M5 (F10) M multifunction seat issue

[MW-M5]

Collected my brand new M5 two weeks ago, it was specced with the M Multifunction seats as I wanted the 'comfortable' seat option. However, these seats are giving me a back ache and are just not comfortable. It feels like there is something behind the seat cushion causing a significant lump behind my back.

I have made sure that the lumbar support is fully deflated and have adjusted the height but doesn't make a difference. I accept that the seats will take a while to find the correct position but whatever I try this lump remains.

Has anyone else had or felt this issue and if so what did you do to rectify it. Or are my seats just faulty and I'll have to take it to the dealers to get sorted.

[CSully94]

Can't offer any help, but nice to know I'm not alone in this issue, regularly have the same feeling that you describe albeit on an E92 M3. Yet to figure out a solution, was pretty convinced it was just my back being awkward until I read your post.

[Wills2]

Whereabouts is the lump? (at what height)

[MW-M5]

Wills2 said:

Whereabouts is the lump? (at what height)

Below the shoulder blades and seems to be where the lumbar is focused, even though it is fully deflated. The lump is horizontal across the seat.

[Wills2]

MW-M5 said:

Below the shoulder blades and seems to be where the lumbar is focused, even though it is fully deflated. The lump is horizontal across the seat.

So on the lower part of the seat back, I've been out tonight there is no such lump on mine I would take the car in and have them look at it.

[MW-M5]

Wills2 said:

So on the lower part of the seat back, I've been out tonight there is no such lump on mine I would take the car in and have them look at it.

Thanks for checking.

I've sat in the car this evening making all kinds of adjustments and whist some positions make it feel better, it is still there.


Its hard to explain but it actually feels like the seat cushion is too firm, like there is a book behind it (albeit covered with a cushion) and therefore pushes my back further forward and doesn't allow it to settle in its natural position.

[kippaxking]

I took me a while to find the perfect position with these seats although I put that down to the huge number of different adjustments.

I assume you realise the top half of the seat has a separate angle adjustment? I'm 6ft 2in and moving this top section forward to its max at first felt more 'snug' but left me with back ache on longer drives.

I definitely don't have the lump you mention so I would get the dealer to look at it.

Enjoy the car.

MW-M5 said:

Wills2 said:

So on the lower part of the seat back, I've been out tonight there is no such lump on mine I would take the car in and have them look at it.

Thanks for checking.

I've sat in the car this evening making all kinds of adjustments and whist some positions make it feel better, it is still there.


Its hard to explain but it actually feels like the seat cushion is too firm, like there is a book behind it (albeit covered with a cushion) and therefore pushes my back further forward and doesn't allow it to settle in its natural position.

[AMD1]

No such lump on my seats, I'm 6'3" and find the seats just perfect. Is it the same in the front passenger seat?

[MW-M5]

kippaxking said:

I assume you realise the top half of the seat has a separate angle adjustment? I'm 6ft 2in and moving this top section forward to its max at first felt more 'snug' but left me with back ache on longer drives

Thanks for the advice, I had adjusted the top section and like yourself it felt more snug with it furthest forward, however I have gone out this evening for a longish drive and have adjusted this further back and the lump seems to not be anywhere near as noticable. Still a bit of back ache at the end of the journey but a lot better.

Hopefully I just now need to fine tune the various settings. I know it is personal prefence but how does everyone have their seat set up for seat cushion height/angle and the thigh support?

[Wills2]

I have the following:

Top seat back all the way forward
Seat squab all the way back (it lifts slightly at the end of its travel supporting your thigh)
Lumber support (I have no idea, I messed about for ages with it but wouldn't be able to reset it)
Seat base slightly angled up towards the front.

[MW-M5]

Just to update everybody... I continued to get pain and even had my back checked out by an osteopath, there was no problems with my back apart from some slight tension in my shoulders so knew there must have been something wrong with the seat.

So finally took the car into the local dealer to get it looked at (whilst having my running in service) and they have confirmed that the incorrect seat cushion was installed from factory, so they are replacing these.

