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      07-07-2021, 03:41 PM   #1
Dynamic3
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Ventilated seats impressions?

For those who've spec'd the ventilated seats, and presumably have had some hot weather post-delivery, how noticeable are they?

In my experience, there's a lot of variance between the manufacturers, and even models, so I'm curious to hear impressions.

Thanks!
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      07-07-2021, 03:45 PM   #2
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Wearing shorts and a t-shirt with ventilated seats in the heat…. Absolutely amazing.

I'm saying this with my own experience as I have them in mine. The recent Portland heatwave allowed me to get some good use of the vent seats.
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      07-07-2021, 03:57 PM   #3
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They can't touch Ford's air conditioned seats but anything is better than peeling sweaty skin off a leather seat after a long drive. Not super noticeable in that I don't really feel much of a breeze but that's a nice feature in that they're on and not a distraction.

Well worth the upgrade in my opinion and I like the fact BMW lets you run heat and vent at the same time.
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      07-07-2021, 04:21 PM   #4
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BMW is known to not have the best ventilated seats, and any time I've used them on various models, I can't say I really noticed much. However, it sounds like the forum members who actually get to use it every day are satisfied, so take my input with a grain of salt.

I'm torn on this issue too. On the one hand, I know they're not the best, but on the other hand, they're not that expensive and some people seem to like them. I'll probably end up getting them
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      07-07-2021, 04:52 PM   #5
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Yea, ventilated seats was the main reason I was opting for the standard seats but after hearing a few mixed impressions I’m starting to reconsider the buckets (especially given that the partially open backs should offer some “natural” ventilation).

Ugh, I go back and forth every day.
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      07-07-2021, 05:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dynamic3 View Post
Yea, ventilated seats was the main reason I was opting for the standard seats but after hearing a few mixed impressions I’m starting to reconsider the buckets (especially given that the partially open backs should offer some “natural” ventilation).

Ugh, I go back and forth every day.
Have you sat in the carbon buckets before? If not, I'll be happy to give my impression on those as well
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      07-07-2021, 05:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMU_BMW View Post
Have you sat in the carbon buckets before? If not, I'll be happy to give my impression on those as well
Would love to hear your thoughts.

Spent just a few minutes in them, and no time in the standard seats.
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      07-07-2021, 06:18 PM   #8
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My area has been constant 90-100F. Now the first thing I do after starting the engine is to turn on the ventilated seats switch. The first time I turn it on I felt like I peed my pants and it scared me.
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      07-07-2021, 06:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dynamic3 View Post
Would love to hear your thoughts.

Spent just a few minutes in them, and no time in the standard seats.
They’re amazing. They were much more comfortable than I was expecting, and they hold you in so well. But if your body is larger than normal, they might pose a problem (for reference, I’m 5’11” 195 lbs). My only complaint is the thigh bolster is so high, you inevitably rub it when getting in and out. I plan to daily my car, and I want to keep it for awhile, so I’m just too worried about how the leather will wear on that bolster over time.

If the bolster isn’t a huge issue for you and you’re a fairly average size, then I would get the buckets. The standard seats aren’t bad either, but they don’t feel special like the buckets do. But because of that bolster, I’m ultimately going to opt for the standard seats.
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      07-07-2021, 07:26 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghost_like View Post
My area has been constant 90-100F. Now the first thing I do after starting the engine is to turn on the ventilated seats switch. The first time I turn it on I felt like I peed my pants and it scared me.
Lmao! Now, thats a solid review to justify my purchase.
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      07-07-2021, 08:26 PM   #11
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I have standard seats with ventilated option… on cool mode whatever the vehicle temperature, what’s getting pushed out of seats. On a very hot day feels like heated seats. Once temperature of vehicle cools, airflow becomes more comfortable. Down arrow for me. One of our other cars is a Porsche Mccan which has AC in the seats so maybe I’m spoiled.
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      07-07-2021, 08:48 PM   #12
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Drove through some heat in the South the other week and I have to say was pleased with the ventilated seats. Definitely worth it and the reason why I didn't go with the carbon buckets.

