[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

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

Trust me, I wish it worked better. I’m a sweaty Italian. I take the M550 to work on Fridays in the summer and it bakes in the sun. I hit the road and sit in traffic and my leather actually heats up with it on. I’ve done tests with my thermometer.

You are spot on, cooling would be ideal. My QX60 is technically ventilated, but I swear it brings cool air in. Probably because there are vents under the seats to cool the rear. It pulls that in.

First world problems.

[anthonyc4242]

VERY frustrating; all CPO BMW 540i's right now on BMW's website do not have any massage seats; pathetic.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

VERY frustrating; all CPO BMW 540i's right now on BMW's website do not have any massage seats; pathetic.

I know it’s a little more effort, but I ended up finding my M550 at a Benz dealer 800 miles away. But it was better equipped and had more warranty left than anything on BMW CPO site for 3 months. If you’re willing to dig, you can find some good stuff. But I get not everyone has the time or patience. That’s where a little obsessive mature comes in handy.

[anthonyc4242]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I know it’s a little more effort, but I ended up finding my M550 at a Benz dealer 800 miles away. But it was better equipped and had more warranty left than anything on BMW CPO site for 3 months. If you’re willing to dig, you can find some good stuff. But I get not everyone has the time or patience. That’s where a little obsessive mature comes in handy.

The M550i's it's far more common - this is after checking edmunds, car gurus and bmw CPO manually going through each car because there's no filtering option for it. Suggestions?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

The M550i's it's far more common - this is after checking edmunds, car gurus and bmw CPO manually going through each car because there's no filtering option for it. Suggestions?

Yes, M550’s way more common for that feature. What I meant was that if you’re looking for anything specific, it just may take some creativity or persistence with a wide net. I searched for months before I found the right car to buy, just in the last couple or weeks.

I used BMW CPO, Autotrader, and Cars dot com.

There is a lot of overlap, but not 100%. When I found the one I bought, it was only listed on one of the three. I think it was Cars dot com.

You’re looking for something that you can’t filter. That sucks. But you know you can throw out anything with Dakota or Sensatec. So if you see that in a picture, you can discard it quickly. Beyond that, you’ll probably just have to go one by one.

Not everyone wants to do it, but I always search nationally. Sometimes it makes no sense with shipping. But the one I bought was shipped. Even after purchase, excess tax from not trading my old car, and shipping I still got it for less that a lot of others. Again, the right deal can be found to justify going 1,000 miles. It just takes persistence and patience.

I really wish you all the luck. I know it can be a grind. I like the hunt, so I’ll keep an eye out when I’m browsing out of boredom.

If you haven’t said already, what area are you in?

[COBodom]

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.

I enjoy ventilated seats immensely. Would definitely pay for those again. I had those seats for the past 6 years and luckily never experienced what you're describing.

Absolutely, there is a correlation between the ambient temp inside the car and effectiveness of the seat ventilation. However, most of the time (regardless of the inside temp), I don't actually feel air blowing, yet I dont stick to the seat so seat ventilation does the job for me. Remote start on the LCI comes in handy here for ambient pre-cooling.

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

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.

Right, I was referencing OPs question regarding MY21.

[Gautam]

You gotta hunt unfortunately. The m550 is overkill to me in terms of its power but it was so much easier to find well optioned examples, the m5 would’ve been easier still. Filtering can’t be trusted outside of BMW’s website. I’d suggest using a vin decoder, bimmer.work or mdecoder which will give you the full list of options. There are other hints you can use as well. The massage buttons are on the side of the door. Ventilation buttons are by the climate control. The seats have to be multi contour, which look very distinct. You can sometimes also use the color of the seats to determine the type of leather. Cognac is Dakota only, mocha is nappa only, tartufo is merino only. The other resource that helps in understanding the options available are the ordering and pricing guides. They will show every option and package possible. You’ll find some combos aren’t possible. E.g in 2018 on the m550 and massage, ventilation effectively required nappa multi contour, and the only way to get either was through the luxury seating package, which has both.

I don’t think the massage and ventilation are that great. Lexus ventilation is much better and mb’s massage is. But total first world problem… I went 4 days without my car and missed both.

[NGT2]

Holy crap. I can’t believe I left out using a vin decoder.

If you see listings but no detail, run the vin through a decoder. I did this a ton when I listing would be brand new with no pictures. Actually, it’s how I jumped on the one I got so quick.

