My car is giving me a bad back.
Discussion
Hi all.
Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
99Chimaera said:
Hi all.
Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Removal of run flats helped me in a previous generation M Sport. They’d caused jarring over bumps and I have a long term back problem. Even better when I reduced wheel size. Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
If it has side bolster adjustment , make sure that’s all working okay. A long term loaner 1 series’ side bolsters caused my father to have a bad back.
Overall I really like the M Sport sport seats and found the lack of overall support in SE / Lux more of a problem for my back. So if it is a seat issue , maybe swap seats rather than car.
I’m assuming , however, that you do have sport seats , it may have been possible to delete that option (even on a M sport) when new.
If you can’t tell , last 7 digits of VIN in any BMW vin decoder should confirm.
Smuler said:
Removal of run flats helped me in a previous generation M Sport. They’d caused jarring over bumps and I have a long term back problem. Even better when I reduced wheel size.
If it has side bolster adjustment , make sure that’s all working okay. A long term loaner 1 series’ side bolsters caused my father to have a bad back.
Overall I really like the M Sport sport seats and found the lack of overall support in SE / Lux more of a problem for my back. So if it is a seat
I’m assuming , however, that you do have sport seats , it may have been possible to delete that option (even on a M sport) when new.
If you can’t tell , last 7 digits of VIN in any BMW vin decoder should confirm.
Hi. Many thanks for your reply, that's great. I will probably get a quote from a upholsterer to refoam the seats which are m sport seats.if that doesn't solve the problem, I'll change the tyres, I have 18 inch wheels.If it has side bolster adjustment , make sure that’s all working okay. A long term loaner 1 series’ side bolsters caused my father to have a bad back.
Overall I really like the M Sport sport seats and found the lack of overall support in SE / Lux more of a problem for my back. So if it is a seat
I’m assuming , however, that you do have sport seats , it may have been possible to delete that option (even on a M sport) when new.
If you can’t tell , last 7 digits of VIN in any BMW vin decoder should confirm.
Having said that I test drove a Luxury and whilst. I was very impressed with the car,I thought that the seats weren't that supportive. I'll check with the vin decoder.
Many thanks for your help.
I've done a couple of very long trips in my 335D (before I sold it) which gave me incredible back ache with the first longer trip requiring a number of osteopath appointments to get me right again. Following these I followed some advice I found that raising the seat and angling it backwards made it significantly more comfortable and made long journeys bearable without any further back issues! I know you say you have already tried adjusting the seat position, but might be worth another go.
99Chimaera said:
Hi all.
Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Before doing anything, where about's is the back pain, and what car did you drive before the BMW?Recently I bought a BMW F31 320d Xdrive M sport touring approved used from BMW. I really like the car, but I find it very uncomfortable to sit in despite trying different seat positions and cushions etc the ride is very firm despite being in comfort mode. I think it's been the cause of the bad back I'm currently experiencing. Is there anything I Can do to make it more comfortable? Would be better off swapping to a Luxury or an SE model?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
jcborden said:
I've done a couple of very long trips in my 335D (before I sold it) which gave me incredible back ache with the first longer trip requiring a number of osteopath appointments to get me right again. Following these I followed some advice I found that raising the seat and angling it backwards made it significantly more comfortable and made long journeys bearable without any further back issues! I know you say you have already tried adjusting the seat position, but might be worth another go.
Thanks for your message, I've not driven the car for a few days, I'll try raising the seat and tip it back. Thanks again aeropilot said:
Before doing anything, where about's is the back pain, and what car did you drive before the BMW?
It's lower back and it also affected my neck. I had a couple of VW Golf GTI mk5s before the BMW, so I'm used to firm suspension on cars, but the BMW seems to be a lot firmer.99Chimaera said:
aeropilot said:
Before doing anything, where about's is the back pain, and what car did you drive before the BMW?
It's lower back and it also affected my neck. I had a couple of VW Golf GTI mk5s before the BMW, so I'm used to firm suspension on cars, but the BMW seems to be a lot firmer.I'm also guessing the seats are manual, not electric ones?
How tall are you, and/or are you long legged?
I will bet you have the seat base too low, and the seat base tilted too high at the front.
The manual sports seats have an odd 'rocking' pivot movement, and this takes some fiddling with. When I sold my Saab (best seats I've ever had) and bought my 135i, I suffered with terrible lower back/hip issues after the first week or so driving it.
With help from my chiropractic, I was able to get the seat in the right position (eventually) plus we identified that being a DCT car, the left foot rest in the BM was too low, and I was stretching my left leg out to brace my foot, and this was causing my hip joints to twist in the seat which was causing the lower back pain. The simple task of fitting a raised block on the foot rest so left foot was at same level with right foot stopped the pain within a few days.
