Back problem's.

[Bobpool]

I'm having a bit of a dilemma with my 944[]

I've noticed I get really bad backache for week's on end after I drive it.

The 944 was covered up recently and not driven for a few week's but as soon as I drove it I got the back problem again.I don't get it when I drive my usually car.

At the moment I can't even get in the 944 until my back gets better.Problem is as soon as I can drive it again my back starts playing up[]

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Gear lever is quite close so that shouldn't be the problem. so quessing from my own experiences seat is not reclined correctly and / or is too far back so you're stretching, particularly on the clutch.
Maybe leaning forward in the seat (eager!) so the back needs to come forward.
As I say just from my experience (750 000 miles 30+ years and an iffy back from windsurfing)
Hope that helps and a fix is found for you.
Mike

 

[Bobpool]

My 944 is an Auto.

My seat does seem to be a bit too far back though.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I find that if my van goes for a service the seat is always moved back, if its only by 1 click I might not notice for a day or 2..... until my lower back aches from me leaning forward. Too low my thighs ache too high my calves etc!
Mike
edit With an auto the temptation would be to sit well back ie no clutch to have to lever

 

[supersport]

I am 6ft 4 and I find that I ok in the driver's seat but the passenger seat can play me up a bit. THis is also the case in my 911 and in my previous Mondeo. Either I am a very nervous passenger (which I am) or the seat height is different and the amount of leg room. The mondeo passenger seat was higher and my head touched the roof and in the 911 I have less leg room.

Oddly the 944 is better than both I don't have these problems.

 

[ukmastiff]

I have a volvo D5 and a Volvo T5. Both Mrs Mas and I suffer back ache if we use the other halfs car for a long journey , I.E I love the seat in the D5 and she loves the seat in the T5. What I'm saying is that obviously some seats will never suit some folk and not others as their back may need a certain position or support. does anything else set your back off ?

If you really dont want to give up your 944 maybe you will have to try a 944 with different seats. Someone with more experience of 944's than me will possibly know how much they vary ( or don't).
My current 944 has the winged sports seats and they do offer an awful lot of support in the right places ' for me' but maybe wouldnt suit you. Obviously you cant fit seats on the hope so you may have to borrow a different 944 having 1st given your back a rest. I'm just trying to think practical + helpfull ?

Best of luck Mas

 

[dj.brian]

I have just had a major operation with my back, I now have metal in the lower back after an accident at work.

I am looking at a 944 auto at the momment, it has to be an auto due to a leg problem also following the op! I think I might have to have a test drive first now to make sure it is ok for me. Failing that, I might have to wait a few years until I have some kind of feeling back in my leg!!!!. (Or buy a Boxster!!!)

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I'm sensitive to car seats as well, are we all falling apart here?? []

I've got a form of rheumatoid arthritis, and if it's playing up then it's hell to find a comfortable position for any length of time; I always need an aisle seat at the theatre or cinema, for example, so I can stretch my legs out and move them occasionally.

I've not yet got the seat position right in the new car, after about 4K miles! It's the same seat as the old one, the only difference being leather, but it is amazing how not getting all the adjustments spot-on can leave me in pain. I don't think it's the seats, Porsche seats are renowned for being good, but the positioning. I had no issues in the old one.

One thing, could it be that you're twisting your back getting in or out? It's quite an awkward manouever, and I find it bery difficult sometimes.

 

[Diver944]

I've always found the 944 seats in S2 and Turbo to be one of the most comfortable I have ever driven long distances in, I think in part because of the multi way adjustments you can make.

I seem to remember one of our old guard stating his internal cushions were very worn and after he repleced them his seats became fantastic in comparison. These car are mostly over 20 years old and after many 1000's of miles being sat on are understandably well past their best. Maybe a quick trip to a local trimmer/upholsterer will solve your problems as I find the standard and Sport seats to be superb!

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

I'm sensitive to car seats as well, are we all falling apart here?? []

I've got a form of rheumatoid arthritis, and if it's playing up then it's hell to find a comfortable position for any length of time; I always need an aisle seat at the theatre or cinema, for example, so I can stretch my legs out and move them occasionally.

I've not yet got the seat position right in the new car, after about 4K miles! It's the same seat as the old one, the only difference being leather, but it is amazing how not getting all the adjustments spot-on can leave me in pain. I don't think it's the seats, Porsche seats are renowned for being good, but the positioning. I had no issues in the old one.

