[Score04]

Hello,

I was hoping do a question poll followed by people’s opinions and experiences with either setup if anyone knew how to do a poll for this...

I learned that the bolstering isn’t as pronounced when you have vented seats. What are your thoughts on this topic? Also, which do you prefer? And, if you have the vented seats, and experienced the non vented seats do you regret having vented seats? Hope this makes sense! Thanks.

[Bob in IL]

I've seen several discussions here on the topic of ventilated vs. non-ventilated sets. If you do a quick search you'll find a lot of good input. Generally they aren't too popular. I have them and they are OK for us but seat comfort is highly personal and they really need to be sampled personally.

[stein_325i]

Very popular topic here, from what I've read, bolstering isn't adjustable, and seats are hard as a rock, I highly suggest you DO NOT option ventilated seats.

[Toodalu]

My 2019 has vented seats while the 2018 has sport seats. The vented seats are more comfortable. The sport seats are firm but hold you in place better. If I had to pick for the amount of driving and what I do for a living, hands down vented seats.

[Score04]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

I've seen several discussions here on the topic of ventilated vs. non-ventilated sets. If you do a quick search you'll find a lot of good input. Generally they aren't too popular. I have them and they are OK for us but seat comfort is highly personal and they really need to be sampled personally.

Thanks.

[Score04]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Very popular topic here, from what I've read, bolstering isn't adjustable, and seats are hard as a rock, I highly suggest you DO NOT option ventilated seats.

I've read that a few times that people sort of prefer the non vented seats.

[Score04]

Originally Posted by iwhineX3

My 2019 has vented seats while the 2018 has sport seats. The vented seats are more comfortable. The sport seats are firm but hold you in place better. If I had to pick for the amount of driving and what I do for a living, hands down vented seats.

And, then there is the 1 person like you who prefers the vented seats. HAHA J/K The challenge is finding a dealership that has both in stock to test drive to make an actual choice which way to go. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[GGEVOX]

I did not want the vented seats as I wanted the support. But I have found the vented seats are not as bad as they seem. I really like the vented part which may, to me, be better then the extra support. My last three cars had Recaros factory so I am used to the extra support.

Also resale value would be better with the vented. The extra side bolsters are noticeable but wouldnt stop me from purchasing.

[corn18]

Well, count my wife in the ventilated seats are awesome. Actually, she didn't want to trade in her MDX for anything that didn't have ventilated seats, so made that easy. We just did a 20 hour drive and I found them horrible until I got them adjusted properly, then they were comfortable.

That being said, if it were my car, it would have non-ventilated seats so I could pretend I am driving a sports car. Actually, if it were my car, it would be an X3M and have ventilated M seats which is the best of both worlds. But I drive a 3/4 ton pickup with cloth seats, so you see who wears the pants in my house.

I do love her ventilated seats, though. In the winter, put the heat on 1 bar and the vent on 3 bars and enjoy gluteus maximus bliss.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by corn18

Well, count my wife in the ventilated seats are awesome. Actually, she didn't want to trade in her MDX for anything that didn't have ventilated seats, so made that easy. We just did a 20 hour drive and I found them horrible until I got them adjusted properly, then they were comfortable.

That being said, if it were my car, it would have non-ventilated seats so I could pretend I am driving a sports car. Actually, if it were my car, it would be an X3M and have ventilated M seats which is the best of both worlds. But I drive a 3/4 ton pickup with cloth seats, so you see who wears the pants in my house.

I do love her ventilated seats, though. In the winter, put the heat on 1 bar and the vent on 3 bars and enjoy gluteus maximus bliss.

I always forget to use both the heaters and ventilation. I tried it a couple of times in the colder weather and they worked nicely together.

[JAY56641]

I have a 2020 model with ventilated and heated seats. I disagree with most that they are hard and uncomfortable. I think they are quite comfortable. I do agree that it's annoying they don't have side bolster adjustment which makes you feel like your not supported on the sides which is strange for a performance vehicle.

[PeteInGilroy]

After test driving both, I ordered the vented seats and I'm very happy with them. The only issue with the vented seats is how loud the blower is.

[M40i017]

I have the vented seats and have found it difficult to find a truly supportive and comfortable driving position. Its been a few months now with the vehicle and finally have found a position that is decent in comfort but it does lack the lateral support which helps keep you planted during spirited driving.

It really depends what environment, driving style and body type you have. Id say that if having ventilated seats is a must due to weather, if you are a regular "chill" driver that doesn't do too much driving in windy/curvy roads and are built a bit larger where bolsters may be uncomfortable than go with the vented.

I myself am on the smaller/athletic build side and find the lack of lateral support from the adjustable bolsters to be a bit frustrating since I slide around in harder turns. It is something that I have gotten used to via bracing in turns and using my feet and body to stay stable. This is not ideal when trying to carve turns, but then again I live in the midwest where most of my driving is flat and straight so its not that bad. For me personally, id go with the non-vented sport seats if I had the option. Im currently in the process of possibly increasing the lateral bolsters on my vented seats to get a bit more comfort from them at a local upholstery shop by increasing foam and custom shaping.

