Vote: Climate Controlled Seats vs Non-Climate Controlled

[nitemare]

I'm at a dilemma as I found two X5 50i MSports in the price range I'm looking for the issue is both have cooled seats.

I've searched and read that people say the cooled seats are not nearly as comfortable as the normal non-cooled MSport seats.

Is there ANYONE who has 1st hand knowledge of this? Perhaps any BMW techs or indy shop owners? Or anyone who has owned both (specifically X5 as a different platform will have different seats and specifically same generation F15) styles.

Convince me to buy one of these two X5s available or convince me to hold off and wait.

Thanks

[IndyJer]

Let me clarify the seat ventilated function... it’s ventilated, not cooled. The feature is simply fans that blow the cabin air through the seats. It is not air-conditioned like in some other vehicles. Having said that, the feature does succeed at cooling off a blazing hot seat in the summer. Just wanted to clarify since you were referencing “cooled” seats, which isn’t exactly what you’d be getting.

Can’t comment on comfort comparisons as I’ve no experience with non-ventilated seats. I can say that the ventilated seats are the most comfortable auto seat I’ve ever sat in. I would have no problem encouraging you to get the ventilated version.

[CatalinP]

There is no MSport Seats. It's Comfort Seats, and ventilation function is helpful in preventing sweating in the summer. I use it constantly and I like it, but some passengers find it to cold and they prefer it off.

[nitemare]

Let me clarify I know they are not HVAC cooled I know they are actually "ventilated" bad choice of words I guess.

I also know the MSport is just a comfort seat as well (choice of words) but I know there are also the comfort seats that have adjustable headrest and side bolsters as well. I think those are Comfort+ seats if I'm not mistaken?

Ok back on track: comfort seats with ventilation or hold off for non-ventilation

[TOPEC]

there r actually 4 seat options

1: standard seats, fairly flat bolsters, not much to adjust other than the standard forward/back+tilt etc
2: sports seats, more side bolstering
3: comfort seats, theyre like the sports seats with more bolstering, and more adjustable re: side bolstering pinch/relax, head rest cushion fold in, upper back cushion forward/back
4: ventilated seats, comfort seats with ventilation

i dont have any first hand experience with ventilated seats but it seems to be a 50/50 mix of either hate it or ok with it. biggest issue with the ventilated seats is the ducting placed inside the seat causes the cushions to be not as "plush" or giving when compared to a comfort seat. if u really need ventilated option then go for it, but be warned, if ur on the heavier side like me, i would much rather take the more "plush" option.

[Gilly1964]

Driven a couple of loaner F15s and a G05 without the ventilation and couldn’t wait to get back into my car when it was warm outside. It stops the sweaty back rather than cooling you down but I wouldn’t spec another car without it.

[Muzza]

It’s mindblowing this is not a standard in these cars. Luxury, with optional luxury.

[maDjzo]

I find the ventilated seats comfortable and have no issue with them. They're plenty adjustable including bolsters and upper back as well, few long distance drives and never have I thought I need to get out, I'm 6'1 - 183lbs. I drove 2 X5's with standard seating and couldn't wait to get back to mine, Napa leather swayed that feeling perhaps as well. Oh and ventilated seats are awesome in dealing with back sweat, few minutes and you can feel air circulation in a way, not cold by any means but very nice ventilated feeling against your back. Good luck.

[Maverik259]

Have ventilated sears and my wife and I find it useless. All it does is create noise. There's no air flow that we've ever noticed that's any different. Then again I don't get a lot of back sweat I guess. Just not a great implementation compared to other companies. My moms $40k Jeep is much better at keeping your butt and back cool.

[Hellrot]

I would just sit in the vented seats, if you think they are comfortable then get them. Comfort is relative. If you are actively looking for vented, not cooled seats, that do cool your seat 🤣, then you'll probably be regretting not getting them when you're driving around with a sweaty back.

[gqgambler]

Originally Posted by nitemare

I'm at a dilemma as I found two X5 50i MSports in the price range I'm looking for the issue is both have cooled seats.

I've searched and read that people say the cooled seats are not nearly as comfortable as the normal non-cooled MSport seats.

Is there ANYONE who has 1st hand knowledge of this? Perhaps any BMW techs or indy shop owners? Or anyone who has owned both (specifically X5 as a different platform will have different seats and specifically same generation F15) styles.

Convince me to buy one of these two X5s available or convince me to hold off and wait.

Thanks

Good condition 50i MSport in the specs you want don't always come around often; seems like you found 2. Comfort is relative and it your butt likes it then go for it as you may wait a long time to find something in non-vented that suits your fancy. Others factors will also affect how they feel to you such as your build, weight, driving style, roads, driving time, etc... so it make hard to do a one-to-one comparison. As with anything, over time things breakdown and any seat will lose it support and plushness.

[sj22]

I had ventilated seats in my 7. They are only ventilated not cooled and collect a lot of dust. I would pay for them again if they were actually cooled.

[Florida-X3]

As far as the "feature" goes, I have cooled (yes, not ventilated) seats in my Infiniti and love it! Of course I live in Florida and use it all the time. While we don't have the ventilated in our current X5, it's a feature I would surely try to have but it's not a show stopper if I find that perfect car (well almost perfect).

[Violator]

I had ventilated seats in my F16, non-ventilated in my F15.
Like Maverik259 stated, they were noisy and didn’t impress. If I had the option, I’d choose the vehicle w/out the ventilated seats, but with multi-contour.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Violator

I had ventilated seats in my F16, non-ventilated in my F15.
Like Maverik259 stated, they were noisy and didn't impress. If I had the option, I'd choose the vehicle w/put the ventilated seats, but with multi-contour.

Ya I've never had the opportunity to try one without the ventilation to see if one without is noticeably more comfortable

[nitemare]

I'm 5'9" and 180# if it will make a difference? I'm sure though a 250# guy might be able to tell a difference with slimmer padding vs me at 70# lighter.

[gwes]

Originally Posted by nitemare

I'm 5'9" and 180# if it will make a difference? I'm sure though a 250# guy might be able to tell a difference with slimmer padding vs me at 70# lighter.

I'm about the same as you - love the ventilated seats. That said - I've never tried the multi-contour seats so I can't say those wouldn't be better.
I really can't imagine not having them in the summer - work great for me.

[CatalinP]

What multi-contour seats? Are we talking about other car manufacturers or what?

AFAIK, the ventilated seats can be ordered only with Comfort Seats, which are the top of the range seats in terms of comfort anyway....

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

What multi-contour seats? Are we talking about other car manufacturers or what?

AFAIK, the ventilated seats can be ordered only with Comfort Seats, which are the top of the range seats in terms of comfort anyway....

multi-contour = comfort seats
ventilated seats = multi-contour + ventilation

[Violator]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

multi-contour = comfort seats
ventilated seats = multi-contour + ventilation

Exactly

[classic_erik]

I turned on my ventilated seats for the first time recently and couldn't tell the difference tbh. Probably need a hotter day so the jury is still out.

My biggest pain point is keeping all of the holes free from particles! Sand and food seem impossible to get out of the pinhead holes, even with the shopvac. If anyone has a foolproof method to clean I'd love to hear! 🤣

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by classic_erik

I turned on my ventilated seats for the first time recently and couldn't tell the difference tbh. Probably need a hotter day so the jury is still out.

My biggest pain point is keeping all of the holes free from particles! Sand and food seem impossible to get out of the pinhead holes, even with the shopvac. If anyone has a foolproof method to clean I'd love to hear! 🤣

Toothpicks. Poke each hole that needs cleaning 🤷*♂️. Seen that on YT by a car detailer once.