[MM0021]

Hello All,
I’m new to this forum and BMW. Just picked up a BMW X4 M40i a couple months ago. BG, black vernasca leather interior, non ventilated. Love the performance and look of the car. However, the driver seat has been causing back issues. I read multiple posts on this thread of others having similar issues.

It seems that the right side of the seat- lower lumbar, seat bottom and bolsters push forward more so than the right. This causing me to feel twisted. It ends up throwing my back out of alignment.

Has anyone had any success fixing these issues and using the BMW warranty? I contacted BMW NA and they were responsive but still pointing me to the dealer.

Looking for any ideas here. Thank you.

[alex2364]

Is there something wrong with the seat? I suggest you find an identical car with an identical seat at the dealer and compare it to your car. If it’s different then show it to the service department. If not, then they’re not going to do anything about it.

[BMWZ4]

All bmw seats are pretty much like this, at least most of mine since 2010 were like this...especially my z4, 3 of my x3's. There's no warranty claim to be made...which you'll soon find out when you visit the dealer

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Is there something wrong with the seat? I suggest you find an identical car with an identical seat at the dealer and compare it to your car. If it’s different then show it to the service department. If not, then they’re not going to do anything about it.

True. How a seat does -or does not feel re: comfort, is entirely subjective. Unless there is a spring or something protruding out, or other discernible defect a warranty claim is unlikely.

[BimmerXdrive]

Hate my x4 vernasca seats would have much rathered the sena tech fake leather ones which are so much more plush and soft. Vernasca are like a wooden bench. Maybe try amazon for vehicle seat cushion.

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by BimmerXdrive

Hate my x4 vernasca seats would have much rathered the sena tech fake leather ones which are so much more plush and soft. Vernasca are like a wooden bench. Maybe try amazon for vehicle seat cushion.

Agreed. Picked Sensatec for exactly this reason.

[Jolbex]

X3 vernasca just the same. Cant drive more than an hour or so. The seats are hard, miss-alignet...and just...weird! I get best results if i position myself somewhat off-center and put tne seat inclination max forward (down). Feels like sitting on a bank...but at least my back doesnt kill me and i can feel my left leg. I just ordered a bunch of seat cussions from China. I feel stupid....but maybe it helps.

[MM0021]

Thanks for the responses all. Yeah I feel as though there is excessive pressure from the right side, bolsters, lower lumbar, etc. Feel crooked. I purchased a cushion from Amazon. Seems to help, but not on long drives. Hate that I need a cushion for a brand new car.

I plan to have dealer inspect but I’m not overly optimistic. A part of me wants to swap them out for the sensatecs, but I’m sure that will prove to be costly. Are the sensatecs that much softer/plush? I tried them briefly in showroom but not on a long drive.

[BimmerXdrive]

Originally Posted by MM0021

Thanks for the responses all. Yeah I feel as though there is excessive pressure from the right side, bolsters, lower lumbar, etc. Feel crooked. I purchased a cushion from Amazon. Seems to help, but not on long drives. Hate that I need a cushion for a brand new car.

I plan to have dealer inspect but I’m not overly optimistic. A part of me wants to swap them out for the sensatecs, but I’m sure that will prove to be costly. Are the sensatecs that much softer/plush? I tried them briefly in showroom but not on a long drive.

Yes the senatec in the 2020+ models are night and day difference in comfort. You may be able to score a set pre owned eBay or local scrap yard and swap out.

[COM40]

Originally Posted by BimmerXdrive

Yes the senatec in the 2020+ models are night and day difference in comfort. You may be able to score a set pre owned eBay or local scrap yard and swap out.

At that point wouldn't it be better to visit an upholstery shop to try and fix the existing seats?

[keithguido]

Drove 2,800 miles in the first week in Vernasca,heated and cooled seat with NO issue.
6'2" and 300lbs............... How long a test drive did you take?
Not a warranty item-GOOD LUCK!

