Can lumbar support be retro-fitted?

Can lumbar support be retro-fitted?

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Discussion

ratty6464

Original Poster:

628 posts

211 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
quotequote all
My 4 series is giving me lower back pain. I'm using an aftermarket pad thing which is helping but what it really needs is adjustable lumbar support.

Can't find much info on this, but can it be retrofitted? I'd prefer not to get rid of the car but will have to if its not sorted as I'm not putting up with back pain...

E-bmw

9,234 posts

153 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
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I suspect you would need to change the seat, if the lumbar support is electric you will likely need to do quite significant wiring changes too.

roofer

5,136 posts

212 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
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Doesn't look like there is a kit for it...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partgrp?id=3P72-EU...

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
quotequote all
I would pull the back off the seat, then put the lumber pillow you bought between the springs and the foam, this will give you what you need.

I had to do this on my 535d as although every option was ticked it didn't have lumbar.

I just used some tea towels kept folding them and adding more until it was spot on.

Chutney

34 posts

178 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
I would pull the back off the seat, then put the lumber pillow you bought between the springs and the foam, this will give you what you need.

I had to do this on my 535d as although every option was ticked it didn't have lumbar.

I just used some tea towels kept folding them and adding more until it was spot on.
Totally agree. My back was agony in an F10 until I pulled the back of the seat and adjusted spring tension with zip ties.

w1ntermut3

99 posts

100 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
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Chutney said:
Totally agree. My back was agony in an F10 until I pulled the back of the seat and adjusted spring tension with zip ties.
Could you guys who have done this give a brief diy?

My e91 has all of the electric gubbins APART from lumbar support.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
quotequote all
w1ntermut3 said:
Could you guys who have done this give a brief diy?

My e91 has all of the electric gubbins APART from lumbar support.
Literally take the panel off the back of the seat, youtube that.
The put some towels or similar between the springs and the foam to bush the base of the seat out in the same way lumbar does.

It takes 5 mins.


w1ntermut3

99 posts

100 months

Monday 18th April 2016
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Looks like retofitting the actual support is both possible and not that horrendous to do.

ratty6464

Original Poster:

628 posts

211 months

Monday 18th April 2016
quotequote all
After scouring the net I've found this company that can fit an inflatable pouch in the seat. What does everyone think?

Don't want them to screw up the seat but if it does work it would be viable.

http://www.motormods.co.uk/lumbar_support_cars.htm...

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Monday 18th April 2016
quotequote all
You can buy them off amazon and take the power from the connector that feeds the seat adjustment. I looked at it before, the were about £65 each. Be interested to see what they charge?

If you fit it in the same way I said regarding the towels it will only take and hour or so.

I would just use the towels for now and see how you get on.

ratty6464

Original Poster:

628 posts

211 months

Monday 18th April 2016
quotequote all
Do you just roll up a towel and place it horizontally in the seat? Does the towel stay in position and not slip down?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Monday 18th April 2016
quotequote all
If you take the back off the seat.

http://tis.bmwcats.com/doc1075625/

You then put the towels between the springs and the foam, this stops the towels sliding around and also means you have the foam still against the leather so you don't get any lumps and bumps.


Swervin_Mervin

4,459 posts

239 months

Tuesday 19th April 2016
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It is possible to retrofit the parts - I've looked into it in the past, but haven't ever bothered. There's a guide somewhere online. It looks fairly easy tbh.

ratty6464

Original Poster:

628 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
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I've ordered one of these and will have a go at fitting myself

http://www.corbeau-seats.com/accessories/inflatabl...

smashy

3,041 posts

159 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
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Hope that helps you,re lumbar on the seat mine has lumbar but like a steel lump in your back not helpful.

Now this company used to design seats for london Taxi drivers to retrofit and know what they are doing,I have one of their wedges and its excellant ,turns the pelvis into the correct position the thicker part is against the back,

http://putnams.co.uk/collections/sitting-wedges


gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
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That looks awful!

I'm sure it is great for your back, but it looks like everything I hate in a car seat.

ratty6464

Original Poster:

628 posts

211 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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For anyone with a similar issue, i have fitted this lumbar support from Corbeau. only took 10mins - will see if it helps on the commute this week...

http://www.corbeau-seats.com/accessories/inflatabl...


Jamessimpaon1990

1 posts

49 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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Hi there just wondering if the add on lumbar support was successful?
Kind regards
James

smashy

3,041 posts

159 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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Is it answer though the lumber support to me feels like a lump of metal pressing on your back I adjust it right back to get rid .....how about trying a wedge seat cushion it puts your sacral area in the correct position..works for me I do a lot of miles .Putnam brand is probably the best