Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: For folks who have done the E38 seat swap-- how is the comfort improvement

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    1,978
    My Cars
    '78 320i

    For folks who have done the E38 seat swap-- how is the comfort improvement

    Sorry I know this seems silly Im just choosing between two comfort upgrades-- seat or head unit.

    I found some E38 Sport Contour seats that are somewhat local for $300. I was curious just how much of a comfort difference there is between the e39 comfort seats to the E38 sport contour. Outside of much better looking seats and move movement options I was curious if the comfort is vastly improved or not that much. The seats are from the same era (after 99) so they should swap right in.
    Last edited by jaredmac11; 11-13-2018 at 01:49 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    13,581
    My Cars
    2000 740i sport
    Quote Originally Posted by jaredmac11 View Post
    Sorry I know this seems silly Im just choosing between two comfort upgrades-- seat or head unit.

    I found some E38 Sport Contour seats that are somewhat local for $300. I was curious just how much of a comfort difference there is between the seats. Outside of much better looking seats and move movement options I was curious if the comfort is vastly improved or not that much. The seats are from the same era (after 99) so they should swap right in.
    I like sport seats because theyre sport seats but the comfort seats are well, way more comfy for longer trips IMO...

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    202
    My Cars
    2003 530i, 2005 X5 3.0
    If you go from e39 sport seats to e38 sport seats. There is a huge improvement. The moving upper back allows you to adjust the seat perfectly. You will love it

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Landolakes, Fl
    Posts
    67
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 540iA M-Sport
    Best upgrade I have done to my e39. Easy process. Bolt right in

    Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    13,581
    My Cars
    2000 740i sport
    $300 for e38 sport seats is a good deal. Are they black?

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    1,978
    My Cars
    '78 320i
    Thanks for all the input. They arent perfect, but no tears or fading. Seem to be around 'very good' condition. They are grey which match my interior.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    9,049
    My Cars
    ‘01 540’00 528T’03 525T
    Man! $300 for those seats ain’t bad. I snagged a decent set of E38 16 way comfort seats which are way better than the E39 comfort seats, $25 a seat at a local yard, that was a good deal, but the sport comfort seats are awesome, go get them before someone else gets em!

    Those sport comfort seats usually go for $700 to $800 bucks around here.
    Last edited by BimmrMeUpSnotty; 11-13-2018 at 09:47 PM.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    2,665
    My Cars
    750IL/540iT/R53/E46Vert
    Yeah, the e38 seats with the hinged backrest makes a huge difference. You will like them.

  9. #9
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    AndoverRockport MA & Intl
    Posts
    14,856
    My Cars
    E46M3Cic E39.540iT E84X1
    All E38 seats > E39 seats of 'equivalent model' aka sport-sport / comfort-comfort etc.

    Generally Sport seats > Comfort... I don't find the E39 Sports to be so sporty that they aren't perfectly good for cruising honestly. The E39 Comforts are pretty good but flat and bit too cushy, although the top-recline feature is great. Having had the 'high' Comforts and Sports I have come to only truly dislike the base seats... If I had a car with those they'd have to go ASAP.

    But the E38 SportComfs are the best, no doubt - really they are a hybrid of best-of-Sport-best-of-Comfort, and as mentioned, the top-recline feature that comes from the Comfort seats is really cool on long trips.

    I wish I had 'em for sure, although my E39 Sport seats are still pretty satisfactory...
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    mitten
    Posts
    3,760
    My Cars
    525it,02 525it,73 2002
    I have sport comfort,contour whatever they like to be called. Love them and are so much better.
    I don't see any benefit in a $300. head unit.



  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Middle of a corn field
    Posts
    14,770
    My Cars
    E39 hamster/ruberbandPWR
    I want some...

    Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    West London/Heathrow - UK
    Posts
    7,204
    My Cars
    03 530dT - Ex Police Car
    Hi,

    I've been thinking of this as one option for when I want to upgrade my interior and seats. I've only had the chance to sit in a stationary E39 which has the E38 Sport Contours and they do feel better but for me, only marginally so. I think if I had time to actually be seated in them when driving, a better assessment could be made. The main reason for my evaluating is that I injured my back badly to the point I couldn't walk for 4 months and simply slept those months away and then another 4/5 months of gradually building up strength to walk properly again. Since then, over time, I do find I can't go too long say 2/3 hours of driving like I used to, so I absolutely need much better support/comfort in order to minimize back pain during driving for both shorter and longer distances/time. The E38 Sport Contours are a good OEM+ type upgrade in this regard. I've also spoken to a few excellent reputable leather retrimmers who are capable of doing upgrades so I may re-sculpt my current E39 manual Sport seats with new foam with better shapes and add in massagers/heating and cooling and also extra support etc and then the same again for E38 Sport Contours.

    Another option is to find decent aftermarket seats, Recaro Ergomed's are seemingly perfect but have a large price tag to match, find some other decent brand seats as well. I may then have those specialist trimmers do some new foam/supports etc.

    If you don't have back issues or only mild levels of back pain etc, then I'm sure the E38 Sport Contours will be really good for you !

    I'll be evaluating more over the next few months and then decide on the route I want to actually take

    Cheers, Dennis!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    2,665
    My Cars
    750IL/540iT/R53/E46Vert
    If you can get e38 comfort seats that have the hinged backrest - 16 way power - that is what my 750 has. Project for next year is to merge them onto E39 sport bases, and make a second set of sport contour seats - the lumbar extension is very nice.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    1,293
    My Cars
    328i,740i,e36 m3 x2,e46
    I much prefer the e38 contours to e39 comfort seats or e39 sport seats. I find them both more supportive and more comfortable on a drive of any length.

    Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    aurora, colorado, usa
    Posts
    44
    My Cars
    1990 bmw 735il
    E39 seats are like nice leather clad padded chairs at your dining room table...or maybe a nice desk chair.

    E38 seats, either sport or comfort, are like that really nice leather lazy-boy recliner that your grandad has...and never wants to get out of.

    Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    1,978
    My Cars
    '78 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by jwetz View Post
    E39 seats are like nice leather clad padded chairs at your dining room table...or maybe a nice desk chair.

    E38 seats, either sport or comfort, are like that really nice leather lazy-boy recliner that your grandad has...and never wants to get out of.

    Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk
    Ha this is the best way to sell em.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    (northeast) Indiana
    Posts
    19,321
    My Cars
    15 650ix GC & 14 X5 50i
    Just an FYI (which has also been discussed in past threads along with pics)...the e38 & e39 use the same front seats...which come in various configurations (ways).

    For the US market...99% of the time they are all electric (except for the 2001 525i/iT which came standard with non electric seats...but BMW NA reversed their decision and went back to electric seats in 2002).

    • The basic 10-way seat (e38 & e39) which could be optioned with 4-way lumbar feature to make it a 14-way seat
    • The 12-way sport seat (e39 & Euro e38s w/6 cyl engines)...has 2-way thigh extension and extra side bolstering (no lumbar available)
    • The 16-way comfort seat (basic 10-way features + 4-way lumbar+2-way upper articulating back) offered as an option on the e39 and e38 SWB 740i....& standard equipment on the e38 740iL & 750iL. The e38 V12 can also come with the additional "active seat" (booty massage) feature
    • The 18-way sport comfort seat (called contour seat in Europe & other markets) offered on the e38 only in the US market (basic 10-way features+4-way lumbar+2-way upper articulating back+2-way thigh extension)...also has extra side bolstering +extended side bolstering up to the headrest area
    • The 16-way M5 sport seats (basic 10-way features+2-way thigh extension+4-way lumbar feature)...these seats were also offered with a two-toned leather option or a solid color leather option


    For those that are wide-bodied/large framed...they may find the 18-way sport comfort seats uncomfortable due to the extended side bolstering. For them the 16-way comfort seat may be a more comfortable choice since they aren't being squeezed into a narrower seat. Some also complain about the French seam that goes down the center of the 18-way sport comfort seats...they complain that it digs into their back and backside.

    Whereas those that are thin/narrow framed...may find the extra side bolstering of the 12-way sport seats or 18-way sport comfort seats more supportive and keeps them from sliding in the basic 10-way or 16-way comfort seat.

    Again, just clarifying...the 10-way basic seat & 16-way comfort seats in the e39 & e38 are exactly the same in the US market. And if you're in Europe/Asia/So Africa/So America and you have a 6 cylinder e38...the 12-way sport seat is the same one used in the e39.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 11-18-2018 at 01:15 AM.
    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

  18. #18
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    AndoverRockport MA & Intl
    Posts
    14,856
    My Cars
    E46M3Cic E39.540iT E84X1
    Nice rundown Q. I've said many times the regular Sport (12-way on your list) is definitely more firm and supportive than the seats in my M3.

    I'd love to nab Sport Comfort/Contours but they're just so hard to find - and when you do, almost always they are 2 out of 3 of:
    - Wrong color
    - Beat to crap
    - Expensive as hell
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    5,660
    My Cars
    2005 M3 & 2004 330i
    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    Nice rundown Q. I've said many times the regular Sport (12-way on your list) is definitely more firm and supportive than the seats in my M3.
    Hmm, I've never actually been in a sports package E39 to compare (did sit in an M5 once or twice, but not long enough to form much of an opinion on the seats).

    I wonder how the E63 M6 seats would compare (they're apparently plug and play for the E46).

  20. #20
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    AndoverRockport MA & Intl
    Posts
    14,856
    My Cars
    E46M3Cic E39.540iT E84X1
    Interesting. I'd have to get E64 for my 'vert. I see a couple problems with that...

    1. E64 M6's being pretty rare in first place, let alone parted out...
    2. To be blunt, IME from "in the wild observation" the E63-4 platform pretty commonly seems to be a fat guys and/or sloppy guys car. Lotta the interiors seem to be kinda worn out.

    Quick search on eBay seems to confirm both... few sets for sale but good bolster wear on 'em from somebody doing the sloppy-fatass-slide-in.

    I will say the seats appear very similar to the E46M3 'vert seats. Not exactly same in the stitching, but very similar in overall shape and proportions.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


Similar Threads

  1. e38 seats in the e39?
    By demetrios540i in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-09-2007, 11:11 AM
  2. e38 seats into e39?
    By Raj in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-18-2006, 12:17 AM
  3. FS: 2001 E38 740i Sport, DVD Nav, Sunshades, Comfort Seats, DSP
    By greene08 in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-08-2006, 09:50 PM
  4. Anyone done a rear seat delete?
    By timsev in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 07-05-2005, 07:43 PM
  5. E38 front seats swap ???
    By Jefke in forum 1995 - 2001 (E38)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-10-2005, 06:29 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •