BMW 330i

leftoverture · 12-18-2021, 12:54 PM

Just got a brand new 330i rental while my other car is in the shop. It is RWD and we have freshly fallen snow. I am impressed that it goes so well in the white stuff, hardly miss x-drive. Overall,it seems really nice. Lot of cool features that I'll be exploring over the next 4-5 days as I wait for my car to get done. One thing I can say is the seats are horrible. I know a lot of people like BMW's sport seats, but to me they are over confining and far too narrow. I'm not tracking this thing so I would appreciate less bolstering. Some of you younger guys will know exactly what I mean when you're older. So while this car is very cool these seats might keep me from actually buying one. My two series is kind of the same way. I use an extra cushion to raise myself up out of the bottom bolsters. I'm still trying to figure out the i-drive, seems quite different from my 2016. But the displays are really cool. I think I'll be having some fun with this thing over the next few days!

DanG · 12-18-2021, 01:08 PM

Most newer BMWs let you adjust the width of the seats. Here is a Video of the adjustments:

leftoverture · 12-18-2021, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG

Most newer BMWs let you adjust the width of the seats. Here is a

Yea, I went for that right away but this one doesn't have that feature (my 2 series does). But that's also for the seat back bolsters, I find the seat bottom bolsters are too tight also. I know of no adjustment for those. And, for the record, I'm not that big of a guy.

Lots of carmakers these days (not just BMWs) seem to make seats that are for very small people (or children). The rental place initially offered me a Nissan Rogue. Have you ever sat in one? I think my grandchildren would find the seats too narrow. No thank you.

RM7 · 12-20-2021, 12:27 AM

Or you could just lose weight?

Germanauto · 12-20-2021, 12:56 AM

Only BMW I've felt this was in is the 8-series. But somehow after 10 minutes my body got accustomed to it.

That car can't make up it's mind of what it wants to be. Some aspects are too luxury-focused, others aspects are sporty.

leftoverture · 12-20-2021, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM7

Or you could just lose weight?

Perhaps you missed the part where I said I'm not a big guy. But you pretty much confirm my point that these seats are for little people.

leftoverture · 12-20-2021, 08:21 AM

Well, now that I got back in the 330 again, I found it does have the adjuster for the seat back width, just located differently than my 2 series. That sure helps for the back.

DocL · 12-20-2021, 08:31 AM

I leased a 2004 Infinity G35 Coupe without test driving one. I had it delivered to my office and when I drove it home, only five miles, my legs were so uncomfortable. The lower seat bolsters were so narrow that my fat ass legs had no room for the boys if you know what I mean. I couldn't drive the car it was that bad. After a few days I decided to stand on the outer bolster and jump up and down a few times. I heard the metal support of the cushion break and after that the seat was comfortable.

zipstic · 12-20-2021, 12:43 PM

To be fair, we didn't get too much white stuff in the Twin Cities on Saturday.

The tires will make a big difference on how it performs, but if it was a brand new 330i then they probably weren't cold/snow oriented.

leftoverture · 12-20-2021, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipstic

To be fair, we didn't get too much white stuff in the Twin Cities on Saturday.

The tires will make a big difference on how it performs, but if it was a brand new 330i then they probably weren't cold/snow oriented.

True that, but the road in front of my condo was completely covered and I stomped on it and the traction control kicked in and it just went. I suppose maybe if the snow was deeper, but hopefully I won't have it that long. I did not look at the tires but my guess is they are all seasons. But the car does have California plates.

SteveinArizona · 12-20-2021, 03:49 PM

Seats have been a very controversial item for BMW users. The best seem to be the multi-contour seats which have 20+ adjustments. With those, I can move the width from very wide to very narrow. I am 76 but I like to be cossetted so I have them set to surround me when I start up the car. It is like a gentle hug.

leftoverture · 12-20-2021, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocL

I leased a 2004 Infinity G35 Coupe without test driving one. I had it delivered to my office and when I drove it home, only five miles, my legs were so uncomfortable. The lower seat bolsters were so narrow that my fat ass legs had no room for the boys if you know what I mean. I couldn't drive the car it was that bad. After a few days I decided to stand on the outer bolster and jump up and down a few times. I heard the metal support of the cushion break and after that the seat was comfortable.

