recaro speed/srd owners: back support?

[nostatic]

For those with reacaro speed/srd seats, how do they compare to stock seats for back support? I've been having some lower back pains lately, and it seems to be made worse by a lack of support in my seat, and not being held very snug in the corners. That and getting old, but I can't fix that one (other than more crunches).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Back pain sounds like a great way to justify Recaros to the wife, good thinking. Tell her a chiropracter recomends them.

[Mark sP]

I have had recaros in previous cars and always had back pain after a long journey. The stock 911 sports seats as fitted in my car are without doubt the most comfortable seats I have ever experienced.

[89911]

My SRD's are excellent. I also herniated a disk about 6 years ago, so certain seats kill me. I also got the optional lumbar air bladder to pump up the support if you need it.

[Rot 911]

Todd I can't tell you anything about the Recaros, but like you, I too started getting lower back pain as I get older. Started with the pain in the morning getting out of bed and progressed to bothering me during the day. Unlike 89911 I have no visible back problems, more of gaining a few pounds on a relatively small frame (Went from 157 to 168). I found that losing the weight (not that easy) and doing exercises specifically for the lower back (which crunches are not) resolved my lower back pain. So perhaps you might want to try treating the back problem first and then see if you need new seats. Of course, disregard all this advice if you are just using lower back pain as an excuse to convince the wife into allowing you to buy new seats for the SC!

[ChrisBennet]

My SRD's aren't as comfortable as the stock seats.
-Chris

[89911]

This is very subjective and really needs to be determined on your own, especially since everyones build is different. I found my original sport seats too tight accross the upper back (6" 195, XL jacket). It felt like the bolsters were pinching in too much.

[turbo6bar]

Todd, I love my SRDs. I can sit in these seats all day with comfort. Sounds like you need to try out the seats first. Personally, I would never trade my SRDs for stock seats. NEVER. You do need to have the right body size, though. I'm 6' and 155 lbs. I can't imagine fitting in SRDs if I weighed 175 lbs. However, the Recaro Speed is supposedly wider than SRDs. You need to verify this.

BTW, I have experienced lower back pain from work, and the SRDs actually helped my back condition. In other vehicles, my back was still quite sore.

Good luck
Jürgen

[Joe Bob]

My SRDs were bought used....I recently rebuilt them with added padding in the lumbar region and added leather. Looks good and feels good....

[ubiquity0]

Have you considered the factory sport seats? (or better yet, EARLY factory sport seats?)

[dotorg]

Everyone's different, you need to try them.

I find my SRDs so comfortable, I could sleep in them. Hours of driving, zero problems.

The stock seats in my S4 make my back hurt in 20 minutes, though.

[arcsine]

I am 6'2" and about 200lbs and found the SRD's the most comfortable seat I have ever used. The stock seat did not seem to offer me much support in any direction.

[JonT]

I agree that SRD's are very comfortable but I was comparing them to worn out sport seats so not a fair comparison. The side bolsters are just right and give good support at the track. Two complaints: 1--difficult to keep clean since the fabric is black and attracts lint like crazy 2--the plastic surround for the harness is at head level for my girlfriend and when she sits back in seat the plastic is uncomfortable on the back of her head. Overall superb seats.

[Bill Douglas]

My 79 car has factory sport seats and I can slip a lumbar support in behind the padding as it's just fixed at the top and bottom.

[nostatic]

factory sport seats are too narrow across the shoulders for me. I'm 6'1" 180lbs with fairly broad shoulders.

The main issue with the factory seats is they don't seem to be bolstered enough on the sides, so I tend to slide around, and that ends up being uncomfortable. I should try and find someone local with some speeds so I can sit in them.

[Craig 930 RS]

Lumbar air bladder is a MUST with these seats!
SRD for sale........just got a pair of SPGs in leather ;-)

Craig
RS

[Jack Olsen]

Todd, you should check if Galen at Werks II in Burbank has SRD's at his shop. He has most Sparco and Recaro seats set up in his waiting area, so you can see what they feel like before buying them.

[JTO]

Todd,

I'm 6' 4" and 220. I wear a 48 long jacket. My SRDs are just great. Lots of lateral support and enough comfort in the seat and thighs for long drives.
Troy

[Seven-Seven]

Todd--

I'm 6'+, and I LOVED my Recaros! They were many generations before the SRDs but of the $850/pc variety. The seat fit like a glove. I had them redone in leather to match the rest of my interior, and even after that (stupid) expense they were still worth every cent I paid to get them. I did have two issues with them, however:

1) The form of the seat placed my spine in what was probably the "ideal" position/curve. It felt SO good to sit in them. However, my posture is not the greatest, so sitting in the Recaro seat for more than a couple of hours would eventually cause me pain; pain that resulted from my spine being placed/held in a healthy/correct position. (if that makes any sense.) On long drives, I would have to pull over and stretch to relieve the pain.

2) My wife is short with a capital "S." When she drives my car, she has to slide the driver seat ALMOST all the way forward. However, when the Recaros were in, that would cause the (high) right seat bolster to be placed in the way of the shifter when dropping into 2nd gear. Even with my short shift kit it was impossible for her to use 2nd gear. It was for this reason that I pulled/sold the Recaros and dropped in a set of 944 seats in their place; a decision I regret almost every day, especially since my wife drives my car as (in)frequently as 2x a year.