power seats vs normal seats

raolc · 07-05-2008, 02:27 PM

K so I ordered the normal sport seats with out the power seat option which I regret now after reading soem posts on the forums by people that did the same, but its too late and i can't change it. But I was wondering, can you move the manual sport seats in everyway that you can move the power sport seats? And in the normal sport seats, if you move the seat up via the latch on the top of the seat so someone can get in the back, when you put the seat back down it goes to your exact setting as before? Thanks guys.

tkbr0wn · 07-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Yes the have all the same adjustments as the power seats and they have a mechanical memory if you use the latch on the top of the seat.

raolc · 07-05-2008, 11:28 PM

thanks a lot makes me feel a lot better about not getting those power seats

dbtheo · 07-05-2008, 11:39 PM

personally I prefer the manual seats, lighter weight & more head room

Uptown Bully · 07-06-2008, 12:31 AM

Not to mention the Sport Package still has the power side-bolster button. That was a pleasant surprise.

sethchan · 07-06-2008, 01:26 AM

I think I would have liked the manual seats better. They adjust much more quickly. And the range of setting may be greater -- they seem to tilt more.

Also, I'm pretty much the only person who drives the car. So, for me, the power seats were a waste of money and weight. Sure, it's nice when the seat moves back into position automatically for me, but no big deal.

Mad Dragon · 07-06-2008, 01:49 AM

Manual seats do not have 4-way lumbar adjustment.

Lester · 07-06-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethchan

I think I would have liked the manual seats better. They adjust much more quickly. And the range of setting may be greater -- they seem to tilt more.

Also, I'm pretty much the only person who drives the car. So, for me, the power seats were a waste of money and weight. Sure, it's nice when the seat moves back into position automatically for me, but no big deal.

Agree. The manual sport seats are perfect. You get longitudal direction, height, backrest, tilt and thigh support adjustments (manual). These work very quickly and effectively. In addition, you get an elctrical switch for backrest width. You also get convenient entry, for rear seat entry with previous position memory that works faster than the electrically adjustable seats. All in all - there is nothing different except you have to use a few muscles. Note - the manual (non sport) regular seats do not have a tilt adjustment.
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1Ronnie · 07-06-2008, 11:32 AM

I used to have electrics in my old Mitsubishi, but have manual seats in my 323i to save money when I leased it, and I am very keen to get back to electric seats. The only down side in the 1ers to me, is it is a bit slow opening up for the back seat.

UmpChap · 07-06-2008, 12:41 PM

Manual v. Power - the older one gets, the more one appreciates the power lumbar support.

When I bought my X5, I would have been content with an Acura MDX or Toyota Highlander but for the lack of adjustable lumbar support either in the passenger seat or both seats. The X5 also has the adjustable upper section of the back rest, which I find not especially useful when driving but really comfortable on the passenger's seat when the seat is reclined.

For me, the most overrated part of BMW's seats is the thigh support. I've never used it for more than a minute. On my 330Ci with manual transmission, it interfered with depressing the clutch.

MastaMind · 07-06-2008, 12:49 PM

Manual seats are great. It doesn't take 15 minutes to get someone into/out of the back seat. You just pull the lever and slide the seat. So much better than the power seats I tried in the demo.

ORIGIN M. · 07-06-2008, 05:11 PM

No reason to have anybody in the back anyway, except to drop them off at the bus stop. As far as I'm concerned the back seats are just there to give lower insurance rates.

MastaMind · 07-06-2008, 06:01 PM

That's not true at all. My daughter is in the back seat all the time. In fact, my wife, daughter and I all went cruising around Sat. night. Something to be said about being able to roll around with my whole family. Or if I needed to haul two of my buddies around...

ORIGIN M. · 07-06-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MastaMind

That's not true at all. My daughter is in the back seat all the time. In fact, my wife, daughter and I all went cruising around Sat. night. Something to be said about being able to roll around with my whole family. Or if I needed to haul two of my buddies around...

It was somewhat of a joke. I don't have kids, but props to you for not letting that keep you from getting more of a family car.

Steve135i · 07-06-2008, 09:05 PM

Get the power seats, so so nice.

Steve135i · 07-15-2008, 04:38 PM

Do the manual sport seats go lower than the power sport seats? I tried both today, and the manual seats seemed to go lower and tilt more, they also seemed more comfortable, was I imagining things???

nordique14 · 07-15-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve135i

Do the manual sport seats go lower than the power sport seats? I tried both today, and the manual seats seemed to go lower and tilt more, they also seemed more comfortable, was I imagining things???

Check out this thread. We measured the headroom in a vert with manual and power seats and found no difference.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9589

pavelitto · 07-15-2008, 05:59 PM

I decided not to get the power seats as I also ordered the Performance seats so it would be a waste of money for me. The performance seats don't give you much regulation at all but I should be alright with that

BMW Dreamer · 07-16-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve135i

Do the manual sport seats go lower than the power sport seats? I tried both today, and the manual seats seemed to go lower and tilt more, they also seemed more comfortable, was I imagining things???

When I sat in the manual seats 2 months ago they seemed to be lower then the power seats. I will have to go check them out again. I am pretty sure about getting the premium package, but If the power seats don't go as low as the manual seats, I won't get the premium package, I like my seat to be very low and high in the front for my long legs. :iono:

123D-M · 07-23-2008, 04:04 AM

I got the manual seats to save weight and money but also ordered the electric lumbar adjustment as a separate option. Maybe that is not possible in US?

Steelerbimmer · 09-26-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

Manual seats do not have 4-way lumbar adjustment.

Lumbar only comes with the premium pkg.