Haha! Well, I have never gone to that extreme but I did have an upholstery shop reduce the side bolsters on the bottom seat cushion of my Lincoln. On my 2 series, I just use a seat cushion by Purple. It raises me up just enough.

Merami fan · 12-21-2021, 12:00 AM

I have the opposite problem... Even with the bolsters set to make the seat as narrow as possible, I still slide around a little. Doesn't really matter for daily driving, but I would definitely need a bucket seat for track use.

Germanauto · 12-21-2021, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocL

I leased a 2004 Infinity G35 Coupe without test driving one. I had it delivered to my office and when I drove it home, only five miles, my legs were so uncomfortable. The lower seat bolsters were so narrow that my fat ass legs had no room for the boys if you know what I mean. I couldn't drive the car it was that bad. After a few days I decided to stand on the outer bolster and jump up and down a few times. I heard the metal support of the cushion break and after that the seat was comfortable.

My mom had that car back in the day but the sedan. Now that you bring it up, I remember those seats being narrow and uncomfortable.

I never got comfortable with my IS for all six years I had it. Unnecessarily high seating position, limited leg room, and something about that car's seats and harsh ride gave me low back and neck pain after 30 mins of driving.

leftoverture · 12-21-2021, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onesie

I've tracked with 70 year olds who had no problem with their bucket seats…

Aren't you conflating age with size?

How big are you?

I'm 6 foot and 200 lbs, not fat by any means. I fit very comfortably in any seat BMW makes, and do not appreciate the lack of bolstering in the regular seats.

I consider myself a small guy, as I can fit anywhere and don't have these issues you're referring to.

Not sure you'll share how big you are given your acid response to the other poster. But maybe he has a point? I always thought to myself that if one day I can't fit somewhere it's time for me to do something about that? Am I wrong?

Acid response? Really? Hmmm.

Sounds like you and I are about the same size. You like the seats, which I clearly acknowledged many people do. But I do not like them. And that's just that.

DocL · 12-21-2021, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germanauto

My mom had that car back in the day but the sedan. Now that you bring it up, I remember those seats being narrow and uncomfortable...

Those seats were definitely designed by a skinny Asian. Thankfully I've lost a lot of weight and now I can sit in almost any seat comfortably. I do use a foam pad in my F80 because the lower seat cushion doesn't have enough padding for my now skinny ass.

jmg · 12-21-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM7

Or you could just lose weight?

You could say I love cheeseburgers... a lot... and I find the narrowest setting to be fine. I find the carbon buckets in the G80 to be fine too. So I don't think this is about the OP loving Costco Hot Dogs as much as I do, I think he just doesn't like the bolsters!

Game · 12-21-2021, 10:07 PM

Sounds like it's time to move up to the 5 series.

Randy22 · 12-21-2021, 10:37 PM

If you eat a lot of carrots, stop doing it

leftoverture · 12-22-2021, 01:04 PM

Well, it's almost time for me to give the 330i back, my car is almost done. I have grown rather fond of the car overall. Still not a fan of the seat but with my purple cushion it is workable. The lumbar support is very good. The powertrain is very smooth, a level above my 2016 2 series, though I can't understand why the need for premium fuel. Ford gets similar output from their Ecoboost motors on regular fuel. C'mon, BMW, you can do the same. I also don't like that I have to disable the auto start/stop every time I start the car, but at least it is easy to do. But overall, the car is solid, responsive, and fun to drive. I'm going to be sorry to turn it back on.

