[Topazali]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to swap out manual seats for electric ones? Either via dealer or specialist? It’s for a G21 M340. Thanks

[paulockenden]

How on earth has an M340 got speced with manual seats? Isn’t there a law against that?

[Topazali]

😂I know!

It had everything else I was after including the colour so I just went for it but I don’t find the seats that comfortable unfortunately and wonder whether changing them for electrics would help.

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

How on earth has an M340 got speced with manual seats? Isn’t there a law against that?

Very annoying isn't it. To get electric seats you need to add the Comfort Plus package which at over £2000 isn't one of the most common options to find if you're buying a used car...

[xenon]

The electric seats are only more comfortable in that they have lumbar support but you can DIY that:

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ight=seat+back

[330Stevie]

Went from Electric seats to manual in my m340….
Can’t say I miss them at all except on the very rare occasion they need adjusting (vacuuming out etc).
I’d suggest there is also a weight saving in the non elec seats.

[Topazali]

Cheers both👍

[B6WAF]

Originally Posted by 330Stevie

Went from Electric seats to manual in my m340….
Can’t say I miss them at all except on the very rare occasion they need adjusting (vacuuming out etc).
I’d suggest there is also a weight saving in the non elec seats.

Agreed. I went from electric in an M340i G20 to manual in my current M340i G21 and the manual seats are extremely comfortable. I wanted electric and I wanted lumbar support both sides but that meant (at the time) speccing comfort pack plus M Sport seats and I absolutely did not want comfort access, so I had to make do with manual seats plus lumbar support for driver only. I was stressing about it before delivery.

After the first (manual) adjustment almost 2 months ago I haven't touched the seat since and I am perfectly happy.

I would also suggest that there is no difference whatsoever in comfort between the two.

[paulockenden]

The thing I like about electric seats is that I can have comfortable but very different positions saved in 1 and 2, and switch between them on long drives, even while driving. Stops some of the aches that an old phart like me can get!

[Topazali]

Originally Posted by B6WAF

Agreed. I went from electric in an M340i G20 to manual in my current M340i G21 and the manual seats are extremely comfortable. I wanted electric and I wanted lumbar support both sides but that meant (at the time) speccing comfort pack plus M Sport seats and I absolutely did not want comfort access, so I had to make do with manual seats plus lumbar support for driver only. I was stressing about it before delivery.

After the first (manual) adjustment almost 2 months ago I haven't touched the seat since and I am perfectly happy.

I would also suggest that there is no difference whatsoever in comfort between the two.

That’s interesting, thanks. I did wonder about swapping in some M3 style seats if they might be more comfortable but I’m not sure if they come in manual.

The seat isn’t terribly uncomfortable in the back area, there seems to be a hard ‘lump’ digging in to my right outer thigh which is annoying after a while.

[Andy234]

You can swap the seats but it will likely cost a small fortune, and bmw dealers will be very unwilling to do it. Had the similar pleasure when I've tried to have parking camera added to G30....

[willougs]

They were a must for me to be honest. My wife and I both share our cars so just tend to jump into whichever is most convenient or suitable for that trip. We have wildly different driving positions and faffing around in the Caravelle (without elec seats) is a right pain each time. With the BMW we each have a profile tied to our own key, so the seat positions are adjusted on unlock and perfect everytime.

Not sure I'd go through the hassle of trying to retrofit though. 😀

And for what it's worth, I personally don't find the standard G20 seats comfortable at all.

[The_Tok'Ra]

I'ved always had manual seats in all my cars, be it my 325ti, Octavia, or any other car, I've owned, but personally I've always struggled to find the exact seating position I'm after.

Most noticeable being the seat position from the pedals as with manual seats you only ever have the select positions the seat mechanism can lock into.

I'm looking forward to having electric seats in my (new to me) 340i

I should be able to get the exact seating position I want, for once!

[bmnut]

..and then once you've found that ideal seating position you stick it in one of the two memory positions and forget about it. It also 'locks in' the door mirror settings as well which is a bonus.(I'm just looking forward to getting my driver's door mirror back ASAP! )

[xenon]

I'd say if you were in Willougs' situation where you were constantly swapping drivers, having the seat and mirror positions tied to the individual's key is a must. My wife very rarely drives mine so I don't need it but I do kind of miss it from my previous car.

[TuffLittleUnit]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

The thing I like about electric seats is that I can have comfortable but very different positions saved in 1 and 2, and switch between them on long drives, even while driving. Stops some of the aches that an old phart like me can get!

THIS. Absolutely this. Last car was a G01 (X3) that didn't even have lumbar and I was a cripple after 2 hours. I'm pretty active and fit (can easily run a 10km in under an hour) but that car aged me by 20 years on longer journeys. Regular adjustments whilst driving are a god send on my G26.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Use memory a bit as have to change position when ever someone sits behind me, which isn't too often as the Mrs has the family wagon.

On a personal note, it wouldn't be a deal breaker. Last car had manual without any issues. Also had cloth rather than leather, and TBH, prefer cloth to leather. Guess we all have our different likes and dislikes.