Manual seats

aoysgelt · 04-18-2013, 10:00 PM

I have an option to buy a new M3 with manual seats. I personally am not bothered by having to adjust them once in a while but memory function on power seats is definitely nice. Does anyone have manual seats and, if so, what are your thoughts? Like them or wished you got power?

This will be a daily driver car - not for racing/tracking.

My understanding is that by having manual seats you loose
- Power adjustment
- Memory
- Passenger side mirror tilting

Thank you

CrazyIvan · 04-18-2013, 10:06 PM

Manual seats are just fine - never wished I had power function. Nobody drives my car anyway, so memory function is unnecessary. I would like to have a mirror tilt but I get around just fine without it. In my opinion, you can easily skip on power seats and spend money elsewhere.

DemolitionJim · 04-18-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

Manual seats are just fine - never wished I had power function. Nobody drives my car anyway, so memory function is unnecessary. I would like to have a mirror tilt but I get around just fine without it. In my opinion, you can easily skip on power seats and spend money elsewhere.

+1. I dont have them in mine either, and the only thing I miss is the tilting mirror when in reverse like Ivan mentioned. It's not that big of a deal to me, but more of a personal preference than anything.

FVM3 · 04-18-2013, 11:29 PM

I have power seat but I wish I dont. It moves way too slow.

1MOREMOD · 04-18-2013, 11:34 PM

not a deal breaker for sure. just set it and forget it.

mlhj83 · 04-19-2013, 01:11 AM

And save a whopping 10kg too. I wish manual seats were an option in the UK.

ridin135 · 04-19-2013, 05:20 AM

Same as everyone else stated it has never bothered me and the only thing I miss is the mirror tilting in reverse. Though I find the manual seats to be a rarity since the majority of them are electric, making it just that little bit more special.

dmw16 · 04-19-2013, 06:09 AM

Not totally apples to apples, but I have power seats in my M3 and wish I didn't. I'd prefer manual seats - lighter, less to go wrong, faster to adjust.

PhillyNate · 04-19-2013, 07:01 AM

The manual seats are absolutely terrific until the Service Advisor jumps in the seat at the dealer and I spend the next week getting the seat back to where I believe it was.

truths2k05 · 04-19-2013, 07:35 AM

Faster, lighter, less to break.

thekurgan · 04-19-2013, 08:24 AM

Also with manual seats, you probably won't have that fisher price squeak master of plastic surrounding those damn buttons.

gatorfast · 04-19-2013, 08:44 AM

Guess im in the minority here. I think the power/memory seats are way more convenient/useful than manual seats.

DBH · 04-19-2013, 10:42 AM

If there are two, or more drivers power seats are a must have.

I'm the only driver of my M3 and have changed position, maybe once or twice. I don't care for mirror tilt function and it only gets used if I forget to move power mirror lever after adjusting drivers side mirror.

I'd rather have the manual seats and avoid weight, complexity and potential repair bills of the power seats.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 04-19-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aoysgelt

I have an option to buy a new M3 with manual seats. I personally am not bothered by having to adjust them once in a while but memory function on power seats is definitely nice. Does anyone have manual seats and, if so, what are your thoughts? Like them or wished you got power?

This will be a daily driver car - not for racing/tracking.

My understanding is that by having manual seats you loose
- Power adjustment
- Memory
- Passenger side mirror tilting

Thank you

You be fine, once you set it it's done unless you share your car with others?

TVMA Doc · 04-19-2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlhj83

And save a whopping 10kg too. I wish manual seats were an option in the UK.

Why, shaving 10kg off the car's weight couldn't cost more than a "few" thousand dollars in carbon fiber parts, right?

I went with a prebulit car (got into the market after all of the e90s were allocated), but I don't regret having manual seats. I have convenience and competition and the only option I wanted that I didn't get with that combination was the homelink garage opener-and that was a very easy upgrade.

esquire · 04-19-2013, 02:11 PM

Obviously it's not a literal "must" but I have to say I LOVE the lumbar adjustment and side bolster adjustment. Those in addition to the mirror tilt made it a must have FOR ME.

(also on a side note, can you still get heated seats on manual seats ? if not that would be a definite deal breaker for me. heated seated are one of my favorite options in any car)

ridin135 · 04-19-2013, 02:19 PM

You still get the side bolster adjustment with the manual seats

lsmkr01 · 04-19-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlhj83

And save a whopping 10kg too. I wish manual seats were an option in the UK.

Is this weight savings per seat or the pair?

Candide13 · 04-19-2013, 03:20 PM

I had manual seats in my previous 328xi (not an M3). They were perfectly fine, but on the passenger side the adjustment lever was protruding very uncomfortably into the foot space. So my wife banged her legs a few times in a pretty annoying way.

This protrusion is something peculiar to the US market version, I think. Euro cars have the lever underneath the seat. Worth checking whether that's the case for the M3 as well.

M3PO · 04-19-2013, 03:29 PM

Depends on who drives it. I am the only one who drives mine and I NEVER touch the seat adjustments (set it once and forget it). In that case, you may as well save the weight. If your lady is gonna be driving it, there's a huge advantage there.

The only thing that I adjust is the bolsters. I air them up for the track and air them down for the street.

darnelld · 04-19-2013, 03:39 PM

I have an E90 with power seats and an E46 without power seats. No big deal without power, except if (when) you have it serviced/detailed/etc and someone moves it (even if you say not too). It is a PIA to get it just right. As far as driving, I am not a skilled enough driver to notice the weight difference (driving someone else E46) day-2-day or AutoX.

My 2 cents.

Goat Rodeo · 04-19-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Obviously it's not a literal "must" but I have to say I LOVE the lumbar adjustment and side bolster adjustment. Those in addition to the mirror tilt made it a must have FOR ME.

