Tight lower bolsters - have you or the car adjusted?

[Needsdecaf]

FOllowing up on this thread:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1114330

I thought about posting in that thread, but there is too much damn debate about seat types and not buying a car with a couch in the front..

My question is specifically for anyone who found the bolsters tight when they first got the car. Did you get used to it? Did the bolsters "loosen up" over time, or did you just figure out a seat setting that helped it out? Also, if you have a 6MT, did this bother you shifting, or did you find that helped it out? Have you accepted it? Or is it making me think about selling the car?

Thanks all. This is my biggest reservation for this car as a bigger guy (6'2", 250).

Thanks!

[saleen556]

They are adjustable so I think there is plenty of room. I'm 6'2 240 and have plenty of room. If you carry a lot of extra weight around the middle it could be motivation to fit :-)

[RickFLM4]

The back bolsters are adjustable but I think OP is referring to those on the seat bottom, which are not adjustable. There is a thread somewhere that shows a project someone took on to make the seat bottom more comfortable (maybe the one linked - I didn't look through that one again). Short of that, there isn't much you can do to the seat itself. They do not loosen over time.

Personally, I find I need to take a couple of seconds when getting in the car to get myself properly oriented in the seat. If I do that and don't change sitting position much when driving it is fine and I've gotten used to it for the most part. You never want to find yourself with your leg on top of that bottom bolster. I wish they made the bottom bolsters adjustable and it is the aspect of the car I dislike most, but I have learned to live with it - never thought about getting rid of the car because of it. However I'm sure I'll pay more attention when I get my next car.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by saleen556

They are adjustable so I think there is plenty of room. I'm 6'2 240 and have plenty of room. If you carry a lot of extra weight around the middle it could be motivation to fit :-)

As the other poster mentioned, was referring to the lower bolsters. Always had wide hips and big legs, even when I was slimmer.

[saleen556]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

As the other poster mentioned, was referring to the lower bolsters. Always had wide hips and big legs, even when I was slimmer.

Yep not much you can do about that.

[landshark99]

I am pretty big and find them maybe not ideal but ok, but I also have a dct

[gprgeorge]

It drove me nuts at first. I even considered trading my M3 because of it. The lower part of the seat is not adjustable but since this is my daily driver my big ass has probably slightly widened the seat. I don't notice it much anymore but if I think about it, it can still be an issue.

[Treeboy]

I came from E90 and I was also concerned about the bolsters. Year later, I think I have adjusted. Don't think about them anymore. Both legs straight to the front, no more driving "frog style".
I am 6'6" and 220lbs.

[RobbyMack]

At first they were a bit tight but I took it as extra motivation to drop a few lbs. down 15 and happier in general as a result. Just gotta lay off the mid week beer.

[OutlawX3M]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

FOllowing up on this thread:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1114330

I thought about posting in that thread, but there is too much damn debate about seat types and not buying a car with a couch in the front..

My question is specifically for anyone who found the bolsters tight when they first got the car. Did you get used to it? Did the bolsters "loosen up" over time, or did you just figure out a seat setting that helped it out? Also, if you have a 6MT, did this bother you shifting, or did you find that helped it out? Have you accepted it? Or is it making me think about selling the car?

Thanks all. This is my biggest reservation for this car as a bigger guy (6'2", 250).

Thanks!

I found that if I sit positioning myself as if there's a clutch pedal (mine is dct), the bolsters aren't a problem. Then I just move my left left foot about an inch or so and turn the toes out a little and I'm fine.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

FOllowing up on this thread:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1114330

I thought about posting in that thread, but there is too much damn debate about seat types and not buying a car with a couch in the front..

My question is specifically for anyone who found the bolsters tight when they first got the car. Did you get used to it? Did the bolsters "loosen up" over time, or did you just figure out a seat setting that helped it out? Also, if you have a 6MT, did this bother you shifting, or did you find that helped it out? Have you accepted it? Or is it making me think about selling the car?

Thanks all. This is my biggest reservation for this car as a bigger guy (6'2", 250).

