[LexProf]

Hi all,

I have a 2018 M550ix with the multi-contour seats and they have been great for the first 10 months I've owned the car. But in the last few months I've noticed that the driver's seat, when I accelerate the car from a stop, seems to move ever so slightly, causing a popping sound that can be heard and felt. I can mimic it when the car is at a full stop by leaning back into the backrest. Sometimes the pop is subtle, other times it is really bad. The weird thing is it will sometimes go away, particularly if I have just moved the seat bottom up or down electronically. But it will start up again after driving for a bit. Other times it will be doing it like crazy, and then, without moving the seat electronically in any way, when I start up the car again 5 hours later or so, the problem disappears. No more popping. But it always comes back.

Anyhow, as you can imagine, it is super annoying to have the seat pop whenever I accelerate the car from a stop.

Took it into the dealer and they said this is normal, and that a few others cars on the lot are doing the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this?

Did a search on the forums to see if anyone had a similar problem, but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.

[AP]

Hasn't occurred for me, car 18 months old now. Comfort seats aswell

[BHK]

I’ve had my G30, with comfort seats, for 11 months now and have had no such issues

[AP]

I would say this is not normal and sounds like they are brushing you off.

[AP]

I've got say that having been reading these forums for a number of years I'm getting the perception that some of the dealers in the US are below par in respect of addressing issues. As I say just a perception for me.

I would certainly not accept their answer and push to get it resolved

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by LexProf

Hi all,

I have a 2018 M550ix with the multi-contour seats and they have been great for the first 10 months I've owned the car. But in the last few months I've noticed that the driver's seat, when I accelerate the car from a stop, seems to move ever so slightly, causing a popping sound that can be heard and felt. I can mimic it when the car is at a full stop by leaning back into the backrest. Sometimes the pop is subtle, other times it is really bad. The weird thing is it will sometimes go away, particularly if I have just moved the seat bottom up or down electronically. But it will start up again after driving for a bit. Other times it will be doing it like crazy, and then, without moving the seat electronically in any way, when I start up the car again 5 hours later or so, the problem disappears. No more popping. But it always comes back.

Anyhow, as you can imagine, it is super annoying to have the seat pop whenever I accelerate the car from a stop.

Took it into the dealer and they said this is normal, and that a few others cars on the lot are doing the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this?

Did a search on the forums to see if anyone had a similar problem, but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.

Sounds a bit like something is loose. Like one of the bolts that holds the tracks down to the floor. I had a similar situation in another car and that was what it was. But that was an older car ('80s) with simpler seats. I would think your service writer could look at it a little harder. Maybe have a service tech go for a ride with you? Regardless of what is actually causing the issue, it is a warranty repair for which they are reimbursed. If it is something simple like tightening a bolt, they should do that as part of their fine customer service. --Bob

[JujuCO]

I wouldn't take no, have you talk to the sm?

[saporitj]

It's under warranty so you can always go to another BMW dealer. Shouldn't be a issue except when it comes to loaner car. Some dealerships don't care if you bought it from them and will give you a loaner.

[LexProf]

Thanks all.

So I got the car back from the dealership, and it wasn't exhibiting the problem for about 24 hours, but now it is back in full swing. I was able to narrow down the problem a bit more today. I realized that the noise happens when the seat bottom cushion moves up and down slightly. Leaning back into the seat, either while sitting still, or because of acceleration, was a misleading trigger. Although the popping noise comes from doing that, it is actually because those movements lead my butt to push down harder on the seat. I was able to sit in my car parked today and with my hands on the front of the seat cushion pull it up and down, without leaning into the backrest in anyway, and cause the movement and popping. This explains why the noise will go away for a bit if I electronically move the seat up or down, but not if I move the seat in other ways. Needless to say, I have no idea what they meant when they said that other cars on the lot were doing this too.

I'll be chatting with my SA tomorrow and hope to sort this out.

EDIT: Just went back in the car and I can get it to happen just by lightly lifting my butt up and down on the seat while seated with the car stopped. I can feel the seat bottom moving slightly. Hopefully, these revelations will lead to a solution.

[otistarda]

I had the same problem with the driver's seat on my M550i. Took it into the dealer and was able to reproduce the problem on a test drive with the shop foreman. They gave me a loaner, and two days later, I got my car back, and the problem is fixed: They replaced some parts of the seat mechanism.

Regards,
Otis

[SoCal540]

Originally Posted by otistarda

I had the same problem with the driver's seat on my M550i. Took it into the dealer and was able to reproduce the problem on a test drive with the shop foreman. They gave me a loaner, and two days later, I got my car back, and the problem is fixed: They replaced some parts of the seat mechanism.

Regards,
Otis

I had this issue with the driver seat... slight movement and a popping sound when accelerating. They replaced the seat frame under warranty. My suggestion is insist of taking the tech foreman for a drive and reproduce the sound for him if possible. Good luck.

[LexProf]

Thanks guys. If you have any more detail on what was replaced (like a part number from the work order), I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm going in tomorrow and am slated to chat with the shop foreman. I can easily reproduce it now, even when the car is at a stop, and even when the car has been sitting for hours. Just moving my butt up and down causes the problem. Hopefully, we will sort it out soon.

[mjr24]

Yep, same here.....had the same sound and they replaced the seat frame (do not have service receipt that has part number but it was definitely described as the seat frame) under warranty. This is a common issue with the G30. No issues after they replaced the frame.

If I remember correctly.....they may have tried to lubricate it when I first complained. I don't think it helped much so I took it back when my next service was due and that is when they replaced the frame.

[munna]

I have an '18 X3 that exhibited the same problem you describe. The dealership told me that it was a cable in the seat which was popping in/out of its clip. They rerouted/secured it better and the problem went away

While it may not be the problem you have, or the same car - I figured it's something to consider as well

[LexProf]

Success! Took it in, the shop foreman verified the problem, and later found a faulty seat frame. They ended up replacing the seat frame (part 52-10-7-367-545) and putting in 5 new rivets. So far, after driving the car for a few days, no problems. Hopefully, that will take care of the problem for the life of the car. Thanks again to everyone for your input. Back to loving my car now....

Best,

LexProf

[antah]

Got same problem! Will try to claim it with my dealer next time... very annoying...

[LexProf]

What a weird thing to go wrong with this car. I only weigh 170lbs and my car only had about 5,000 miles when the problem first appeared. The fact other people are experiencing this problem suggests something went wrong with the manufacturing process for some frames.

[742002tii]

Should have asked BEFORE I loosened them... kinda urgent; does someone know the torque spec for the driver seat bolts?

[Jonny2400]

Originally Posted by Weeee!

Should have asked BEFORE I loosened them... kinda urgent; does someone know the torque spec for the driver seat bolts?

I was having issues with mine, and my dealership couldn’t find the issue, but they did change the bolts as Munich had a service memo about them and a revised version, this was last year mind.

It’s also didn’t resolve my issue of the back rest creaking.