[1230vani]

Maybe less cushions applied? Massage is part of the package but I could take it out and order other options separately (or they are already part of another package). Ventilation is included, so massage would be on top of ventilation (merino leather) Thank you

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Maybe less cushions applied? Massage is part of the package but I could take it out and order other options separately (or they are already part of another package). Ventilation is included, so massage would be on top of ventilation (merino leather) Thank you

So two days ago I went to my local dealer who has a 2023 brand new 40i and m50i. They both had silverstone sensafin multi contour seats. In the 40i the seats have massage bc that’s the only way the 2023 luxury seat package comes with the multi contour. In the m50 there was just ventilation. The 40i had been prepped for delivery, the 50i still had its packaging on.

The point -I felt the 40i seats were significantly softer and more cushiony than the m50 seats. Not sure if there is something under or in the seats they do during prepping a car for delivery so providing all the details here.

I was surprised..

But regardless - I would not be afraid of getting massage which have been reported by others to make the seat worse. I actually really enjoyed the lower lumbar massage and wish my CPO that I just got had it….

[TurtleBoy]

The common impression is that there are more comfortable without the massaging. Whether it is actually true or based on always seeing that is that case I do not know.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Maybe less cushions applied? Massage is part of the package but I could take it out and order other options separately (or they are already part of another package). Ventilation is included, so massage would be on top of ventilation (merino leather) Thank you

You realize you're asking a personal question and will only get opinionated answers, right? Ok, so here's mine...I just came back from a 5K mile trip, I have the multi contour merino leather with massage and ventilated seats. I found the seats to be hard, in fact after a thousand or so miles I stopped using the massage because it only made my butt hurt worse. I think the ventilation works great, as does the seat heating.

I don't have a comparison for you as its been way too long since I sat in the non massage seats but for me, I'm wondering if there it too much in these seats (fans, air bags, heating elements) and therefore no room for adequate foam for comfort. My wife has the same opinion. She doesn't like the way the massage works, I do but could not use it after a while. It simply pushed up on me on the areas that were already beginning to get sore from miles after miles day after day.
Now, on a short drive, like an hour or two, all is well and I do use the massage but my way of thinking is that massage seats are really meant for long trips and for me they just didn't cut the mustard. If I did not have the massage function, I would not miss it.

[Jlewisinsyr]

I have the massage in my 45e with the multi contour seats and prior to buying mine I test drove a 40i with base and the found them comfortable but not amazing. Now my 45e seats are extremely comfortable but it could be just because they are multi contour but I definitely don’t find the massage being uncomfortable and I use the feature a ton.

[dadzer]

My wife drives a 2020 X5 M5.0 (26,000 mi.)with the massage seats and I drive a similar 2023 (5,000 mi.) without massage. We have taken both on the same 6 hour drive several times (making 1 stop along the way) and the seats without seem to be a bit softer and more comfortable.

[Matt 335is]

After thoroughly going through everyones opinions on various threads here is my summary:

Seats with message are less comfortable.
Seats without message are less comfortable.
Seats with message are more comfortable.
Seats without message are more comfortable.

I hope that helps.

[Keith's Bimmer]

I love my seats with massage in my X6 M and think they're very comfortable. Like sitting on a pillow!

[KingMota1]

I am expecting to order a 2024 X5 M60i and seat comfort is very important to me. I visited a dealership yesterday and sat in two X5 M50i and noticed a distinct difference in the bottom cushion comfort (both non-leather). I asked the SA if the harder seat had massage function and he said yes. So that was a pretty good blind test. My wife likes massage seats in our S7 which this will replace, but I definitely will not be ordering. Hopefully we get to test some Merino seats soon as that is my planned option.

[mnx5er]

I am not a fan of the massage seats (have them now) or the ventilated seats. Glad the plain multi-contour is returning.

[1230vani]

Thanks to all for their comments! I think most people said without massage is more comfortable. Many love the function and enjoy it as well (I dont think I need the function). I think without vents just plain is most comfortable but willing to go with vent as i dont like my back sweating in the summer. Thanks again

[cellarrat]

my 2 cents: the seats w/the luxury seating pkg (massage and vent) w/Vernasca (sp?) leather are firm but extremely supportive. I have spent hours behind the wheel and got out ache-free, which is unusual for me in most cars. I am tall w/long legs and the thigh support is excellent.

I chuckled at Marty's post saying that he turned the massage feature off at 1000 miles. At a thousand miles, I'd be inconsolable with ANY seat in ANY car, with or without massage.

[2022X6]

I have a 2020 X5 w massage and a 2022 X6 which the deleted my massage in last week before delivered,

I really miss the massage seats and just ordered one with massage

Once you have it, most will not want a car without it again

That being said my Merino contour seats in the X6 are extremely nice.

Makes sense to put money in your seat, as it does buying good shoes

[thara01]

2023 X5 45e. I have luxury seating package and climate control package. Seats are sensafin. My experience is the massage option has some
Mechanism with makes the seats lot firmer. I wish I did not order massage. Just plain multi contour should work much better. Just my opinion.

[Qsilver7]

“Comfortable” is subjective. What may be comfortable for some may be uncomfortable for others.

Having two BMWs w/multi-comfort seats…one with ventilation & massage feature…the other without…I would not use “comfortable” to describe the difference (again, because it’s subjective)…but I would say that the non-massaging/ventilated seats have firmer foam padding.

The firmer padding is probably used to protect the passenger from feeling the mechanics embedded in the seat. I would hate to feel the fans and massaging bubbles if not in use.

On longer trips…especially in the summer months…I prefer the ventilated/massaging seats vs the softer feeling non ventilated/non massaging seats. Even though they are softer…the seats can get hot and uncomfortable if traveling long distances in 90+ degree temps.

But as some have mentioned, their personal feelings for the ventilated/massaging seats is not favorable due to the stiffer/firmer padding…or they find the massaging/ventilation is not to their liking…but others feel the opposite.

Again, “comfortable” may be subjective…but the massaging/ventilated seats do have firmer padding.

The foam padding (#3, #4, & #5 in the diagram below) is different if you have massaging/ventilated seats…vs the non massaging/ventilated seats:

[Blue87]

Very subjective topic for sure. This might really depend on body ailments, body size etc. I had 2 loaners with sensafin both without the massage function and they were rock hard compared to the multi/Merino/massage seats in my X5. That said, I could easily go long distance with them all, however I definitely prefer the Merino/multi/massage seats, which felt softer overall. Some prefer 1980s couch soft, whereas others (like myself) like a compact tailored supportive feel instead. I did a 15 hour drive in a Honda S2000 and was just fine; I know others would have been in agony.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

“Comfortable” is subjective. What may be comfortable for some may be uncomfortable for others.

Having two BMWs w/multi-comfort seats…one with ventilation & massage feature…the other without…I would not use “comfortable” to describe the difference (again, because it’s subjective)…but I would say that the non-massaging/ventilated seats have firmer foam padding.

The firmer padding is probably used to protect the passenger from feeling the mechanics embedded in the seat. I would hate to feel the fans and massaging bubbles if not in use.

On longer trips…especially in the summer months…I prefer the ventilated/massaging seats vs the softer feeling non ventilated/non massaging seats. Even though they are softer…the seats can get hot and uncomfortable if traveling long distances in 90+ degree temps.

But as some have mentioned, their personal feelings for the ventilated/massaging seats is not favorable due to the stiffer/firmer padding…or they find the massaging/ventilation is not to their liking…but others feel the opposite.

Again, “comfortable” may be subjective…but the massaging/ventilated seats do have firmer padding.

The foam padding (#3, #4, & #5 in the diagram below) is different if you have massaging/ventilated seats…vs the non massaging/ventilated seats:

So ventilated without massage probably more comfy. For me the bottom of the seat most important to be comfy. I love comfort seats but not tried ventilated ones and tend to travel very long distances few times a year.

[Gilles79]

There is also the aging butt factor. Us Saggy Bottom Boys have lost a lot of padding back there from our younger years so more external padding is welcome!

[Justgothere]

Originally Posted by 2022X6

I have a 2020 X5 w massage and a 2022 X6 which the deleted my massage in last week before delivered,

I really miss the massage seats and just ordered one with massage

Once you have it, most will not want a car without it again

That being said my Merino contour seats in the X6 are extremely nice.

Makes sense to put money in your seat, as it does buying good shoes

Do you have any comment on the massage seats being less comfortable and with less cushion? Is there any truth to that? Since you have both versions side by side. (Also do you have ventilated vs non ventilated?)

[aquanox]

Speaking of seat, I can barely feel air movement when vent set to level 3 on a 45e with vernasca massage seat. Seat vent on a loaner 840 with massage seat feels much stronger.
Am I the only one feel like this?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by aquanox

Speaking of seat, I can barely feel air movement when vent set to level 3 on a 45e with vernasca massage seat. Seat vent on a loaner 840 with massage seat feels much stronger.
Am I the only one feel like this?

Remember the seats suck the air in to keep you cool/dry using evaporation. They do not blow air out.

[Justgothere]

I’m hoping to find someone that has tested Merino leather with and without ventilated and massage.