rental vs my M

[liam821]

I've driven my e46m3 from Portland where I live to San Diego and back twice and both times it was a complete blast. The seats are surprisingly comfortable. I was thankful for cruise control and Bluetooth audio. I was not thankful for the buzzing in one of the rear speakers and the road noise after 15 hours of straight driving. Still, getting to drive my e46m3 around San Diego county for a week vs driving a Corolla rental was fantastic fun.

I just yolo'd it and took no tools whatsoever. The only prep I did was check the tires and oil.

[Tbonem3]

The seats are surprisingly comfortable.

Okay, now we know you're lying Liam

[liam821]

Okay, now we know you're lying Liam

I mean, perhaps I couldn't feel anything after the first 10 hours behind the wheel...haha but they're WAY better than a rental Corolla.

[EthanolTurbo]

Okay, now we know you're lying Liam

So true. The stock E46 seats are pretty bad.

[liam821]

hahah!

[heinzboehmer]

I actually found the stock seats pretty comfortable. Maybe I have a similar body type to the engineers that designed them? lol

[Tbonem3]

The e90 seats are so good. I hate e46 seats, couldn't wait to get aftermarket.

[liam821]

The e90 seats are so good. I hate e46 seats, couldn't wait to get aftermarket.

E9Xm3 seats are very comfortable, it's like sitting in a lazyboy. They are probably the most comfortable/sofa-like seats in all the M3 cars over the years. On the flip side, those giant boat anchors of seats really make the e9xm3 feel, well, like a boat.

[bmw]

Driving a fun car in a straight line on the highway is boring and uncomfortable
I'd take something plush, quiet, and comfortable with a great stereo to eat up the miles

[Jimbo's M]

Driving a fun car in a straight line on the highway is boring and uncomfortable

I'll take my chances. It's not like in 21 years I haven't driven the car on long hauls before, just not this far. I also think I'll give this a whirl. And it's NOT made in China!

https://posturion.com/products/gel-seat-cushion-for-car/

[maw1124]

I'll take my chances... https://posturion.com/products/gel-s...shion-for-car/

My experience is you'll need this right about the 7 hour mark. 9 hours is about as far as I've done in this car, and I have no desire to be in it that long again. And I'm a very average size guy. If you get much over 6', 200lbs, YMMV.

EDIT... but you'll be "extremely comfortable" for those first 7-9 hours.

maw

[Obioban]

In my experience the stock seats are super comfortable if you have the adjustable lumar option, and completely terrible if you do not.

I did not get the adjustable lumbar on my first e46, because I was trying to avoid power seats, and they were completely miserable on any sort of long drive (as in, anything over 30 minutes long I was in pain).

Second car, adjustable lumbar, drove across the country and back, no issue.

[BMWE46M3]

I totally agree. I think the stock sport E46 M3 seats with lumbar and side bolster adjustability are extremely comfortable.

[heinzboehmer]

Hmm, my stock seats have adjustable lumbar and side bolsters. That might be why they feel fine to me

[Jimbo's M]

I ordered my M with only two options, leather seats and metallic paint, so no lumbar/side bolsters. Hopefully the cushion above should (I hope) help. I'll have to pee every couple of hours anyway, so I'll get to stretch as long as I want. I'm in no hurry.