[robby818]

Hi,

I test drove two different X7s yesterday. The first X7 had the seats shown in pic#1 (little M colors tag). I noticed right away that the seats felt a little flat and were not that comfortable.

The second X7 had the seats shown in the second picture (no M sport tag) and the seats felt like they had a little more cushioning and therefore were more comfortable.

I did some research and now I know that the multi-contour seats have toggle buttons on the controls as shown in pic#3. Neither X7 I test drove had the multi-contour seats, but I am wondering whether they had the same seats or not. I could not find much information on the difference between these two seats.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by robby818

Hi,

I test drove two different X7s yesterday. The first X7 had the seats shown in pic#1 (little M colors tag). I noticed right away that the seats felt a little flat and were not that comfortable.

The second X7 had the seats shown in the second picture (no M sport tag) and the seats felt like they had a little more cushioning and therefore were more comfortable.

I did some research and now I know that the multi-contour seats have toggle buttons on the controls as shown in pic#3. Neither X7 I test drove had the multi-contour seats, but I am wondering whether they had the same seats or not. I could not find much information on the difference between these two seats.

Both seats are identical and are the standard 481 Sport Seats in X5/6 and X7s.
Like most things manufactured, there are variances in leather and seat comfort.

The first seats are 481 Sport Seats in Vernasca Black Leather with Contrast stitching - ONLY available on M Sport models




Second seats are 481 Sport Seats in Vernasca Black Leather - available on xLine or M Sport models



You can visually and distinctively identify the difference between SensaTech - "synthetic leatherette" and Vernasca leather 481 Sport Seats by the pattern in the Vernasca Leather. SensaTech has no perforations whereas Vernasca Leather has the alternating perforation pattern in the seat cushion, center and lower backrest .

481 Sport Seats in SensaTec Upholstery

[robby818]

Thanks, so much. That clears it up.

[mitch57]

Actually, from what I've seen, the seats in both the 2019 and 2020 X7s in the US have different head rests than any of the above pictures. This is what my 2020 X7 40i with multi contour seats looks like and what I've seen on other X7 with the multi contour seats.

The headrests in the pictures are in the lowest position that the head rests can be adjusted to.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Actually, from what I've seen, the seats in both the 2019 and 2020 X7s in the US have different head rests than any of the above pictures. This is what my 2020 X7 40i with multi contour seats looks like and what I've seen on other X7 with the multi contour seats.

The headrests in the pictures are in the lowest position that the head rests can be adjusted to.

Actually, you might have not seen a X7 with the base 481 Sport Seats as it is only available in the X7 xDrive40i with SensaTec or Venasca upholstery.

A fair number of X7 forum members drive X7 M50i's which come STANDARD with 456 Multi-Contour seats and Vernasca leather, so I can understand why most haven't seen or are aware that there are also X7 xDrive40i’s with the standard 481 Sport Seats.






Here's a link to a X7 xDrive40i M Sport line with 481 Sport Seats in black Vernasca leather upholstery:

https://www.erhardbmw.com/new-Bloomf...CW2C08L9B66349

The standard 481 Sport Seats have a different head restraint design than the Multi-Contour head restraints in your photos. 481 Sport Seats have manual adjustable thigh extensions, electronic adjustable side bolsters and head restraint height, and do not have the adjustable upper back rest.






481 Sport Seats share similar (note, I said similar and not exact) head restraint design from the 3/4/5 Series, X3/4, X5/6 to X7 equipped with 481. The side button on the head restraint moves the head restraints forward or back. Also the 481 head restraints appear to sit visually flush to the seat when looking front and slightly raised in the back.

G01 Head Restraint design






The Multi-Contour head restraints do not have fore/aft adjustments but only electronic height adjustment and manual side extension cushion adjustments. The Multi-Contour head restraint have the minimum height as shown in your photo.

Below you can see the difference between the 481 Sport Seats and head restraint design compared to the 2nd row Captain's Chairs that are based on the Multi-Contour design (backrest and head restraint)




As for the reason why the Multi-Contour seats do not sit flush to the seat is due to how BMW designed the crash-activation and the head restraint rails are slightly angled in order to gain access in replace gas generator for left or right crash-active head restraint. My discourse in G05 head restraints:

Original thread:
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1683145

Why the Mutli-contour head restraints don’t sit flush
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...40&postcount=8

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=10




More info on how the 481 head restraint is adjusted and also how the crash-active head restraint works:

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=14

[jmciver]

My X7 40i (with M Sport package) has the base 481 Sport seats in Black Vernasca leather. The button on the side of the headrest allows you to manually move the headrest forward or back. Up and down movement of the headrest is electronic and is controlled by the rear button on the side of the seat (the one that looks like the "seat back").

[Krislovesbmw]

My recently bought bought X7 40i has Upholstery Leather Vernasca black (MCSW) with S4T Massage Function F.Driver & Fr.Passenger

Pic 1: 1st row
Pic 2: 1st row closer
Pic 3: 2nd row you can see the pattern

I couldn't feel any difference in the quality of leather expect the pattern.
I have a upgraded individual leather dash board and leather looks without any pattern.

Any thoughts?

[adamjs83]

Originally Posted by Krislovesbmw

My recently bought bought X7 40i has Upholstery Leather Vernasca black (MCSW) with S4T Massage Function F.Driver & Fr.Passenger

Pic 1: 1st row
Pic 2: 1st row closer
Pic 3: 2nd row you can see the pattern

I couldn't feel any difference in the quality of leather expect the pattern.
I have a upgraded individual leather dash board and leather looks without any pattern.

Any thoughts?

The pattern comes in Merino not Vernasca.

[Krislovesbmw]

Originally Posted by adamjs83

The pattern comes in Merino not Vernasca.

So you mean to say my second and 3rd row has Merino ? my question is my 1st row seats are not in same pattern as 2nd and 3rd row...

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by Krislovesbmw

So you mean to say my second and 3rd row has Merino ? my question is my 1st row seats are not in same pattern as 2nd and 3rd row...

Your second row captain's chairs have the standard Vernasca leather pattern for seats without luxury seating - ventilated/massaging and BMW doesn't offer vent/massage options for the 2nd row.

Optioning Luxury front seats adds more perforations to the backrest, seat cushion and adds internal seating hardware (air bladders and fans).

If you had optioned your X7 with Vernasca leather without front Luxury seating then the front, second (as shown in your photo) and third rows would have identical Vernasca pattern. See photo enclosed below.

Nothing to worry about.

Adding leather dashboard option doesn't affect the interior upholstery - just adds leather upper dashboard and window sills on front/rear doors.

Standard Vernasca Mutli-contour front seats (w/o vent/massage)

[Krislovesbmw]

Originally Posted by Auricom

Your second row captain's chairs have the standard Vernasca leather pattern for seats without luxury seating - ventilated/massaging and BMW doesn't offer vent/massage options for the 2nd row.

Optioning Luxury front seats adds more perforations to the backrest, seat cushion and adds internal seating hardware (air bladders and fans).

If you had optioned your X7 with Vernasca leather without front Luxury seating then the front, second (as shown in your photo) and third rows would have identical Vernasca pattern. See photo enclosed below.

Nothing to worry about.

Adding leather dashboard option doesn't affect the interior upholstery - just adds leather upper dashboard and window sills on front/rear doors.

Standard Vernasca Mutli-contour front seats (w/o vent/massage)

Awesome Thanks a lot... make sense...I was little worried as I piked used 2019 X7. Thanks for the great details.