I cannot get comfortable in my 135i no matter what. Back pain, powered sports seats

[romnation]

I have an 09 135i with the powered sports seats and I just cannot get comfortable. My lower back starts to hurt after 30 or 40 minutes of driving. I have tried messing with all of the adjustments and while some lumbar support helps somewhat, I still have not been able to eliminate the pain. I came from a 350z with no adjustments whatsoever and found the seats infinitely more comfortable than the 135i. I also have an old toyota corolla and have never had much back pain with either car.

I'm not sure what the deal is with the 135i. I'm 5'11 and have a fairly long torso. Anyone have any suggestions? Also does seat height actually have any effect on back pain? I prefer sitting as low as possible.

[elitesales305]

quick fix.. do some deadlifts and get that weak back in line playa!!!!

[asiflicious]

Idk if it's all in my head, but when I used the doc baileys black leather cleaner it softened my seats and made it much more comfortable. Try that if you have black seats

[NorthernDancer]

I'm 70 & often have lower back pain. If I do a few stretches on the floor, all pain goes away. I have an 08 with power sport seats and last year I did 3 12 hour days and 1 8 hour day in the seat with no trouble whatsoever. That's 1 12 hour day followed by 1 8 hour day. Then 1 day in Spartenburg driving new M2's, M3's and M4's. Then 2 12 hour days driving back home. I had no issues with comfort.

[vinylengraver]

When I got my car it came with standard seats. Those were hopeless.
I upgraded with a set of sport seats and they were a revelation from the get-go, however.... it took me almost 6 months until I found a proper seating position for my height and build.

For reference I'm 6'3", 200lb, inseam 34.

Initially I was tempted to drop the seat as low as it gets and tilt it back for that "bucket" feeling.
But that did not work, maybe because of 6MT and constant strain I was feeling when operating the clutch.

So, in the end I am 2 notches up from the bottom and two notches down from full tilt, seat back quite upright and everything fairly close to the pedals. Steering wheel extended completely and up just enough to clear my knees. Inflating the side bolsters slightly does push your back out and fixes the sinking feeling I used to get in my lower back area - (my seats do not have lumbar support)
Those are manual seats, so adjustment combinations are not infinite... but small variations do make a surprisingly big difference.

Also what I have done is twist the seat counter-clockwise for a total of ~1/2 inch or so, or as far as it would go (just loosen the rail bolts an re-tighten when done), since I found it to be slightly offset to the right in relation to the steering wheel/pedals- that also made a noticeable difference.

[Matticus91]

Honestly this sounds way more like a personal problem than an issue with the car's seats. I'm really not trying to be a jerk here I just don't think fighting the seats will fix your issue. I'd suggest talking to a chiropractor (no, seriously) and seeing what seating position they recommend for your body type and back. Everyone's body is different but I've not heard many complain about the sport seats in these cars. My buddy with a slipped disc said it was like slipping into a cloud when i took him for a ride the other day.

[chris_flies]

What is back pain? I'm too young for that, sorry...

I hope you find a solution!

[02Pilot]

Sometimes lower back pain is due to insufficient support under your thighs. Try to adjust the seat so that as much of your legs are fully supported as possible while still retaining the flexibility necessary to operate the pedals properly and comfortably.

Adjusting the steering wheel position may also help to ensure that you aren't adding to the problem by having to stretch to reach it.

And yes, it does take time to find the right position. I've had mine for five months or so and am only just finalizing the adjustment. I do miss the multiple memory settings on my E39 (the seats on my E82 are manual).

[AustinE]

Originally Posted by 02Pilot

Sometimes lower back pain is due to insufficient support under your thighs. Try to adjust the seat so that as much of your legs are fully supported as possible while still retaining the flexibility necessary to operate the pedals properly and comfortably.

Adjusting the steering wheel position may also help to ensure that you aren't adding to the problem by having to stretch to reach it.

And yes, it does take time to find the right position. I've had mine for five months or so and am only just finalizing the adjustment. I do miss the multiple memory settings on my E39 (the seats on my E82 are manual).

Off topic... This thread embodies this particular forum. Everyone chimes in and legitimately tries to be helpful--some playful and some serious--but still taking the time to read and comment and try to help each other out. I have not been a 1er owner for very long, but long enough to notice how unique this community is!

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by AustinE

Off topic... This thread embodies this particular forum. Everyone chimes in and legitimately tries to be helpful--some playful and some serious--but still taking the time to read and comment and try to help each other out. I have not been a 1er owner for very long, but long enough to notice how unique this community is!

We are very different from E90Post and I take great pride in this .

[Esteban]

Never really spent much time on the E90 forum, but I've heard things.

I will add that our sport seats have a reputation for fitting like a glove tho. I've had a 1 series (in two different iterations) for 9 years and it has always felt just right. One of the most comfortable, if not the most comfortable car seat I've had the pleasure of sitting in.

Agree about the members here at 1ADDICTS. Great group! I enjoy it a lot and learn something every day!

[xQx]

Yeah, I find the 135i seats don't recline enough for my liking. I have had to adjust it so it's maximum height at the front, minimum height at the back and maximum recline to get comfortable.

You could try something like this: Back support cushion or this lumbar support.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Never really spent much time on the E90 forum, but I've heard things.

I will add that our sport seats have a reputation for fitting like a glove tho. I've had a 1 series (in two different iterations) for 9 years and it has always felt just right. One of the most comfortable, if not the most comfortable car seat I've had the pleasure of sitting in.

Agree about the members here at 1ADDICTS. Great group! I enjoy it a lot and learn something every day!

Yeah I've gotten the compliment that my seats are some of the most comfortable. Many of which come from tall (~6ft), slender guys like myself - maybe an insight into the demographic of 1-series owners?

[ultimated]

try paying attention to your arm position as well, move the seat up and the steering wheel up and down as needed. Just changing your seat setting during a long drive can help. I have had muscular and disc related pain for many years and found these sport seats extremely comfortable (Im 6 foot, less than 180 lbs, 34 inch inseam). I found core strengthening exercises and stretching to be very helpful, but see a doctor to rule out more significant issues. Take care of your back and it will take care of you.

[chris_flies]

One thing that makes long drives much more comfortable is steering from 8 and 4 o'clock. I rest my arms on my legs and steer with the tips of my thumbs and index fingers on the wheel. Very relaxing, and allows much finer control than the sporty 9 and 3. When I get to some twisties, I'll then switch to 9 and 3, for that response and quickness it offers. Don't simply think about your seating position, think also about how you actually drive the car...

[Vorsprung_CJB]

I have manual sport seats, and after over 6 years I have only recently been having problems. First the seat position was causing leg and foot pain. Got it better for that, but then had back pain. Tried more settings and I thought it was fine, now I am getting pretty severe shoulder pains and soreness, and even in my elbows too.

I've been trying to move only the wheel first, but I find I am either having to lean forward on sharp turns because it is too far, or my elbows bump the bolsters if it is too close. I feel like reaching for the 6MT is awkward now, somehow, esp getting 6th. My elbow bumps the armrest.

Honestly I don't know what changed. I am in pretty good shape, but 5'8" which seems to be on the shorter end of people around here. I haven't moved the seat at all since getting comfortable last. I even put packing tape over the controls so no one moves the seat! Had other people sit in and they thought it was fine.

Any ideas? I'll try some of the things people have mentioned. Thanks

[1and1]

Only part of the sport seats that bothers me is more me than seat- at 6'2" and 260lbs I run a touch wider than the bottom cushion bolsters.

Nifty thing is it's only the inside bolster that ever seems to dig into my hip, so am going to try to shift the seat towards the center console. Never even occurred to me that there would be enough play to make that an option... Fingers crossed, even a quarter inch would be outstanding.

And this is coming from somebody with bad ankles, knees, hips, back for two reasons, shoulders and neck... That just the one lower seat side bolster is the only thing I complain about is truly a statement to just how good the sport seats are!

[ultimated]

Originally Posted by Vorsprung_CJB

I've been trying to move only the wheel first, but I find I am either having to lean forward on sharp turns because it is too far, or my elbows bump the bolsters if it is too close. I feel like reaching for the 6MT is awkward now, somehow, esp getting 6th. My elbow bumps the armrest.

That armrest is a P in A; I drive with mine raised so my elbow isn't constantly banging into it while I shift.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by romnation

I have an 09 135i with the powered sports seats and I just cannot get comfortable. My lower back starts to hurt after 30 or 40 minutes of driving. I have tried messing with all of the adjustments and while some lumbar support helps somewhat, I still have not been able to eliminate the pain. I came from a 350z with no adjustments whatsoever and found the seats infinitely more comfortable than the 135i. I also have an old toyota corolla and have never had much back pain with either car.

I'm not sure what the deal is with the 135i. I'm 5'11 and have a fairly long torso. Anyone have any suggestions? Also does seat height actually have any effect on back pain? I prefer sitting as low as possible.

Try the manual seats. They go about 1 3/8" lower and can give a different angle. The power seats sit high. The manual seats are also lighter and slide faster to let people in back seat. Only downside is no memory. They do have a mechanical memory for driver but once you move it you have to re adjust.

You can find them on sale and try them out at Carfax or used car dealership. Also someone else might have them near you on forum.

[chris_flies]

I'll trade sport seats for my standard, heated, manual seats.

Hehehe

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by romnation

I have an 09 135i with the powered sports seats and I just cannot get comfortable. My lower back starts to hurt after 30 or 40 minutes of driving. I have tried messing with all of the adjustments and while some lumbar support helps somewhat, I still have not been able to eliminate the pain. I came from a 350z with no adjustments whatsoever and found the seats infinitely more comfortable than the 135i. I also have an old toyota corolla and have never had much back pain with either car.

I'm not sure what the deal is with the 135i. I'm 5'11 and have a fairly long torso. Anyone have any suggestions? Also does seat height actually have any effect on back pain? I prefer sitting as low as possible.

Swap out the seats for a pair of M3 seats.

Much better.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

Swap out the seats for a pair of M3 seats.

Much better.

If manual seats, these would be a good option but the straight trade sounds good too!