[Bob in IL]

I just got a 2024 X3 with ventilated vernasca seats and so far, no issues comfort-wise. These seats feel a bit more comfortable and cushioned vs. the 2019 X3 also with ventilated seats that we had previously.

[TXGrey]

I hated my vernsaca seats at first… but 2.5 years in, they don’t really bother me much anymore. Comfortable? Meh - I don’t know that I’d call them that… but uncomfortable either? Nah. Mine have broken in at least a little. I tolerate them. Took a 3 hour biz trip a few weeks back, thought for sure I’d be in pain. Nada… totally fine. Didn’t feel any different than driving across town. In fact, I actually didn’t feel “fatigued” either. Usually, my butt and back feel fatigued around the 3 hour mark in a car. Go figure.

Regardless - I completely get why a lot of people don’t like them.

[Jolbex]

Ventilated vernasca is probably totally different from nonventilated.

[deathmetal666]

Go to an auto upholstery shop and see what options they have to replace the foam in the seats to make it a little softer.

[MM0021]

Yeah figured I start with the dealer. Have the service dept inspect it. Have a feeling there may be a defect with the lower right lumbar adjustment. Seems to inflate / deflate differently than left side. If that’s the case, would prob be covered under warranty.

Otherwise my next stop would be upholstery shop get their thoughts on softening them up. I’m also considering trading it in and getting X5/X6 since those seats should be wider / more comfortable. Would certainly miss the performance / agility of the X4 though. And I’ll take a financial hit for sure.

[Lady Jane]

Drivers over 60 ±, will start losing muscle mass in the posterior area hence also losing natural cushioning. This can contribute to discomfort of the hips and tail bone that can radiate to the back muscles because there will be a tendency to shift your weight side to side during a long drive. The discomfort might even lead to leg cramps. A quick visit to a chiropractor if you experience these symptoms might offer a solution. I'm a nurse practitioner for those who don't know me.

[das boots]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Drivers over 60 ±, will start losing muscle mass in the posterior area hence also losing natural cushioning. This can contribute to discomfort of the hips and tail bone that can radiate to the back muscles because there will be a tendency to shift your weight side to side during a long drive. The discomfort might even lead to leg cramps. A quick visit to a chiropractor if you experience these symptoms might offer a solution. I'm a nurse practitioner for those who don't know me.

I would agree on this. I had no problems before on my 2005 ZHP on my drives. Now I'm 70+, I feel the discomfort due to the loss of body mass on my rear end and lower back problems when I do my long drives to Vegas and back. With more stops in between. ZHP is still a fun car to drive.

[Herofmine]

I remember I had back discomfort issues on 1hr + trips in my F10 M sport seats, however in my F10 M5 never had this issue… so some seats I guess won’t work to some people.

[MM0021]

Well I’m 44, 5’8” 185lbs. Maybe I just need to hit the gym lol

[Bimmerforlife]

Originally Posted by MM0021

Yeah figured I start with the dealer. Have the service dept inspect it. Have a feeling there may be a defect with the lower right lumbar adjustment. Seems to inflate / deflate differently than left side. If that’s the case, would prob be covered under warranty.

Otherwise my next stop would be upholstery shop get their thoughts on softening them up. I’m also considering trading it in and getting X5/X6 since those seats should be wider / more comfortable. Would certainly miss the performance / agility of the X4 though. And I’ll take a financial hit for sure.

The comfort seats in the X6 are some of the best seats with so many adjustments available. They even come with massage if you want to go all out. I’ve sat in them. BMW should make a smaller version of them for the X3/4.

[jeff3820]

Originally Posted by MM0021

Well I’m 44, 5’8” 185lbs. Maybe I just need to hit the gym lol

Won't help...I'm 69, 5'8" and 176lbs and I work out 3-4 days a week. I work the glutes as well. After 1-2 hours of driving I feel like I have sciatica on my left butt cheek. I get out of the car and walk for a bit, pain is gone. It's the seats... X3 seats should be banned for human use.