow? It just keeps getting better!!!

Can't understand how the lumbar support can be a deciding factor if the rest of the car fits your criteria Get the damn car and sort out the lumbar later. There is always a sollution! Ciao, Johannes E. GT3 CS

Actually, the seat is the FIRST thing I evaluate on looking at a car. If I ain't OK in the showroom sitting there, I won't be OK 4 hours later on the way out of town..... Unfortunately, something about the seat back puts me in a posture that throws everything off if the lumbar is fully deflated (or non-existant). Still does. It's like deja-vu, as I went through this when I bought my C-2. Couldn't consider buying the car 'cause of the seat. Checked out the car a bunch, playing with seat position, trying the sport seat, etc. Then, a salesman suggested I "try this one, it has the lumbar support" and I was OK immediately. I suspect you're right, though, and there is a solution. Just looking for suggestions as to what to consider (aside from a $2000 pillow-plus labor)

This one is hard to understand since I have never heard of anybody having seats make or break a deal much more them being the first thing. Personally, these are some of the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. As for the lumbar, get a lumbar pillow and call it a day. That way you can use it in other cars as well. Is ordering new out of the question?

Actually, I can relate to Gary's issue, but not from the lumbar support issue. I can sit in a car and in about 10 seconds I am able to determine if that car is or is not a viable candidate. My comfort level depends on the depth of the seat and if the seat bottom tilts up to give me some additional thigh support. For instance, I have found that most Japaneese cars have relatively short seat bottoms and are therefore scratched off my list in no time. I really liked the adjustable lumbar support I had in the Jag S-Type, but that was not a necessity for me. However, if the seat bottom had been too short and if it had not been adjustable, I would not have bought the Jag. However, I think doing something about lumbar support, post-purchase, is much easier than adding 1 to 1.5 inches to the seat bottom depth. Just my 2�.

Well, I've always been a little different. Hell, I bought mirage, and so few did that it was dropped from the list. For me, a car is all about "feel", and no part of the car effects it's feel to a greater extent than the seat. The 996 seat without lumbar simply, for whatever reason, doesn't do it for me. If I'm not comfortable sitting, I won't be comfortable driving (not enough head room to stand ), and I won't buy any car until I work that issue out. Irony is that WITH the lumbar, it IS one of the most comfortable seats I've sat in, auto or home. There are numerous fixes, including an aftermarket Recaro, or a full replacement (it's black, so not hard to match), but the problem ties into why I won't buy new: money. Don't feel like spending $100K for a new C4S after living with the 996 depreciation I've just experienced. I COULD, and I'd love to. I just don't WANT to.

Good point Tim. I am still one of those that says get the P-Car now and fix the lumbar later if all else is EXACLTY what is wanted on the car. BUt as most would say, there are enough 996's out there to wait and get EXACTLY what you want. Best of luck on your search Gary.

Not enough head room to stand!!! That's GREAT!!

Totally understand about the depreciation. I am in the market for a new SL right now and am torn between getting a smokin' deal on an '05 on the lot right now since the 06's are hitting the dealers early (started 1 July) or wait till next year and pay MSRP so I can have the SL with the anticipated new V8 that is going into the 2007 all new S class (388 v 302hp)

Gary-Found the perfect 03 C4S last Dec and it had everything I wanted ...except the electric lumbar support which I had in my 95 993. Lots of lower back pain, but I sucked it up and bought the 03 because the seats felt real good on short drives and I was nuts over the car. Nine months later, I'm still nuts over the car and do not miss the lumbar one bit. Have driven it on a 2 1/2 hour drive and will drive it on a 5 hour run tomorrow-no back problems.

Really what this is about is that I've moved to a snowbelt and in 5 years put 8000 miles on the 996. And I was SO close to making it a C4 too. Now my wife needs a car, and there's nothing she "wants" after years of NEEDING a van. Until she took my workhorse Vovlo S60R out. Her solution: Keep our van as the dog/haul car, she gets the Volvo, and I get the C4 with clearance to buy snows and a clear bra for winter use. Tough life, I know, but it's why I can be choosy while resisting the itch to go with the 997. As for the seats, it's the lumbar in the Porsche, it was the seat back in the Tribeca/Outback. Really liked the S4 seat though not as much as the 996 with lumbar. And that Vovlo S60R? It's seat, while not as solid or sculpted as well as the Porsche, wins as most comfortable.

Gary what is your last name!!!

I'd be worried about identity theft, but since it's posted by all my notes above I guess it's too late.... Mermel Inquiring minds want to know: Why (I'm hoping, since you're a sponsor, you've got an idea)?

I understand about the seat thing, the seat is one of those things you interact with 100% of the time you deal with the car. In the same vein, I would much rather spend $2k customizing the interior (wood or CF trim) than get new wheels, because I see the interior constantly. Two other solutions: 1. Aftermarket seats (Recaro, etc.) 2. A good uphostery shop will add a lumbar support to existing seats (using a hand-squeeze bulb), probably will cost you under $1k.

off topic... my last name is mermelstein, all my friends call me Mermel, too funny

My family name IS Mermelstein. Shortened it 40 years ago. Where are you? I grew up in Chicago, and we have some Pittsburgh and NY family. Apparently not too uncommon a name: Stopped into a 31 flavors when I was a kid because of an announcement of new owners, the Mermelsteins, and they told my dad that in the old country it's like Smith is here......