Who got the 2013 M5 and did not get the "Backrest Width" adjustment buttons?

[VintageFerrari]

I've just received the following email from Matt Russell, who up until recently was the U.S. BMW M Brand Manager:

-"Adjustable side bolsters are not currently federalized for any 5 Series model including M5, as has unfortunately been the case since the F10 introduction in 2010. We’re working on it, but don’t have any dates to promise for when the feature may be added to the car. “Active/Dynamic” side bolsters are not planned for this generation M5 or M6."

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by VintageFerrari

I've just received the following email from Matt Russell, who up until recently was the U.S. BMW M Brand Manager:

-"Adjustable side bolsters are not currently federalized for any 5 Series model including M5, as has unfortunately been the case since the F10 introduction in 2010. We’re working on it, but don’t have any dates to promise for when the feature may be added to the car. “Active/Dynamic” side bolsters are not planned for this generation M5 or M6."

Well, the lack of active bolsters in MY14 makes me feel better about my '13. Thanks for the info!

[Terra]

I think I'm just going to cancel my existing M5 order, and replace it with a M6 Gran Coupe (as soon as it's orderable)

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by VintageFerrari

I've just received the following email from Matt Russell, who up until recently was the U.S. BMW M Brand Manager:

-"Adjustable side bolsters are not currently federalized for any 5 Series model including M5, as has unfortunately been the case since the F10 introduction in 2010. We’re working on it, but don’t have any dates to promise for when the feature may be added to the car. “Active/Dynamic” side bolsters are not planned for this generation M5 or M6."

Well, there you have it folks. Not exactly official, but if Matt Russell says this is it, then I think it's good enough.

I think this very well has to do with the side airbags. If you look in the owners manual, the side airbags are located in the seats themselves and not in the B Pillar.

Thank you VintageFerrari for sharing this information. I really wish BMW would have informed us beforehand.

[racer10]

What does federalized mean? Secondly , whatever it means the question remains as to why not in U.S., but in Europe. Finally I would not eliminate model year 2014 from having these. Matt didn't.

[AGS]

Originally Posted by racer10

What does federalized mean? Secondly , whatever it means the question remains as to why not in U.S., but in Europe. Finally I would not eliminate model year 2014 from having these. Matt didn't.

It means the government has not yet approved a seat design that incorporates both the airbag and adjustment mechanism. So until that happens we get 5 series seats with just the airbag.

They can be sold in Europe because they have their own safety standards that can accommodate a seat design with the side bolster adjustment mechanism.

You are correct, they could come up with a design at any time that the federal government would approve.

[Terra]

For comparison, does anyone know where the side airbags are located in the F12 6 series cars? (i.e. the M6 has adjustable side bolsters as standard issue here in the U.S.)

[Terra]

More recent info from Matt Russell:

-"You should expect the Ceramic brakes to become available roughly in Spring 2013 (again, roughly), and your July 2013 hunch about the adjustable side bolsters is probably not far off."

[racer10]

Originally Posted by AGS

It means the government has not yet approved a seat design that incorporates both the airbag and adjustment mechanism. So until that happens we get 5 series seats with just the airbag.

They can be sold in Europe because they have their own safety standards that can accommodate a seat design with the side bolster adjustment mechanism.

You are correct, they could come up with a design at any time that the federal government would approve.

Thank you for your informative response , it is obvious from reading your posts that you are a valued resource to this forum. To the point above ,it is a shame that they couldn't get this design completed and approved in time for the launch into their biggest market for the M5. Certainily other foreign car companies do it , as they have .

[AGS]

Originally Posted by racer10

Thank you for your informative response , it is obvious from reading your posts that you are a valued resource to this forum.

Thank you. I've learned a lot from this community, so I try to add value myself.

Originally Posted by racer10

To the point above ,it is a shame that they couldn't get this design completed and approved in time for the launch into their biggest market for the M5. Certainily other foreign car companies do it , as they have.

I'm not trying to defend BMW, but the F10 5 series has been out for a couple years and in development for many more before that so you have to wonder if the federal government is to blame for being overly not picky with the design.

[ucla95]

Originally Posted by Terra

More recent info from Matt Russell:

-"... your July 2013 hunch about the adjustable side bolsters is probably not far off."

This will impact the resale value of the 2013's adversely I fear (if the oil pump situation hasn't already done so). Count me in as still bummed about this situation. An M5 on a tight track with a lot of turns will be semi-worthless without adjustable side bolsters.

[charley10us]

I am missing mine as well

[RPiM5]

Gents,

I forgot to mention that I got a call yesterday from BMW Customer Relations. I was in my office building and left my phone in my car so they left a message. They stated that they are still researching the issue and haven't forgotten about me. They said they would give me a call be in another 3 to 5 days.

Who knows, they may still come through. No matter what, I'll remind them that we are looking for an official statement from BMW about this. Thanks.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Gents,

I forgot to mention that I got a call yesterday from BMW Customer Relations. I was in my office building and left my phone in my car so they left a message. They stated that they are still researching the issue and haven't forgotten about me. They said they would give me a call be in another 3 to 5 days.

Who knows, they may still come through. No matter what, I'll remind them that we are looking for an official statement from BMW about this. Thanks.

I think the "we'll call you again in 3-5 days" is simply part of their script. I hear the exact same sentence each time they call me with no new updates.

[VPM5]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Gents,

I forgot to mention that I got a call yesterday from BMW Customer Relations. I was in my office building and left my phone in my car so they left a message. They stated that they are still researching the issue and haven't forgotten about me. They said they would give me a call be in another 3 to 5 days.

Who knows, they may still come through. No matter what, I'll remind them that we are looking for an official statement from BMW about this. Thanks.

I got the same call back yesterday. It appears that the situation is at least being escalated to a higher level...

[Omar]

Dear All:

I got a call from the representative. He kept arguing that the seat adjustment was not meant to be there and they never advertised for it. When I asked him to confirm that he backed off. Then, he stated that BMW did not guarantee all options were provied for the 5 series and the M5. I told him that I had an issue with him comparing the five series with the M5 on this option. I told him the M5 was a sport sedan and should have that option. People buy that car for many reasons including that option. He stated that the M6 did not have it either. I told him it did (coud you please confirm the M6 has it?). As you can see, he is a BMW representative and does not know about his cars.

Any way at the end he asked for the type of compensation since he could not add that option to BMW M5. I did not give him an answer.

I guess, now we either resolve this matter with BMW individually or we do it as a group. I suggest we do it as a group. It will give us more leverage. I am willing to prarticipate and use my legal skills in these negotiations ( as a customer and not a lawyer ).

Also, whoever has the original posting on the BMW NA website about the seat adjustment please post it. They are asking for proof.

[BodyPlexM5]

PM me ur email address and ill send you the screen shot of the advertisement of the 20 way seats on bmwusa.com

[Neil McRae]

[Neil McRae]

in the UK there are two options "standard Sport seats" and "M Sport Seats" the latter is the 20 way.

[amgthis]

Originally Posted by Terra

I think I'm just going to cancel my existing M5 order, and replace it with a M6 Gran Coupe (as soon as it's orderable)

M6 Gran Coupe will be considerably more expensive than the M5. The 650i Gran Coupe already starts at $86k I guess if you have the means

[RPiM5]

[QUOTE=amgthis;12780991]M6 Gran Coupe will be considerably more expensive than the M5. [QUOTE]

And heavier, but they will prolly bump of the power to make up for it.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

in the UK there are two options "standard Sport seats" and "M Sport Seats" the latter is the 20 way.

There is only one seat available in North America. it is the M Sport Seat and it is only 18-way.