I've had to do the same thing on the foot rest on my X5 when I bought that.
aeropilot said:
I won't be the suspension, it's the seat position.
I'm also guessing the seats are manual, not electric ones?
How tall are you, and/or are you long legged?
I will bet you have the seat base too low, and the seat base tilted too high at the front.
The manual sports seats have an odd 'rocking' pivot movement, and this takes some fiddling with. When I sold my Saab (best seats I've ever had) and bought my 135i, I suffered with terrible lower back/hip issues after the first week or so driving it.
With help from my chiropractic, I was able to get the seat in the right position (eventually) plus we identified that being a DCT car, the left foot rest in the BM was too low, and I was stretching my left leg out to brace my foot, and this was causing my hip joints to twist in the seat which was causing the lower back pain. The simple task of fitting a raised block on the foot rest so left foot was at same level with right foot stopped the pain within a few days.
I've had to do the same thing on the foot rest on my X5 when I bought that.
The seats are manual. I did have the seat tilted back but not lowest position and not the high, I Just didn't find it comfy in that position. I changed the the seat back to a more upright position, and the seat base more or less level, that when my back problem started. I am 5'10"I'm also guessing the seats are manual, not electric ones?
How tall are you, and/or are you long legged?
I will bet you have the seat base too low, and the seat base tilted too high at the front.
The manual sports seats have an odd 'rocking' pivot movement, and this takes some fiddling with. When I sold my Saab (best seats I've ever had) and bought my 135i, I suffered with terrible lower back/hip issues after the first week or so driving it.
With help from my chiropractic, I was able to get the seat in the right position (eventually) plus we identified that being a DCT car, the left foot rest in the BM was too low, and I was stretching my left leg out to brace my foot, and this was causing my hip joints to twist in the seat which was causing the lower back pain. The simple task of fitting a raised block on the foot rest so left foot was at same level with right foot stopped the pain within a few days.
I've had to do the same thing on the foot rest on my X5 when I bought that.
I'm not long legged . Thank you for your help.
Bit late to this thread, but I have the same car, 18 inch alloys, and have a long-standing back complaint not caused by the car. I am on my 4th 3 series as the sports seats are the only ones I find comfortable in any car range.
One thing not mentioned in the replies to you, and apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but the Xdrive 3 series has SE suspension even if badged MSport.
Getting the seats modified risks damaging the value of the car, and soft seats might be worse for your back and probably end up more expensive than a few sessions with an Osteopath.
One thing not mentioned in the replies to you, and apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but the Xdrive 3 series has SE suspension even if badged MSport.
Getting the seats modified risks damaging the value of the car, and soft seats might be worse for your back and probably end up more expensive than a few sessions with an Osteopath.
KevinG22 said:
Bit late to this thread, but I have the same car, 18 inch alloys, and have a long-standing back complaint not caused by the car. I am on my 4th 3 series as the sports seats are the only ones I find comfortable in any car range.
One thing not mentioned in the replies to you, and apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but the Xdrive 3 series has SE suspension even if badged MSport.
Getting the seats modified risks damaging the value of the car, and soft seats might be worse for your back and probably end up more expensive than a few sessions with an Osteopath.
Hi, many thanks for your reply, I no longer have the BMW, I chopped it in for a Volvo V60 Rdesign D5, which I have found more comfortable and the bad back has gone. One thing not mentioned in the replies to you, and apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but the Xdrive 3 series has SE suspension even if badged MSport.
Getting the seats modified risks damaging the value of the car, and soft seats might be worse for your back and probably end up more expensive than a few sessions with an Osteopath.
Hi all.
I've had the same car for around 3 months now, I'm 6'2, long legged and I've found that the brake pedal is very high compared to the accelerator and footrest.
Im going to try a lumbar cushion as my car has sports seats with no lumbar adjustment.
My seat is at the lowest level with the front pitched up slightly. I find that if I'm too high up, my foot is at an uncomfortable angle to reach the pedals.
Back pain still seems to be persisting, going to see a physio soon to get straightened out. I've never had this issue with a car before and it's ruining it for me. I love the car but this has to stop.
I've had the same car for around 3 months now, I'm 6'2, long legged and I've found that the brake pedal is very high compared to the accelerator and footrest.
Im going to try a lumbar cushion as my car has sports seats with no lumbar adjustment.
My seat is at the lowest level with the front pitched up slightly. I find that if I'm too high up, my foot is at an uncomfortable angle to reach the pedals.
Back pain still seems to be persisting, going to see a physio soon to get straightened out. I've never had this issue with a car before and it's ruining it for me. I love the car but this has to stop.
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