[mtech8]

Was playing around with the BMW Build Configurator on the website.

I'm a bit confused. For the black choices with MY22:
- Sensatech
- Sensatech w/ font ventilated seats << Updated. This is wrong. Front ventilated are with Vernasca leather limited color choices.
- Vernasca Leather w/ white stitching (sport seats)
- Vernasca Leather w/ blue stitching (sport seats)

On the configuration now for MY23:
There is no choice for Black Vernasca Leather w/ white stitching, it just shows as Black Vernasca Leather. And when I select this, it automatically adds Front Ventilated seats to my build!

My current build has Black Vernasca Leather. But no front ventilated seats. Is it now an option and is it still the sports seat? If it is, I'd love to add the option. Am concerned if I make the change, I might be bumped in production week though.

Last picture shows the Black Vernasca with Front Ventilated Seats. Appears to be sports seats.

[mtech8]

Leaving the tread open to see if anyone knows anything about this. But I was playing with the configurator and this what I've observed is probably a bug.

If you directly select the "Black Vernasca leather" it does not add the front ventilated seats. However, if at any time you click on "Black Perforated Sesatec", then click on the "Black Vernasca leather" after, it requires front ventilated seats to be added (which to my knowledge has not been offered on the i4).

[scLA]

Originally Posted by mtech8

Leaving the tread open to see if anyone knows anything about this. But I was playing with the configurator and this what I've observed is probably a bug.

If you directly select the "Black Vernasca leather" it does not add the front ventilated seats. However, if at any time you click on "Black Perforated Sesatec", then click on the "Black Vernasca leather" after, it requires front ventilated seats to be added (which to my knowledge has not been offered on the i4).

My understanding is ventilated sets are not available with Sensatec and only with a couple of the leather colors. I've sat in the ventilated and non ventilated leather seats and they're similar but the ventilated have many perforations over the majority of the seat bottom and back up to the upper back area.

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by slazLA

My understanding is ventilated sets are not available with Sensatec and only with a couple of the leather colors. I've sat in the ventilated and non ventilated leather seats and they're similar but the ventilated have many perforations over the majority of the seat bottom and back up to the upper back area.

Thanks! You are correct. I remembered wrong. Ventilated seats are only for black and mocha Vernasca leather (in the US).

The configurator still has a quirk where when you go from SensaTec black to Black Vernasca that it adds the front ventilated. But it's not necessary to get the front ventilated with Black Vernasca.

I know the US does not get the same sports seats as other parts of the world. But is there a difference between the sensatec, vernasca and vernasca w/front venitlated seats in terms of "holding one in place". Are the bolsters different? Does one wrap oneself more in the seat while the other is more roomy? Obviously there are differences with the material and a few visual design features (stitching, etc).

[scLA]

Originally Posted by mtech8

Thanks! You are correct. I remembered wrong. Ventilated seats are only for black and mocha Vernasca leather (in the US).

The configurator still has a quirk where when you go from SensaTec black to Black Vernasca that it adds the front ventilated. But it's not necessary to get the front ventilated with Black Vernasca.

I know the US does not get the same sports seats as other parts of the world. But is there a difference between the sensatec, vernasca and vernasca w/front venitlated seats in terms of "holding one in place". Are the bolsters different? Does one wrap oneself more in the seat while the other is more roomy? Obviously there are differences with the material and a few visual design features (stitching, etc).

If I remember correctly (as I researched this a lot too) the bolsters on the ventilated seats are slightly smaller than on the regular seats. The bottom of the seat has a bit smaller side cushions and the back may have slightly smaller bolsters too. I'm not sure they would really make a difference in real world driving, though.

My bigger issue with the ventilated seats is they don't really do anything other than vibrate your butt. Others will disagree and many swear by them, but IMO BMW's implementation of them is not very good. When I turned them on during my test drive all I felt was my seat slightly vibrating from the fan motor and maybe a tiny bit of air moving under me.

I contrast this with when I test drove a Polestar 2 with ventilated seats and I actually felt air blowing behind and around me.

