Can't Stand the Stock Seat

akdoc · 08-12-2011, 02:08 PM

Talk about a big oops. I leased a 2011 factory demo Z4 35i with heated seats, premium package, nav and 7 speed auto for a very good deal. The only problem is that it does not have the sport package and I can't stand the seat. I have been in BMers for the last 10 years and all of them had the sport seat. I gave this one a try because of the deal I got and I have never had a two seat convertible before. I figured I could just live with the regular seat without sacrificing too much.

I was wrong. I love everything about the car, and I mean everything except the seat. I am ready to throw it out the window, really the top, because it just doesn't compare to the sport seat.

Right after I got it, it took it to a very well known and respected auto upholstery shop and had him work on it a bit. The seat became better than when I first got it but it still not where I want it.

I have investigated getting an after market seat like a Recaro, but the mounting bracket for the floor does not exist. Also, I know that I will lose the side airbag as that is built into the side of the seat. So, I am not sure what to do. I though about finding a totaled 2011 with sport package to buy the drivers seat but haven't found one yet. I thought about selling my car and getting a new Z4 with the sport package but can't find one with black interior with the options that I want.

So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and maybe someone on the site has a sport package seat that they don't want and may consider a swap. I don't know so thanks in advance for any help.

mikeinaustin · 08-12-2011, 03:17 PM

I actually think there was someone on here who did not like the sport seat, so it is somewhat possible you'll be able to do a trade. it is more likely you will have to buy the seats from bmw and install. try penskeparts.

shadowfax777 · 08-12-2011, 03:32 PM

After having the sports seats in my E46 Coupe, I never bought other BMW without. Standard seats look boring, and do not provide good support.

akdoc · 08-12-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinaustin

I actually think there was someone on here who did not like the sport seat, so it is somewhat possible you'll be able to do a trade. it is more likely you will have to buy the seats from bmw and install. try penskeparts.

I looked into getting them from BMW directly through the parts department and the cost of the seat was around $3,500 without installation. I would have to buy all the parts separately and then assemble it.

ZheHbKa · 08-12-2011, 06:27 PM

agreed, sport seats are a must

Atebit · 08-13-2011, 09:33 PM

Have you seen this ad for Recaros

cdeslandes · 08-14-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

agreed, sport seats are a must

Funny, because I didn't get the sport package precisely because I hate the sport seats. It's a matter of personal taste (and lower back physiology) I guess...

zEdP · 08-15-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Funny, because I didn't get the sport package precisely because I hate the sport seats. It's a matter of personal taste (and lower back physiology) I guess...

I didn't order the sport seats either, because I do not like the bulky shape of it. Personally, the standard seats give me enough support.

akdoc · 08-15-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atebit

Have you seen this ad for Recaros

Which ad for Recaros?

ZheHbKa · 08-15-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Funny, because I didn't get the sport package precisely because I hate the sport seats. It's a matter of personal taste (and lower back physiology) I guess...

i feel like sport seat support lower back better, but maybe im just used to them. i had a loaner without them and i felt like i was sliding side to side and was very annoyed

cdeslandes · 08-15-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

i feel like sport seat support lower back better, but maybe im just used to them. i had a loaner without them and i felt like i was sliding side to side and was very annoyed

Your ass must be smaller than mine!

ZheHbKa · 08-15-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Your ass must be smaller than mine!

LOL possibly, i'm 6'0 190

akdoc · 08-15-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

i feel like sport seat support lower back better, but maybe im just used to them. i had a loaner without them and i felt like i was sliding side to side and was very annoyed

I agree. I am sliding everywhere and I feel lots of pressure on my hamstring muscles. I did go to a dealer last week and sat in one with the sport seats and its was like..ah relief. Having said that, though, the car had the beige interior and that is not for me. I need all black. Anyway, I'm still looking for the right alternative.

coldnate · 08-16-2011, 03:32 PM

i gotta tell ya... I just traded in my 128 that had regular seats. I didn't think it was that bad until I got my Z. Now I'll never buy another BMW without sport seats. (except a 7

)

jpd · 08-16-2011, 04:22 PM

No easy answer here. You need to return the car at the end of the lease just as you when you signed the contract. You may need to live with it or take a real beating financially. You are now upside down unless you gave the dealer an enormous amount down

akdoc · 08-17-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd

No easy answer here. You need to return the car at the end of the lease just as you when you signed the contract. You may need to live with it or take a real beating financially. You are now upside down unless you gave the dealer an enormous amount down

So, I got the deal of the month. I traded in my Z last night for what I owed on the lease. Since the car was a factory demo, I didn't owe more that the car was worth. Therefore, the dealer took it with no money out of my pocket.

