[anthonyc4242]

I’m looking for a 21’ 540 and I cannot for the life of me find a cad spec’d with the massage seats, even after looking for the luxury seating package it seems in the photos listed by all ads the button on the door is missing, did they remove it in 2021?

Anyone know what’s up or how I can find a car with them? Thanks

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

I’m looking for a 21’ 540 and I cannot for the life of me find a cad spec’d with the massage seats, even after looking for the luxury seating package it seems in the photos listed by all ads the button on the door is missing, did they remove it in 2021?

Anyone know what’s up or how I can find a car with them? Thanks

May have been a Covid shortage issue. You should be able to figure that out with a little searching.

It also seems like maybe Luxury Seating Package was broken out in the LCI model. Like massage seats were a stand-alone option that didn’t necessarily come with the Nappa leather automatically. But I could be wrong, someone will let us know if I am.

[Numark318i]

Massage seats were a seperate $1,000 option available only after you purchased the luxury seating package.

[MauiSteve]

Honestly, you're not missing much without the massage feature. In fact, the seats are softer without those rubber massage bladders under the leather. Mine came as part of a luxury seating package, but honestly I'd never order these again if I had to pay for them. Certainly I'd not pay $1000 extra.

[anthonyc4242]

Yea, I can't find a car on Edmunds, or CarGurus or even BMW CPO (because their filtering is horrible) with one. I have been going through pictures of cars looking for the button on the door panel.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

Yea, I can't find a car on Edmunds, or CarGurus or even BMW CPO (because their filtering is horrible) with one. I have been going through pictures of cars looking for the button on the door panel.

At least with the BMW CPO site you can click the full list of options on the car. Should be listed there.

[E3_550]

Had the massaging seats on my 2017 540.

I did not order them on my 2022 550 and don't miss them too much. The massage function was very light and for me not worth the additional cost. The seats have more cushion without the air bladders.

I do think you should try and find a car with them and judge for yourself.

[NGT2]

I have them in the 550 and X7. I find the seats to be plenty comfortable. But I never use the feature. So far, I used it once in the X7 just to check it out and once in the 550 because I was having a problem with my back. I will say, it’s not nothing. It feels nice. But I wouldn’t make it a must have on an LCI.

I didn’t have them in my 540 but it had Dakota leather, so I have no real comparison of the luxury/Nappa seats with and without the massage feature.

[Volasko]

I second/third all the opinions of the massaging seats not being that important. The most useful function of them is to keep the blood circulating in your behind on long drives. The upright/back section is meh imo, and if you're wearing any type of jacket hard to even notice them doing anything.

[Greywall]

Yep, I'd skip the massage function.

I ordered them hoping for a similar experience to an A8 I once had as a loaner and ended up super disappointed at how light the air bladders function. Nothing like the kneading action of that A8. Not worth the cost.

[Joe-BMW33]

I have them and I can unequivocally say that they ain't no big deal. Pretty weak on intensity. Definitely way down on the list of must haves and probably not even on my list.

[LogicalApex]

As others have said so well. They are more like "circulation seats" than "massage seats". I like them on long drives where they do a good job of increasing my circulation.

When I ordered my MY2020 they weren't a standalone option. You had to get them if you got the Luxury Seating Package. BMW likely should have kept it that way as I don't feel like they are worth $1K standalone...

That said, the Luxury Seating Package is very much a must have option. The additional seat customization settings are worth it IMHO. So I would prioritize that.

Keep in mind though. Seats are VERY personal. So I'd recommend finding some cars nearby with the various seating options and try them out. The seats haven't changed across the MYs of the G30. The only thing that has is how they slice them up "feature" box wise. So you can find a MY2018 w/ Luxury Seating to test and compare the customization and comfort versus sport seats and so forth and so on.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

That said, the Luxury Seating Package is very much a must have option. The additional seat customization settings are worth it IMHO. So I would prioritize that.

What LogicalApex said.

We built our '22 with the massage becuz why not.

They are great for long drives. No, you're not getting a massage or a happy ending but you will be far better off on long drives with massage seats.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

What LogicalApex said.
No, you're not getting a massage or a happy ending

That's what the girlfriend is for in the passenger seat.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

I’m looking for a 21’ 540 and I cannot for the life of me find a cad spec’d with the massage seats, even after looking for the luxury seating package it seems in the photos listed by all ads the button on the door is missing, did they remove it in 2021?