I have found the vented seats to be a bit firm, the lumbar support is a bit intrusive and hard to find a proper location without feeling like you are sitting on the seat rather than within the seat. The leg bolsters are pretty non existent as well and feels like my legs are sitting on-top if them rather than within them, though the seat bottom lacks much space so it may be a good thing. I had the unfortunate event of no one ever telling me the difference of the vented vs non ventilated seats the the dealer did not have both to try...so for me I am stuck with the ventilated seats.

The ventilation performance and subpar, I find that it is noticeable on hotter days but time will tell since I haven't had the vehicle in warmer months. One thing that is true is that the fans on the ventilated seats are very loud and kinda annoying. I find that having it set to max (3 setting) is just far to noisy and even can feel the vibration in the seat. I usually choose level 2 if hot or level 1 which is not very noticeable at all.

It really doesnt make much sense why BMW created a ventilated seat that was much more different from the standard sport seats and lacks the lateral bolster support. I figure now having it is that for a person who is a bit larger, the vented seats provide an option that is less narrow and provides a seat for that group. Unfortunately, if your skinny and want a supportive seat that has the "common" amenities of ventilation than your out of luck. Your only choice is sporty/supportive with heated....or non-supportive/lounge style seating that offer both heat/vented but no bolsters....

Why would BMW only offer the best of both in the X3M model..I cant see that the seat dynamics of the standard sport seat would not be able to incorporate the ventilation needing many adjustments. If anyone has any insider information on this, I am very interested to hear!!

Also, If anyone is thinking about putting the x3m sports seats with ventilation in an x3 m40i (also comment because that would be GOLD))

Cheers everyone and be safe!

[Score04]

These are all interesting opinions with experiences. It feels a bit split based off my gathering. I am slim and this would be a car for both my wife and I with almost equal driving. She enjoys sport as do I. Ideally, I'd have to figure out which dealerships have both in stock and decide then.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Score04

These are all interesting opinions with experiences. It feels a bit split based off my gathering. I am slim and this would be a car for both my wife and I with almost equal driving. She enjoys sport as do I. Ideally, I'd have to figure out which dealerships have both in stock and decide then.

Make sure to drive an X3M with ventilated seats. That'll cost you $10k

[Score04]

Originally Posted by corn18

Make sure to drive an X3M with ventilated seats. That'll cost you $10k

HAHAH, past my budget but might just view when looking at m40i

[SteveX3M40i]

Hi,
We love our 2019 X3M40i - but it’s weakest point are the very uncomfortable ventilated seats!
Having come from a 2015 Mercedes ML63AMG - which had amazingly comfortable and supportive ventilated sports seats - we are still very disappointed in the seats in the X3.
I find them too hard, too unsupportive and you seem to really sit on them rather than in them (if you get what I mean!)
The ridges on the seat base are hard and raised too much - especially when you compare them with the ML.
Cheers
Steve

[Score04]

Originally Posted by SteveX3M40i

Hi,
We love our 2019 X3M40i - but it’s weakest point are the very uncomfortable ventilated seats!
Having come from a 2015 Mercedes ML63AMG - which had amazingly comfortable and supportive ventilated sports seats - we are still very disappointed in the seats in the X3.
I find them too hard, too unsupportive and you seem to really sit on them rather than in them (if you get what I mean!)
The ridges on the seat base are hard and raised too much - especially when you compare them with the ML.
Cheers
Steve

Thanks for sharing! Very fascinating. At least now I know what to look out for. It's going to be hard to go out with what's happening in the world but will pay attention to style and comfort in terms of softness/hardness of the seats. Also, it seems like the vented seats are loud enough to notice and nothing to brag about as a feature. I'll see.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Score04

Thanks for sharing! Very fascinating. At least now I know what to look out for. It's going to be hard to go out with what's happening in the world but will pay attention to style and comfort in terms of softness/hardness of the seats. Also, it seems like the vented seats are loud enough to notice and nothing to brag about as a feature. I'll see.

I haven't found the sound of the fans to be too intrusive. Usually when I'm in the car I have the radio on (not very loud) or I'm with my wife and we're talking and they are barely noticeable. As far as performance, they aren't a game changer but on a hot or warm day IMO they are better than not having them.

[GGEVOX]

I want to add as well. My work vehicle is a hyundai and the vented seats on that car also work in sync with the AC. So cold air gets pushed into the seat as opposed to just a fan blowing air.

I do notice the sound when it starts up but after putting it in drive the fans on the seats seem to blend in more.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by GGEVOX

I want to add as well. My work vehicle is a hyundai and the vented seats on that car also work in sync with the AC. So cold air gets pushed into the seat as opposed to just a fan blowing air.

I do notice the sound when it starts up but after putting it in drive the fans on the seats seem to blend in more.

I've got the X3MC with the ventilated seats (an option with the ///M sport seats), here's what I've learned:

1) They do not blow air, but suck. Some people say this is a nice feature to pull away heat even in the winter. I have yet to own the car in the summer.
2) The fan is loud on high, it sounds like a window is open.
3) I was under the impression they would pump AC in, I was disappointed.

[Score04]

Fascinating opinion on your X3MC. Sorry you regret them.