[arctic330i]

Do your non-sport leatherette/leather seats give you back pains? There is a simple DIY fix that is customizable to basically any level of comfort you desire.

This has given me back problems since I got the car. But, I recently was able to fix this using a towel and some metal wire!

1) Remove the two plastic plugs at the bottom of the driver back plastic piece.
When removing the plastic plugs just break them, I used a standard "cutter" (don't laugh) or sharp tool to cut the flat heads off the plugs. There is no real way to save them and I have found that they don't really do anything (yet), the back plastic is pretty stable without them

2) Pull down on the plastic and it will come down about 2 inches and it will break free


3) For me you can see in the pics the "pain zone" This metal bar was digging into my back so bad, making me want to tear my spine out and beat the car with it.


4) Zip tie/wire or whatever you want to pull that "lever" thing by wrapping it around the lever and through a small hole of which I have circled in the pic.


5) Add as many towels or foam as you want until it feels right.

6) Horizontally put one side of the plastic back into the seat and "push" the plastic together to fit it back in then push back up to snap it back into place. The bottom should just stay there, If your not happy with it, just jam something in the hole

I think that covers it, I hope that helps some!

[TheRox]

Can't stand the fact that I don't have lumbar support. Disgusting.

Lumbar was the only reason we ordered the Panamera and didn't buy it off the lot. Unfortunately, I wasn't about to order a 3 series. What is wrong with Germans? Damn nickel and dime ppl

[arctic330i]

I know, my BMW was kind of an accident so we had no clue which options we wanted, but now I am much more comfortable.

[faz]

Good write up.

I don't understand the purpose of the wire/zip tie and passing it through the small hole though.

[IancoleTX]

Very cool man, thank you for posting

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by faz

Good write up.

I don't understand the purpose of the wire/zip tie and passing it through the small hole though.

There is a metal "bar" (Its black and circled in red in the pic) that is pressed against the seat, it was causing a pain in my back, so I zip tied/wired it to the bar behind it so it is no longer pushed against my back.

Does that make sense? It's kinda hard to explain.

[faz]

that explains it.

I thought perhaps you were just using it to pull the metal bar back temporarily so you can put the towels in.

[FlowState]

isnt this a fire hazard if you have heated seats?

[MrBusiness]

Wow - very creative!! Very cool tho

[bumere90]

haha very cool

[miller271]

nice tip

[Audentia]

solid diy. Who made these seats anyway? first owner bimmer pretty disappointing.. rest of the car is fantastic though.

[Ali-E90]

Glad this post got bumped... Didn't realize this existed, but am definitely going to give this a shot now.

THanks!

[arctic330i]

Sure!

[JustROLLIN]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

isnt this a fire hazard if you have heated seats?

My question exactly.

[arjjra]

I agree.. these seats are terrible and I thought it was only myself. Definitely gonna give this a try

[Jety]

Great idea!
Thank you!

[Ali-E90]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

isnt this a fire hazard if you have heated seats?

anyone have an answer for this? I'm debating putting aftermarket heaters on my seats... I think it might be ok since the heater elements go right behind the leatherette, whereas the towels appear to be at the back of the seat. Can anyone confirm?

[goondout]

My e90 came with motorized and heated seats but no lumbar. I did something similar as the OP, but used a $15 manually inflatable lumbar air bag. I fed it in from the bottom, and then placed some plastic sheet stock between the air bag and the springs, so the bag could only inflate forwards. It works EXCELLENT, with no impact to the heated seats whatsoever. Hasn't leaked one bit with the hose crimper, and my ride is 100% comfortable now. Get the pressure to your liking, and you're good. I can always remove with no harm done, so maybe someday if I source parts cheap enough, I'll do the power lumbar retrofit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D41D6J5H...hk_typ_imgToDp