Power Seats - Are they THAT necessary?

tibra1 · 08-21-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trendy26

Hi Everyone:

In your opinion, are Power Seats that necessary in our cars? Meaning, for those of you without them, do you regret not having them? I currently have them in my 2011.5 M3, and not sure if I would miss them or not.

Reason I am asking is that my buddy is looking to order an M3, and is not too keen on spending the extra money on the Premium package since it has stuff he doesn't particularly care for such as Power Seats, Rear Sunshade, and Alarm. He would prefer to just order Leather, NAV, Park Distance, and Comfort Access instead.

Any opinions?

I have the manual seats..not a big deal to me..Im all for reducing the amount of electronics whenever possible..so I went for a stripped down M3. No mid dash hump as well

InterJon · 08-21-2012, 08:12 PM

[QUOTE=tibra1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trendy26

I have the manual seats..not a big deal to me..Im all for reducing the amount of electronics whenever possible..so I went for a stripped down M3. No mid dash hump as well

Bingo. And, in five years, it will be the strippers selling for a premium.

rantarM3 · 08-21-2012, 08:19 PM

Manual seats have power lumbar and side bolster adjustments. The manual adjustments are fore/aft, up/down, seat back recline, seat bottom incline, and thigh extension.

I ordered manual seats as I'm the only one that drives my car and it's one less thing to break on the car. Some of us (probably the few), prefer basic configurations.

M3maniac20 · 08-21-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pure ///M

I wouldn't pay 70k+ for a car without power seats.

+1

kscarrol · 08-21-2012, 08:29 PM

This reminds a little of the manual vs DCT debate. Those who are minimalists (manual, no iDrive, few options) don't need it. Those of us who have grown soft like the creature comforts want the power seats (and the DCT tranny!!)

tibra1 · 08-21-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InterJon

Bingo. And, in five years, it will be the strippers selling for a premium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

Manual seats have power lumbar and side bolster adjustments. The manual adjustments are fore/aft, up/down, seat back recline, seat bottom incline, and thigh extension.

I ordered manual seats as I'm the only one that drives my car and it's one less thing to break on the car. Some of us (probably the few), prefer basic configurations.

Good to see there are some who also believe in minimalism..I dont need power seats to remind me I am in $70K car... the engine and suspension do that for me..

shendrick · 08-21-2012, 08:45 PM

Here's the real value of power seats. The memory feature. Once you work hard to find the posiiton you really like, you can lock it in and always retrieve without having to fuss around. Can't do that with manual seats unless they are NOT continuously adjsutable and YOU have a good memory,

beton6 · 08-21-2012, 08:59 PM

Mine has manual seats, and they have the lumbar and all the adjustments the powerd ones have. You only have to manually set back and forth, up and down with levers. I drove on a E92 powered seat for a week and I hated to click the button to move the seat forward so that someone to get on the back or get my kid in or out. Manual is so much easier and it comes back to where you had it after you pushed it forward.

I Thought I would miss the memory button, as Iam to lazy to wash it my self and take it every 3 days to wash and they do move it arround to clean it, but it takes me like 10 sec to get it back to where I like.

I do haveZCP, Nav and DCT which I love!

PhillyNate · 08-21-2012, 09:06 PM

I only miss power seats (particularly the memory function) when I have the car serviced and they move the seat. It takes a while to get it back where I like it.

trendy26 · 08-21-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamLegend

Tell your "buddy" to give up on the M3 if he cannot spend an extra few hundred dollars for an option.

I am not trying to be a dick, but that's the truth. People who can afford this car should have only one reason not getting an option and that should be because they don't like it.

You should be a good friend and advise your "buddy" not to make a mistake (unless you made the same one yourself). Tell him how each tire costs $400, lasts only 12k miles, won't work in cold weather so he will have to have another pair ready to swap. Tell him the rims cost $800 a piece and that they will bend so easily you will think they are made out of paper. Also tell him he will go 210-240 miles with a tank of gas, spend twice more on both gas and an insurance. Tell him with the extra cost of ownership of this car, he can probably buy a property somewhere and pay that for mortgage.

