[x5mad]

I'm sure quite a few members here can relate to this problem.

I have quite bad issues with my back and am finding that for car journeys more than 30 minutes in the F30 my back starts to complain.

I had a weekend test drive and thought it would be ok although I admit I didn't take it for extended drives.

I have ordered a memory foam back cushion designed for car seats but am not optimistic.

I would really like to change out the drivers seat for BMWs comfort seat (eg as in 7 series). I am willing to pay up to $5k.

Anyone know if this can be done and what alternatives there are?

Before someone says just change the car, remember I'm from Australia and for my 328 I paid approx $90k. Depreciation would be about $30k so at this stage changing the car is not an option.

[Billfitz]

My back is the worst, twenty years of recurring bouts of sciatica until I started taking two of these every day:
http://www.puritan.com/antioxidants-...-800-mg-051441

It's a low dose anti-inflammatory. Since I stated taking it 3 years ago when I've had back pain flare ups they've lasted only a third as long as before, and I haven't had any sciatica. I used to have to take up to six Vicodin a day for relief. I haven't had to take any since going on the turmeric. Being low dose it takes about a month to fully kick in.
I routinely drive four to six hours with my standard seat, no issue at all.

[MTHX]

Try to sit in your car without bottom seat angle.

The bottom seat at 180 ...

__/

[LMK5]

What car were you driving before the F30? If it was also a sedan, it may be that it just takes time to adjust to it. I have lower back issues too and have found this to be the case. Now, if you came from a minivan or SUV, the seating position was more natural and upright. It may take quite a bit of experimenting with the seat adjustments to take the pressure off. The lumbar adjustment is key--that's why I paid for the premium package.

[fshubert]

Do you have the lumbar adjustment in your seat? I find that really helps. Two weeks ago I drove to Chicago from NJ (11 hours each way) and no issues given how I have the seats and lumbar support set up.

[RoundelM3]

^Agreed - lumbar support helps quite a bit!

[mastereh]

I got my car in January and experienced back pains from May until mid September.

Then I decided to elevate my seat to the highest sitting and I'm now in an angle that is around 95 - 100 degrees.

After driving this way for a few weeks my back pains are gone.

Previously I had the seat very low to the floor and leaned back to 110-120 degrees. For months I played around with Lumbar support thinking that would solve the issues but it didn't help.

Note; I drive nearly 200km a day....

[Boxtyp3]

I can relate to your case. You might find it helpfull if you raised the seat and lean back more rather than seating too upright. I also raised the lumbar support at the lowest area of my lower back. My theory is that, the more upright you seat, the more the center of gravity will be concentrated on your lower back. While if you lean back, your upper body weight will be spread over the back rest and away from your lower back. It worked for me. Hope it will to you. Good luck!

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

My back is the worst, twenty years of recurring bouts of sciatica until I started taking two of these every day:
http://www.puritan.com/antioxidants-...-800-mg-051441

It's a low dose anti-inflammatory. Since I stated taking it 3 years ago when I've had back pain flare ups they've lasted only a third as long as before, and I haven't had any sciatica. I used to have to take up to six Vicodin a day for relief. I haven't had to take any since going on the turmeric. Being low dose it takes about a month to fully kick in.
I routinely drive four to six hours with my standard seat, no issue at all.

Thank you for this. I have sciatica and will try anything: ordered some! About 20 visits to a chiropractor now and no change.

My f30 (without lumbar adjustment) is actually ok on my back; it's a very supportive seat. My problem is hire cars through work with shitty seats.

[x5mad]

Thanks for the comments.

In reply to some of your questions

- my previous car was an X5 and 135. I drove the 135 more though. I now see in retrospect the X5 was the most comfortable

- I have the sport seats incl lumbar

- 100% agree that lumbar is essential. Drove a loan car without it and I couldn't sit still for more than 5 minutes. It was so uncomfortable

- I will definitely try seat bottom at 180 degrees and the seat higher.

I have even thought about getting an occupational therapist to assess and adjust my seating.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by x5mad

Thanks for the comments.

In reply to some of your questions

- my previous car was an X5 and 135. I drove the 135 more though. I now see in retrospect the X5 was the most comfortable

- I have the sport seats incl lumbar

- 100% agree that lumbar is essential. Drove a loan car without it and I couldn't sit still for more than 5 minutes. It was so uncomfortable

- I will definitely try seat bottom at 180 degrees and the seat higher.

I have even thought about getting an occupational therapist to assess and adjust my seating.

If you look on the Net there are lots of sites that tell you how you should adjust your seat for best posture.

[alohasurftoad]

for seat position i put the seat back and bottom as close to 90 degrees as possible and then tilt the whole seat to sit less upright. basically rotating the 90 degree position to the desired inclination. thigh support is at its maximum height so it is more difficult to ingress/egress however once you're in the support is great. adjust lumbar a bit higher so that your butt can be in the 90 degree corner.

for therapy the guy i go to practices kiate, a nerve muscle therapy. there aren't too many that do this but if you can find a good kiate therapist, it does wonders. you still have to do your part and maintain as much flexibility as possible and core strength to prevent future injury.

[rwmyo2]

I had a similar issue where back pain will start 10 minutes into the ride. I ordered a seat wedge cushion and an adjustable thin back support. The combination of both eliminated the back pain

[fiuman]

Had a similar issue with my f20 with sport line seats, lower back pain and cramps to the legs after a hour drive or so... Never did get into a position that i could manage without issue.
Rectified the problem by selling the car and taking the cab everywhere while i wait for my 320d luxury line to arrive, had a loaner car of that spec and experienced no issues.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by roundel335

^Agreed - lumbar support helps quite a bit!

Adding lumbar makes my low back pain worse.
I avoid lumbar support completely.

The sport seat has a little lower back curve in it, just enough, and I love BMW's sport seats.
My lower bad is quite bad, and it's the main reason why I went to 8spd AT instead of my preferred MT. With the AT my lower back is a good bit better, still not great but better.

[shadowyman]

I've found lumbar support in our cars to be too high to support lower back. I'm curious how the germans' body shaped so they designed the car this way. I'm no means short but lowest lumbar support is still too high to provide any relief.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

Thank you for this. I have sciatica and will try anything: ordered some! About 20 visits to a chiropractor now and no change.

I tried a chiropractor. It seemed that all he wanted to do was to sell me supplements. When he placed a device containing a red LED on my chest and told me it was a laser treatment..through my clothes, no less...that was enough nonsense for me.
Also, I found sitting in s straight back chair was bad, especially as I work at a computer 5 hours a day. I switched to a Norwegian recliner with a laptop table, much better, as it spreads my weight up my back rather than concentrating it at the hips.

[lens]

Yeah these seats suck, tbh I was looking around for retrofit seats that fit my 335, but I found 90 degrees on the seat helps a bit so I decided to wait instead.

[carguy11]

And I thought it was me. I bought a F30 2015 320ix and the seats are very skimpy and too firm. My last car was a Volvo S60 and the seats were so much more comfortable. I put a thick faux lambskin mat on the F30 seat and it helps a lot. Had I realized the seat was so uncomfortable during the shopping process I never would have bought it. I'm now fighting a sciatica flare-up, don't know if it's a coincidence or not but anticipating Dr's appt this week. Hopefully get a shot into the nerve area.

[CJ0920]

I'm coming from a Volvo V70R and the seats in the Volvo were much more comfortable even with 170k on them! I myself have been experiencing knee pain as well as lower back sciatic pain on my daily commute. I feel like the seat bottom is biting into me.

I did have a 5 series loaner on Saturday and drove around running errands etc, and never experienced any issues. The seats were more wider and relaxing. Mind you I'm under 180lbs here.

[fusion0389]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I tried a chiropractor. It seemed that all he wanted to do was to sell me supplements. When he placed a device containing a red LED on my chest and told me it was a laser treatment..through my clothes, no less...that was enough nonsense for me.
Also, I found sitting in s straight back chair was bad, especially as I work at a computer 5 hours a day. I switched to a Norwegian recliner with a laptop table, much better, as it spreads my weight up my back rather than concentrating it at the hips.

Lol Chiropractors are hit and miss. There are some that practice holistic health which sounds like what he\she was pulling on you. There is some merit, but largely its snake oil. Chiropractic has made a TREMEDOUS improvement in my neck\back health. I would routinely get stiff neck\back pain that would sometimes render me to the bed for a couple days until the muscle relaxers kicked in. Going to the Chiro cured this. Initially i'd go in a couple times a week for adjustments, however im on a once a month schedule now. Havent had issues for years. You just have to get a good one, these snake oil salesmen give the good ones a bad name.

I use the lumbar support in my F30 to achieve a good seating posture, no complaints even on longer 6-7 hour drives.

[CJ0920]

I've been hearing lumbar support helps, but every time I try adjusting the lumbar I feel as though its completely uncomfortable.