Buying a new seat?

amoeba · 07-14-2014, 07:54 PM

I'm having back problems recently and I'm pretty sure it's related to the new F30 leatherette seats. I have the sport non-premium version so no lumbar. The seat also sits more like a bucket and the stuffing material is much softer compared to the leather version, not providing enough support to the back. After driving about 15 minutes my upper back would start hurting because it's taking all the weight, even makes me a bit nauseous. Never had any problems before switching to the F30 a month ago.

Now I'm thinking if I can just swap out the entire driver side seat for a premium leather version with lumbar. Where's a good place to buy the whole seat? I priced it out and it looks like $3k+ to buy it direct from BMW. I guess you can't put a price on your back...

focal · 07-16-2014, 12:22 PM

i have the sport seat in leather and similar issues the first 3 months. Mostly lower back on drives over 1 hour. There were threads about this and some remedies.

surprisingly, the back issues have gone away now in the past few months so not as big of an issue currently. I've driven long distances for hours. The F30 seats seem comfortable but aren't compared to past cars where I never had issues.

some simple non wallet crushing solutions is to try working on core exercises for a month.

kapkanimd · 07-16-2014, 01:38 PM

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=847823

ibimmer954 · 07-16-2014, 04:39 PM

How about buying a quality back-support pad? Yes, it won't be integrated into the seat. But if will be way cheaper than anything you do that modifies the seat. I did that for my Jetta when I discovered it didn't have enough lumbar support for me.

rjpeaks · 07-17-2014, 03:56 PM

i think i would try ibim's idea first before swapping da seats.

i agree - my recaros in my last car were much much better

TheDailyDriven · 07-17-2014, 10:13 PM

To be honest the lumbar does wonders. once you dial it in. The 5 hr car ride would be more enjoyable

GOLFFRR · 07-18-2014, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoeba

I'm having back problems recently and I'm pretty sure it's related to the new F30 leatherette seats. I have the sport non-premium version so no lumbar. The seat also sits more like a bucket and the stuffing material is much softer compared to the leather version, not providing enough support to the back. After driving about 15 minutes my upper back would start hurting because it's taking all the weight, even makes me a bit nauseous. Never had any problems before switching to the F30 a month ago.

Now I'm thinking if I can just swap out the entire driver side seat for a premium leather version with lumbar. Where's a good place to buy the whole seat? I priced it out and it looks like $3k+ to buy it direct from BMW. I guess you can't put a price on your back...

If you are looking for a new OEM set up with install we can help you out. Im sure there are a ton of other factors involved in changing a seat which I am not very familiar with since I am not a part guy but if you want to contact Jon our parts guy at jon@bmwpartspros.com and let him know what your looking to do he can give you a break down of all the parts labor etc.. needed

if not have you considered a aftermarket seat? maybe something by Recaro or something along that line

amoeba · 07-23-2014, 06:54 PM

Update: I tried every lumbar support pillows/pads/arches possible. While they do help support the lower back, the upper back is now hanging in midair and causes different kind of aches. Basically the add-ons protrude too much and end up pressuring into your back.

I'm now exploring the lumbar retrofit option (thx for the link), whole seat exchange, or yoga...

07-14-2014, 07:54 PM	#1
amoeba Private First Class 21 Rep 178 Posts Drives: E46 330i zhp, F30 335-MSport Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (0)	Buying a new seat? I'm having back problems recently and I'm pretty sure it's related to the new F30 leatherette seats. I have the sport non-premium version so no lumbar. The seat also sits more like a bucket and the stuffing material is much softer compared to the leather version, not providing enough support to the back. After driving about 15 minutes my upper back would start hurting because it's taking all the weight, even makes me a bit nauseous. Never had any problems before switching to the F30 a month ago. Now I'm thinking if I can just swap out the entire driver side seat for a premium leather version with lumbar. Where's a good place to buy the whole seat? I priced it out and it looks like $3k+ to buy it direct from BMW. I guess you can't put a price on your back...
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07-16-2014, 12:22 PM	#2
focal Captain 67 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 328i 6MT w/ MPS & MPE Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	i have the sport seat in leather and similar issues the first 3 months. Mostly lower back on drives over 1 hour. There were threads about this and some remedies. surprisingly, the back issues have gone away now in the past few months so not as big of an issue currently. I've driven long distances for hours. The F30 seats seem comfortable but aren't compared to past cars where I never had issues. some simple non wallet crushing solutions is to try working on core exercises for a month.
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07-16-2014, 01:38 PM	#3
kapkanimd First Lieutenant 58 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2020 M8 Competition Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (2)	http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=847823
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07-16-2014, 04:39 PM	#4
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	How about buying a quality back-support pad? Yes, it won't be integrated into the seat. But if will be way cheaper than anything you do that modifies the seat. I did that for my Jetta when I discovered it didn't have enough lumbar support for me.
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07-17-2014, 03:56 PM	#5
rjpeaks Lieutenant 14 Rep 577 Posts Drives: F30 335i M-Sport 6pd Join Date: May 2014 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	i think i would try ibim's idea first before swapping da seats. i agree - my recaros in my last car were much much better __________________ 335I M-Sport 6spd EBII MPPK MPE DHP HK PDC ZTP ZPS ZPP ZDA ZPK 802.11ac ABC123
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07-17-2014, 10:13 PM	#6
TheDailyDriven Co-Founder BMW INVASION 670 Rep 484 Posts Drives: 2022 Imola Red II G80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (1)	To be honest the lumbar does wonders. once you dial it in. The 5 hr car ride would be more enjoyable
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07-23-2014, 06:54 PM	#8
amoeba Private First Class 21 Rep 178 Posts Drives: E46 330i zhp, F30 335-MSport Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (0)	Update: I tried every lumbar support pillows/pads/arches possible. While they do help support the lower back, the upper back is now hanging in midair and causes different kind of aches. Basically the add-ons protrude too much and end up pressuring into your back. I'm now exploring the lumbar retrofit option (thx for the link), whole seat exchange, or yoga...
	Appreciate 0 Quote