BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Anyone buy an m550i without premium package

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-06-2019, 05:42 PM   #1
m550i curious
New Member
15
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2018 Accord 2.0 Sport MT
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Anyone buy an m550i without premium package

I can’t figure out how much better the upgraded seats are vs base. If this $6500 (Canada) worth it? My dealer only has the premium packaged seats in theirs. Anyone buy without?
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2019, 06:19 PM   #2
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
It depends on what you like. Upgraded seats aren't as sporty but have heater and ac, but less lumbar support. I'm basing this off 3 new G30's
Moms 2019 540 with every upgrade, sister in-laws 2019 540 with regular seats and my 2019 M550 with upgraded ac heater seats with woven upper part. I prefer the seats in my sister in-laws seats feel over other 2 more expensive seats if that helps?
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2019, 06:20 PM   #3
dlf750
Captain
United_States
201
Rep
739
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i M Package
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I have the seats that have the cross-stitched weaved pattern, heated and air cooled - amazing! great lumbar support and the massage is wonderful, although not as good as my Audi A8, but close...
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2019, 10:00 PM   #4
m550i curious
New Member
15
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2018 Accord 2.0 Sport MT
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
It depends on what you like. Upgraded seats aren't as sporty but have heater and ac, but less lumbar support. I'm basing this off 3 new G30's
Moms 2019 540 with every upgrade, sister in-laws 2019 540 with regular seats and my 2019 M550 with upgraded ac heater seats with woven upper part. I prefer the seats in my sister in-laws seats feel over other 2 more expensive seats if that helps?
That helps a lot, exactly the kind of comparison I was looking for!
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 12:27 AM   #5
m550i curious
New Member
15
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2018 Accord 2.0 Sport MT
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dlf750 View Post
I have the seats that have the cross-stitched weaved pattern, heated and air cooled - amazing! great lumbar support and the massage is wonderful, although not as good as my Audi A8, but close...
Do you find the cooling in the seats works well? When I test drove them last week, barely noticed it.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 10:01 AM   #6
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by m550i curious View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlf750 View Post
I have the seats that have the cross-stitched weaved pattern, heated and air cooled - amazing! great lumbar support and the massage is wonderful, although not as good as my Audi A8, but close...
Do you find the cooling in the seats works well? When I test drove them last week, barely noticed it.
I was actually going to have mine checked. I cannot tell the difference with them on or off. My M5 it would chill your balls a little. The new car I'm going to have checked if that helps any? I haven't tried my moms car yet. My brothers M750 works a lot better than mine
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 10:22 AM   #7
kring
Second Lieutenant
United_States
323
Rep
233
Posts

Drives: ‘19 M550i Dinan S1, 340i
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Connecticut

iTrader: (0)

I though they were "ventilated" seats, not Air Conditioned Cooling seats. If it's just ventilated airflow with a simple fan, it's only going to get as cool as the car's ambient temp.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 11:56 AM   #8
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

From many posts I think the answer is that you have to try both. If your dealer dcoesn't have any new cars with the base seats, ask about used cars on the lot. You really should sit in both.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 12:32 PM   #9
m550i curious
New Member
15
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2018 Accord 2.0 Sport MT
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
I was actually going to have mine checked. I cannot tell the difference with them on or off. My M5 it would chill your balls a little. The new car I'm going to have checked if that helps any? I haven't tried my moms car yet. My brothers M750 works a lot better than mine
It seemed to be you got some minimal air through the back, but nothing through the bottom, IMO. No idea if that's true, just my impression. Also I think it's just ventilated but not cooled right?
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 12:49 PM   #10
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by m550i curious View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
I was actually going to have mine checked. I cannot tell the difference with them on or off. My M5 it would chill your balls a little. The new car I'm going to have checked if that helps any? I haven't tried my moms car yet. My brothers M750 works a lot better than mine
It seemed to be you got some minimal air through the back, but nothing through the bottom, IMO. No idea if that's true, just my impression. Also I think it's just ventilated but not cooled right?
I'll have to look at window sticker on my new car compared to M5 and brothers stickers. I just can't feel anything and pretty sure other cars said ventilated too? I can hear the fan pumping but butt is still hot
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 02:50 PM   #11
hlothery
Seeking mental floss
482
Rep
806
Posts

