Difference between Z4 Sport Seats and M-Sport Seats

[Efthreeoh]

Hey guys, I live over on the E90 Forum. I'm looking at a Z4 3.0si Coupe as a daily driver. I'm going to retire my 270K E90 from DD duties. I've got two Z4 Coupes in mind, one with sport seats and one with M-sport seats. I'm a bit of a hefty dude and fit snugly in the sport seats in my E90. How tight fitting are the M-sports seats compared to the regular sport seats? I'd like to get an idea before I go test-fit the M seats. Both cars are a few hours away from my office, so I don't want to waste time if the M seats are that much tighter than the regular sport seats. I searched to see if this question has been asked before and didn't see any related info. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[pokeybritches]

What part of Maryland are you in? I commute there regularly. I have both the standard seats and M seats in my Z's. I'm 6'3" 250 lbs, and I find the standard seats to be more comfortable for daily driving but M seats more supportive... then again, it depends on where your weight is. I'm in the gym every day so I have a hard time with shoulder room being too tight. If you're not a gym rat, I could see the high bolsters of the M seats being uncomfortable.

FYI, there were only two models of seats for the Z4 - the standard seats and the M seats. I've heard the M seats called "sport seats" before in reference to the non-M, so make sure they are the right ones. Sports seats could be M seats without the M logo.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

What part of Maryland are you in? I commute there regularly. I have both the standard seats and M seats in my Z's. I'm 6'3" 250 lbs, and I find the standard seats to be more comfortable for daily driving but M seats more supportive... then again, it depends on where your weight is. I'm in the gym every day so I have a hard time with shoulder room being too tight. If you're not a gym rat, I could see the high bolsters of the M seats being uncomfortable.

FYI, there were only two models of seats for the Z4 - the standard seats and the M seats. I've heard the M seats called "sport seats" before in reference to the non-M, so make sure they are the right ones. Sports seats could be M seats without the M logo.

Thanks for the info. I'm actully in Virginia. I checked the VINs of the cars I'm looking at. The one car specifically has M-Sport seats and the other car just has sport seats, both cars are 3.0si's. The interior pictures show different seats with the M seats having different upper and lower bolsters than what I guess is the standard sport seat. The standard sport seat looked identical to the sport seat in my E90 (I have the sport package).

[chickdr]

I wouldn't call the standard Z4 seats "sport". They are pretty flat, traditional seats. As said above the M seats are pretty narrow in the seat and shoulders so you should try them before saying yes. I am betting you will like the standard seats better.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The standard seats are much more comfortable. Also, not sure if it's just me but after a 4hr ride to Boston in M sports I had back pain, which I never had in the normal seats.

[Huz-Z]

My car has sport seats and typically I don't find the seats to be too bad at all. The only thing I have found is that there is nowhere for my right foot if I use cruise control on the highway, so I end up with my leg bent at the knee and resting awkwardly on the transmission tunnel. So I tend to not use cruise much, and stretch my leg out to the gas pedal - which is more fun anyway.

[Efthreeoh]

So an update. Today I was able to sit in a Z4 rag top at a local car dealer that has the M-Sport seats. I fit fine in them and actually liked the shoulder/torso support. So I pulled the trigger on the Z4 3.0si Coupe I was looking at. The car has low mileage and will be here not later than two weeks. Looking forward to the purchase and driving of my 4th BMW. This will be my first used BMW purchase. The stable will be a 1997 Z3, 2006 E90 325i, and the '08 Z4 3.0si Coupe. The idea of this purchase is the 3.0si has the same engine as my E90, so I have the knowledge and tools to keep her running for 200k+. Had I bought this car in 2008 I would have optioned it exactly as it is. Karma.

Quite excited! Looking forward to being a member of the E86 society.

Thanks for everyone's inputs.

Cheers!

[chickdr]

Great news! Glad you tried before you bought...

[Huz-Z]

Congrats!!

Don't forget to post some pics when the car arrives!

[Efthreeoh]

Will do. It was at a CarMax in Ohio, now on its way to Virginia. Looking forward to getting it soon, should be a few weeks. The transfer price was only $349, cheaper than a flight out and drive back. Their price was a teeny bit above KBB, but they have "no haggle" pricing. Doesn't mean I didn't try...

[jdoublehcubed]

Does anyone else feel like the headrests on the M seats are too far back from the actual back section of the seat? When I'm driving, I have to tilt my head back a considerable distance to use the headrest at all. My gf has a minicooper and I have no such problem.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Does anyone else feel like the headrests on the M seats are too far back from the actual back section of the seat? When I'm driving, I have to tilt my head back a considerable distance to use the headrest at all. My gf has a minicooper and I have no such problem.

I'm just happy that they seem substantial enough to save my neck from a bad whiplash injury in a collision!

[wonton180]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Does anyone else feel like the headrests on the M seats are too far back from the actual back section of the seat? When I'm driving, I have to tilt my head back a considerable distance to use the headrest at all. My gf has a minicooper and I have no such problem.

I've noticed it too. I think they designed them that way for use with helmets. ya know, track toys.

[Efthreeoh]

Okay, were getting close, the car should be at my CarMax store today. I'll probably take the day off tomorrow and bring it home.