I don’t think there was Merino leather offered on the 2021+. So if you see tan/cognac, it’s Dakota and won’t have it. You’re looking for black, mocha, or ivory Nappa leather. The cross stitching gives it away if there is a picture with no specific upholstery description (usually at non BMW dealers).

[anthonyc4242]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Holy crap. I can’t believe I left out using a vin decoder.

If you see listings but no detail, run the vin through a decoder. I did this a ton when I listing would be brand new with no pictures. Actually, it’s how I jumped on the one I got so quick.

I don’t think there was Merino leather offered on the 2021+. So if you see tan/cognac, it’s Dakota and won’t have it. You’re looking for black, mocha, or ivory Nappa leather. The cross stitching gives it away if there is a picture with no specific upholstery description (usually at non BMW dealers).

What VIN decoder do you guy use? Been using the https://www.mdecoder.com/
It’s a bit tough to read in my opinion because it throws in all the standard equipment as well which really makes it tough to see what’s optioned - there’s a section for options but only the big things are mentioned ex m package

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

What VIN decoder do you guy use? Been using the https://www.mdecoder.com/
It’s a bit tough to read in my opinion because it throws in all the standard equipment as well which really makes it tough to see what’s optioned - there’s a section for options but only the big things are mentioned ex m package

That's what I use. All the others seem to pummel you with tidbits and want you to buy something to see something. It is a little crowded, but it does the job.

[Qsilver7]

If you can get the www.bimmer.work VIN decoding site to work (and not get pulled into the SPAM fields that want to charge you)...they have updated their info and now offer exterior & interior (360°) pics as well as a different look of the build/options list. Plus you can download an owners manual which is offered in multiple languages.

[Qsilver7]

because there are vents under the (front) seats to cool the rear. It pulls that in.

Ditto this. Especially on really hot days when the interior temp has grown as hot as a blast furnace from sitting in the sun...if you change your air circulation to the floor or select floor and dash or floor and defrost vents...this can help the ventilated seats pull cooled air into the permeable layer.

Again, it won't be as affective as some of the better systems that have been discussed...but it would help some. Sort of like placing a fan in front of your refrigerator with the door open. It won't be as good as real AC...but sucking some of the cooled air from the fridge...can help some.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

If you can get the www.bimmer.work VIN decoding site to work (and not get pulled into the SPAM fields that want to charge you)...they have updated their info and now offer exterior & interior (360°) pics as well as a different look of the build/options list. Plus you can download an owners manual which is offered in multiple languages.

Trouble is there are like 6-7 places to enter the VIN and at least 6 are booby traps.

[2022M550i]

I’m good with my massage seats….i have chronic back pain, so it’s very helpful on the long drives. For me, thats an hour.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

What VIN decoder do you guy use? Been using the https://www.mdecoder.com/
It’s a bit tough to read in my opinion because it throws in all the standard equipment as well which really makes it tough to see what’s optioned - there’s a section for options but only the big things are mentioned ex m package

That’s what I used. Once you see a few, you pick up on where certain options are listed and you can go right to that section.

[Justgothere]

Struggling to decide if we should add massage seats. It seems many love it, but other speculate that the seat is less comfortable with the added equipment. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Struggling to decide if we should add massage seats. It seems many love it, but other speculate that the seat is less comfortable with the added equipment. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

Lots of opinions on the topic as you noted…

Best one is going to be your own. Get your butt into a seat with and without and judge for yourself.

I’m a fan of the massage seats BTW.

[NVRfollo]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Struggling to decide if we should add massage seats. It seems many love it, but other speculate that the seat is less comfortable with the added equipment. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

The massage seats are not less comfortable. If you are expecting to feel anything, you will be disappointed. It’s only OK as helping with your circulation on long trips. If you are OK with that then you should get the option otherwise save that money for something else. Of all the brands I have owned with massage seats, BMW is the worst.

[Macias]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Struggling to decide if we should add massage seats. It seems many love it, but other speculate that the seat is less comfortable with the added equipment. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

They are certainly no less comfortable. What's more - I can't imagine a premium car without this option. Massage is one of the must-have features on board.

[admranger]

They’re ok. Comfort seats mandatory. Massage seats nice, but not a deal breaker (and I have massage seats).

[kosmokratur]

I have them and I find them useful on long trips. I'm an old, fat guy with a bad back. They aren't super-strong, but a big improvement over the active seats in my old e38 750iL. Most important, my teen daughter helped me choose which M550 to buy. She insisted on 2 things: Carbon Black paint and "ass wiggle seats." She was right on both counts.