Massage Seats

Stoshu · 10-30-2021, 10:46 AM

I’d love to hear peoples opinions on the Massage Seat option.

When I spec’ed my car, I thought this would be a great option and add extra comfort to my ride. I’m a bit underwhelmed with the feature and not sure what the difference is with “activation” vs “massage” vs “training” modes.

Am I glad I added the option, Yes, would I miss it if it was gone, probably not. Maybe I’m not using it to its full potential, any ideas would be appreciated!

Dhillon63 · 10-30-2021, 11:00 AM

I have it on my M50i, it's nice to have but the massage in my '21 Ford Expedition is 10x better. I usually use the "activation" setting, to me it feels the strongest. Also the cooled seats in the Ford are a lot better.

nZtiZia · 10-30-2021, 11:17 AM

i don't feel they massage as denoted. i think of them more like blood circulation enhancers and pressure relief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhillon63

I have it on my M50i, it's nice to have but the massage in my '21 Ford Expedition is 10x better. I usually use the "activation" setting, to me it feels the strongest. Also the cooled seats in the Ford are a lot better.

as to their cooling effect, they're not advertised to cool (which I do prefer); they ventilate which indirectly cools by drawing out the layer of heat sandwiched between you and the seat

Chick Webb · 10-30-2021, 11:26 AM

I do like the lumbar massage, but yeah, a little underwhelmed. Have to experiment some more, though.

Addbuyer · 10-30-2021, 11:38 AM

It’s not something I would hanker after on my next car that’s for sure. Same goes for the seat cooling function

zhangyi17 · 10-30-2021, 11:45 AM

Massage seat is good for long trip, otherwise, not so much use

Vadersithlord · 10-30-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhangyi17

Massage seat is good for long trip, otherwise, not so much use

Agree useful on long trips, in Florida I use the ventilated all the time. It does make a difference.

KLCC · 10-30-2021, 12:39 PM

yep, the massage feature is definitely tame in my opinion. I wish they would've increase the intensity more. I got more massage from massage chairs located in shopping center than in my BMW seat.

Auricom · 10-30-2021, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLCC

yep, the massage feature is definitely tame in my opinion. I wish they would've increase the intensity more. I got more massage from massage chairs located in shopping center than in my BMW seat.

Have you tried adjusting the massage intensity to maximum? There's 3 levels of intensity.

KLCC · 10-30-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

Have you tried adjusting the massage intensity to maximum? There's 3 levels of intensity.

I am pretty sure I had it set in the max (3 LED lit) sitting, unless there are other place that I could adjust the setting further....

Auricom · 10-30-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLCC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

Have you tried adjusting the massage intensity to maximum? There's 3 levels of intensity.

I am pretty sure I had it set in the max (3 LED lit) sitting, unless there are other place that I could adjust the setting further....

Haha, just checking!

I guess my G05 is blessed with very prominent massaging - can feel it from levels 1 through 3 even through my CG Snow Mantra's in the winter.

X54TH · 10-30-2021, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

i don't feel they massage as denoted. i think of them more like blood circulation enhancers and pressure relief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhillon63

I have it on my M50i, it's nice to have but the massage in my '21 Ford Expedition is 10x better. I usually use the "activation" setting, to me it feels the strongest. Also the cooled seats in the Ford are a lot better.

as to their cooling effect, they're not advertised to cool (which I do prefer); they ventilate which indirectly cools by drawing out the layer of heat sandwiched between you and the seat

I agree the cooling seats are not cooling. I'm not impressed with the ventilation concept. I love the cooling seats on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit.

jad03060 · 10-30-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X54TH

I agree the cooling seats are not cooling. I'm not impressed with the ventilation concept. I love the cooling seats on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit.

The seats are NOT listed as cooling, so expecting them to refrigerate your butt is just unrealistic...they're listed as ventilation, which they do...they can dry you out, or keep you dry, on a longer trip.

Agree that the massage isn't like going to a masseur, IMHO, they're primarily designed for long-term use on a trip where you may be sitting for extended times to help prevent blood clots...not to relieve tension or sore muscles...based on what they were designed for, they work. Expecting other things will leave you disappointed.

X54TH · 10-30-2021, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad03060

Quote:

Originally Posted by X54TH

I agree the cooling seats are not cooling. I'm not impressed with the ventilation concept. I love the cooling seats on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit.

The seats are NOT listed as cooling, so expecting them to refrigerate your butt is just unrealistic...they're listed as ventilation, which they do...they can dry you out, or keep you dry, on a longer trip.

Agree that the massage isn't like going to a masseur, IMHO, they're primarily designed for long-term use on a trip where you may be sitting for extended times to help prevent blood clots...not to relieve tension or sore muscles...based on what they were designed for, they work. Expecting other things will leave you disappointed.

Yes, you are correct, they are LISTED as ventilated and not cooling. My point is I am not impressed with the concept and the length of time it takes. The cooling options in many North American cars operate quickly in providing comfort. If this wasn't included in my options package at the time, I surely wouldn't order it on its own.

callouscrab · 10-30-2021, 08:47 PM

I love the massaging seats - really helps with blood circulation and makes me feel more relaxed.

Agreed on the ventilation being more of a hint than actual ventilation - my Odyssey has better ventilated seats!

ksavostin · 10-30-2021, 10:18 PM

If I could I would trade my massaging seats to a soft closing door function or Acoustic glass any day...

Aimster82 · 10-31-2021, 01:56 AM

It is weak.... not impressed. When I tell people about it they are excited then they are like oh.. that's it?

ksavostin · 10-31-2021, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aimster82

It is weak.... not impressed. When I tell people about it they are excited then they are like oh.. that's it?

Or like, "Oh, Yes, I feel something"...

jad03060 · 10-31-2021, 02:56 PM

Personally, I don't think you should feel the ventilated seat's air movement...to me, it's a background thing. Just like I don't really want to hear the fans running the HVAC, I don't want to feel or hear the seat ventilation, or for it to freeze my butt! I just want it to keep me dry on a trip in the background. Driving has enough distractions. I feel the same way about the massage seats...yes, I notice when I first turn it on, but after a few minutes, I no longer notice it's on. To me, it's doing its job.

Different expectations, different satisfaction levels.

mopaman · 11-01-2021, 10:03 AM

Another question is whether it is worse in some ways than the standard seats? I know a few people in other posts complained that it is a bit firmer?

jad03060 · 11-01-2021, 02:08 PM

Many German vehicles tend to have firmer seats. The hassle is with the comfort seats is that with so many adjustments, people often don't understand them all, and don't get them optimized for their frame. Get them adjusted properly, and they work. One with fewer adjustments tends to be softer so you don't get a hard point where you don't want one! But, softer foam doesn't last as long, and if you keep the vehicle long enough, you have much less padding down the line.

hiki08 · 11-02-2021, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad03060

One with fewer adjustments tends to be softer so you don't get a hard point where you don't want one! But, softer foam doesn't last as long, and if you keep the vehicle long enough, you have much less padding down the line.

That's an interesting observation!

I don't remember my experience of the X5 with multi-contour seats... stuck with the standard ones which are a little underwhelming.

10-30-2021, 10:46 AM	#1
Stoshu Captain 494 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	Massage Seats I’d love to hear peoples opinions on the Massage Seat option. When I spec’ed my car, I thought this would be a great option and add extra comfort to my ride. I’m a bit underwhelmed with the feature and not sure what the difference is with “activation” vs “massage” vs “training” modes. Am I glad I added the option, Yes, would I miss it if it was gone, probably not. Maybe I’m not using it to its full potential, any ideas would be appreciated!
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10-30-2021, 11:00 AM	#2
Dhillon63 Private First Class 141 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 M50i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	I have it on my M50i, it's nice to have but the massage in my '21 Ford Expedition is 10x better. I usually use the "activation" setting, to me it feels the strongest. Also the cooled seats in the Ford are a lot better.
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10-30-2021, 11:26 AM	#4
Chick Webb Private First Class 1242 Rep 132 Posts Drives: '10 E92, '17 540i, '21 X6 M50i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I do like the lumbar massage, but yeah, a little underwhelmed. Have to experiment some more, though.
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10-30-2021, 11:38 AM	#5
Addbuyer Lieutenant 832 Rep 444 Posts Drives: X3MC Join Date: May 2020 Location: U.K. iTrader: (0)	It’s not something I would hanker after on my next car that’s for sure. Same goes for the seat cooling function
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10-30-2021, 11:45 AM	#6
zhangyi17 Lieutenant 287 Rep 589 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Massage seat is good for long trip, otherwise, not so much use
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10-30-2021, 12:39 PM	#8
KLCC Private First Class 80 Rep 116 Posts Drives: x40i BMW individual Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	yep, the massage feature is definitely tame in my opinion. I wish they would've increase the intensity more. I got more massage from massage chairs located in shopping center than in my BMW seat.
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10-30-2021, 08:47 PM	#15
callouscrab Private 18 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xdrive45e Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I love the massaging seats - really helps with blood circulation and makes me feel more relaxed. Agreed on the ventilation being more of a hint than actual ventilation - my Odyssey has better ventilated seats!
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10-30-2021, 10:18 PM	#16
ksavostin First Lieutenant 127 Rep 304 Posts Drives: 2021 X5-45e Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Anchorage, Alaska iTrader: (0)	If I could I would trade my massaging seats to a soft closing door function or Acoustic glass any day...
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10-31-2021, 01:56 AM	#17
Aimster82 Lieutenant 226 Rep 599 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i 2019 BMW X5 5.0 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	It is weak.... not impressed. When I tell people about it they are excited then they are like oh.. that's it?
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10-31-2021, 02:56 PM	#19
jad03060 Major General 3159 Rep 6,796 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Personally, I don't think you should feel the ventilated seat's air movement...to me, it's a background thing. Just like I don't really want to hear the fans running the HVAC, I don't want to feel or hear the seat ventilation, or for it to freeze my butt! I just want it to keep me dry on a trip in the background. Driving has enough distractions. I feel the same way about the massage seats...yes, I notice when I first turn it on, but after a few minutes, I no longer notice it's on. To me, it's doing its job. Different expectations, different satisfaction levels.
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11-01-2021, 10:03 AM	#20
mopaman Private First Class 37 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW X5 E70 BMW 330c1 BMW 328xi Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Another question is whether it is worse in some ways than the standard seats? I know a few people in other posts complained that it is a bit firmer?
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11-01-2021, 02:08 PM	#21
jad03060 Major General 3159 Rep 6,796 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Many German vehicles tend to have firmer seats. The hassle is with the comfort seats is that with so many adjustments, people often don't understand them all, and don't get them optimized for their frame. Get them adjusted properly, and they work. One with fewer adjustments tends to be softer so you don't get a hard point where you don't want one! But, softer foam doesn't last as long, and if you keep the vehicle long enough, you have much less padding down the line.
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