One thing, could it be that you're twisting your back getting in or out? It's quite an awkward manouever, and I find it bery difficult sometimes.

Its interesting that you note that your seats are leather. I got my 911 out on Sunday for the first time since the beginning of December. It has leather seats and I noticed that they are nowhere near as soft to sit in as the cloth seats in the 944. Now it may just be that the 944 seats a tired, but they are slightly more comfortable and I assume near identical. Both cars a 1987 models.

 

[Riverside]

ORIGINAL: Diver944
I find the standard and Sport seats to be superb!

I was going to steer clear of this topic in case I end up being treated like Scotty for having a different opinion, but I find the 944 seats about as comfortable as I've ever sat in too.

I have a dicky back & was in big pain about this time last year. Getting in & out of the 944 was difficult but once in I found it more comfortable and supportive than any other position, anywhere else including my bed []

On the flip side, the bone-jarringly hard ride and climbing in & out in tight parking spaces probably contributed significantly to my back problems. You can't win them all, but sometimes it's a draw []

 

[Hilux]

I've always found the 944 seats in S2 and Turbo to be one of the most comfortable I have ever driven long distances in

I was going to steer clear of this topic in case I end up being treated like Scotty for having a different opinion, but I find the 944 seats about as comfortable as I've ever sat in too.

I`m afraid I agree........................as does my wife (amazingly) and I have had back problems for some 15 years normally suffering from lack of lumbar support.

Driven across northern europe (France, Belgium, Holland, Germany) twice for hours on end and a few classic car tours over weekends and get out totally fresh each time.

Mine had leather/vinyl with cloth centres and were sports seats which really hug you in well.

 

[barks944]

Might be a bit serious, but it might be worth getting a physio or somone with knowledge of such things to check out your driving position.

 

[Copperman05]

I too have had this issue, since moving my seat forward a click or too the lower back pain has gone, worth a go...

Edd

 

[MRGT]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty

I was told by a friend that whilst sitting in the seat you should raise the front part of the seat base so that your head is about a fists distance from the headlining, and then lower the rear of the seat base as much as you can (whilst still being able to see over wheel of course !) and then use the seat slider to position the seat so that your left and right wrists can reach the rim of the streering wheel. Works for me a treat.

Obviously this is easy to do if you have the twin motor porsche seats.

This is pretty much the same as my preferred setup. The only thing is that on very long journeys I miss the adjustable lumbar support of my old car.

 

[JamesO]

ORIGINAL: barks944

Might be a bit serious, but it might be worth getting a physio or somone with knowledge of such things to check out your driving position.

I agree, I used suffer from pain with one car seat and not another, to the point of having a new seat fitted and multiple tries at seating positions. It made no difference, then after a while every car seat caused pain (a bit of an issue as I drive 50k a year for my job), then sitting down at all caused problems.
Turned out to be a prolapsed disk which needed surgery.
Without wishing to scaremonger I would get it looked at.

 

[Alpine]

I think you might just need to get your back used to it. I have a Jag as a daily driver and it has a very short seat base. My back ached for the first 3 months of driving it, but now it's fine. I've always found the 944 seat to be comfortable, but I do find getting in and out a bit of a struggle ..........

 

[DivineE]

Besides the obvious things like offset pedals and steering wheel position. It seems from my experience that if you have lower back pain then cars with a higher seat to pedal ratio and no backward slope on the base of the seat are the best. It requires the least back effort to opperate the pedals.

In this case the 944 would be the worst car for your back.

If you have mid to upper back pain like me then the support from the back of the seat becomes the most important factor, the steering wheel being lower down so my arms don't have to be held too high and having my legs out straight rather than bent (like you would when sitting in bed) are the things that really help me so fortunately the 944 with sports option seats is just about perfect. Except getting in and out ;o)

In your case I'd reccomend a fast audi.

 

[Bobpool]

I have moved my seat forward a couple of click's so let's see how it goes.

The option of seling the 944 because of the back problem won't happen.I've waited a long time to get a 944 so i'll take the pain for it.

I was until recently driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee so the driving position is completly different now.

 

[Copperman05]

I would make sure your seat is not too reclined too, as I've found myself leaning forward too much, again exaserbating the back issue.

Edd