F30 retrofit sports auto & lumbar support

[paul1087]

Hi All,

Will be getting a new car soon and have narrowed it down to a 2014 320d or 325d with the 8spd auto box.

Its become apparent that finding a car with the lumbar support option is very difficult, also not many with the sports auto and paddle shifters.

Wondering if anyone has retro-fitted either of these options and how much they paid?

Thanks.

[James_G]

I once retro-fitted the massaging seat function to some E38 seats that didn't have it, and I'd imagine fitting lumbar would be similar.

Purely out of interest what makes you think you need it? It's one of those options that I have previously thought about selecting but have never done a side by side comparison so couldn't say whether I would benefit.

[smashy]

Paul ive got lumbar support ,,I wouldnt bother if you use it its like having a pebble in your back...what you do need to do (my mistake) is make sure you get Sports seats , the standard seats are not worthy of a premium brand...

[paul1087]

Thanks both.

Ive got a bad back - dodgy disc in the lumbar region and the extra support helps a lot which is why I am keen to find out if possible.

@Smashy - I've already got the sports seats in my current 3 Series - E90 M-Sport and find that the narrow base bolsters combined with the offset pedals make for a very sore right hip when driving, I actually found the normal "Comfort" seats much better for me.

We're all different I suppose!

[Wills2]

Retro fitting the sports auto would be madness from a cost point of view, I thought it was very popular and therefore most would have it?

[smashy]

Paul in that case apologies for the wrong steer..can I mention retrofitting not your issue i know but I asked about Sports seats to swap my standard ,what with the electrics etc from indie to BMW it was a job you could tell they didnt fancy taking on and it was silly money ,getting on for 3 thousand pounds if i recall...and its no good anyone coming on saying different ,that was the situation,...but went to leicester Recaros head office and they would have been £700 onwards depending on seat to take out mine and stick theirs in but far too small. Im used to them now but poor,sat in a saab the other day really supportive and comfy

[paul1087]

Used to have a Saab and yep the seats were brilliant!

@Wills2 - I would've thought that most would have the sports auto too, but vast majority is the regular auto box, I thought the retrofit would just involve physical fitting of the paddles and an ECU plug in to switch them on.. ? But perhaps not possible.

@Smashy - I believe the lumbar support is £260 on the options list. So was hoping it would be a sub £500 retro fit at a dealer. Certainly wouldnt spend any more than that. Will give BMW a call tomorrow to find out properly.


Will report back once I know!

[MrBurt]

Bought a 320d msport plus x drive in Jan this year. Cannot comment on the lumber support, don't need it and cannot say whether mine has it or not. Seats are tricky to adjust with manual modes, so can understand why you cannot get comfy. Reference the sport auto, almost all the ones I looked at had it. I surmised that it would be rare to find an auto without it.
With regard the paddles, I have used them twice since I got my car, the box is that good it's rarely in the wrong gear for the given situation.
There are many things disappointing about my car, I will not go in to them in detail here but one of the main issues is the engine. Ok performance and economy, but the noise drives me crackers, it really is a deal breaker for me and ruins the car.
Not sure what the 325 is like but it's a version of the 4 pot not the 6 pot from previous generations so I advise to drive one first from cold over various conditions, because it's a nasty unit compared to the current best on market from others.
If you need any more info ask. I summaries my car as ' the best most disappointing car I have owned'

[Wills2]

paul1087 said:

@Wills2 - I would've thought that most would have the sports auto too, but vast majority is the regular auto box, I thought the retrofit would just involve physical fitting of the paddles and an ECU plug in to switch them on.. ? But perhaps not possible.

Looking at the AUC site of the 325d M sport autos most tend to have the sports auto I didn't look at the year.

But of course that depends on the colour and year you want but I wouldn't get to hung up on the year better to get the spec you want rather than worry whether it's a 13 or 14 etc...

Good hunting.

[aeropilot]

paul1087 said:

@Smashy - I believe the lumbar support is £260 on the options list. So was hoping it would be a sub £500 retro fit at a dealer. Certainly wouldnt spend any more than that.

Not a hope

Lack on lumbar support option was a problem I had when looking for a E82 135i 4/5 years ago. Really hard to find in combination with the other options and when I enquired retro-fitting of it was not an option any dealer was prepared to do. I ended up buying new to get the spc I wanted.

You might find an indy specialist willing to have a go at the retro-fit? I would think the parts alone would be way more than 500 notes though......