BMW Z4 Power Seats Dead: Quick Fix & Cost Guide

I dealt with a similar situation on my 2017 BMW M4 last year. The power seats and memory settings were acting up, and the diagnostic showed "Battery heavily discharged or defective." It turned out the battery was failing to maintain proper voltage, affecting various electrical components, including the seat modules. Had to get the battery replaced and the seat control modules reprogrammed. It wasn't just a quick fix, the techs needed specialized BMW diagnostic tools to properly sync everything back. While not the most serious issue, it's definitely something that needs proper attention since it can affect other electrical systems in the car. Based on your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. The seats only working after engine start is a classic sign of voltage issues. Get it checked soon, as these electrical gremlins tend to spread to other systems if left unchecked.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This really helps as it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. My local shop also mentioned something about the battery being the potential culprit. Would you mind sharing how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also curious if you've had any other electrical issues pop up since getting it fixed? Been a bit worried about other systems getting affected.

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up on your questions. Since my last post, I actually got everything sorted with my M4's electrical issues. The total bill came to 290 € for the battery replacement and reprogramming work, and I'm happy to report it fixed not just the battery problem but also that annoying passenger seat fault I was dealing with. The seats now work perfectly, no more waiting for the engine to start, and all the memory settings kick in right away. And to answer your other question, nope, haven't had a single electrical gremlin pop up since the repair. It's been running smooth as silk for months now. If you're experiencing similar symptoms, I'd say go for it and get it checked out. Just make sure you find someone who really knows their way around BMW electrical systems, it makes all the difference. The specialized diagnostic equipment they use is worth every penny to get it done right the first time. Trust me, it's such a relief not having to deal with those weird electrical quirks anymore. Let me know how it goes when you get yours sorted!

Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to update you all. What a journey! The issue wasn't actually as scary as I thought. Turned out my battery was indeed on its last legs, just like you mentioned. They ran a full diagnostic, replaced the battery, and reprogrammed the system. The whole thing set me back about 320 €, a bit more than what you paid, but honestly, I'm just glad it's fixed. The seats now work perfectly, responding instantly when I hit the controls. No more waiting around for the engine to start! The mechanic I found was actually great this time, really knew their stuff about BMWs. They even showed me the diagnostic readings and explained everything. Such a different experience from my last repair shop visit. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. It's such a relief having everything working properly again. Would've probably spent way more time and money trying different fixes if you hadn't shared your experience!