[bmwx550euser]

I recently purchased a BMW X5 xDrive50e with multi-contour seats with Sensafin, I have sciatic pain issues, but never had low back pain. but unfortunately, I've been experiencing low back pain since I started driving it. Despite trying various seat adjustments, the seat bottom cushions are too soft, which leads to discomfort in my tailbone area. Additionally, the lumbar support feels too firm, causing discomfort in my lower back. The multi-contour seats also lack adequate *upper back* support, which I believe is a design flaw. My bmw 340i with leather seat provides good upper back support. However, aside from the seat issue, I find the car to be excellent in all other aspects.
In essence, my body does not like cushioned seating for both the bottom and backrest. I just test-drove a BMW iX 50 with chestnut leather seats, which I found to be relatively firmer cushion and way more comfortable seat.
I am thinking of returning the car and lease ix 50, so I reached out to the dealer about the possibility, and they offered a trade-in option at a 20% reduction from the MSRP. The vehicle only has 500 miles on it. I’m not sure how to go about it. Pls comment if you have any suggestions.

[mnx5er]

I'm assuming you have watched videos on all of the adjustments for the multi-contour seats. I've had an ix50 and the X5 seats are far better for adjustability. The fixed headrest in the ix50 drove me nuts.

Sadly a 20% hit is pretty much what the market bears right now. You can probably get it to 18% and negotiate hard on a new car, but it is what it is. I've taken those hits before. Sometimes you can sell it for more on your own, but in some states you take a hit on sales tax (in my state you pay tax on the difference in a trade).

Wish I had better news. Good luck

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by bmwx550euser

I recently purchased a BMW X5 xDrive50e with multi-contour seats with Sensafin, I have sciatic pain issues, but never had low back pain. but unfortunately, I've been experiencing low back pain since I started driving it. Despite trying various seat adjustments, the seat bottom cushions are too soft, which leads to discomfort in my tailbone area. Additionally, the lumbar support feels too firm, causing discomfort in my lower back. The multi-contour seats also lack adequate *upper back* support, which I believe is a design flaw. My bmw 340i with leather seat provides good upper back support. However, aside from the seat issue, I find the car to be excellent in all other aspects.
In essence, my body does not like cushioned seating for both the bottom and backrest. I just test-drove a BMW iX 50 with chestnut leather seats, which I found to be relatively firmer cushion and way more comfortable seat.
I am thinking of returning the car and lease ix 50, so I reached out to the dealer about the possibility, and they offered a trade-in option at a 20% reduction from the MSRP. The vehicle only has 500 miles on it. I’m not sure how to go about it. Pls comment if you have any suggestions.

Looks like you haven't had the car for too long. My suggestion would be to give it some more time, play around with the settings and eventually you'll find the sweet spot. If it's any consolation (hopefully not discouragement) it took me almost a year to find the perfect settings and now I can say these are one of the most comfortable seats.

[rmorin1249]

Mine are so comfortable.

[13 NF]

So this might not be that helpful, as I am in the UK so sitting the other side!
On my last car (GO5)with comfort seats, I found the seat had a bias to the centre of the car and over time the seat became really uncomfortable, I too have a bad back due a old jet ski accident and years of getting over it by eating too much!
(Joe Achilles trade mark comment is’ I am 6ft 4’ so am I )
But my new car with sensifin appears much better, having said that I have adjusted the side bolsters by inflating them so they are a better fit and relaxed the lumbar, I have to say have a play around I am finding these seats really good compared to previous GO5, but did take me a while to find the most comfortable setting. The sensfin does feel differently sprung to the leather, mine have got much better after 7k miles, and finally,obviously save any adjustments or they will return to previous settings( a mistake I kept making)
Nothing worst than this so I hope you find a solution, dealer havin a laugh too!
Good luck

Ps I had iX for several days, I would ask for extended test drive not convinced this will be any better, I found the foot rest to be at the wrong angle and felt uncomfortable on longer trips, which would aggravate your condition.

[FastMarkA]

With as many adjustments as there are on the X5's MC seats, it is rather surprising to hear you can't find something that provides comfort.

But having driven the iX a few times, those seats felt less luxurious and accommodating than the X5's. Before you make a move, you should definitely take one for a few days to make sure you're not just moving out of the frying pan and into the fire.

[Condorll]

I'm old, 6'4 and 225 lbs. I didn't like my base sport cognac sensfin seats in my '23 X5 until about 7-8,000 miles. Constantly fiddling with position, tilt and height. I have over 11,000 miles now and have no issues, very comfortable. They have obviously broken in and are now fine and look great!

[Ibiza]

Might want to consider a X5M as very supported seats, firm, but not hard. The multi function seats have a softer density foam which I believe is causing your back issue.

[LDT]

I had a problem with the seats in my Cayenne which I sold when I ordered my M60i and I find the X5 seats to be much more comfy compared to the Cayenne with 14-way adjustable seats. I think it’s a personal matter and don’t doubt your issue. I’d try a couple of different aftermarket memory foam seat cushions before taking a 20% bath on the 50e. It’s a much better solution. Amazon has many to choose from.

[icj_45e]

I have MC seat package and it took me a few months to dial in the right position.

Worst case, buy a seat from a wrecked 340i and bolt it into your X5. That surely will be cheaper than taking a 20% hit on a car you're otherwise enjoying

[mscot]

As others have said, I'd try to work with it for a bit longer.
If that fails, I would take it to an upholstery shop and see about having the bottom cushion replaced.

I certainly wouldn't throw away what is likely $18k with only 500 miles of testing.

FWIW, I have a fused S1-L5 and my L4-L3 is almost completely bone on bone due to "severe disk degeneration" (quoting the MRI there).
I've done several trips that had me in the car for 2 hours and one that had me in it for 3.5 and I was able to make it comfortable.

All backs and bodies are different but I'd encourage some more trial.

[oldguy00]

It took me a month or two to get used to my comfort seats as well. I was coming from a '15 Honda Pilot which had seats like big lazy boys. Everything I test drove felt small and uncomfortable (except Volvo.....holy crap nice seats in those!).

Maybe give it a little more time? Do some youtube/googling on ergonomic positioning of the car seat?

[matowi]

Forgive my silly question... What do you refer to as "multicontour seats"? In my version of the configurator (also checked in Germany), we have: sport seats, comfort seats, and the multi-functional M seats (same as in X5M / X6M)

The 'sport seats' are standard on both the 'M sport package' trim and base trim. Comfort seats and the M-seats are both paid options (M-seats more expensive, as they require the merino leather option to be taken as well)

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by matowi

Forgive my silly question... What do you refer to as "multicontour seats"? In my version of the configurator (also checked in Germany), we have: sport seats, comfort seats, and the multi-functional M seats (same as in X5M / X6M)

The 'sport seats' are standard on both the 'M sport package' trim and base trim. Comfort seats and the M-seats are both paid options (M-seats more expensive, as they require the merino leather option to be taken as well)

I believe comfort seats would be what we refer to as multi-contour. We don't have the third option of M seats.

[krypttic]

You’ll likely get a few CELs or Drivetrain Warnigs soon. No 20% hit if BMW has to buy back your vehicle.

[porterM]

Originally Posted by krypttic

You’ll likely get a few CELs or Drivetrain Warnigs soon. No 20% hit if BMW has to buy back your vehicle.

Dude we all get you've had major CEL issues and your experience has been pretty terrible. But you're like a negative comment writing bot at this point. let others who are enjoying theirs, enjoy it.

[krypttic]

Originally Posted by porterM

Dude we all get you've had major CEL issues and your experience has been pretty terrible. But you're like a negative comment writing bot at this point. let others who are enjoying theirs, enjoy it.

I think you're missing the point. If OP wants to swap his vehicle for a different model without the 20% hit, he may have the perfect opportunity that has nothing do with the seats.

Don't let my "negative bot behavior" dissuade you from enjoying your vehicle. However, you'd be naive to think that many 50e's don't have issues.

[porterM]

Originally Posted by krypttic

I think you're missing the point. If OP wants to swap his vehicle for a different model without the 20% hit, he may have the perfect opportunity that has nothing do with the seats.

Don't let my "negative bot behavior" dissuade you from enjoying your vehicle. However, you'd be naive to think that many 50e's don't have issues.

I got your point, but it doesn't makes it more reasonable. having CELs and other issues don't mean a buy back is certain. It does seems these issues are occurring at a higher rate on the 50e though (as evidenced only by this forum btw) but it also looks like software issues are plaguing bmw overall right now. I don't think we have the full picture.

What happened to your situation? Did you do a buy back?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by porterM

It does seems these issues are occurring at a higher rate on the 50e though (as evidenced only by this forum btw) ?

Numerous sources have mentioned the higher than usual error rate with the 50e including many dealers.

[porterM]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Numerous sources have mentioned the higher than usual error rate with the 50e including many dealers.

I don't discount numerous sources, but most of it seems to be blogs and forums like bimmerpost and reddit. Do you have published public sources that discuss 50e issues?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by porterM

I don't discount numerous sources, but most of it seems to be blogs and forums like bimmerpost and reddit. Do you have published public sources that discuss 50e issues?

I have not seen anyone put out their reliability ratings for 2023 yet, likely will in a month or so.

I'm not sure what your point is. I think earlier you said that you agreed that the 50e had an error rate higher than normal so you don't seem to be denying that. What exactly are you saying?

[porterM]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I have not seen anyone put out their reliability ratings for 2023 yet, likely will in a month or so.

I'm not sure what your point is. I think earlier you said that you agreed that the 50e had an error rate higher than normal so you don't seem to be denying that. What exactly are you saying?

My point is only that all the issues reported and even the statistics has been from this forum. I'm curious why there's not more being reported on it outside of these forums. Since you said numerous sources have reported, I wanted to see if any of those sources had anything published or it was just anecdotal