(also on a side note, can you still get heated seats on manual seats ? if not that would be a definite deal breaker for me. heated seated are one of my favorite options in any car)

You get 3/4

Manual seats come with:
- Power lumbar
- Power side bolster
- Heated option

Do not come with:
- Auto tilt-down

I wonder if the tilt-down could be coded?

04-18-2013, 10:00 PM	#1
aoysgelt Private 18 Rep 64 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Manual seats - any opinion? I have an option to buy a new M3 with manual seats. I personally am not bothered by having to adjust them once in a while but memory function on power seats is definitely nice. Does anyone have manual seats and, if so, what are your thoughts? Like them or wished you got power? This will be a daily driver car - not for racing/tracking. My understanding is that by having manual seats you loose - Power adjustment - Memory - Passenger side mirror tilting Thank you
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04-18-2013, 10:06 PM	#2
CrazyIvan Lieutenant 29 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Manual seats are just fine - never wished I had power function. Nobody drives my car anyway, so memory function is unnecessary. I would like to have a mirror tilt but I get around just fine without it. In my opinion, you can easily skip on power seats and spend money elsewhere. __________________
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04-18-2013, 11:29 PM	#4
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	I have power seat but I wish I dont. It moves way too slow.
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04-18-2013, 11:34 PM	#5
1MOREMOD - 11818 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	not a deal breaker for sure. just set it and forget it. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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04-19-2013, 01:11 AM	#6
mlhj83 Scythe-Meister 90 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP \| F80 M3 CS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: London iTrader: (0)	And save a whopping 10kg too. I wish manual seats were an option in the UK.
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04-19-2013, 05:20 AM	#7
ridin135 Colonel 131 Rep 2,408 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greenville iTrader: (7)	Same as everyone else stated it has never bothered me and the only thing I miss is the mirror tilting in reverse. Though I find the manual seats to be a rarity since the majority of them are electric, making it just that little bit more special.
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04-19-2013, 06:09 AM	#8
dmw16 Captain 70 Rep 954 Posts Drives: 2005 ///M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Not totally apples to apples, but I have power seats in my M3 and wish I didn't. I'd prefer manual seats - lighter, less to go wrong, faster to adjust.
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04-19-2013, 07:01 AM	#9
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	The manual seats are absolutely terrific until the Service Advisor jumps in the seat at the dealer and I spend the next week getting the seat back to where I believe it was. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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04-19-2013, 07:35 AM	#10
truths2k05 Banned 3 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 11 M3 6 SPD, 12 135i PPK DCT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Palm Trees And Sun iTrader: (0)	Faster, lighter, less to break.
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04-19-2013, 08:24 AM	#11
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Also with manual seats, you probably won't have that fisher price squeak master of plastic surrounding those damn buttons. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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04-19-2013, 08:44 AM	#12
gatorfast Major General 5023 Rep 6,870 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Guess im in the minority here. I think the power/memory seats are way more convenient/useful than manual seats.
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04-19-2013, 10:42 AM	#13
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	If there are two, or more drivers power seats are a must have. I'm the only driver of my M3 and have changed position, maybe once or twice. I don't care for mirror tilt function and it only gets used if I forget to move power mirror lever after adjusting drivers side mirror. I'd rather have the manual seats and avoid weight, complexity and potential repair bills of the power seats.
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04-19-2013, 02:11 PM	#16
esquire Brigadier General 478 Rep 3,044 Posts Drives: 2011 Dakar Yellow M3, 2018 M5 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orange County, California iTrader: (0)	Obviously it's not a literal "must" but I have to say I LOVE the lumbar adjustment and side bolster adjustment. Those in addition to the mirror tilt made it a must have FOR ME. (also on a side note, can you still get heated seats on manual seats ? if not that would be a definite deal breaker for me. heated seated are one of my favorite options in any car) __________________ [ESS VT2-625] [Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust] [KW Clubsports] [OSS Angel Eyes] [Revinora r-CRT Lip] [Vorsteiner Boot] [Challenge Race Diffuser] [See the Build Thread HERE]
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04-19-2013, 02:19 PM	#17
ridin135 Colonel 131 Rep 2,408 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greenville iTrader: (7)	You still get the side bolster adjustment with the manual seats
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04-19-2013, 03:20 PM	#19
Candide13 Captain 203 Rep 699 Posts Drives: '11 E90 M3 ZCP 6MT AW/FR Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	one thing to check I had manual seats in my previous 328xi (not an M3). They were perfectly fine, but on the passenger side the adjustment lever was protruding very uncomfortably into the foot space. So my wife banged her legs a few times in a pretty annoying way. This protrusion is something peculiar to the US market version, I think. Euro cars have the lever underneath the seat. Worth checking whether that's the case for the M3 as well.
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04-19-2013, 03:29 PM	#20
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	Depends on who drives it. I am the only one who drives mine and I NEVER touch the seat adjustments (set it once and forget it). In that case, you may as well save the weight. If your lady is gonna be driving it, there's a huge advantage there. The only thing that I adjust is the bolsters. I air them up for the track and air them down for the street. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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04-19-2013, 03:39 PM	#21
darnelld Private First Class 4 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2006 Mystic Blue ZCP E46 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	I have an E90 with power seats and an E46 without power seats. No big deal without power, except if (when) you have it serviced/detailed/etc and someone moves it (even if you say not too). It is a PIA to get it just right. As far as driving, I am not a skilled enough driver to notice the weight difference (driving someone else E46) day-2-day or AutoX. My 2 cents. __________________ 2006 E46 ZCP Mystic Blue M3. 2008 E90 SSII M3. ///M
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