12-18-2021, 12:54 PM	#1
leftoverture Captain 498 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	BMW 330i Just got a brand new 330i rental while my other car is in the shop. It is RWD and we have freshly fallen snow. I am impressed that it goes so well in the white stuff, hardly miss x-drive. Overall,it seems really nice. Lot of cool features that I'll be exploring over the next 4-5 days as I wait for my car to get done. One thing I can say is the seats are horrible. I know a lot of people like BMW's sport seats, but to me they are over confining and far too narrow. I'm not tracking this thing so I would appreciate less bolstering. Some of you younger guys will know exactly what I mean when you're older. So while this car is very cool these seats might keep me from actually buying one. My two series is kind of the same way. I use an extra cushion to raise myself up out of the bottom bolsters. I'm still trying to figure out the i-drive, seems quite different from my 2016. But the displays are really cool. I think I'll be having some fun with this thing over the next few days!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-18-2021, 01:08 PM	#2
DanG Major General 11537 Rep 7,187 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [8.01]	Most newer BMWs let you adjust the width of the seats. Here is a Video of the adjustments:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2021, 12:27 AM	#4
RM7 Brigadier General 3051 Rep 3,658 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Or you could just lose weight?
	Appreciate 5 Germanauto9847.50 DocL2116.50 deleted_397282_c43ae5ea84160.50 Merami fan375.00 spammysammich2015.50 Quote

12-20-2021, 12:56 AM	#5
Germanauto Major General 9848 Rep 6,147 Posts Drives: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Rosso Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Only BMW I've felt this was in is the 8-series. But somehow after 10 minutes my body got accustomed to it. That car can't make up it's mind of what it wants to be. Some aspects are too luxury-focused, others aspects are sporty. __________________ Former -2008 E90 328 black/brown -2012 Lexus IS250 black/black
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2021, 08:21 AM	#7
leftoverture Captain 498 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	Well, now that I got back in the 330 again, I found it does have the adjuster for the seat back width, just located differently than my 2 series. That sure helps for the back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2021, 08:31 AM	#8
DocL Captain 2117 Rep 958 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp 6spd Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Delray Beach iTrader: (2)	I leased a 2004 Infinity G35 Coupe without test driving one. I had it delivered to my office and when I drove it home, only five miles, my legs were so uncomfortable. The lower seat bolsters were so narrow that my fat ass legs had no room for the boys if you know what I mean. I couldn't drive the car it was that bad. After a few days I decided to stand on the outer bolster and jump up and down a few times. I heard the metal support of the cushion break and after that the seat was comfortable. __________________ 2018 F80 M3. YMB/BLK. ZCP. Three Pedals. "Education will never be as expensive as ignorance."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2021, 12:43 PM	#9
zipstic Major 485 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 335xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi Coupe [10.00]	To be fair, we didn't get too much white stuff in the Twin Cities on Saturday. The tires will make a big difference on how it performs, but if it was a brand new 330i then they probably weren't cold/snow oriented. __________________ http://www.ishopwheels.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2021, 03:49 PM	#11
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3101 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	Seats have been a very controversial item for BMW users. The best seem to be the multi-contour seats which have 20+ adjustments. With those, I can move the width from very wide to very narrow. I am 76 but I like to be cossetted so I have them set to surround me when I start up the car. It is like a gentle hug.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2021, 12:00 AM	#13
Merami fan めらみぽっぷ fan 375 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 2020 330i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I have the opposite problem... Even with the bolsters set to make the seat as narrow as possible, I still slide around a little. Doesn't really matter for daily driving, but I would definitely need a bucket seat for track use. __________________ 2020 330i xDrive in mineral white. Username and profile picture in admiration of the goddess of treble, めらみぽっぷ (Meramipop). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQYWhQXOeQg https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1w...1L3y6cmPEyGSoI
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2021, 10:07 PM	#18
Game ------ 8164 Rep 10,645 Posts Drives: G80 LCI, G87 (sold) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago'ish iTrader: (26)	Sounds like it's time to move up to the 5 series. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2021, 10:37 PM	#19
Randy22 New Member 74 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW 230i coupe Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	If you eat a lot of carrots, stop doing it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2021, 01:04 PM	#20
leftoverture Captain 498 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	Well, it's almost time for me to give the 330i back, my car is almost done. I have grown rather fond of the car overall. Still not a fan of the seat but with my purple cushion it is workable. The lumbar support is very good. The powertrain is very smooth, a level above my 2016 2 series, though I can't understand why the need for premium fuel. Ford gets similar output from their Ecoboost motors on regular fuel. C'mon, BMW, you can do the same. I also don't like that I have to disable the auto start/stop every time I start the car, but at least it is easy to do. But overall, the car is solid, responsive, and fun to drive. I'm going to be sorry to turn it back on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote