Tight lower bolsters - have you or the car adjusted?

[ssuene93]

I m 5'11 and have a 6MT. I dont find it bothering when shifting. During my ED in last month, my longest drive was about 5 hours, with a stop for fuel and stretch, no problem for me at all.

[slavearm]

Took a towel board and hammer. Loosened up that bolster right good.

[JDubz]

Originally Posted by slavearm

Took a towel board and hammer. Loosened up that bolster right good.

Jesus dood

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by slavearm

Took a towel board and hammer. Loosened up that bolster right good.

lol, did you seriously?

Keep the comments coming guys, this helps.

[a1gio2]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

How long have you had the car?

17 months. I've adjusted the seats to the point where they are tolerable, but by no means are they or will they ever be comfortable to me.

I get it, they are great and probably fit some people like a glove, I just wish the convertible seats were an option.

[gprgeorge]

I know this subject has been discussed before but after two years of owning my beloved F80, the damn seat still hurts my left leg. The seat turns up to high and my left leg goes right over the top. Long drives it really seems to be an issue. Thought after 2 years it would get better. NOT! I deal with it because I love my car but is there anything I can do to the seat to widen it? I'm sure others have this issue too?

[backagain]

Originally Posted by gprgeorge

I know this subject has been discussed before but after two years of owning my beloved F80, the damn seat still hurts my left leg. The seat turns up to high and my left leg goes right over the top. Long drives it really seems to be an issue. Thought after 2 years it would get better. NOT! I deal with it because I love my car but is there anything I can do to the seat to widen it? I'm sure others have this issue too?

Are you sure your seating position is set correct? Your legs are suppose to be moderately bent when pressing the pedals. So if your left leg is resting on the foot rest, which is closer to body, the increased bend angle should allow your left leg to clear the cushion.

So maybe move your seat closer to the cluster? If you find it getting in/out not as easy as before, code your car with easy entry.

[MannyS]

Vert seats have a reduced level of bolster discomfort compared to a coupe.

I experienced the bolster discomfort as well in a 2016 Z4 35i and I got rid of the car because I could not attain a comfortable leg position after driving 2 hours.

My seat discomfort problem may possibly be related to the local wine that I consume on occassions ( https://fatasswine.com ).

[TonySCV]

The thigh bolsters do not get any "looser" over time, or provide any more give. If they are annoying now, they will always be annoying. The only option is to take the seat bottoms to an upholsterer and have them cut out the metal bar that causes those bolsters to be so uncomfortable.

[SenorFunkyPants]

I couldn't manage more than 30 mins before my M4 seat gave me thigh pain.
So I bought one of these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hardcastle-.../dp/B00TUB70FI
Looks rubbish but now I can drive 8 hours no problem.

[MN2///M]

So I have Fred Flintstone calves and am slightly shorter although the same weight. I have never had an issue with the seats despite long periods in the seat and bad knees.

I'd say it all comes down to seat adjustment. The bolsters are not going to give much, so if they really bother you, you'll need to decide if you want to live with that.

A good upholstery person could likely reshape the bolsters for you, but I would recommend playing with seat adjustment to find what is most comfortable for you.

Even at 6'2", you should have enough adjustment to properly adjust the seat. Not sure if anyone has explained how to properly adjust the seat and not to infer you don't, but many people do not. I do think proper seat adjustment is more important in this car than in others with more forgiving seats. I really learned this after some instruction in performance driving.

When properly adjusted according to the BMW Performance School folks, you should have about a fist between the top of your head and the roof with your eye level directly in the middle of the windscreen, be able to have a slight (not frog) bend to your knees when the brake is fully depressed and with your left foot on the brace, have the seat tilt adjusted to just support your lower thigh and the seat back set so that your shoulders stay square in the back of the seat when turning the wheel.