[Justgothere]

We have a 2024 X5 and upgraded to marino leather with the massage feature. I like the massage but my wife does not. She never uses it. I remember reading on this forum that it’s possible the massage seats have less “cushion.” Is this true?
I’m regretting getting the massage feature if we could have had more comfortable seats! Please ease my mind haha. The seats are comfortable. But I’m wondering what we’re missing out on. I’ve never tried marino leather without massage. Thanks!

[Kgerry59]

I find my Merino leather seats (heated and cooled) very comfortable and I use the lumbar massage feature all the time. Tell your wife to try the different massage settings separately. I only really like the lumbar massage and didn't like most of the others.

[RPA8888]

I've read and wondered about whether or not this is a legitimate concern or not.

I'm glad to see this question posed as I'm also interested in the responses.

[crackerjack15]

I've had three x7's with massaging seats and now 50e without, but it does have the multi-contour seats. They feel the same to me. The cooled seats seem to work better in the 50e. Maybe because there isn't all the massage stuff in there?

[Justgothere]

It is possible that the massage feature is not actually the one that makes them change the cushioning. It could be the ventilated seats instead.

[RPA8888]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

It is possible that the massage feature is not actually the one that makes them change the cushioning. It could be the ventilated seats instead.

Very good point.

I've read in the X3 forum that the ventilated seat functionality reduces the comfort level of the seats in the M40i. (The massage function is not available on that model - so that would eliminate it as a factor.)

[thara01]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

It is possible that the massage feature is not actually the one that makes them change the cushioning. It could be the ventilated seats instead.

I have massage and ventilated seat. I is more cushiony when I sat in another x5 without massage. But I was wondering now whether it is massage or ventilation makes the seat less cushiony.

[Justgothere]

Is there a BMW rep who would know the answer?

[Justgothere]

I changed my mind. I’m no longer worried about this. Here’s why. I just “built” a BMW i7 on the BMW website. And the front massage seats come standard. So if that’s the default for one of the most luxury cars in the lineup, costing over $150,000, I think I’m going to trust that fully loaded seats are going to be made to be as comfortable as possible and not sacrificing much.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

I changed my mind. I’m no longer worried about this. Here’s why. I just “built” a BMW i7 on the BMW website. And the front massage seats come standard. So if that’s the default for one of the most luxury cars in the lineup, costing over $150,000, I think I’m going to trust that fully loaded seats are going to be made to be as comfortable as possible and not sacrificing much.

Sounds logical to me! I’ve sat in sensafin multi contour seats with massage and ventilation and found absolutely 0 issues. They felt as plush as any other seats. That being said, I’ve certainly read others reporting otherwise… so I get the question you have.

[biterror]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

I changed my mind. I’m no longer worried about this. Here’s why. I just “built” a BMW i7 on the BMW website. And the front massage seats come standard. So if that’s the default for one of the most luxury cars in the lineup, costing over $150,000, I think I’m going to trust that fully loaded seats are going to be made to be as comfortable as possible and not sacrificing much.

The i7 seats are completely different from the X5 seats. After driving the i7, the X5 seats feel like wooden stools ;-) (Oohhhh the i7...)

[Rob_G77]

In 2021, I compared seat comfort between massaging and non-massaging seats. I thought the massaging seats were more firm and less comfortable.

The X5 40i I bought in 2023 has massaging seats which was a concern I had based upon my previous experience. But, I find them comfortable and have no complaints about them. They are merino leather so maybe that helps them be more comfortable than something like vernasca or whatever else there is.

Rob

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by biterror

The i7 seats are completely different from the X5 seats. After driving the i7, the X5 seats feel like wooden stools ;-) (Oohhhh the i7...)

Those 7 series seats are so comfortable! I sat in them and didn't want to get out of the vehicle.

Rob

[Mixitt]

My 2019 X5 40i Merino with massage/ventilated seats are heaven - cushy and supportive once you dial them in via tweeking. Love 'em.

