[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by Doc5513

Man, I'd read and consider more before I did that. These seats w massage and ventilate are so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking them up.

Save Ferris

[davramic]

Ok. So my M5 has the ventilated seats. I have tried/test drove the ventilated and non-ventilated seats in the X5. The BMW Genius and salesreps should tell you that YES the ventilated are a bit firmer; they have about 25% less cushion thickness compared to the non-ventilated. I noticed this on the X5, our X3 m40 and my M5. There is definitely a difference in cushion. It is mild but it is there. If you live in a cooler area where it does not get super hot, I don't think you need ventilation and take the extra cushioning. If you live somewhere where you drive a lot of long distance and in temperatures above 90, then I would definitely get the ventilation. It is NOT AC as several have mentioned, but it will certainly help with that sweaty feeling on a hot day in car.

[Abegweit]

Can anyone clarify whether the reduced cushioning is due to the ventilation or the massage? Or both together?

Right now I have an order in with ventilation only. I've read the reviews and can accept that it isn't a/c, but am a bit concerned about the reduced cushioning. Also reading the stellar reviews for the massage functioning, wondering if I should add it?

[windycitycy]

The massage feature is worth the price IMO. Haven't used the ventilation yet but would buy these seats even if they didn't include ventilation.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by windycitycy

The massage feature is worth the price IMO. Haven't used the ventilation yet but would buy these seats even if they didn't include ventilation.

My 2200 mile road trim would also agree. 1100 miles in one day and no back pain or stiffness thanks to incredible seats and use of the massaging functions. Any other car and they would have to pry me out.

[Tommyvee]

For what its worth, I have the ventilated seats on my ’14. You will not feel much air moving because they draw air away from your body rather than onto it. I'm guessing they're similar on the G05. Bottom line for me is I'm much more comfortable using them on a hot day, they work.

[WAHF80M3]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

we get both extremes from below 10F (fairly rare) to 110F depending on what time of year.

10F is fricking cold man!!!!!!!!!!! Sheesh don't like that 😵 Massage function would still be worth it though in that weather, warm massage in cold like that. Yes please 👍

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by WAHF80M3

10F is fricking cold man!!!!!!!!!!! Sheesh don't like that 😵 Massage function would still be worth it though in that weather, warm massage in cold like that. Yes please 👍

It's not that bad, I used to live in a place where it got to -30F before windchill one winter

[WAHF80M3]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

It's not that bad, I used to live in a place where it got to -30F before windchill one winter

Yeah that's a definite no thanks!

[keeva381]

Any mods out there to route one of the rear foot air vents "up" into the seat to at least send cool air to the fans, increasing the cooled air? I know it wouldn't be perfect but I have a feeling if cooled air is flowing up into the bottom of the seat the fan on the ventilator would pick it up (at least bottom of seat, I doubt on the back).

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by keeva381

Any mods out there to route one of the rear foot air vents "up" into the seat to at least send cool air to the fans, increasing the cooled air? I know it wouldn't be perfect but I have a feeling if cooled air is flowing up into the bottom of the seat the fan on the ventilator would pick it up (at least bottom of seat, I doubt on the back).

The air is sucked in through the seat cushion and back rest, not from the bottom. I put some tissue paper on the backrest and seat cushion and it was drawn into the seat when I turned the ventilation on.

[keeva381]

The air is sucked in through the seat cushion and back rest, not from the bottom. I put some tissue paper on the backrest and seat cushion and it was drawn into the seat when I turned the ventilation on.

So it's really trying to "pull" heat away from your body vs blowing air (cold or just air) on you?

The only reason I ask is because everyone talks about how it's not hooked up to the air conditioning. If the fans are basically blowing away from your body there's no way to fix/mod it.

My dealer said he put a piece of paper over them and it floated - which sounds like the opposite of what happened to you. I don't have the car yet so I can't verify but then again he could just be wrong

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by keeva381

So it's really trying to "pull" heat away from your body vs blowing air (cold or just air) on you?

The only reason I ask is because everyone talks about how it's not hooked up to the air conditioning. If the fans are basically blowing away from your body there's no way to fix/mod it.

My dealer said he put a piece of paper over them and it floated - which sounds like the opposite of what happened to you. I don't have the car yet so I can't verify but then again he could just be wrong

My guess is he is either making things up or tested a different model. Supposedly years ago some blow out rather than suck in. It wouldn't move a piece of paper when I first tested it so I had to go to tissue paper. Others on here conducted the same test and had the same results.

I always thought it blew out given the description of how it works but others said they suck in. I conducted the tests with the assumption I would prove them wrong, turns out I proved myself wrong.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by keeva381

If the fans are basically blowing away from your body there's no way to fix/mod it.

There's no need to "fix it", here's the theory:

(1.) The vehicle has working air conditioning - so presumably the air around your body is the temp (and humidity) you want.

(2.) By sucking air in, the seats are pulling away the layer of warm air surrounding your body, replacing it with the cooler air from the air conditioning.

(3.) Further, there's convection and evaporation - in combination with the cool air conditioned air - that provides a further cooling effect

Altogether this should provide a more consistent and predictable cooling effect - one that doesn't require constant adjustment and won't freeze your ass.

The downside is, maybe, it's not going to be like suddenly sitting on an ice cube - the upside is it's more of an automated experience that takes care of itself.

[alewifebp]

I'm not saying they are great, have them in my 540, but they do help in warmer climates. It's standard on the M50 up these days, but I would buy them again.

[Multimodal]

I have the ventilated, heated, massaging seats. They seem very nice to me. I've never thought they were too firm - but I've driven BMWs with sport package seats for nearly 20 years.

P.s. I think the massage feature is a gimmick that's likely to break in the long run.

[jad03060]

A well shaped somewhat firm seat is better for you long-term. With all of the adjustments, it can take time to find the perfect positioning for you. Sinking in can feel comfortable initially, but that also puts more 'stress' on the padding, so that breaks down sooner, and is harder to get support and keep things aligned. The tell is how comfortable you are long-term, but having the initial setting right for your body is critical for both initial and long-term comfort.