My god, what are you guys smoking, what happened to saving for a rainy day? What happened to living within your means? A $1000 option will cost you about $15/month. Can you really afford this car when you have your friend post in an internet forum about whether or not you should get this option?

I can go on and on, but I don't think you are going to listen.

Thanks for the ignorant comment... You obviously have nothing better to do with your life, so please, keep responding with your pointless $.02. Quite honestly, who cares whether or not someone wants to forego a certain option on a car? But yeah, that automatically incinerates that someone cannot afford the car. So for everyone out there that does not get a fully loaded M3, perhaps they should rethink buying the car, as they CLEARLY cannot afford it, right?!?! I mean damn, you've caused me to have a total epiphany: Since I didn't get options like Comp Package or Premium Sound on my car when i ordered it, I guess that means I can't afford it and am living outside of my means! Going tomorrow first thing to trade it in on a Toyota Camry! Thanks so much for enhancing my financial stability... What was I ever thinking when I bought this car!

arter · 08-21-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beton6

Mine has manual seats, and they have the lumbar and all the adjustments the powerd ones have. You only have to manually set back and forth, up and down with levers.

The manual seats have all the same adjustments that the power seats have, and are 22 lbs lighter......

Don't miss it....

m3an · 08-21-2012, 11:29 PM

^^ you sound like an idiot, and if you re-read the OPs original post, he states that his friend doesn't feel like spending the money on something he really doesn't want. Doesn't reall imply he can't afford it anywhere..?? Anyways, who cares enough to go off on a rant like yourself? get a hobby

m3an · 08-21-2012, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trendy26

Hi Everyone:

In your opinion, are Power Seats that necessary in our cars? Meaning, for those of you without them, do you regret not having them? I currently have them in my 2011.5 M3, and not sure if I would miss them or not.

Reason I am asking is that my buddy is looking to order an M3, and is not too keen on spending the extra money on the Premium package since it has stuff he doesn't particularly care for such as Power Seats, Rear Sunshade, and Alarm. He would prefer to just order Leather, NAV, Park Distance, and Comfort Access instead.

Any opinions?

quoted for the emphasis.. it's about preference not being stingy.

tibra1 · 08-21-2012, 11:36 PM

This thread is better than an episode of Storage Wars..

DARK_M3 · 08-21-2012, 11:43 PM

2011.5

mPlasticDesign · 08-22-2012, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talontid

^^ you sound like an idiot, and if you re-read the OPs original post, he states that his friend doesn't feel like spending the money on something he really doesn't want. Doesn't reall imply he can't afford it anywhere..?? Anyways, who cares enough to go off on a rant like yourself? get a hobby

+1, people need to calm down a bit.

Edjay · 08-22-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

This thread is better than an episode of Storage Wars..

In for Brandy's tits

mofbb · 08-22-2012, 12:21 AM

It is necessary!!!!!

Sedan_Clan · 08-22-2012, 01:17 AM

For the record, the "manual" seat has power lumber and side bolsters. I actually like my manual/power seats. I don't miss not having a power motor to move the seat forward & backward. I rarely ever adjust my seat, and frankly the power seat is slow. I thought that not having a full seat would be a turn off, but I actually like them. I highly doubt resale would significantly be affected.

TurboBimmer · 08-22-2012, 02:44 AM

When I still had the power seats, passengers would almost never figure out how to adjust them, not even back-forwards

However when I bought the (manual) Performance seats, I expected that I would miss this feature a bit as a driver. But to be honest I don't. It's really only useful when you switch drivers oftenly.

X2Board · 08-22-2012, 07:13 AM

I would have passed on the power seats if my wife didn't drive the car all the time. I think I'm going to get her an 500 Abarth, so I can have the M all to myself.

trendy26 · 08-22-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edjay

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

This thread is better than an episode of Storage Wars..

In for Brandy's tits

+1 for these comments! Lol. yuuupppp!

