Did anyone change from lumber-support to no-lumber-support?

All the time, depending upon which car we use. My Audi A8's 'comfort seats' are good examples of the best car seats available, with a lumbar support that goes up and down as well as in and out. But its absence in SWMBO's Peugeot 2008 is not missed, as we rarely use it for journeys longer than an hour. If we feel the need for one, we do what we do for our non-electric chairs at home by positioning an example of that excellent Mesopotamian invention, the 'Cushion'. As the human spine was never designed to be vertical it needs all the help and care it can get.

My car has electric lumber support adjustment and I took it for granted. However, I discovered that most cars don't have it except in expensive top trims.

Whether not having it will cause issue or not very difficult to judge in short test drives.

Did anyone change from lumber-support to no-lumber-support? If yes, what was your experience?

I understand body posture is very personal, but still willing to hear your feedback.

The (manual - via a 4-setting lever) driver's seat (only) lumbar support on my 16yo mid-spec Mazda3 is really helpful in keeping me from suffering from driving-related back problems, as is the reach and rake steering wheel adjustment. Since I got it, no driving-related back problems, including after 7+hr runs down to Cornwall on holiday.

My previous 90s Micra only had rake adjustment and no lumbar support, and I often had a sore back after a long journey. I also prefer (and will ONLY buy) cars with a proper left foot rest (whether the car is a mnaul or auto), which helps comfort for me at least.

Admitedly my bad back problems were made significantly worse in the 'old' car (my current one ain't exactly 'new' any more) because for the first 2 years I had the seat one notch (0.5 in) too far from the steering wheel, meaning I was stretching (or arms, legs fully extended) to reach the steering wheel and pedals.

Using a work colleague's seating ergonomics manual (Vauxhall Vectra) was a very useful guide to how to get the best out of your car with the level of adjustment it has. One thing I also learned was to get it to what you think is the best adjustment, leave it for a couple of week's usage, then make just one adjustment, then repeat.

If you make more than one adjustment at a time after the initial go, you don't really know which might've made the difference, or if both have or not, and how much each did. Also a good idea to have a good stretch before and after driving (and when on a mid-long drive break), as you'll be in near-to optimal physical shape (for you) when seated.

Unfortunately what works for one person - especially as regards the seat itself (never mind where the seat and steering wheel are moved to) - may not for another. It also can be the amount of bolster or how firm or soft it is, and related to the suspension (including tyres) / handling capabilities/ road comfort and how you drive the car. Those with firm rides and/or poor handling will likely exaggerate any issues in the seats or driving position. Offset driving positions will also have an impact.

It's why I spend far more time when looking at cars sitting in and making such seat/steering wheel adjustments when 'browsing' so that if I like it enough to go to the next level and get a test drive, I can get the most informative experience out of it (a long test drive on a variety of roads and speeds).

I also now only buy 'office' swivel chairs for my computer desk that have an adjustable seat back and decent lumbar support (I always try them out in person - I never buy online only). Always try out for such things, rather like sofas, beds (in paritcular) where poor and good ergonomics can make a huge difference to the quality of life, especially for those of us prone to bad backs.

When I read the title I was wondering what might be asked about transporting loads of timber :-)

Yes it matters to me. It doesn't need to be fancy, or be a high cost option (I'm talking here to Mr Jaguar who have zero lumber support on the XEs standard seats, but you can only have the optional lumber support if you first select the fancy electric seats). Without lumber support ny back aches within a few miles. My current 3 series has standard seats, but they do give decent support, non-adjustable, no issues driving long distances. Volvo V70 the same. It's not only expensive cars that can do it properly. Hyundai i10 seats are exemplary for example.

I know within a few miles if the support is OK. No point in buying if I am going to have backache after a drive.

Edited by Sparrow on 06/01/2022 at 19:34

My car has electric lumber support adjustment and I took it for granted. However, I discovered that most cars don't have it except in expensive top trims.

Whether not having it will cause issue or not very difficult to judge in short test drives.

Did anyone change from lumber-support to no-lumber-support? If yes, what was your experience?

I understand body posture is very personal, but still willing to hear your feedback.

Lumbar, perhaps, or do you mean firewood and fence posts?