[Dav3]

I have them on order but was a given a loaner with regular Msport seats and I find them quite comfortable

I have some sciatica and ocassional lumbar pain, I really didn’t like the Recaro Sportster CS seats on my manual 1M, but was wondering if the BMW carbon bucket seats on a Auto are gonna be a problem for me?

The car would be my daily, with a few long trips each year. Besides getting in and out, the carbon buckets on my GT4 are actually pretty comfortable. Not ideal for long trips but also not the end of the world.

If anyone can give me feedback I would greatly appreciate it. My heart says bucket but my head says regular Msport. But at the end of the day I need to enjoy the car and I really don’t want to sit in it all cramped up.

Cheers,
Dave

[baj_baj]

It depends on the person… I personally have problems with lumbar pain and in most seats end up with pain after few hours… I drove an M4 with buckets for 5h and had absolutely no issues so I ordered them also for the M2

[KCuv]

They’re better than Porsche buckets as far as padding and adjustability.
Generally they’re not as comfortable as fully padded couch seats, but your “compared to what” was fixed back super thin gt4 seats lol, so you’ll be fine

[DrewNewM2]

I’ve test driven g80s and a g87 with the CF buckets and while they look amazing and are lighter, I’m a bigger guy, tight fit and that CF hump between legs is a non starter. I’ve heard it described as a “speed bump for your testicles”. I could deal with the CF bucket as it’s not a daily driver but they’re not comfortable for me and my wife would probably never want to ride in the G87.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

my wife would probably never want to ride in the G87.

That’s one of the main reasons I skipped them. My car won’t be driven much but I want my wife to enjoy driving/riding in and those seats just look like a pita. If they were proper fixed backs I would probably get them and tell her to deal with it but not for recliners

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

I’ve test driven g80s and a g87 with the CF buckets and while they look amazing and are lighter, I’m a bigger guy, tight fit and that CF hump between legs is a non starter. I’ve heard it described as a “speed bump for your testicles”. I could deal with the CF bucket as it’s not a daily driver but they’re not comfortable for me and my wife would probably never want to ride in the G87.

In addition to one size being an issue, I will say with back issues it will not be comforting (as the OP's daily, keep this in mind). To add, the bolstering will make it difficult to get out of if your back or sciatica is a problem.

[M2compcharlie]

A lot of bad backs are caused by insufficient support from the base of a seat (it’s too soft). I love the buckets because they are harder than the standard seat and therefore much better for my back. The word ‘my’ being very important in that last sentence as it’s very subjective as everyone’s back and back problems are unique. The ONLY way to be sure is to try them both before deciding. This has nothing to do with getting in and out of them, as that pales into significance compared to the 99.9% of the time actually spent sitting in them.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by M2compcharlie

A lot of bad backs are caused by insufficient support from the base of a seat (it’s too soft). I love the buckets because they are harder than the standard seat and therefore much better for my back. The word ‘my’ being very important in that last sentence as it’s very subjective as everyone’s back and back problems are unique. The ONLY way to be sure is to try them both before deciding. This has nothing to do with getting in and out of them, as that pales into significance compared to the 99.9% of the time actually spent sitting in them.

Well, I have been in BMW and Porsche buckets and with my back issues, the shape and bolstering makes it very uncomfortable and a bit of a struggle to get in and out of.

These buckets are not made FOR (the benefit) anyone's back. Sure, some may like them and thing they are comfortable but tbh, the M Sport seats are better designed for the average back for daily driving. The cf buckets are a lightly padded take on a race seat (race seats, while obviously made for racing, will be even more race designed, not electric and even less comforting for daily driving).

Sure, we can be macho, but lets be honest, go get in and out of a McLaren 720 seat for daily driving and tell me what you think.

Mine and everyone else are posting their opinions, and based on different circumstances. Best way to find out is to sit in one (driving would be the ultimate means to review and decise).

[6speed_M2]

I’ve sat in them once or twice. They were a pain to get in and out of and comfort wise, it was the worst seat I’ve ever sat in.

I don’t like sounding negative but it’s my honest opinion. I WISH I liked them comfort wise even just a little bit. I’d order my G80 with them in a heartbeat.

They look incredible but it’s a seat. Looks don’t mean anything for me when it comes to a seat. Even Porsche buckets for me weren’t anywhere as bad. If it were a track car I could go with the Porsche buckets but not these buckets unfortunately.

[ZPD]

I have them on my M2 and I love them but if this was my daily driver I would have the M Sport seats.

[mzimand]

I am 55 yrs old but only 5-7” 165lbs. I prefer the carbon buckets to the sports seats that I had in my G42. Depending on your size the buckets might be great. I daily my M2 and have no issues with the buckets. I am really glad I got them

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by mzimand

I am 55 yrs old but only 5-7” 165lbs. I prefer the carbon buckets to the sports seats that I had in my G42. Depending on your size the buckets might be great. I daily my M2 and have no issues with the buckets. I am really glad I got them

I have both a MY23 M240 with black Varnasca seats and MY23 M2 with the M Sport seats...the seats are different. The M2 seats are better seats. They fit the body better and more of a driver's seat.

[BRAKE!]

Once you’re in the seat, it’s very comfortable. It has incredible lateral support and I found it to be well shaped to account for the lordosis of the lumbar spine.

However, getting out is cumbersome. Getting over the lateral thigh bolster with the left leg requires you to lift it up very high (higher than on the 918 buckets) and then to move it quite a bit left if you don’t want to hit the side skirt. This part gets very annoying. If you can figure out a work around to this, particularly on the days you have sciatica, then you should be good.

[sycd]

I have herniated disks and had the same concerns. I decided to go with the carbon buckets and so far I had no issues with my back.

I did a few hundred miles on a road trip recently and it went fine with no back pain. The support they provide is actually good, and I think causes less stress on my back during spirited driving.

Getting in and out is tricky, but I'm still working on it.

[MonkeyDLuffy]

Very comfortable for me, don’t have any back issues. I haven’t sat in the regular seats but I tend to slide into the door panel in most other cars whenever I turn. It’s definitely harder to get in and out of the driver seat compared to the passenger side because of the steering wheel, but still not very difficult. You can definitely find an M3/4 for sale and try out the seats if you are not sure.