Whilst it is disappointing this happened in the first place, full credit to the dealership, they have been absolutely fantastic in how they have dealt with this. Probably the best customer service I have ever received and really goes to show how companies can turn a negative into such a positive. Well done Cooper BMW.

Just got to wait for the correct seat cushion to be delivered and fitted now!

[theboss]

Good to have reached a conclusion which proves that you were right in your assertion of a fault... I'm finding it difficult to get comfortable in mine now, I'm having some lower back pains and can't seem to find a fully supportive position. Will have to keep fiddling.

[IATM]

MW-M5 said:

Just to update everybody... I continued to get pain and even had my back checked out by an osteopath, there was no problems with my back apart from some slight tension in my shoulders so knew there must have been something wrong with the seat.

So finally took the car into the local dealer to get it looked at (whilst having my running in service) and they have confirmed that the incorrect seat cushion was installed from factory, so they are replacing these.

Whilst it is disappointing this happened in the first place, full credit to the dealership, they have been absolutely fantastic in how they have dealt with this. Probably the best customer service I have ever received and really goes to show how companies can turn a negative into such a positive. Well done Cooper BMW.

Just got to wait for the correct seat cushion to be delivered and fitted now!

Bloody hell! I am impressed that they mananged to even bother to check or realise it was the incorrect seat cushion. Full credit indeed.

Lets hope the correct one resolves your issue! Also good on you for actually going to get it checked - so many would have just thought they opted for the wrong option or that they were rubbish.

[MW-M5]

theboss said:

Good to have reached a conclusion which proves that you were right in your assertion of a fault... I'm finding it difficult to get comfortable in mine now, I'm having some lower back pains and can't seem to find a fully supportive position. Will have to keep fiddling.

It may be worth popping off the back cover of the seat and seeing what cushion you have.




I had the one marked number 5 installed, which is for ventilated seats and the holes are where the fans should go. The correct seat back is number 3 for the multi function seats without ventilation, which I imagine most in the UK will be.

[popeyewhite]

MW-M5 said:

Just to update everybody... I continued to get pain and even had my back checked out by an osteopath,

You should really get a scan if you're worried enough to try alternative medicine.

[MW-M5]

popeyewhite said:

You should really get a scan if you're worried enough to try alternative medicine.

Huh?

I was getting pain caused by an incorrectly fitted seat putting my back in to a weird unnatural position. Before I realised this was the cause, I had my back assessed by a trained professional who confirmed that my back was absolute fine. This led me to investigate the issue with the seat and therefore has now got me to a point where this will be resolved.

[popeyewhite]

MW-M5 said:

popeyewhite said:

You should really get a scan if you're worried enough to try alternative medicine.

Huh?

Osteopathy is considered 'un-scientific' enough to be considered alternative medicine. If you want to be 100% assured there's nothing wrong with your back you should see a proper doctor.

[MW-M5]

popeyewhite said:

Osteopathy is considered 'un-scientific' enough to be considered alternative medicine. If you want to be 100% assured there's nothing wrong with your back you should see a proper doctor.

There is nothing wrong with my back. I have already explained that the cause was the incorrect seat cushion being installed in my car. I do not suffer any other issues in any other seats.

[popeyewhite]

MW-M5 said:

popeyewhite said:

Osteopathy is considered 'un-scientific' enough to be considered alternative medicine. If you want to be 100% assured there's nothing wrong with your back you should see a proper doctor.

There is nothing wrong with my back. I have already explained that the cause was the incorrect seat cushion being installed in my car. I do not suffer any other issues in any other seats.

Yes, thanks, I got that. I was merely pointing out that if you thought something was wrong with your back then an osteopath is not really the person you should see.

[MW-M5]

popeyewhite said:

Yes, thanks, I got that. I was merely pointing out that if you thought something was wrong with your back then an osteopath is not really the person you should see.

NHS seems to disagree with you

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Osteopathy/Pages/Intr...

Most people who see an osteopath do so for help with conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints, such as:

lower back pain
neck pain
shoulder pain
arthritis
problems with the pelvis, hips and legs
sports injuries
problems with posture caused by driving, work or pregnancy