08-21-2012, 08:19 PM	#25
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	Manual seats have power lumbar and side bolster adjustments. The manual adjustments are fore/aft, up/down, seat back recline, seat bottom incline, and thigh extension. I ordered manual seats as I'm the only one that drives my car and it's one less thing to break on the car. Some of us (probably the few), prefer basic configurations.
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08-21-2012, 08:29 PM	#27
kscarrol Brigadier General 8906 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	This reminds a little of the manual vs DCT debate. Those who are minimalists (manual, no iDrive, few options) don't need it. Those of us who have grown soft like the creature comforts want the power seats (and the DCT tranny!!) __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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08-21-2012, 08:45 PM	#29
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Here's the real value of power seats. The memory feature. Once you work hard to find the posiiton you really like, you can lock it in and always retrieve without having to fuss around. Can't do that with manual seats unless they are NOT continuously adjsutable and YOU have a good memory,
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08-21-2012, 08:59 PM	#30
beton6 Private 0 Rep 70 Posts Drives: E92 M3 MW/BB ZCP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Mine has manual seats, and they have the lumbar and all the adjustments the powerd ones have. You only have to manually set back and forth, up and down with levers. I drove on a E92 powered seat for a week and I hated to click the button to move the seat forward so that someone to get on the back or get my kid in or out. Manual is so much easier and it comes back to where you had it after you pushed it forward. I Thought I would miss the memory button, as Iam to lazy to wash it my self and take it every 3 days to wash and they do move it arround to clean it, but it takes me like 10 sec to get it back to where I like. I do haveZCP, Nav and DCT which I love! Last edited by beton6; 08-21-2012 at 09:06 PM..
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08-21-2012, 09:06 PM	#31
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	I only miss power seats (particularly the memory function) when I have the car serviced and they move the seat. It takes a while to get it back where I like it. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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08-21-2012, 11:29 PM	#34
m3an Banned 39 Rep 1,590 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (2)	^^ you sound like an idiot, and if you re-read the OPs original post, he states that his friend doesn't feel like spending the money on something he really doesn't want. Doesn't reall imply he can't afford it anywhere..?? Anyways, who cares enough to go off on a rant like yourself? get a hobby
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08-21-2012, 11:36 PM	#36
tibra1 Banned 127 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	This thread is better than an episode of Storage Wars..
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08-21-2012, 11:43 PM	#37
DARK_M3 Banned 105 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 08 E90, 89 Grand Wagoneer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3)	2011.5
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08-22-2012, 12:21 AM	#40
mofbb Lieutenant 37 Rep 517 Posts Drives: '13 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	It is necessary!!!!! __________________ 335i Cabriolet Jet Black/Coral Red - Retired but will never be forgotten M3 Coupé DCT Competition Package Mineral White/Fox Red E9X Picture Game: 2 points (Slow sign, Leaves)
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08-22-2012, 01:17 AM	#41
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25022 Rep 22,269 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	For the record, the "manual" seat has power lumber and side bolsters. I actually like my manual/power seats. I don't miss not having a power motor to move the seat forward & backward. I rarely ever adjust my seat, and frankly the power seat is slow. I thought that not having a full seat would be a turn off, but I actually like them. I highly doubt resale would significantly be affected.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-22-2012, 02:44 AM	#42
TurboBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Luxembourg iTrader: (5)	When I still had the power seats, passengers would almost never figure out how to adjust them, not even back-forwards However when I bought the (manual) Performance seats, I expected that I would miss this feature a bit as a driver. But to be honest I don't. It's really only useful when you switch drivers oftenly. __________________ Performance Seats, Exhaust, Splitters, Pedals, Steering Wheel / RB Turbos / M3 CF Roof / Brembo GT BBK 355/345 / Rollcage / Forge FMIC / Quaife LSD / Öhlins Road & Track / M3 Suspension Parts / Solid Subframe Bushings / Vorshlag Camberplates / Megan Racing Toe Links / LeatherZ Gauges / Extended M3 DCT Paddles / ER Sports OC / AR OC / Aux Radiator / AR DPs / Alpina TCU / COBB Pro-Tune
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08-22-2012, 07:13 AM	#43
X2Board Lieutenant Colonel 444 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: I'm back, bitches! '13 E92 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (1)	I would have passed on the power seats if my wife didn't drive the car all the time. I think I'm going to get her an 500 Abarth, so I can have the M all to myself.
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