Ass blowers ftw!
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      07-07-2021, 10:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xmanpro View Post
Drove through some heat in the South the other week and I have to say was pleased with the ventilated seats. Definitely worth it and the reason why I didn't go with the carbon buckets.

Ass blowers ftw!
Same. Just drove from Greeenville to Houston ( a few stops along the way) and the ventilated seats were a big help. Not as good as Porsche (at least on a Cayman) but definitely helps. Won't cool you right away when your car is hot, but they were a life saver on a long trip. I have them set up to turn on automatically when its warm. You can have the seat cooling and seat heating triggered by a set temperature, which is a really nice feature. Now if I cold just figure out the parking assistant plus. After several tries it only identified a parking space once, and did a pretty mediocre job of parking.
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      07-07-2021, 10:18 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plussizemodel View Post
I have standard seats with ventilated option… on cool mode whatever the vehicle temperature, what’s getting pushed out of seats. On a very hot day feels like heated seats. Once temperature of vehicle cools, airflow becomes more comfortable. Down arrow for me. One of our other cars is a Porsche Mccan which has AC in the seats so maybe I’m spoiled.
What year Macan? We have a 2018 and I can't say they are air conditioned - just move air. Was this a specific option above and beyond ventilation?
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      07-07-2021, 10:19 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghost_like View Post
My area has been constant 90-100F. Now the first thing I do after starting the engine is to turn on the ventilated seats switch. The first time I turn it on I felt like I peed my pants and it scared me.
You can set the car to do this automatically based on exterior temp! Love this feature.
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      07-07-2021, 10:26 PM   #16
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My experience with ventilated seats in BMW's is not the best. I barely feel them and the air was never that cool.

Ventilated seats between manufacturers seems to vary greatly.

In BMW's there does not seem to be much airflow nor is it very cool.
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      07-07-2021, 11:26 PM   #17
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I'm not a huge fan. My 911, and Audi RS vehicles were much better. Heck, my wives Expedition literally blows cubes. So far my G80 is the worst of them all. Kinda surprised and disappointed.
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      07-08-2021, 03:17 AM   #18
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I was actually impressed with them compared to an x5 that I sat in with them. It's always pretty cold when I turn them on. In Florida it is a must have!!
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      07-08-2021, 06:56 AM   #19
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I have them in my Ghibli, and they help to maintain a decent temperature of your back. At night, without the sun heating the interiors, the benefit are even more noticeable.

The main reason to have it, is because bmw doesn't offer an alcantara upholstery, only leather unfortunately, so a ventilated seat is a must have option. So I went for the standard ventilated seat. If the buckets were offered with it, probably I would have chosen those.
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      07-08-2021, 08:47 AM   #20
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FWIW, BMW ventilated seats do not blow air, they suck air into the seat - unless something has changed recently. They remove moisture from your back end. Judging from these reviews, nothing has changed. That's why you aren't feeling cold air blow.
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      07-08-2021, 09:33 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mirob View Post
FWIW, BMW ventilated seats do not blow air, they suck air into the seat - unless something has changed recently. They remove moisture from your back end. Judging from these reviews, nothing has changed. That's why you aren't feeling cold air blow.
This! the distinction is really important to understanding how they work, whenever one reads ventiliated seats, they pull air AWAY from the back side to dry and and feel cooler and dryer. Cooled seats, such as Fords, use the same tech as the quiet beverage coolers to blow cooled air at the back side. My guess is most OEMs go with ventilated because it is simpler gives basically the same net effect (less wet backside) and is less power hungry

Last edited by xlover; 07-08-2021 at 10:28 AM..
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      07-08-2021, 12:52 PM   #22
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For anyone ordering a car I would highly recommend buying this option. I'm really missing it!

It really should have come with the executive package!
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