10-03-2023, 08:44 PM | #1 |
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Seat Issue- Nappa versus Sensatec (Sensatec feels softer).
I posted several weeks ago in response to another post stating that the 5 series seats were not comfortable. I agreed with him, but realize much of this is individual taste. I have a 23 530 with Nappa leather, Multi Contour, and massage feature. It is painful on long drives (Under the thighs). I heard that BMW softened up the standard Sensatec seats in the post LCI. Is that true? I just went to a dealer and sat in a 2020 530 of which the sensatec felt very soft and cushy compared to my Nappa. Does this sound right? Did sensatc change in 2020? Unfortunately you can't get Multi Contour and sensatec post LCI and they force you to purchase leather.
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10-03-2023, 09:55 PM | #2 |
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Sensatec probably is softer. Cloth is softest still. But what's also worth keeping in mind is that softer does not always equal more comfortable in the long haul. Some firmness is also needed to support you.
If you're sensitive to seats, your best bet honestly is to test drive as many options as possible, and then rent the finalists. On the coasts, it's possible to find most of what you'd want on Turo, but might not be the case where you're at.
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10-03-2023, 10:05 PM | #3 |
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I find my Napa seats with Luxury Seating package very comfortable. I’ve taken many long 8+ hour drives very comfortably. The massage function extends the time I can drive as well.
That said. Seats are super personal. Some people don’t like the massaging bladders in the massage seats. As it stiffens the seat up. As Gautam noted though. You’ll want to get time in as many of the seat options you can. |
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10-03-2023, 11:49 PM | #4 |
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I spent a week in Germany with sensatec multi contour seats (Not available in MC without leather in the US market). Most comfortable seat I have sat in. I likely messed up and purchased leather or its simply the stupid massage feature that stiffens them. The rental did not have that. Aside from the back piece articulating with MC seats, I don't see any difference in them (Comfort under the thighs or the seat itself is the same).
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10-04-2023, 12:31 AM | #5 | |
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10-04-2023, 05:58 AM | #6 |
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Sensatec is very soft and a viable option over Dakota, which I find hard. I would choose Sensatec over Dakota. But I would not choose Sensatec over Nappa. For no better reason than I want real leather which is kind of snobby I guess. Nappa is by no means hard, it is very soft. Sensatec tends to be packed harder because of the absence of ventilation and massage, so the overall seat is firmer which can lead to more comfort on long drives.
I don't find my Nappa seats (with ventilation and massage) to be incredibly comfortable and I bet Sensatec without the two useless options is more comfortable on long drives. I have Vernasca in Cognac in my X5 and it's 10 times more comfortable on long drives than my M550.
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10-04-2023, 07:45 AM | #7 |
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I was just at the dealership this weekend looking to replace my 2021 X5, and drove a 2023 540iX with Sport seats and Sensatec and a 2023 M550iX with Multicountour and Nappa.
I am 6.4"/ 230 pounds, so a little larger, and the multi contour with Nappa were much more comfortable. Sport seats felt tight in the shoulders and upper back, even after taking a lot of time to try and adjust everything perfectly. In terms of material, Nappa felt softer and more premium than Sensatec, wasn't even close in my own personal opinion. I also felt the "new car smell" was more pronounced in the M550iX vs the 540iX. I ended up taking the M550iX home, not purely based on the seats of course (the V8 sound and power were the main factors), but the added comfort and premium feel of the seats certainly helped. |
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10-04-2023, 09:55 AM | #8 | |
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10-04-2023, 09:59 AM | #9 |
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Just to update my original post. The dealer I saw sensatec seats at had a 2020 530 (Soft seats). That was pre LCI right? Did the sensatec seat change in post LCI aside from sport seats being standard? I know all post LCI seats were sport but did the actual material change. Some dealers say they got softer but this 2020 I sat in with low miles had cushy seats (Sensatec). My Nappa is much much firmer.
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10-04-2023, 11:53 AM | #10 |
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2020 is pre-LCI, yes.
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10-04-2023, 01:35 PM | #11 |
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It's the opposite - the Nappa seats are very comfortable. My butt/back would ache a bit after long drives in the 328i with Dakota, but with Nappa it is a nice, comfortable ride for hours on end.
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10-04-2023, 03:57 PM | #12 |
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The padding used in the MC seats that have the massaging and/or ventilation feature is FIRMER...so if you have either of these options...its not the Nappa or Merino that is making the seats "feel" uncomfortable....it is more likely the firmness of the cushions used to prevent the occupant from feeling the fans, bladders, and massage bubbles.
If you bum is that sensitive...I would recommend not getting the massaging/ventilation features...or at least try to find an example so that you can feel the differences in the padding used with these two features. #3 & #4 (the foam cushions) have different part nbrs based on the seat options. If you have massaging or ventilation...these parts are firmer than if you don't have these features:
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10-04-2023, 11:30 PM | #13 |
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thanks for that explanation on different part numbers. I fell like BMW charges so much for these upgrades and features on seats, yet if it makes it less comfortable (Many have complained) its borderline miss representation. So what can I do at this point as far as replacing the seat with non massage and ventilation? Could BMW upgrade the seat or make any changes to it? How difficult is it to drop in a new seat if were to find one used?
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10-05-2023, 10:18 AM | #14 | |
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For instance, I value the massage seats as they do help circulation on long drives. But not everyone takes long drives. The complex issue is just how much choice BMW offers. That makes the decision making more difficult. Changing the seats out is probably not worth the effort. You’d probably find it easier to just swap cars. |
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10-05-2023, 10:23 AM | #15 | |
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Massage has a purpose, but I still don't find myself leaving it on for too long as it get annoying, for me anyway. It is a good show off option though. On my car the driver seat massage is so much more intense and stronger than the passenger. Had the dealer check it out and it is "working as designed".
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10-05-2023, 04:24 PM | #16 |
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I'd go Nappa.
I have Dakota, which I also like--hard wearing, smells nice, matte finish is nice. I am not a fan of synthetics, though the Veganza stuff actually looks like it might be a step up (name aside). |
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10-06-2023, 12:06 AM | #17 | |
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10-06-2023, 09:21 AM | #18 | |
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For some reason the diagram for the 5 series seats don't have an illustration for the ventilated cushions like some of the other models. For example, in the pics below you can see that #4 & #5 shows an example of the cushions for the ventilated seat for the G12 7 series and #7 and #8 in the 2nd illustration of the F06 6GC series...which shows the hole cut-outs for the ventilating fans: G12 seat diagram: #4 and #5 ventilated seat cushions
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10-06-2023, 11:20 PM | #19 | |
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Was the Nappa you purchased with massage or ventilation? That might be my main issue. |
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10-07-2023, 10:01 AM | #21 |
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Love my Sensatec seats. The car I test drove before ordering mine had it and I was impressed. Never looked back.
I trieNappa with massage seats after I picked up my car and was unimpressed on a short drive. Didn’t even consider the other leather option as I don’t think it ages very well.
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10-07-2023, 02:25 PM | #22 |
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