As an aside, the ventilated function sucks, never use it.

[apw2607]

Hasn't this subject been beaten to death.

[FireMedic]

I have the '23 45e in Merino with multi contour/massage/ventilated and they are not that comfortable to me. I would always be adjusting them, 12k miles later I just live with them the way they are. I did get a loaner while I had some warranty work done. It was a basic X5 with no ventilation or massage and the seats were much more comfortable. I got my X5 back and I could never replicate the loaner seat settings.
My wife's Lincoln is way more comfortable and the ventilation seats blow you away.

[MikeX521]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Is there a BMW rep who would know the answer?

Ha!
I had a good first interaction with my dealer when I purchased my '24 x50e, but to be honest, I found out more about the car on this forum than any rep in that building.

[crackerjack15]

Originally Posted by MikeX521

Ha!
I had a good first interaction with my dealer when I purchased my '24 x50e, but to be honest, I found out more about the car on this forum than any rep in that building.

That's been my experience with every car I've ever bought except one. A Subaru when we were young. The salesperson was a diehard Subaru fan and knew everything about every model and older models. He was a home mechanic and worked on his own stuff too. Coolest sales guy I ever met.

But, we should cut the saleperson some slack, they are selling multiple models that change every year. We as consumers are concentrating on one model and spending hours and hours researching right before we walk in the door.

[MikeX521]

Originally Posted by crackerjack15

That's been my experience with every car I've ever bought except one. A Subaru when we were young. The salesperson was a diehard Subaru fan and knew everything about every model and older models. He was a home mechanic and worked on his own stuff too. Coolest sales guy I ever met.

But, we should cut the saleperson some slack, they are selling multiple models that change every year. We as consumers are concentrating on one model and spending hours and hours researching right before we walk in the door.

I agree. Sales person was amazing. The entire process went extremely smooth. It's up to you to do your due diligence on features and options on the final build, as well as everyone's opinions will differ.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

…I remember reading on this forum that it’s possible the massage seats have less “cushion.” Is this true?
…

The problem with this beat to death topic is…most times the WRONG word is used to describe the difference.

The word should be “FIRMER” cushion. The seats that have mechanicals in them (massaging and/or ventilation) have different part nbrs for the cushion. The cushion for the seats with massage/ventilation has firmer cushions to accommodate the mechanicals in the seats….so that the passengers can’t feel all the bladders & massaging bubbles in the seat…especially as the seats age.

Whether the seats are uncomfortable or not…has to be determined personally. Some don’t have a problem with the firmer cushions…and some do. It’s best to try them out first to see if they are too firm for your tastes.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by MikeX521

I agree. Sales person was amazing. The entire process went extremely smooth. It's up to you to do your due diligence on features and options on the final build, as well as everyone's opinions will differ.

Really?! I think you’re giving them a free pass.

This is their profession. Becoming knowledgeable is their responsibility. We are talking a single brand when you’re committing 40-50 hours of full time employment. This is not an all time consuming task. A few weeks of it being any of our full time jobs and we’d all be experts across the board… maybe not mechanically but options, features, engine sizes, configurations, colors etc. seat types and comfort...

I find this quite astonishing and it annoys me they earn a commission without putting in any real effort besides being a paper processor… put some effort in…

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Really?! I think you’re giving them a free pass.

This is their profession. Becoming knowledgeable is their responsibility. We are talking a single brand when you’re committing 40-50 hours of full time employment. This is not an all time consuming task. A few weeks of it being any of our full time jobs and we’d all be experts across the board… maybe not mechanically but options, features, engine sizes, configurations, colors etc. seat types and comfort...

I find this quite astonishing and it annoys me they earn a commission without putting in any real effort besides being a paper processor… put some effort in…

What level they should be at and what level they usually are at are two different things. There are a very small minority of CAs that are good but no one should trust their CA when it comes to options, features, etc. in my opinion.