M3_Dust · 09-26-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelerbimmer

Lumbar only comes with the premium pkg.

and that's the only reason I had to have it, I hate the way they made the options on this car, it's almost a form of extortion

07-05-2008, 02:27 PM	#1
raolc Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 281 Posts Drives: z4m Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	power seats vs normal seats K so I ordered the normal sport seats with out the power seat option which I regret now after reading soem posts on the forums by people that did the same, but its too late and i can't change it. But I was wondering, can you move the manual sport seats in everyway that you can move the power sport seats? And in the normal sport seats, if you move the seat up via the latch on the top of the seat so someone can get in the back, when you put the seat back down it goes to your exact setting as before? Thanks guys.
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07-05-2008, 05:56 PM	#2
tkbr0wn Major 72 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman S Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Yes the have all the same adjustments as the power seats and they have a mechanical memory if you use the latch on the top of the seat. __________________ ● 2015 Cayman S (Current), 2011 1M BSM #297 (Sold), 2008 135i (Sold) ●
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07-05-2008, 11:28 PM	#3
raolc Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 281 Posts Drives: z4m Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	thanks a lot makes me feel a lot better about not getting those power seats
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07-05-2008, 11:39 PM	#4
dbtheo 1addicts CA 82 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2005 330i ZHP cic, 2021 X5 40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 330i cv ZHP [0.00]	personally I prefer the manual seats, lighter weight & more head room
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07-06-2008, 12:31 AM	#5
Uptown Bully I hate coleslaw! 4 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	Not to mention the Sport Package still has the power side-bolster button. That was a pleasant surprise.
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07-06-2008, 01:26 AM	#6
sethchan Lieutenant 12 Rep 403 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I think I would have liked the manual seats better. They adjust much more quickly. And the range of setting may be greater -- they seem to tilt more. Also, I'm pretty much the only person who drives the car. So, for me, the power seats were a waste of money and weight. Sure, it's nice when the seat moves back into position automatically for me, but no big deal.
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07-06-2008, 01:49 AM	#7
Mad Dragon . 27 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Manual seats do not have 4-way lumbar adjustment.
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07-06-2008, 11:32 AM	#9
1Ronnie Ronnie 15 Rep 556 Posts Drives: '08 Sedona 128i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	I used to have electrics in my old Mitsubishi, but have manual seats in my 323i to save money when I leased it, and I am very keen to get back to electric seats. The only down side in the 1ers to me, is it is a bit slow opening up for the back seat. __________________ "Lucy" 128i / Sedona Red / Coral Red / Premium Package / Premium Sound
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07-06-2008, 12:41 PM	#10
UmpChap Private 3 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible, SGM Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fairfax County, VA iTrader: (0)	Manual v. Power - the older one gets, the more one appreciates the power lumbar support. When I bought my X5, I would have been content with an Acura MDX or Toyota Highlander but for the lack of adjustable lumbar support either in the passenger seat or both seats. The X5 also has the adjustable upper section of the back rest, which I find not especially useful when driving but really comfortable on the passenger's seat when the seat is reclined. For me, the most overrated part of BMW's seats is the thigh support. I've never used it for more than a minute. On my 330Ci with manual transmission, it interfered with depressing the clutch.
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07-06-2008, 12:49 PM	#11
MastaMind I like beer 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: AW 135 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Under Pressure iTrader: (0)	Manual seats are great. It doesn't take 15 minutes to get someone into/out of the back seat. You just pull the lever and slide the seat. So much better than the power seats I tried in the demo.
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07-06-2008, 05:11 PM	#12
ORIGIN M. Banned 3161 Rep 9,134 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Hemisphere iTrader: (0)	No reason to have anybody in the back anyway, except to drop them off at the bus stop. As far as I'm concerned the back seats are just there to give lower insurance rates.
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07-06-2008, 06:01 PM	#13
MastaMind I like beer 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: AW 135 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Under Pressure iTrader: (0)	That's not true at all. My daughter is in the back seat all the time. In fact, my wife, daughter and I all went cruising around Sat. night. Something to be said about being able to roll around with my whole family. Or if I needed to haul two of my buddies around...
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07-06-2008, 09:05 PM	#15
Steve135i First Lieutenant 5 Rep 304 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Get the power seats, so so nice.
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07-15-2008, 04:38 PM	#16
Steve135i First Lieutenant 5 Rep 304 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Do the manual sport seats go lower than the power sport seats? I tried both today, and the manual seats seemed to go lower and tilt more, they also seemed more comfortable, was I imagining things???
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07-15-2008, 05:59 PM	#18
pavelitto Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 135i Performance Join Date: May 2008 Location: Uk/Pol iTrader: (0)	I decided not to get the power seats as I also ordered the Performance seats so it would be a waste of money for me. The performance seats don't give you much regulation at all but I should be alright with that __________________ 135i Performance
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07-23-2008, 04:04 AM	#20
123D-M Captain 32 Rep 930 Posts Drives: BMW 123d M-Sport Coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Citroen DS19 P ... [0.00] 2009 123D M-Sport C ... [10.00] 2009 Mazda6 [0.00]	I got the manual seats to save weight and money but also ordered the electric lumbar adjustment as a separate option. Maybe that is not possible in US? __________________ 2009 123D Coupe \| Sedona Red \| Black Boston Leather \| Brushed Aluminium Trim \| Tinted Windows \| M-Sport Package \| 6M \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| Navigation \| Park Distance Front & Rear \| USB \| Bluetooth \| Voice Control \| Efficient Dynamics \| Rain & Light Sensors \| Xenon Lights My blog: http://urbanemusings.wordpress.com/
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