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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[MW-M5]

theboss said:

Can somebody explain how you remove the seat back? I'm a little wary about trying to dismantle bits of interior trim in case I break something or can't put it back together again

MW-M5 have you had yours swapped / rebuilt yet?

Not yet had mine re-built, Only got confirmed on Thursday and they are now awaiting delivery of the correct cushion from Germany.

Removing the seat back trim is a little nerve racking at first as I too didn't want to cause any damage. The top section is held on by two metal clips and two plastic clips. To get the metal clips to detach away from the trim you need to pull/push the trim side to side (be aware that the metal clips will remain in the seat and are a bit of a bugger to get out, you'll need pliers). Once this is removed you just need to angle the trim backwards and upwards and it will come off. You will be able to see the seat cushion from just removing the top part.

However, the larger bottom cover is much easier to remove. at the bottom of the seat is two plastic plugs each with a smaller plastic plugs inside, pop out the smaller plug with a screwdriver (there is a grove to get the screwdriver under) then pull the larger plug out. Once youve done this you just need to move the cover side to side at the bottom part(much easier than the top part) and then once this done angle the trim backwards and downwards to detach the top clips.

HTH

[MW-M5]

Just a final update on this.

The car went in to Cooper in January and the seat was assessed by BMW UK's technical expert. The seat cushion was then replaced, however this seat cushion was of the same design and I was told this was the correct cushion for the seat. Unfortunately this did not resolve my issue and the seat remained very uncomfortable and was causing pain.

Whilst the work was carried out on my car I was given an F80 M3 for two days. The difference in the seats were chalk and cheese. The M3 seats supported my back in all the right places as they should. Accordingly, after getting my M5 back and noting that the seat was still not right I looked into changing into an M3. The only problem was that I was going to have to take a rather significant financial hit and I was just not prepared to do so.

To cut a long story short, I contacted BMW UK and Financial Services and after a couple of weeks they agreed to assist with changing cars. I have today signed on the dotted line for a fantastic brand new Atlantis Blue M3, which I will hopefully be picking up next week.

I would really like to thank Phil at BMW Financial Services and all the guys at Cooper BMW for their excellent customer service helping to reach a satisfactory solution.

I can't wait to pick it up next week now!

[MWM3]

northpolar said:

M3 looks fab. And sounds like all parties came away winners which is great to read!

I'm interested to hear what conclusion you reached about the multi function seats which quite a few people have extolled the virtues of and recommended as a must have option with the M5. Did you walk away thinking they were just a miss match for your physiology or that there remains some gremlin in your particular car which, however well intentioned people were, they could not resolve?

Peter

I am pretty sure there was a problem with my seat as it didn't feel like just an adjustment issue. No matter how I arranged the seat (and I tried loads of different varying arrangements) the seat just did not support my back 100% and the lumps and bumps remained I even had bruising from the seats after some longer journeys). It put my spine in a very unnatural position. I am an average sized guy, 5 foot 10, a tad over 12 stone so there isn't really any reason the seat shouldn't have been suitable.