Drives: 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m550i curious View Post
Do you find the cooling in the seats works well? When I test drove them last week, barely noticed it.
Not overwhelming, like in my Son's Ford F150. However, no question the ventilation works, as I leave the golf course with a damp shirt and shorts in the afternoon.....definitely get the ball chill being talked about. But I believe they are ventilated, not air conditioned, as you can also run the ventilation with the heater in the seats on. Definitely subtle in dry clothes, though.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 03:30 PM   #12
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Not overwhelming, like in my Son's Ford F150. However, no question the ventilation works, as I leave the golf course with a damp shirt and shorts in the afternoon.....definitely get the ball chill being talked about. But I believe they are ventilated, not air conditioned, as you can also run the ventilation with the heater in the seats on. Definitely subtle in dry clothes, though.
You are correct that ventilated is it. On my 530e, I can use the phone app to run the AC in the car (not the seats) but on any non electric/phev, the phone app will only run ventilation in the car.

So when I leave the golf course in Phoenix, in the summer, i take my phone out and turn on the AC after the 17th green and the car is very comfortable by the time I get there.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2019, 04:59 PM   #13
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Not overwhelming, like in my Son's Ford F150. However, no question the ventilation works, as I leave the golf course with a damp shirt and shorts in the afternoon.....definitely get the ball chill being talked about. But I believe they are ventilated, not air conditioned, as you can also run the ventilation with the heater in the seats on. Definitely subtle in dry clothes, though.
You are correct that ventilated is it. On my 530e, I can use the phone app to run the AC in the car (not the seats) but on any non electric/phev, the phone app will only run ventilation in the car.

So when I leave the golf course in Phoenix, in the summer, i take my phone out and turn on the AC after the 17th green and the car is very comfortable by the time I get there.
Dry heat... south Florida is like 99.99 plus steam. I ventilate with BMW app but it's no help, my car is black on black though. Wish our cars were advanced as fiancés 2017 Toyota Camry
She has quad exhaust, a rear diffuser that kills my new M550.. her car has 300 hp, but a 3 series with 260 will walk her car because BMW puts the power to work so much better than anyone aside from other German products
Is it bad I want her style diffuser on my car?
Attached Images
  
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2019, 09:54 AM   #14
dlf750
Captain
United_States
201
Rep
739
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i M Package
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
you can get that diffuser! or something very close, M performance diffuser. I have it on my 540 (ebay, not OEM) and it looks great and fitment is spot on.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      06-10-2019, 03:17 PM   #15
claykin
Brigadier General
United_States
1579
Rep
4,546
Posts

Drives: various BMW
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kring View Post
I though they were "ventilated" seats, not Air Conditioned Cooling seats. If it's just ventilated airflow with a simple fan, it's only going to get as cool as the car's ambient temp.
This is correct. Ventilated only, so only as cool as the ambient temperature at the intake port under seat bottom. It's definitely nice to feel any air movement on some days, but I'm no fan of the perf leather, it seems to have less bolstering where the perf leather is, and it kinda feels weird until you get use to it.
__________________
2023 840GC | 2021 740i | 2019 X3
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2019, 05:37 PM   #16
m550i curious
New Member
15
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2018 Accord 2.0 Sport MT
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
I'll have to look at window sticker on my new car compared to M5 and brothers stickers. I just can't feel anything and pretty sure other cars said ventilated too? I can hear the fan pumping but butt is still hot
Just sat in an m550i with premium package with ventilated seats, followed by a 540 with ‘comfort seats’, not ventilated. The latter felt better. Do you think it’s just a side effect of needing to reduce padding for the sake of the fans and air movement?
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2019, 01:43 PM   #17
gooselee
First Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
381
Posts

Drives: 2019 M550i
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m550i curious View Post
Just sat in an m550i with premium package with ventilated seats, followed by a 540 with ‘comfort seats’, not ventilated. The latter felt better. Do you think it’s just a side effect of needing to reduce padding for the sake of the fans and air movement?
The ventilated/massaging seat hardware definitely adds some firmness to the seat. However, I did a similar comparison and appreciated the slightly firmer seat. The softer one almost felt too cushy and like I was sinking into it an awkward amount.

It's ultimately personal preference as to which is better; but objectively the ventilated/massaging seats are indeed more firm than non-ventilated version.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:41 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST