[330iToy]

Can you provide a parts list or vendor? Is this a factory retro fit? Thank you for this post, I want to add passenger lumbar. My dealer said it was expensive and the parts (module under the seat) was backordered.

[330iToy]

Can you provide a parts list or vendor? Is this a factory retro fit? Thank you for this post, I want to add passenger lumbar. My dealer said it was expensive and the parts (module under the seat) was backordered.

[samcrooks182]

Bit of a grave dig, but does fitting a lumbar bladder affect the seat heating at all? My g20 is an ex-demo as chip shortage meant I couldn’t get the options I wanted factory order, and whilst it has around £5k of extras, it doesn’t have the cheapo lumbar support option 🙄.
Not sure where it mounts in relation to the support frame etc… just before I start pulling my seat to bits!


Cheers,

Sam

[xenon]

Seat heating works perfectly with the mod I did detailed here - the heating pad is not near the lumbar inflation balloon. 100% worth doing and inflates more than the factory-fit if you need extra support.

[Osxboy]

@xenon I assume you removed the cover from the bladder and that the ballon to inflate sits below the seat height adjustment so you use it and then tuck it away? Finally does it leak over time e.g. it needs to be re inflated once in a while?

[xenon]

Yes I tuck the little bulb that one squeezes to inflate under the height adjuster, as you say, and I've never needed to re-inflate over time - but still easy to get at if needed. I left the mesh cover on the bladder.

[samcrooks182]

Finally got round to doing this today, the only thing that threw me was the fabric clips on the bottom left and bottom right. Once I’d got those off it was a doddle! Can’t believe how good the inflation actually is.

Thanks Xenon! Top guide!

Thanks,

Sam

[xenon]

Yeah the fabric clips are difficult to explain but easy to do once you've done it, if you know what I mean. I think these after-market supports work better than the OEM but of course not as neat / convenient.
Big difference to none at all though!

[sensible]

This is my post to retrofit an Fx car but same principle will apply.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...fitting+lumbar

[mightybimmer]

Originally Posted by xenon

I bought this one Amazon, cheaper, next-day (Prime delivery) and fits well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F8NX6...hk_typ_imgToDp

Getting the back off is easy enough (thanks to hamera for the detailed instructions) but I strongly recommend trim-removal tools. You also need a Torx T20 screwdriver / bit. Top pic shows the bladder pulled down between the springs and the foam. The other pipes and connections are for the side-bolster bladders and the seat heating. It's on the piss by 90 degrees because of the way this forum handles iPhone pics, but you get the idea. Bottom pic shows a selection of trim removal tools.
The pump for the bladder (the same as a doctor's blood pressure gizmo) lies neatly down by the rest of the seat controls. When pumped up it works really well and probably inflates to a more noticeable degree than the factory lumbar in previous cars.

Ordered one for passenger side now.

How did that work out. I’m planning to add for my X3 as well.

[persimmoner]

Very interesting thread, thank you for the instructions and photos. I plan to do something similar to my g21 330e, and I'm wondering how did you actually fix the bladder to the seat? In other words, how do you make sure it doesn't slide side to side or move down?

[xenon]

Originally Posted by persimmoner

Very interesting thread, thank you for the instructions and photos. I plan to do something similar to my g21 330e, and I'm wondering how did you actually fix the bladder to the seat? In other words, how do you make sure it doesn't slide side to side or move down?

It fits it quite snugly even when not inflated - when inflated, even more so. It won't go anywhere. In any case the bottom of the bladder is virtually at the bottom of the seat anyway so it won't move.

[persimmoner]

Originally Posted by xenon

It fits it quite snugly even when not inflated - when inflated, even more so. It won't go anywhere. In any case the bottom of the bladder is virtually at the bottom of the seat anyway so it won't move.

Thanks!

Only now did I realize that the bladder is that large black thing in your photo! I thought it's a part of the seat, and the bladder is not visible directly in the photo. It looks like a perfect fit.

[xenon]

It is.

[Maddness]

I’ve been trying to buy the bladder to fit in the seat but can’t seem to find one anywhere. What did people buy them?

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Maddness

I’ve been trying to buy the bladder to fit in the seat but can’t seem to find one anywhere. What did people buy them?

Amazon, as detailed on page 1.

[Maddness]

Originally Posted by xenon

Amazon, as detailed on page 1.

The one linked is out of stock and not available anywhere but I managed to find another brand that looks similar

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Maddness

The one linked is out of stock and not available anywhere but I managed to find another brand that looks similar

I can't imagine there's much difference if the size is similar. Make sure it's not much bigger though - the one I got only just fits.

[Maddness]

Originally Posted by xenon

I can't imagine there's much difference if the size is similar. Make sure it's not much bigger though - the one I got only just fits.

It’s the same size apparently so hopefully I can get it to fit. The previous posts look like a great help.

[Zeus101]

Would this void the warranty of the car?

Originally Posted by xenon

I bought this one Amazon, cheaper, next-day (Prime delivery) and fits well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F8NX6...hk_typ_imgToDp

Getting the back off is easy enough (thanks to hamera for the detailed instructions) but I strongly recommend trim-removal tools. You also need a Torx T20 screwdriver / bit. Top pic shows the bladder pulled down between the springs and the foam. The other pipes and connections are for the side-bolster bladders and the seat heating. It's on the piss by 90 degrees because of the way this forum handles iPhone pics, but you get the idea. Bottom pic shows a selection of trim removal tools.
The pump for the bladder (the same as a doctor's blood pressure gizmo) lies neatly down by the rest of the seat controls. When pumped up it works really well and probably inflates to a more noticeable degree than the factory lumbar in previous cars.

Ordered one for passenger side now.

[xenon]

I don’t see why it would affect warranty in the slightest. They wouldn’t even know it was fitted, besides, why shouldn’t you be able to improve the support of the seat?

[Bmwmango]

Hello, I have a 2023 240i that doesn’t have the lumbar adjustment. My problem is that the lumbar as it is, is too aggressive. I want less lumbar support. Would this retrofit solve my problem? Is there a bar or beam that supports the foam in the lumbar area?