Thanks!

I am 6'3" 245 lbs. I have gotten so used to it that I don't even think about it anymore. It never ever bothers me. I have to add that my car being a manual has certainly got to help with this because I am constantly using the left leg for the clutch and that has got to be relieving any compression of nerves, etc. incase that were happening.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Treeboy

I came from E90 and I was also concerned about the bolsters. Year later, I think I have adjusted. Don't think about them anymore. Both legs straight to the front, no more driving "frog style".
I am 6'6" and 220lbs.

Your username is very appropriate for your height

[a1gio2]

I'm 6'1/ 225lbs and I will never get used to it. My car is manual, so I am constantly moving my left leg, but it sits on top of the bolster. The car is acceptable for short drives, but anything over an hour is annoying. I didn't test drive the car, I just ordered it because I always wanted it.

I have a feeling that the M4 convertible, and even the M2 seats would be a lot more comfortable.

[RobbyMack]

Originally Posted by a1gio2

I'm 6'1/ 225lbs and I will never get used to it. My car is manual, so I am constantly moving my left leg, but it sits on top of the bolster. The car is acceptable for short drives, but anything over an hour is annoying. I didn't test drive the car, I just ordered it because I always wanted it.

I have a feeling that the M4 convertible, and even the M2 seats would be a lot more comfortable.

Yes the vert seats and 2 series seats are more comfortable if the thigh bolsters are bothersome. I don't think there is the ability to retrofit the vert seats but you might look into it if it's a big issue.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Treeboy

I came from E90 and I was also concerned about the bolsters. Year later, I think I have adjusted. Don't think about them anymore. Both legs straight to the front, no more driving "frog style".
I am 6'6" and 220lbs.

Thanks, this is helpful. Due to my general build, lack of seat travel, comfort, etc, I too tend to sit "frog style" while driving. Plus My feet point pretty far out naturally. Never been able to heel / toe as a result, since my foot normally rests at a 45 degree angle.

My one thought is that in my GS, somehow my legs do end up oriented fairly straight. I joke that it's the first car I've ever been set up to heel / toe in....and it's An auto, lol.

Thanks for the input.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by RobbyMack

At first they were a bit tight but I took it as extra motivation to drop a few lbs. down 15 and happier in general as a result. Just gotta lay off the mid week beer.

Lol, I could stand to lose some as well, but it won't help my leg anatomy unfortunately. Always had tree trunks for legs.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by a1gio2

I'm 6'1/ 225lbs and I will never get used to it. My car is manual, so I am constantly moving my left leg, but it sits on top of the bolster. The car is acceptable for short drives, but anything over an hour is annoying. I didn't test drive the car, I just ordered it because I always wanted it.

I have a feeling that the M4 convertible, and even the M2 seats would be a lot more comfortable.

How long have you had the car?

[solstice]

The seats are pretty hard and stiff and prone to hot spots. I have issues with the U-shape of the upper back rest but after 2 years it's improving. Now a 2h drive is ok which is when it started getting uncomfortable before. So there is some wearing in taking place. Though I'm only 6'1 and now in 155lbs racing season shape so the bolsters doesn't bother me

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by solstice

The seats are pretty hard and stiff and prone to hot spots. I have issues with the U-shape of the upper back rest but after 2 years it's improving. Now a 2h drive is ok which is when it started getting uncomfortable before. So there is some wearing in taking place. Though I'm only 6'1 and now in 155lbs racing season shape so the bolsters doesn't bother me

Ironically even though I'm a good deal larger, the upper portion doesn't bother me. Especially the comp pack seats.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Ironically even though I'm a good deal larger, the upper portion doesn't bother me. Especially the comp pack seats.

Maybe you got more built in bolstering to fill the U-shape

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by solstice

Maybe you got more built in bolstering

No maybe about it.

[gearboxtrouble]

It doesn't eliminate it completely but I've tweaked my seat settings to help. I found that tilting the seat inwards so that the front is a little higher than the back takes the weight off your thighs. It helped me on a couple of long drives.