BMW X5 and X6 Forum 2014-Current
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-21-2017, 10:57 AM   #1
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Uncomfortable driver's seat

I'm really beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with my seat. I have the multi-contoured ventilated seats and the back section is so hard that I can never get comfortable. It feels like I'm constantly being pushed forward as I can't settle into the seat. My passenger seat feels a bit better but it may be in my head. It sucks coming home from a business trip where I've been in a rented Malibu that was more comfortable.

Firm is one thing, but there is so little give that it's making me somewhat regret my purchase. Are the backs really that hard? Could something be wrong? I figured that with all the adjustments, I'd eventually be able to find the sweet spot, but it seems just too hard.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 01:31 PM   #2
mnx5er
Captain
538
Rep
805
Posts

Drives: 2015 BMW X5 3.5i
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Minneapolis, MN

iTrader: (0)

Sadly there are many complaints like yours on the ventilated seats. I had them and traded for a different X5 because they were so brutal to sit on.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 01:36 PM   #3
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnx5er View Post
Sadly there are many complaints like yours on the ventilated seats. I had them and traded for a different X5 because they were so brutal to sit on.
Thanks. I've read other complaints but I can't help but wondering if there is something wrong with mine. I can't imagine BMW test engineers sat in this and were like, "yeah an $80k+ buyer wants to feel like they're sitting against a wooden board".
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 02:32 PM   #4
DuSh
Colonel
DuSh's Avatar
2113
Rep
2,388
Posts

Drives: F15 X5 50i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott2.0 View Post
Thanks. I've read other complaints but I can't help but wondering if there is something wrong with mine. I can't imagine BMW test engineers sat in this and were like, "yeah an $80k+ buyer wants to feel like they're sitting against a wooden board".
How big are you? I'm just thinking, I remember years ago on BMW forum discussion (not f15) people were saying that sport seats were too harsh for drivers above certain weight and height (at that point it was +250lbs and +6' 2'' and they advised to choose comfort seats instead of sport ones. f15 is different of course and I'm not sure if that's still true, just a thought

P.S. i assume you tried all positions adjustments to find perfect seating position and it didn't work correct?
Worst case scenario, you can swap drivers seat only (maybe even consider plush X5M seat)
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 02:58 PM   #5
Wardman
First Lieutenant
89
Rep
398
Posts

Drives: F15 X5d
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (0)

Just paid $400 to have my seat re-upholstered in the butt area. BMW seats stink.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 04:06 PM   #6
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
How big are you? I'm just thinking, I remember years ago on BMW forum discussion (not f15) people were saying that sport seats were too harsh for drivers above certain weight and height (at that point it was +250lbs and +6' 2'' and they advised to choose comfort seats instead of sport ones. f15 is different of course and I'm not sure if that's still true, just a thought

P.S. i assume you tried all positions adjustments to find perfect seating position and it didn't work correct?
Worst case scenario, you can swap drivers seat only (maybe even consider plush X5M seat)
I never considered size but I’m not a big dude, although may be a bit wider than I should. I’m about 5’10”, 180.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 04:07 PM   #7
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wardman View Post
Just paid $400 to have my seat re-upholstered in the butt area. BMW seats stink.
Good idea. Are you happy with the outcome? Did they just add more padding? For me, the butt area is tolerable but the back is miserable.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 04:45 PM   #8
Wardman
First Lieutenant
89
Rep
398
Posts

Drives: F15 X5d
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott2.0 View Post
Good idea. Are you happy with the outcome? Did they just add more padding? For me, the butt area is tolerable but the back is miserable.
Just padding to the butt. I always felt like I was sitting in a hole. It has helped. Not sure they could get into the back. Make sure your lumbar is working too, and not stuck in the middle or something
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 07:13 PM   #9
P1
Lieutenant General
P1's Avatar
11542
Rep
11,128
Posts

Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Interesting. I have the Nappa ventilated multi-contour seats and both my wife and I agree they are extremely comfortable. And my wife isn't shy about complaining if things aren't perfectly right.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 07:20 PM   #10
IndyJer
Second Lieutenant
United_States
111
Rep
256
Posts

Drives: '17 F15 MSport
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
'16 F15 XLine  [0.00]
'17 F15 MSport  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
Interesting. I have the Nappa ventilated multi-contour seats and both my wife and I agree they are extremely comfortable. And my wife isn't shy about complaining if things aren't perfectly right.
Same experience for me. I don’t have the nappa leather, but I think the multi-contour seats are the most comfortable vehicle seats I’ve sat in.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2017, 09:06 PM   #11
P1
Lieutenant General
P1's Avatar
11542
Rep
11,128
Posts

Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by IndyJer View Post
Same experience for me. I don’t have the nappa leather, but I think the multi-contour seats are the most comfortable vehicle seats I’ve sat in.
We have them in our 6-series also, excellent seats once adjusted to one's liking.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2017, 01:51 AM   #12
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

For those that like the seats, how firm would you describe the back? Do you feel like you’re sitting against it or in it to some extent? My experience is that of one leaning against a wooden board, particularly toward the lower back, hence why I wonder if something may be wrong.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2017, 03:17 PM   #13
Pastor Passum
New Member
10
Rep
25
Posts

Drives: 2016 X5xdrive
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SW Virginia

iTrader: (0)

After over 300,000 miles on BMW motorcycles, it seems that their "seat engineer" has been transferred to the auto division.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2017, 04:07 PM   #14
deutsch100
Colonel
deutsch100's Avatar
United_States
3741
Rep
2,287
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, XM, M3 Comp, 911 GTS
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Calabasas, CA

iTrader: (0)

I just checked my window sticker for my new '17 35d, and I have the $1300 Multi Contour Seat option, but I do NOT have ventilated seats (just heated seats and steering wheel).

My seats are insanely comfortable. I feel like I could drive from Los Angeles to NYC and not move.

So sorry you are not comfy in your seats.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2017, 07:41 PM   #15
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by deutsch100 View Post
I just checked my window sticker for my new '17 35d, and I have the $1300 Multi Contour Seat option, but I do NOT have ventilated seats (just heated seats and steering wheel).

My seats are insanely comfortable. I feel like I could drive from Los Angeles to NYC and not move.

So sorry you are not comfy in your seats.
I’m jealous. It seems that maybe the ventilation is where I went wrong.
Appreciate 1
deutsch1003741.00
      10-22-2017, 09:12 PM   #16
IndyJer
Second Lieutenant
United_States
111
Rep
256
Posts

Drives: '17 F15 MSport
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
'16 F15 XLine  [0.00]
'17 F15 MSport  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott2.0 View Post
For those that like the seats, how firm would you describe the back? Do you feel like you’re sitting against it or in it to some extent? My experience is that of one leaning against a wooden board, particularly toward the lower back, hence why I wonder if something may be wrong.
I would say the back is firm, but it feels like I’m sitting in it. There are no pressure points. It’s definitely not cushy, but I find it very comfortable. I regularly drive a 3.5 hour commute to Chicago and can drive it without ever feeling like I need to shift my body due to fatigue or discomfort.
Appreciate 1
deutsch1003741.00
      11-26-2017, 09:41 AM   #17
Scott2.0
Private First Class
122
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 50i and 2015 i3 REx
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Reporting back to say that part of this was user error. I had the side bolsters all the way open, so far so that it seemed to push the center of the seat out a bit. I brought them in and the seat seems more concave and I now feel that I'm sitting in it. The problem now is that the bolsters move out when exiting the vehicle and when getting in, they move inward making a farting noise!
Appreciate 1
deutsch1003741.00
      12-02-2017, 04:58 PM   #18
GeeRam
Major
GeeRam's Avatar
United Kingdom
195
Rep
1,317
Posts

Drives: X5 40d SE
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Berkshire,UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott2.0 View Post
I’m jealous. It seems that maybe the ventilation is where I went wrong.
Yep.

I really wanted the ventilation, but the seats have only half the padding in them than the non-vented version of the same seat, because of the ventilation system.....and they were far from comfortable for me too when tried.

Funnily enough, back in my Saab owning days in the early 2000's, there were similar complaints from owners of the vented seats in the Saab 9-5 Aero, again because of much thinner seat padding.
__________________
2017 X5 4.0dSE ~ Atlas Cedar:Ind.Amaro Brown Merino&Piano Blk, Sport Auto, DHP, Comfort seats, Cold weather pack, HK audio, Electric towbar, Sun protection glass.
Appreciate 1
deutsch1003741.00
      12-02-2017, 05:58 PM   #19
Maverik259
Major General
Maverik259's Avatar
United_States
4133
Rep
7,154
Posts

Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2020 BMW M5  [10.00]
2014 X5 50i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott2.0 View Post
Reporting back to say that part of this was user error. I had the side bolsters all the way open, so far so that it seemed to push the center of the seat out a bit. I brought them in and the seat seems more concave and I now feel that I'm sitting in it. The problem now is that the bolsters move out when exiting the vehicle and when getting in, they move inward making a farting noise!
Haha mine makes a farting noise too. I hate it. And it's so embarrassing when driving with other people in the car. I've been meaning to take it in and complain.
__________________
'07 Yamaha R1 (sold)
'06 C55 AMG (sold)
‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe
'14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
Appreciate 1
deutsch1003741.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:36 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST