[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

+1

Heated lumbar massage is heaven.

Originally Posted by eliphil

Not as good as my Audi was or my wifes rover but still worth it for me. Combined w heated seat it really helps the blood flow and relaxes my back.

Either of you guys notice the intensity of the massage functions varies from driver to passenger seat?

My passenger seat is definitely not as intense as the driver and the dealer I bought it from said it's "working as designed". I go to a different dealer now and am going to ask them.

It's kind of a cool factor option and all my passengers say "I can't really feel it that much".

[eliphil]

no thats really strange

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Either of you guys notice the intensity of the massage functions varies from driver to passenger seat?

My passenger seat is definitely not as intense as the driver and the dealer I bought it from said it's "working as designed". I go to a different dealer now and am going to ask them.

It's kind of a cool factor option and all my passengers say "I can't really feel it that much".

Sounds defective. Mine feel the same in both.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Sounds defective. Mine feel the same in both.

I agree, but it's one of those things where the entire seat massage mechanism works, it just doesn't feel as strong. It would be easier for them to troubleshoot if one of the rollers or motors was dead.

[Sam_M550i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I agree, but it's one of those things where the entire seat massage mechanism works, it just doesn't feel as strong. It would be easier for them to troubleshoot if one of the rollers or motors was dead.

Did you double check the settings in iDrive for what sections are enabled for the messaging part?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

Did you double check the settings in iDrive for what sections are enabled for the messaging part?

I did and made sure the settings were exactly the same for each seat and then proceeded to sit in each one, back and forth, etc. But I will check again. I rarely have a passenger in the car with me, so I kind of forgot about this. I had the dealer check it out almost a year ago. I will put it on my list again next time in for something.

On the massage seats in general, to be honest, I was expecting more. It's a nice to have, but I don't think it would be in my top 10 of must have's. I also feel the same way about ventilated seats. They are too loud on high and they really don't do much in general. They really should hook these up to the AC.

[Sam_M550i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I did and made sure the settings were exactly the same for each seat and then proceeded to sit in each one, back and forth, etc. But I will check again. I rarely have a passenger in the car with me, so I kind of forgot about this. I had the dealer check it out almost a year ago. I will put it on my list again next time in for something.

On the massage seats in general, to be honest, I was expecting more. It's a nice to have, but I don't think it would be in my top 10 of must have's. I also feel the same way about ventilated seats. They are too loud on high and they really don't do much in general. They really should hook these up to the AC.

Agreed. I find the ventilated seats useless and the massaging seats are nice but barely use it, not strong enough.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

Agreed. I find the ventilated seats useless and the massaging seats are nice but barely use it, not strong enough.

I agree about the ventilated seats with one exception: if it is hot and I have been outside for an extended period, when I get in the car and turn on the seat ventilation it does seem to help a bit. Otherwise, I can't even tell it is on (other than aurally).

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I agree about the ventilated seats with one exception: if it is hot and I have been outside for an extended period, when I get in the car and turn on the seat ventilation it does seem to help a bit. Otherwise, I can't even tell it is on (other than aurally).

As I said, if they just piped AC into the function it would be killer. You get into a hot car with hot air in it and it blow hot air up your butt. Sure, the circulation has some value, but minor. By the time it actually circulates the cooled air in your car through the seat, you don't even need it.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

As I said, if they just piped AC into the function it would be killer. You get into a hot car with hot air in it and it blow hot air up your butt. Sure, the circulation has some value, but minor. By the time it actually circulates the cooled air in your car through the seat, you don't even need it.

That’s where the PHEV and probably remote start ICE versions get some love.

You get the car cooled off before you get into it. Sit down hot and sweaty onto cool seats and get the cool air pushed through you with the vented seats. On those days it feels amazing. Otherwise, just feels a bit lighter.

Though it does also feel nice on the really cold start days too when you combine it with the heated seats and you get that heat blowing through you more than just plain radiating.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

That’s where the PHEV and probably remote start ICE versions get some love.

You get the car cooled off before you get into it. Sit down hot and sweaty onto cool seats and get the cool air pushed through you with the vented seats. On those days it feels amazing. Otherwise, just feels a bit lighter.

Though it does also feel nice on the really cold start days too when you combine it with the heated seats and you get that heat blowing through you more than just plain radiating.

Go ahead, rub it in that you have remote start lol! I guess if I really wanted to try to take the edge off albeit slightly, I would be more diligent about using ventilation through the app.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

it blow hot air up your butt.

No, I believe the air gets pulled INTO the seat.

Yes, to massaging seats, every time I get in the car.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

No, I believe the air gets pulled INTO the seat.

Yes, to massaging seats, every time I get in the car.

When you say you believe the air gets pulled into the seat are you suggesting that the seat sucks air in through the surface vs. pushing out? If so, that make no sense.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

When you say you believe the air gets pulled into the seat are you suggesting that the seat sucks air in through the surface vs. pushing out? If so, that make no sense.

OK. Just regurgitating what the genius told us at the Perf Center.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

OK. Just regurgitating what the genius told us at the Perf Center.

All good. I think the word "into" can be interpreted many ways. The seat do suck cabin air "into" the seat and it's expelled through the pin cushion holes.

http://www.whyhighend.com/ventilated-seats.html

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

All good. I think the word "into" can be interpreted many ways. The seat do suck cabin air "into" the seat and it's expelled through the pin cushion holes.

http://www.whyhighend.com/ventilated-seats.html

No.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxFmB54_o...D8yj3oDoK21vCZ

Granted, this is an X7.....


Ahh, I can't link it. Here's the title:

BMW Virtual Genius | Ventilated Seats

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

No.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxFmB54_o...D8yj3oDoK21vCZ

Granted, this is an X7.....


Full video:

I don't buy it. The genius is a stretch. I taught my genius a thing or two.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I don't buy it. The genius is a stretch. I taught my genius a thing or two.

Joe, if you're wrong you're wrong, it's OK.

Maybe you got that special M550?

If you fart and your seat ventilation is on, that fart gets pulled INTO the seat.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

Joe, if you're wrong you're wrong, it's OK.

Maybe you got that special M550?

If you fart and your seat ventilation is on, that fart gets pulled INTO the seat.

And if you're right then you're right and that's ok 👌. My M550 is very special though 😜

[Gautam]

I have the seemingly unpopular opinion that the massage and ventilation are both good and do their jobs, and I would get them again if I could.

The massage is subtler than that of some of the competitions and I prefer that. The Mercedes E-Class’ was almost jarring even on lower settings. The highest was intense to the point of being unpleasant. I test drove a Lexus LS many years ago and a friend aptly described its massage as a butt shaker. I’m driving, and the massage should aid my focus, not distract. Imho bmw has it right. It successfully relaxes and activates your muscles and keeps one comfortable during long drives.

Similarly the ventilation whisks the sweat off your back. I prefer Ford’s for sure but BMW’s still dries my back after a workout within a minute or two. Cold seats without ventilation cannot do that. It’s also successfully kept my back dry throughout very long drives.

[G30 B58]

Deep dive by the X5 crew.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?t=1729831#

[r1cero]

The point of ventilated seats isn't to feel cold on your back it is rather not to have sweaty back when driving in hot weather. I agree some other manufacturers do provide cold air on the back and maybe feel more pleasant because of that but the point is that it is not pointless on bmw, specially when you compare driving in the same conditions without ventilated seats.

Massaging seats on the other hand are pointless to me as I never use them, I've tried it on mercedes CLS and found it to be much better, but I may be wrong as it was only one time usage. Additionally, it is said that seats with massaging option are less comfortable than without.