[mbchris]

I have the ventilated seats. I run them on auto Medium setting. I have felt it stronger and sometimes weaker. So I wonder how much of this feature "adapts" to how hot you and the temperature is. So it's not going to blow too hard if unnecessary.

[Beaver Cheese]

I'm really curious about the ventilated seats. In all of my builds, as soon as I check the ventilated seats it locks me into the black Vernasca leather and I cannot select any other option. Someone above mentioned you can also get it with the mocha color, but I haven't seen that work personally. I really don't want the plain black leather, but I live in a very hot part of California and cooled seats seems like a great option for the summer.
I see a few above have differing opinions on the value of the ventilated seats, I would be curious to hear other's thoughts and experiences. Are the ventilated seats worth getting stuck with the black leather?

[mtech8]

The color's available for ventilated seats are limited. I stated Black and Mocha earlier as that was what the configurator allowed me to do. I'm sure there are other treads on this forum that confirmed the available combinations.

@slazLA, thanks for your feedback. This is actually one of the reasons why I didn't choose the ventilated seats. I had them in my 2008 X5 and it was just weak. It blew available air so really didn't feel it helping cool me down on hot days. Not sure if ventilated seats were improved, but sounds like probably not. I know other car manufacturers are able to blow the AC air into the seat.

[heatmizr]

I have ventilated leather seats on my 2012 X5 and yes they are only ventilated, not 'cooled' with AC.
Also, they don't blow air, they suck air away from your body and into the seat.
I can't feel them actually moving air in any setting (hi-med-low) probably because they don't blow, BUT they do provide enough effect to greatly reduce moisture/humidity which would otherwise make your shirt damp. I find this helpful in muggy NC summers.
On high, the gentle 'whoosh' sound is a bit bothersome because it's coming from right behind your head, so I don't keep them on high for long, but usually run them in low where I can't really hear it, sometimes med. I think it increases comfort when I am feeling overheated, or first getting into a hot car.
I do not feel any vibration in mine whatsoever.
This is all from 10 yrs ago but Hope this helps.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

I've ordered ventilated. I don't use them all the time in the Jaguar, but they absolutely are nice on hot days when I'd otherwise sweat in the seat despite the AC being on.

[Beaver Cheese]

Originally Posted by mtech8

The color's available for ventilated seats are limited. I stated Black and Mocha earlier as that was what the configurator allowed me to do. I'm sure there are other treads on this forum that confirmed the available combinations.

@slazLA, thanks for your feedback. This is actually one of the reasons why I didn't choose the ventilated seats. I had them in my 2008 X5 and it was just weak. It blew available air so really didn't feel it helping cool me down on hot days. Not sure if ventilated seats were improved, but sounds like probably not. I know other car manufacturers are able to blow the AC air into the seat.

Based on this discussion, I went back into the builder and found that you are correct! You can get either the black or mocha Vernasca leather with the ventilated seats. Already sent the change and received confirmation from my CA, mocha it is! Thanks a ton!

[MichaelJohn]

You can get black ventilated leather, but I think it knocks out the blue stitching.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69

I've ordered ventilated. I don't use them all the time in the Jaguar, but they absolutely are nice on hot days when I'd otherwise sweat in the seat despite the AC being on.

Jaguar, Range Rover, Ford and Lincoln actually have cooled seats, and are listed as that. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, VW....ventilated seats. BIG difference.

I will say our iX ventilated seats seem to actually blow air, so better than old "sucking air away" BMW seats...but still no where near as amazing and chilled as Jaguar!

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

I will say our iX ventilated seats seem to actually blow air, so better than old "sucking air away" BMW seats...but still no where near as amazing and chilled as Jaguar!

I agree, if seat ventilation happens to be an available option to the existing seat choice without losing side bolsters or having to compromise on material/color, they're worth the $350 (or whatever they cost). Making any kind of compromise for the seat ventilation is not worth it if you ask me.

[heatmizr]

Agree. I personally would add whatever seat ventilation option possible, living in Charlotte, North Carolina. My wife tolerates the heat much better and doesn't care about that feature but I will never go without it now having had it.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

It's not like these are true sports seats, no matter the bolsters. If I want a true sports seat, I'm outta luck or aftermarket.