Hi guys. Can anyone tell me for certain that BMW eliminated this feature for the F10 in 2011. A colleague just took delivery of a 550xi and was told by the dealer that this feature is included on the 7 series (20 way adjustment) but not the 5 series (18 way adjustment).

I have a 2008 535xi with sport seats and this is my favorite part of the seat. I just can't imagine the reason for eliminating it.

Thoughts?

Unfortunately, yes. My SA told me that the side bolters are not on the new 5-series -- and I agree that I can't believe they took those away. I'm also in a 2008 535xi w/sport and absolutely LOVE the feeling of the seats hugging you and surrounding the driver. When I test drove both a 535i xDrive and a 550i, I looked and neither had that adjustment.

Not sure what BMW was thinking, except something to add onto the 2013 or 2014 versions....but I'd hate to think they would hold back for that reason.

Thanks. Man, that is crazy, what in the world are they thinking?

I agree. When my E60 was critically injured, I ordered (what I thought was) the same seat configuration in the new F10. Not only did they eliminate the side bolsters, but the ranges of seat angles and height have been severely decreased. (I just can't get the same relief for my knees that I was able to attain with my old seats.) I'm assuming that there is a hardware limitation, but might there be a software fix?

AFAIK Sports seats have never had adjustable side bolsters in the back rest. Comfort seats have them though, and always has.

This goes for both E60/61 and F10/11 models.

That is correct. This discussion is really around the Comfort Seats that are offered in the US. Here, Sports Seats are not even available.

btw, just to add insult to BMW's injury, the 5GT as well as the 7 both include 20-way adjustments for these seats, including the adjustable side bolsters.

why would the remove the adjustable side bolsters for the f10 in the US but keep them for the european f10s?

i can confirm that all the features available on the e60 comfort seats are avaialble on the f10 comfort seats.

I can confirm that the F10 comfort seats do not have the adjustable side bolsters. I can also confirm that BMW must have lost their mind in choosing eliminate this "standard" feature from these seats. :nono: :doh:

One of the comments I planned on making in my upcoming review of the F10 was to speculate that the lack of side bolstering actually contributes to the sensation that the F10 doesn't handle as well as the E60. (There are other factors as well but I think this is one of them for sure...)