As the replacement, 335i with Msport, premium, nav, harmon kardon, auto, 19" rims, space gray with black. I will miss the convertible but I am happy to have the room again. My wife is happy because I can take the kids again in my car.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this process. Finally, the cost involved in getting an after market seat was much more than just getting the new car.

skier219 · 08-17-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akdoc

So, I got the deal of the month. I traded in my Z last night for what I owed on the lease. Since the car was a factory demo, I didn't owe more that the car was worth. Therefore, the dealer took it with no money out of my pocket.

As the replacement, 335i with Msport, premium, nav, harmon kardon, auto, 19" rims, space gray with black. I will miss the convertible but I am happy to have the room again. My wife is happy because I can take the kids again in my car.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this process. Finally, the cost involved in getting an after market seat was much more than just getting the new car.

Well, that takes care of the problem! You gotta do what you gotta do.

I will say, I hope you didn't put down too much money (or any) on the Z4 lease. That's the part you end up throwing away when you bail on a lease early (not as much time to get your worth back out of it).

BimmaDrew · 08-17-2011, 11:34 PM

Man, that CARFAX report is going to look suspicious! lol It was leased for such a short time and then sold. The owner must have driven it into the ground, or it was a lemon. lol

Mr. ///M3 RD · 08-18-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akdoc

So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and maybe someone on the site has a sport package seat that they don't want and may consider a swap. I don't know so thanks in advance for any help.

Did you have a look at this site? you can order seats here that will fit your e89

Have a peek here ----> CLICK TO SEE THEM

08-12-2011, 02:08 PM	#1
akdoc BMW for life 3 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Los Angeles CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00]	Can't Stand the Stock Seat Talk about a big oops. I leased a 2011 factory demo Z4 35i with heated seats, premium package, nav and 7 speed auto for a very good deal. The only problem is that it does not have the sport package and I can't stand the seat. I have been in BMers for the last 10 years and all of them had the sport seat. I gave this one a try because of the deal I got and I have never had a two seat convertible before. I figured I could just live with the regular seat without sacrificing too much. I was wrong. I love everything about the car, and I mean everything except the seat. I am ready to throw it out the window, really the top, because it just doesn't compare to the sport seat. Right after I got it, it took it to a very well known and respected auto upholstery shop and had him work on it a bit. The seat became better than when I first got it but it still not where I want it. I have investigated getting an after market seat like a Recaro, but the mounting bracket for the floor does not exist. Also, I know that I will lose the side airbag as that is built into the side of the seat. So, I am not sure what to do. I though about finding a totaled 2011 with sport package to buy the drivers seat but haven't found one yet. I thought about selling my car and getting a new Z4 with the sport package but can't find one with black interior with the options that I want. So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and maybe someone on the site has a sport package seat that they don't want and may consider a swap. I don't know so thanks in advance for any help. __________________ Dr. John 2012 M3 ///Coupe Space Gray/Black FINALLY
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08-12-2011, 03:17 PM	#2
mikeinaustin First Lieutenant 42 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2010 z4 3.0 crimson red Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: austin, tx iTrader: (0)	I actually think there was someone on here who did not like the sport seat, so it is somewhat possible you'll be able to do a trade. it is more likely you will have to buy the seats from bmw and install. try penskeparts.
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08-12-2011, 03:32 PM	#3
shadowfax777 Private 13 Rep 74 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bedfordshire, England iTrader: (0)	After having the sports seats in my E46 Coupe, I never bought other BMW without. Standard seats look boring, and do not provide good support.
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08-12-2011, 06:27 PM	#5
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	agreed, sport seats are a must __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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08-13-2011, 09:33 PM	#6
Atebit Private First Class 4 Rep 107 Posts Drives: Yellow 2011 Z4 sdrive30i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Have you seen this ad for Recaros __________________
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08-16-2011, 03:32 PM	#14
coldnate Private 11 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 128i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Valencia, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i [9.00]	i gotta tell ya... I just traded in my 128 that had regular seats. I didn't think it was that bad until I got my Z. Now I'll never buy another BMW without sport seats. (except a 7 )
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08-16-2011, 04:22 PM	#15
jpd Lieutenant 5 Rep 572 Posts Drives: Alpine White 135 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	No easy answer here. You need to return the car at the end of the lease just as you when you signed the contract. You may need to live with it or take a real beating financially. You are now upside down unless you gave the dealer an enormous amount down
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08-17-2011, 11:34 PM	#18
BimmaDrew Private 2 Rep 62 Posts Drives: '01 325 Ci Join Date: May 2008 Location: St. Louis area iTrader: (0)	Man, that CARFAX report is going to look suspicious! lol It was leased for such a short time and then sold. The owner must have driven it into the ground, or it was a lemon. lol
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