Seat comfort?? Do the seats hurt your lower back...?

Do the seats in the 3-series start to hurt your lower back?

Ok, don't own a 3-series, yet I am probably going to purchase one (330xi) in the very near future. I own a Volvo V70 XC, and it is THE MOST comfortable car I've ever driven in (with regards to the seats). I recently drove a 540i for over 2 hours, and by the 30 min. mark, my lower back was hurting, as it seems to in just about every car. I haven't gotten the chance to sit in a 3-series for an extended period of time, so can anyone tell me how comfortable the seats are (does the lumbar support solve this?)
*(the 540 did not have the lumbar support/Sport package)

thanks,
Matt

[MarvelPhx]

Well, I guess that depends on which seats you get in your BMW. I drove an automatic non-sport package 323 before my 330i and I hated the seats before the end of the test drive.

When I got into my 330i with the Sport seats, it was pure heaven. And now, over a year and 22,000 miles later including numerous road trips over 100 miles, I still love my seats. They provide lots of lumbar and lateral support.

[ec330i]

I own a 330i w/sport seats and lumbar support. the seats are very comfortable. I've had the car for 6 months now and no problem. the lumbar is an excellent feature because support can be moved from lower to upper back (excellent feature). I also drove a 325 as loaner car w/out sport seats, it didn't feel very good.

[MickJ]

Previously I had a 1999 328se and 2001 325se both with steptronic and had no back problems, but my current car a 2002 330iSport is a manual and at I first suffered with my back (a few of our car magazines had mentioned this before in road tests and blamed it on the offset pedals)but as it has the sport seats as std I soon found the ideal position and have had no trouble since, so I would suggest, if possible, get the sport seats.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MickJ on 2003-01-22 13:10 ]</font>

[traffic]

i don't like the seats on the 330i w/o sport seats. not enough support in the right places. after riding in my friend '01 crosscountry, that thing is a recliner on wheels. it will not feel the same. also, the suspension on the 330i is stiffer, and is a lighter car. so that too will be a factor in your 'comfort'.

although the 330i/sp seats are firmer, they support in the right places. i do however tend to get numb in certain places after about 3 hours of driving (most likely an adjustment thing).

anyway, bad comparison. the two vehicles are intended for two different missions for two different types of drivers.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: traffic on 2003-01-22 13:27 ]</font>

[apar328i]

I haven't had any back problems with my seats. On long trips I try to readjust seating position every now and then.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: apar328i on 2003-01-22 13:46 ]</font>

[antetr95]

Iv'e had some back problems with my sport seats as well. Been playing with it a lot but can't seem to get the optimal support for my lower back. I'll find the right position eventually.

[sgreenatlaw]

LOVE the lumbar support! It adjusts up/down, and in/out, so you can press it right into that knot in your lower back and drive until it's all better.

I think many people intially think soft seats are more comfortable. That's true when you are in the show room but I have found that on a long trip, the firmer seats like the 330i sport seats are the most comfortable. I also noticed that the leather in our 330s are not slippery like the ones in Japanese cars and provide better support in turns. Japanese leather seats seem to get slicker with age. Anyone else noticed this?

[traffic]

well the seats on my gti are some recaro knock-offs i think. they are pretty supporting as far as the average car goes. the bmw seats are way, way more comfortable. but i gotta tell ya, nothing beats the volvo seats for all out lazy-boy comfort.