Ready to order

New member here. I've been lurking here for the past 5 months, read Frere's (sp?) 911 story, and, finally rented a 996 for a few hours yesterday and I'm way hooked! I currently drive a motorcycle primarily but my car is a '98 328i. Took an SMG M3 for a quick test drive last weekend and that was okay but the 996 (Cab w/Tip was all they had) was just amazing up on Skyline blvd. So, I'm going for a C2 with various options but I wanted to ping this board for opinions on seats. I prefer the tighter look of regular leather (as opposed to "supple") and did not find the sport seats to be real comfortable. My shoulders, however, are slightly wide (42"-44" suit) and I found the seat to be a little too "supportive" in that area. Will that break-in over time. It wasn't uncomfortable...just snug to the point that I wonder how it would be after 3-4 hours of driving. I think the supple leather felt a little more forgiving in this area but I'm not sure. Also, is the optional lumbar support worth the money? After 2.5 hours I could feel a tinge of low back strain. Otherwise a totally awesome car that just has a much more "fun" feeling than my beemer could ever produce! Thanks, Andy

Okay, I didn't get a response to my original message but I'll finish this off by providing some information that's hopefully helpful to someone. After a lot more thought I put down a deposit on a C4S last night! In my original post, I meant to say the regular seats were a little tight in the lats...my back under the arm pits. I started to think the sport seats were more comfortable because I thought they gave a little less support at the sides in trade for more support at the shoulders. What I realized after sitting in a sport seated TT for about 20 minutes was the shoulder bolsters were preventing my back from fully engaging the back of the seat. So my message is, if you're contemplating between the two but can't take a sport seated car for a drive, grab a CD and relax with the stereo in a sport seat for a while. Look for pressure behind the shoulders that could become bothersome after a while. My dealer was good for humoring me on this last step before ordering. I'm 5'10" and weigh about 170lb. I ordered the regular seats with regular leather. BTW, sport exhaust can indeed be ordered with March builds. Great board...looking forward to an April/May delivery. And yes...I'll buy a membership! Andy

Congrats on the C4S order! The normal seats are a bit tight (I haven't tried the sports seat) but I've never felt uncomfortable during a long drive.

What color combination did you order? I also did not order the supple leather because I think the texture looks like something out of a late 70's Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. My $.02.

My seats were the second most expensive option on the car (they absolutely hose you on the wood interior). Electric, 6 way, lumbar, heated, supple leather, contrast stitching, memory. I am considerably larger than you (only modesty prevents me from providing height and ESPECIALLY weight). Even with all the comforts these seats provide, a long drive (couple hunderd miles)with a suspension as stiff as the C4 has will make you glad you spent the $$.

I ordered an Artic Silver with Black leather. I also added lumbar and heat to the seats. The only "fun" frill I got was the Carbon/Alum/Leather shifter and brake. I understand the weight savings and stiffness of the shifter knock a couple seconds off of 1-100! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />