[JustChris]

Originally Posted by IL Pete

I posted some comments about the M Sport Seats in my new M3 Base Manual, in my "Initial Thoughts" thread. I figured I would share them here as well.

I really love the M3, a lot! Just got it in late December. I was initially a bit disappointed with the clutch feel and the difficult 1-2 shift, but after the BMS Clutch Stop and CDV Delete mods, and getting used to it, that concern is off the table.

The main area of regret/concern I have is the M Sport Seats. I am very surprised that I am not loving them. They are very comfortable for cruising, and offer a good balance between support and comfort in cruising mode.

But for spirited driving on Country Roads, I don't love them. I get tossed around quite a bit, and don't find them to hold me in well enough, not nearly as well as the 18-Way Sport Seats in my 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (which ironically the Porsche GT purists call "Sofas" - but they are incredibly supportive with the Bolsters adjusted properly).

With the M Sport Seats it is weird, with the Bolsters all the way in, they feel fairly snug. Not touching my sides but close. (For reference, I am fairly thin, 5'9", athletic/thin with broad shoulders/lats.) But I think the issue is more so that the shape is weird, the center of the flat back of the seat sticks out, and then there are two vertical recessed channels between the seat back center and the bolsters. So in aggressive driving you sort of collapse into those recessed channels, and then hit the side bolsters. And the side bolsters have some give (perhaps too much) on the surface, and then are harder below that. All those things combined make for a seat that is super comfortable for cruising (GREAT Lumbar support!) but not really optimized for spirited hooligan driving in M Traction Control mode on deserted country roads. It is interesting to see the Carbon Buckets showing up on more M Cars, first the M5 CS, and then just this week the 2023 M8. No doubt they will be an option on the next-gen M2s. Good on BMW for coming out with those seats!

I wish I had ordered the Carbon Buckets.

My second spec regret was getting Black for the exterior finish. I am not a Black car guy, but at the time I was thinking it would more so hide the polarizing styling. Now I absolutely LOVE the looks of the car, and I am not digging the Black in the Chicago winters.

So between those two issues, I have decided to order another one with Carbon Buckets, in a different finish.

Funny to read here on this thread reports of people selling their cars regretting ordering the Carbon Buckets, and here I am going the other direction.

I've only say in showroom cars but I can tell…BMW seem to have toned down the bolsters on the M seats. A bit naughty trying to force the issue on the CF Buckets.

They are a little masterpiece of engineering though, absolutely gorgeous.

I wish the outer edge booster was a little lesser/lower than the inside and they'd be perfect.

[sleepy floyd]

I can see a day in the not too distant future where there will be a retractable door-side bolster that activate when the door opens. I have high side bolsters on the seats in my truck, eventually caused me to install power side steps...but then again I was needing to raise my leg to near waist height to get in

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by sleepy floyd

I can see a day in the not too distant future where there will be a retractable door-side bolster that activate when the door opens. I have high side bolsters on the seats in my truck, eventually caused me to install power side steps...but then again I was needing to raise my leg to near waist height to get in

bitchin ride sleepy

[Greer]

Originally Posted by sleepy floyd

I can see a day in the not too distant future where there will be a retractable door-side bolster that activate when the door opens.

This will add weight to the car so you will not see it in CS models.

[amuk]

Originally Posted by amuk

As far as driving feel, do the buckets mostly just help in seating position and hugging you in place, or do they also help you feel what the chassis is doing more (during daily driving, not on track)?

Bump. Anyone with the buckets have insight on this? Didn't see this discussed in the thread yet.

I would 100% option the buckets if the answer is yes.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by amuk

Bump. Anyone with the buckets have insight on this? Didn't see this discussed in the thread yet.

I haven't driven a G80 with the CF buckets--and certainly not back-to-back against the standard buckets. And the G80--like all modern BMWs--has been accused of not being the most communicative chassis, certainly from a steering perspective, though it does seem to be among the best in the past decade+.

That being said... any seats that are (a) lower, (b) stiffer, (c) less padded, and (d) hold you more securely certainly do help communicate what the car is doing in a more direct, visceral way. They also make the experience feel more momentous and dramatic, which is worthy in its own right.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Greer

Why not?

Weak!

J/K

[mzwerner]

I've got the bucket seats. As a daily driver they're pretty comfortable. However, getting in and out is a minor pain. My lady friend likes them and thinks they're comfy. When she's wearing heals I help her out, otherwise she's fine.

The c*ck hammer in the middle is mildly annoying but not a reason to omit them.

Here's some pics of mine. They sure are pretty

[Greer]

Originally Posted by mzwerner

I've got the bucket seats.
The c*ck hammer in the middle is mildly annoying but not a reason to omit them.

Yes, that is the issue that I found.

[NightWriter]

For those who own the carbons and 6MT: I'm curious whether there's any concerns with range of motion for either clutch leg or stick? (I test drove an M3C and didn't have a chance to feel that part of the experience.)

[chujk1985]

anyone have any experience and can compare the comfort of the F80/F82 competition seats to the new carbon buckets in the G80/G82?

I know they are different, but I have experience in the F80 with competition seats.

[TJR_///M3]

Originally Posted by chujk1985

anyone have any experience and can compare the comfort of the F80/F82 competition seats to the new carbon buckets in the G80/G82?

I know they are different, but I have experience in the F80 with competition seats.

I went from an F80 with the regular seats, to an F80 with the competition seats and then to a G80 with CF buckets. For me, the G80 CF buckets are by far and away the best (with the exception - as has been written numerous times here - that ingress and egress is far from easy), but I will say that I suspect it depends on one’s stature.

[chujk1985]

Originally Posted by TJR_M3

I went from an F80 with the regular seats, to an F80 with the competition seats and then to a G80 with CF buckets. For me, the G80 CF buckets are by far and away the best (with the exception - as has been written numerous times here - that ingress and egress is far from easy), but I will say that I suspect it depends on one's stature.

Does the g80 carbon buckets have a bit more lower back support than the f80 competition seats?

[TJR_///M3]

I’ve had my G80 since last September so, to be honest, I don’t recall the detail differences between the two seats in terms of amount and location of support.
I have mentioned this in another post on the seats, but I regularly drive from middle GA to FL. I normally stop for fuel and coffee but recently was able to do the nearly 400 mile drive without stopping (the car - and me! - were running on fumes when I arrived). I had no aches or stiffness at the end of the drive (I am of somewhat advanced years…) and I can tell you that I could never have done that in the F80 (even if the fuel consumption would have let me, which it wouldn’t, but that is a different discussion).
Bottom line: the CF buckets are amazing. I have probably driven over a million miles in my driving life and these are by far the best seats I have ever driven in.

[ccase04]

So I have two questions as i currently am questioning if a want the carbon buckets or not.

1) How do they compare to Porsche carbon buckets. I had them in my GT4 and I could only sit in them for about 30 minutes before I wanted to off myself.

2) How come they dont come in the Tartufo interior? I really want the Isle of Man Green/Brown combo.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by ccase04

So I have two questions as i currently am questioning if a want the carbon buckets or not.

1) How do they compare to Porsche carbon buckets. I had them in my GT4 and I could only sit in them for about 30 minutes before I wanted to off myself.

2) How come they dont come in the Tartufo interior? I really want the Isle of Man Green/Brown combo.

Main difference to the Porsche ones is that BMW have electric seat angle adjustment. The Porsches must be lighter with less motors etc but unless it's an exact fit for you..

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by TJR_M3

I have mentioned this in another post on the seats, but I regularly drive from middle GA to FL. I normally stop for fuel and coffee but recently was able to do the nearly 400 mile drive without stopping (the car - and me! - were running on fumes when I arrived). I had no aches or stiffness at the end of the drive (I am of somewhat advanced years…) and I can tell you that I could never have done that in the F80 (even if the fuel consumption would have let me, which it wouldn’t, but that is a different discussion).
Bottom line: the CF buckets are amazing. I have probably driven over a million miles in my driving life and these are by far the best seats I have ever driven in.

SOLD!

That does it, I'm opting for the Carbon bucket seats when I finally get my allocation! If I don't, I'll just be kicking myself later....

The carbon buckets are beautiful, and just make the interior look that much more special!

Thanks for the seat review!

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by MassComp

SOLD!

That does it, I'm opting for the Carbon bucket seats when I finally get my allocation! If I don't, I'll just be kicking myself later....

The carbon buckets are beautiful, and just make the interior look that much more special!

Thanks for the seat review!

Did you have a chance to try them out yourself? Not to detract from @TJR_M3's (or anyone's) perspective/review, but they're definitely not a one-size-fits-all so I encourage everyone thinking about them to try them out if at all possible. (Of course, if you end up hating them, chances are very good that you'll be able to swap them with someone who regrets the standard thrones and maybe even make a couple bucks, considering the vast aftermarket price difference).

[SaMaster14]

I sat in the carbon buckets in an M8 convertible at my dealership. I can imagine there will be a bit of maneuvering to get in/out when I get my M3, but they were very comfortable when I actually sat in them!

I’m on the shorter side, but not “skinny.” I felt fine in them and think they just look so dang good, I had to option them on my M3 without spending serious time in them. And yes, the M3 will be my daily driver. I don’t do much highway driving, other than sporadic trips from LA to Palm Desert or San Diego.

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

I sat in the carbon buckets in an M8 convertible at my dealership. I can imagine there will be a bit of maneuvering to get in/out when I get my M3, but they were very comfortable when I actually sat in them!

I’m on the shorter side, but not “skinny.” I felt fine in them and think they just look so dang good, I had to option them on my M3 without spending serious time in them. And yes, the M3 will be my daily driver. I don’t do much highway driving, other than sporadic trips from LA to Palm Desert or San Diego.

At least they should be easier to get in and out of when the convertible top is down.

[Greer]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

I sat in the carbon buckets in an M8 convertible at my dealership. I can imagine there will be a bit of maneuvering to get in/out when I get my M3.

That's the big catch with these seats.

[6speed_M2]

I think the main concern other than the center piece by the legs is getting in and out of the seats.

For manual drivers I'm not sure how annoying that would be but that is the main fault of the seats. Also the side blusters for the legs are aggressive.