Anyone know what’s up or how I can find a car with them? Thanks

I had them on 540 M18 and have them on 540 MY21 so the option was there for 2021 model year. Like others said it was a stand alone 1k option. I use it on long trips.

Seats in my car are ventilated, heated and have the massage function. I have zero complains on seat comfort.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by COBodom

I had them on 540 M18 and have them on 540 MY21 so the option was there for 2021 model year. Like others said it was a stand alone 1k option. I use it on long trips.

Seats in my car are ventilated, heated and have the massage function. I have zero complains on seat comfort.

I have zero complaints on comfort either. Mine are ventilated, heated and massage. They are the Comfort seats. They are very comfortable, but I hate the ventilation, it actually makes the seat hotter if you get in a hot car and turn it on, feels like the heater is on. I actually had the dealer check it out thinking the ventilation button was turning on the heated seat pad. Nope, it just pumps the hot air from within the seat already in your car up your ass. Pretty disappointing compared to other non BMW cars I have or had with the function.

On my 2018, the option was Luxury Seating Package for $1,200 which included both front ventilation and massage. So not standalone separate options in 2018.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have zero complaints on comfort either. Mine are ventilated, heated and massage. They are the Comfort seats. They are very comfortable, but I hate the ventilation, it actually makes the seat hotter if you get in a hot car and turn it on, feels like the heater is on. I actually had the dealer check it out thinking the ventilation button was turning on the heated seat pad. Nope, it just pumps the hot air from within the seat already in your car up your ass. Pretty disappointing compared to other non BMW cars I have or had with the function.

On my 2018, the option was Luxury Seating Package for $1,200 which included both front ventilation and massage. So not standalone separate options in 2018.

I’m intrigued to try the ventilation because I’ve never had it, but your previous posts on it have my expectations low (appropriately, it seems).

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’m intrigued to try the ventilation because I’ve never had it, but your previous posts on it have my expectations low (appropriately, it seems).

There is a port hole under the seat where the car pulls the air to pump through the seat.

The ventilation has worked well for me when I get into the car hot and sweaty and by the time the drive is done I'm dry and not clammed up. But I'm also not often getting into a car with hot ambient air as I use the 530e preconditioning feature to get the stale hot air out of the car before I get in.

It works best if the air in the car is at a comfortable temperature. The thing BMW could have done, and Joe-BMW33 eluded to, would be to hook that port up to the AC system so it is pulling air from there. My guess on why BMW doesn't do this though is due to the control they already give us over air temperature in the car via strata. They probably felt it would get too complex to manage and people would get confused. People already find strata to be too complex.

It works even better in the winter when combined with the heated seats

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’m intrigued to try the ventilation because I’ve never had it, but your previous posts on it have my expectations low (appropriately, it seems).

BMW's ventilated seats help with wicking away moisture and helps with evaporation to prevent swamp butt by circulating air through a permeable layer below the perforated leather.

If you are sweaty...the air circulating through the seat helps with keeping you from sticking to the seat back & bottom...and it also works in damp situations like when its raining or snowing etc. Turning on the seat ventilation will help with evaporating excess moisture...plus you can turn on the heated seat feature if you begin to get a chill from the evaporation (especially with the late fall/early spring dampness from wet coats/jackets/shirts...or a hot summer's day pop-up thundershower).

[Qsilver7]

Here's some info about the "active-massaging seats". As others have already mentioned...there more for long journeys and help prevent your pelvis and back from getting sore or restless from sitting in one position for hours.

They definitely are not meant to work like a Shiatsu massager...that would probably put most drivers into a sleepy state...which could be a disaster.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Here's some info about the "active-massaging seats". As others have already mentioned...there more for long journeys and help prevent your pelvis and back from getting sore or restless from sitting in one position for hours.

They definitely are not meant to work like a Shiatsu massager...that would probably put most drivers into a sleepy state...which could be a disaster.

Thanks for sharing the technical details!

I'd imagine an intense massage would feel great on short trips and really frustrating or whatnot on a longer journey.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’m intrigued to try the ventilation because I’ve never had it, but your previous posts on it have my expectations low (appropriately, it seems).

I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on it. Especially since you also have a hot black interior as well.

I’m an option whore. I’ll never say no to anything. The ventilated seats for me are just bragging rights.