[rak299]

It seems like there are 3 possible reasons for spending $3800 for a different type of seat. Some people track their cars and are willing to compromise on comfort to improve track performance. Some people think the seats look cool and want them, regardless of whether they fit or feel comfortable. I bought them after I tried them and, for me, they were more comfortable than the standard seats. They simply fit me better. Also, my wife has back problems and the shape of the sides keep her back straighter. When BMW was sending cars around prior to release, one of them had the buckets and we tried them. If there were not seats to try, I never would have ordered them. With seats being Priority 1 (customer order only) they will be difficult to try before purchase

[xlover]

Originally Posted by rak299

It seems like there are 3 possible reasons for spending $3800 for a different type of seat. Some people track their cars and are willing to compromise on comfort to improve track performance. Some people think the seats look cool and want them, regardless of whether they fit or feel comfortable. I bought them after I tried them and, for me, they were more comfortable than the standard seats. They simply fit me better. Also, my wife has back problems and the shape of the sides keep her back straighter. When BMW was sending cars around prior to release, one of them had the buckets and we tried them. If there were not seats to try, I never would have ordered them. With seats being Priority 1 (customer order only) they will be difficult to try before purchase

That reasoning, while valid, is probably outweighed by dealers ordering the buckets to pad MSRPs (and profits) and filling stock with an option that many customers will either A) outright reject or B) begrudgingly purchase due to inventory limits and be unhappy for the duration of their ownership period. Additionally those dealer stock orders are a drag on supply causing delays on orders where customers truly wanted them.

We have already seen feedback on these boards, which are enthusiast based, that those in market for the seats should think long and hard about the buckets, including some with full on regrets. I imagine those in the general population buying off lots are probably giving even stronger feedback.

EDIT: disclaimer before someone grabs their pitchfork and responds to the wrong part of this thought... i am not saying anything negative about the buckets, but they are clearly not for everyone

[zhangzeyuandss]

For me the problem is my fat friends. Getting in and out of this thing is not real easy for them. So I told them to stay in the back to help with the weight distribution. (Totally serious)

[rak299]

Originally Posted by zhangzeyuandss

For me the problem is my fat friends. Getting in and out of this thing is not real easy for them. So I told them to stay in the back to help with the weight distribution. (Totally serious)

I did think of fat friends and some who have other physical problems, but if the seats are more comfortable for me and they make my wife's back not hurt, others can sit in the back (or the trunk)

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by xlover

That reasoning while valid is probably outweighed by dealers ordering the buckets to pad MSRPs (and profits) and filling stock with an option that for many customers will either A) outright reject or B) begrudgingly purchase due to inventory limits and be unhappy for the duration of their ownership period. Additionally those dealer stock orders are a drag on supply causing delays on orders where customers truly wanted them.

We have already seen feedback on these boards, which are enthusiast based, that those in market for the seats should think long and hard about the buckets, including some with full on regrets. I imagine those in the general population buying off lots are probably giving even stronger feedback.

EDIT: disclaimer before someone grabs their pitchfork and responds to the wrong part of this thought... i am not saying anything negative about the buckets, but they are clearly not for everyone

Who had "full on regrets"? I missed that.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Who had "full on regrets"? I missed that.

i remembered this post from the other day so I was able to find it quickly via search... but there are others https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=57

[mn_bmw]

Originally Posted by xlover

That reasoning, while valid, is probably outweighed by dealers ordering the buckets to pad MSRPs (and profits) and filling stock with an option that many customers will either A) outright reject or B) begrudgingly purchase due to inventory limits and be unhappy for the duration of their ownership period. Additionally those dealer stock orders are a drag on supply causing delays on orders where customers truly wanted them.

I'm not sure why a dealer would include an option they thought customers will "likely reject", especially if the customer can easily sit in the seat and decide for themselves. Padding the MSRP doesn't make sense if it will result in hanging on to inventory longer.

[Transfer]

I sat in them and liked them although admittedly difficult to get out of. I would not choose them if I couldn't sit in them. I do need to get the wife in them if possible and this priority 1 might make it difficult. I guess I'll get on that.

At this point I'm pretty sure I'll get them and could likely swap to base seats if they're intolerable, but they'll be very very expensive or difficult to get if you want to add them later. This is by far the most difficult option to decide.

There is a lot of "difficult" in this post. I should probably pay attention to that. :

[calbears]

Originally Posted by rak299

With seats being Priority 1 (customer order only) they will be difficult to try before purchase

Not necessarily. Dealers can order cars as priority 1, that's how you get cars on the lot with colors like tanzanite and dravit.

[rak299]

Originally Posted by calbears

Not necessarily. Dealers can order cars as priority 1, that's how you get cars on the lot with colors like tanzanite and dravit.

I expect that some of those are customer orders where the customer walks away

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by rak299

I expect that some of those are customer orders where the customer walks away

That's separate from what he was saying.

Dealerships absolutely order cars Priority 1 that they know are for inventory. They just put a random name as the customer and then, boom, it's a Priority 1 car.

Guessing the smaller market dealerships don't do this, but my local dealer does it frequently.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

That's separate from what he was saying.

Dealerships absolutely order cars Priority 1 that they know are for inventory. They just put a random name as the customer and then, boom, it's a Priority 1 car.

Guessing the smaller market dealerships don't do this, but my local dealer does it frequently.

Do it a lot, that's how I can order tanzanite and individual colors for stock cars. The same will happen with carbon buckets, because that's what I'll be doing.

[Multimodal]

They were priority 1 options last year too.

You guys complain about everything.

[rak299]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

They were priority 1 options last year too.

You guys complain about everything.

The 2021 pricing guide I saw did not show CCB as priority 1. The 2022 I saw showed that and carbon fiber exterior package as priority 1

[Multimodal]

They were priority 1 in the February 3, 2021, version of the MY21 M3/M4 order guide that I have.

[rak299]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

They were priority 1 in the February 3, 2021, version of the MY21 M3/M4 order guide that I have.

I ordered from an earlier one without the 2 new colors. It wasn't Priority 1 at that point. I ordered the seats after sitting in one they had on display at SF BMW just before launch

[MachinesWithSouls]

They are possibly the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in, but it's a silly debate because it's like saying I don't fit in your pants. They are your pants, sooo..

I will say this. I was at the Performance Center last week and was in both regular and buckets. The regulars are like M5 chairs. Very nice. I don't feel like I'm missing out on my order.

[Zirenz2006]

I got my car yesterday, will be posting a thread this weekend with some pics and impressions.

I love the buckets. I find them very comfortable. Getting in over the bolster is weird at first but once in I love them and so does my wife. She actually thinks they are more comfortable than the seats that were in my G01 X3.

No regrets getting them

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I got my car yesterday, will be posting a thread this weekend with some pics and impressions.

I love the buckets. I find them very comfortable. Getting in over the bolster is weird at first but once in I love them and so does my wife. She actually thinks they are more comfortable than the seats that were in my G01 X3.

No regrets getting them

Happy to read this as I'll be going from an X3 M40i to an M3 with the carbon buckets as well.

[hk401]

I don't track but i do have a fake gaming chair at home and it's comfortable 5-6 hours sitting. I weight 135 pound that should be easy to get in and out so will order the carbon seat.