Does anyone know if order option 488 "LUMBAR SUPPORT DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER" was for both Driver and passenger lumbar control? :confused

You would think so since da Brits drive on the right(wrong) side...as in steering wheel is set up for a postal delivery person in the States.

Does anyone know if order option 488 "LUMBAR SUPPORT DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER" was for both Driver and passenger lumbar control? :confused

Thanks to Bill, Tom, and others that emailed me Chris' posting question.


For the 8er worldwide, BMW offered Lumbar Support for the Driver only using option code 488 until 12/31/1994.



Lumbar support for Driver and Passenger were offered under 2 different option codes from 8er production beginning in 1989 (for Euro 1990 MY models). Code 488 was for the driver and code 489 was for the passenger.



Beginning with 01/1/1995 production, BMW collapsed code 489 and made code 488 Lumbar Support for "both" Driver and Passenger. In other words, if Lumbar Support was installed after 01/95, then both seats were equipped using code 488.




Unfortunately, BMW AG also changed the wording for option code 488 to say it was for both Driver AND Passenger, which is very misleading to people whose cars were built prior to 01/95.



So people like Chris and UZ4Play with 8er's built before 01/95 will look at their build sheet and ask the same question you did in your post.



Your 1993 850CiA was built 2-Feb-1993 with only the Driver Lumbar support.



Unfortunately BMW Dealers were unhappy with this change because in the late 1990's when owners they got their Vehicle History Reports from their dealers, it stated their cars had Passenger Lumbar when in fact they did not.



With the new Registry Inventory Project database launching in the future, we have adjusted the difference between the cars before 1/95 and after to ensure the proper Lumbar support description for code 488 is correctly identified.

You are are welcome to ask questions directly of the Registry anytime; http://www.8coupe.com/contact.htm

I can confirm Jud's report above for CC90103 with the production date of 1/18/95. Under Order Options: 488 LUMBAR SUPPORT DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER

Thanks to Bill, Tom, and others that emailed me Chris' posting question.


For the 8er worldwide, BMW offered Lumbar Support for the Driver only using option code 488 until 12/31/1994.


Lumbar support for Driver and Passenger were offered under 2 different option codes from 8er production beginning in 1989 (for Euro 1990 MY models). Code 488 was for the driver and code 489 was for the passenger.


Beginning with 01/1/1995 production, BMW collapsed code 489 and made code 488 Lumbar Support for "both" Driver and Passenger. In other words, if Lumbar Support was installed after 01/95, then both seats were equipped using code 488.



Unfortunately, BMW AG also changed the wording for option code 488 to say it was for both Driver AND Passenger, which is very misleading to people whose cars were built prior to 01/95.


So people like Chris and UZ4Play with 8er's built before 01/95 will look at their build sheet and ask the same question you did in your post.


Your 1993 850CiA was built 2-Feb-1993 with only the Driver Lumbar support.


Unfortunately BMW Dealers were unhappy with this change because in the late 1990's when owners they got their Vehicle History Reports from their dealers, it stated their cars had Passenger Lumbar when in fact they did not.


With the new Registry Inventory Project database launching in the future, we have adjusted the difference between the cars before 1/95 and after to ensure the proper Lumbar support description for code 488 is correctly identified.
You are are welcome to ask questions directly of the Registry anytime; http://www.8coupe.com/contact.htm

Thanks Jud for the clarification. I thought maybe my passenger seat was replaced sometime since '93. She's a work in progress and am trying to get her correct before I do any minor mods.

Wow interesting. My car is a 11/94 build with lumbar support on both front seats. I should get a build sheet to see all the details.

Cheers

My 850, build date 3/93 had Drivers only lumbar support. I added passenger lumbar from one of the extra driver seats lying around, and will try to incorporate into the sports seats later this summer. It was a surprise to find that BMW cheaped out and only did one seat - would have expected better for the price tag (...or not.)