Lower back pain

3.0L · 05-12-2015, 01:52 PM

We treated ourselves to 2 news cars since retiring 3 years ago; a 2012 MB GLK350 and the 2014 M235i. In both cases, we loaded the cars for our enjoyment, particularly going for the premium seating, including heated seats. Both cars are very comfortable - the best I've ever owned. At my age, not only do I benefit from the added adjustments, I've also jolly well earned it.

Crowden · 05-12-2015, 05:46 PM

http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-Original-...+for+back+pain

Every so often I have HUGE back pains and I know they're no joke. This squishy dealie works very well and is pretty cheap.

My only experience with non-sport BMW seats is a '97 E36. They were pretty comfortable, actually. Haven't sat in the 228 non-sport more than 30 seconds or so, so no feedback there. I have noticed that the lower cushion on BMWs for some reason will start to cause an annoying pressure point after about 2 hrs in the saddle. VW and Volvo seats don't. Must be something subtle to do with the firmness and contour.

Anyway, you might give the squishy roll a try; it worked for me and the other people I've recommended it to.

Wheelwright · 05-12-2015, 06:11 PM

Apparently edmunds.com loves M235i seats: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/2-series/...the-fleet.html .They consider them better than Volvo seats which used to be a benchmark.

Crowden · 05-12-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

Apparently edmunds.com loves M235i seats: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/2-series/...the-fleet.html .They consider them better than Volvo seats which used to be a benchmark.

The 235 seats are, I believe, identical to the power 228 sport seats. I'm not sure in what way the manual sport seats vary (perhaps no adjustable side bolsters?) and that's something I'd like to determine. My presumption is that they're largely, if not completely, identical.

midwest 340xi 6sp · 05-12-2015, 08:14 PM

OP --- trade in the 2 and get a BMW with 20 way, multi-contour seats...

These are far superior (imo) to the sports seats. In fact, they are the best seats in a vehicle that I have ever owned.

When I was having really challenging L5 problems, those seats were a god send..

You'll have to go 5 series on up in a car or X5 on up in an SAV to get em though.

msej449 · 07-11-2022, 08:25 AM

Have you seen a qualified osteopath? Whilst seat ergonomics and features like lumbar support can help a lot, you may find that you need some exercises to address the issue properly. And it may get worse with age and not be confined to car seating anyway. So a review with an osteopath may reveal something underlying that will be along-term issue. With me, it was that I had one leg slightly shorter than the other, which meant a very slightly curved spine, and that this meant one side of my back the muscles were weaker than the other. I now have some exercises which deal with this and I've not had any issues for a couple of years.

leftoverture · 11-14-2022, 08:21 AM

Seats are such an individual thing. I have DGS and the rock hard bolsters on the bottom seat cushion cause me great pain after only a short time behind the wheel. I have to use a seat cushion by Purple to be able to drive my 2 farther than about 5 miles. But to me, the lumbar support (I have the adjustable) is great. To anyone reading though, check out the seat cushion options at purple.com

There is something about the purple cushions that just works. And to BMW: make adjustable lumbar support standard. You make high end cars so adjustable lumbar support is expected.

05-12-2015, 01:52 PM	#23
3.0L Colonel 8934 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	We treated ourselves to 2 news cars since retiring 3 years ago; a 2012 MB GLK350 and the 2014 M235i. In both cases, we loaded the cars for our enjoyment, particularly going for the premium seating, including heated seats. Both cars are very comfortable - the best I've ever owned. At my age, not only do I benefit from the added adjustments, I've also jolly well earned it. __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2015, 05:46 PM	#24
Crowden Private 39 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	A good product http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-Original-...+for+back+pain Every so often I have HUGE back pains and I know they're no joke. This squishy dealie works very well and is pretty cheap. My only experience with non-sport BMW seats is a '97 E36. They were pretty comfortable, actually. Haven't sat in the 228 non-sport more than 30 seconds or so, so no feedback there. I have noticed that the lower cushion on BMWs for some reason will start to cause an annoying pressure point after about 2 hrs in the saddle. VW and Volvo seats don't. Must be something subtle to do with the firmness and contour. Anyway, you might give the squishy roll a try; it worked for me and the other people I've recommended it to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2015, 06:11 PM	#25
Wheelwright Captain 463 Rep 778 Posts Drives: M235i (6MT fakerich edition) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada, Oak Ridges iTrader: (0)	Apparently edmunds.com loves M235i seats: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/2-series/...the-fleet.html .They consider them better than Volvo seats which used to be a benchmark.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2015, 08:14 PM	#27
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 359 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	OP --- trade in the 2 and get a BMW with 20 way, multi-contour seats... These are far superior (imo) to the sports seats. In fact, they are the best seats in a vehicle that I have ever owned. When I was having really challenging L5 problems, those seats were a god send.. You'll have to go 5 series on up in a car or X5 on up in an SAV to get em though. __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-11-2022, 08:25 AM	#28
msej449 msej449 514 Rep 717 Posts Drives: M235i Convertible +LSD 2016 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: South Coast UK & Swiss Alps iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Peugeot e208 GT [0.00] 2016 BMW M235i Conv ... [0.00]	Have you seen a qualified osteopath? Whilst seat ergonomics and features like lumbar support can help a lot, you may find that you need some exercises to address the issue properly. And it may get worse with age and not be confined to car seating anyway. So a review with an osteopath may reveal something underlying that will be along-term issue. With me, it was that I had one leg slightly shorter than the other, which meant a very slightly curved spine, and that this meant one side of my back the muscles were weaker than the other. I now have some exercises which deal with this and I've not had any issues for a couple of years. __________________ 2016 M235i Convertible Estoril Blue & Oyster 2023 Peugeot e-208 GT (electric) Last edited by msej449; 07-14-2022 at 03:52 AM..
	Appreciate 1 aerobod3615.00 Quote

11-14-2022, 08:21 AM	#29
leftoverture Captain 436 Rep 614 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	Seats are such an individual thing. I have DGS and the rock hard bolsters on the bottom seat cushion cause me great pain after only a short time behind the wheel. I have to use a seat cushion by Purple to be able to drive my 2 farther than about 5 miles. But to me, the lumbar support (I have the adjustable) is great. To anyone reading though, check out the seat cushion options at purple.com There is something about the purple cushions that just works. And to BMW: make adjustable lumbar support standard. You make high end cars so adjustable lumbar support is expected.
	Appreciate 0 Quote