Lumbar retrofit project

BMERC · 10-05-2022, 08:09 AM

Hi everyone,

My X3 didn’t come with lumbar support and during the test drive I didn’t think to check for it (coming from MB, all cars I had for as long as I can remember came standard with either a manual or electronic lumbar control).

I’ve been having terrible back pain with after driving for 20 mins plus, so I decided to try and retrofit lumbar control into the driver’s seat. I tried the manual inflatable bladder that fits between the seat cushion and frame, and it’s “ok”.

I’ve sourced the seat internals and the seat controls, and am working on figuring out harness/module. See attached image.

If anyone has done this before, or can guide on the electrical side, that would be great. Happy to put together a guide for this as I go through it.

radarguy · 10-05-2022, 08:51 AM

Excellent endeavor. I wish you success and please keep us informed of your progress. What are the part numbers of the pieces you have?

BMERC · 10-05-2022, 09:05 AM

seat controls: 6826025
lumbar and bolster with frame: I think is 1000630367

_patrick · 11-27-2022, 12:38 AM

I saw a random YouTube video a while back with a retro fit but it was in Chinese and the company’s website was gone. Might be worth digging through YouTube to see if there’s any more clues.

sjk9671 · 01-04-2023, 08:58 AM

How is this coming along? my 2020 M40i has the vented seats and they are terrible - was thinking of doing something similar here.

_patrick · 09-04-2023, 11:17 AM

Ever make any progress on this?

Usachampion · 09-04-2023, 11:29 AM

These M40i seats don’t Need lumbar support they need a totally different structure. The problem is ubiquitous across many owners. I believe it’s an inherent incompatibility between the X3 interior geometry and the non M sport seats. M340i owners with the same seats don’t have the same issue which is why I think it’s an X3 issue and not a seat issue. I am curious if it made thins better though!

zhszc · 09-07-2023, 04:35 AM

I’m leaning towards this retrofit too. These 2 parts in total are around 400 dollars
I got a peek from a Chinese video dismantling a x6 chair. It showed a pretty good image about how the side bolster bags are installed on the frame. Not sure about the wiring harness though.
See around 0:49 for this video: 【宝马x6升级x6m座椅-哔哩哔哩】 https://b23.tv/UI3L2Eg

zhszc · 09-08-2023, 12:50 AM

Found an article in Russian:
https://www.drive2.ru/l/562438681588138727/

10-05-2022, 08:09 AM	#1
BMERC New Member 11 Rep 10 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Lumbar retrofit project Hi everyone, My X3 didn’t come with lumbar support and during the test drive I didn’t think to check for it (coming from MB, all cars I had for as long as I can remember came standard with either a manual or electronic lumbar control). I’ve been having terrible back pain with after driving for 20 mins plus, so I decided to try and retrofit lumbar control into the driver’s seat. I tried the manual inflatable bladder that fits between the seat cushion and frame, and it’s “ok”. I’ve sourced the seat internals and the seat controls, and am working on figuring out harness/module. See attached image. If anyone has done this before, or can guide on the electrical side, that would be great. Happy to put together a guide for this as I go through it. Attached Images
	Appreciate 4 radarguy92.00 Shaninnik58.00 mailman_fin362.00 alex23642909.50 Tweet Quote

10-05-2022, 08:51 AM	#2
radarguy Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2024 M440ix, 2023 X3 M40ix Join Date: May 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Excellent endeavor. I wish you success and please keep us informed of your progress. What are the part numbers of the pieces you have?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2022, 09:05 AM	#3
BMERC New Member 11 Rep 10 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	seat controls: 6826025 lumbar and bolster with frame: I think is 1000630367
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11-27-2022, 12:38 AM	#4
_patrick Private 42 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F80 M3, G01 X3 M40i, GR STI Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 M40i [9.00]	I saw a random YouTube video a while back with a retro fit but it was in Chinese and the company’s website was gone. Might be worth digging through YouTube to see if there’s any more clues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2023, 08:58 AM	#5
sjk9671 Private First Class 24 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (0)	How is this coming along? my 2020 M40i has the vented seats and they are terrible - was thinking of doing something similar here. __________________ 12 CR 135i - BMS Intake
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09-04-2023, 11:17 AM	#6
_patrick Private 42 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F80 M3, G01 X3 M40i, GR STI Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 M40i [9.00]	Ever make any progress on this?
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09-04-2023, 11:29 AM	#7
Usachampion Private First Class 190 Rep 158 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i, F87 M2C Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	These M40i seats don’t Need lumbar support they need a totally different structure. The problem is ubiquitous across many owners. I believe it’s an inherent incompatibility between the X3 interior geometry and the non M sport seats. M340i owners with the same seats don’t have the same issue which is why I think it’s an X3 issue and not a seat issue. I am curious if it made thins better though!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-07-2023, 04:35 AM	#8
zhszc Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: x3 m40i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I’m leaning towards this retrofit too. These 2 parts in total are around 400 dollars I got a peek from a Chinese video dismantling a x6 chair. It showed a pretty good image about how the side bolster bags are installed on the frame. Not sure about the wiring harness though. See around 0:49 for this video: 【宝马x6升级x6m座椅-哔哩哔哩】 https://b23.tv/UI3L2Eg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-08-2023, 12:50 AM	#9
zhszc Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: x3 m40i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Found an article in Russian: https://www.drive2.ru/l/562438681588138727/
	Appreciate 0 Quote