[cruzer666]

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I am trying to figure out if the extra $1800 on the i4 is worth it. From the description:

"Ventilated front seats gently blow your choice of warm or cool air upward through the micro-perforated leather, helping to keep you comfortable all year long."

Based on this description I would assume there's a vent going to the seat and pushing either cold or warm air depending on settings. Does anyone know what this does exactly?

I have ventilated seats on my '21 X6 and the feature is mildly disappointing, it is just blowing air from under the seat, it does work but I had much better ventilated seats.

I also should say that i4 is the only car that mentions a "choice" under the description of the "front ventilated seats" option.

[spool twice]

It's ventilated, but not cooled. In other words, it just uses ambient air around the unit itself and does use the A/C system.

It's useful though and does keep the tush relatively dry/cool when in use, at least on our old G30 540i that had this function.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by spool twice

It's ventilated, but not cooled. In other words, it just uses ambient air around the unit itself and does use the A/C system.

It's useful though and does keep the tush relatively dry/cool when in use, at least on our old G30 540i that had this function.

So when they say "your choice of warm or cool air" they just mean if it's warm inside you get warm air from the seats, if it's cold inside the cabin you get cold air?

It's peculiar they would change the description on the i4 seats only, no other model for this function.

[jeffc42]

I originally included ventilated seats, then after doing more research I dropped them. Do a search in the other forums here. There's a lot of buyer's remorse. Even the sales manager at my dealer said don't bother with them (he had them in an i3). You lose adjustable side bolsters, by the way.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by jeffc42

I originally included ventilated seats, then after doing more research I dropped them. Do a search in the other forums here. There's a lot of buyer's remorse. Even the sales manager at my dealer said don't bother with them (he had them in an i3). You lose adjustable side bolsters, by the way.

The bolsters is what had me forget about ventilated seats. The adjustabe bolsters are important to me.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

The bolsters is what had me forget about ventilated seats. The adjustabe bolsters are important to me.

After looking at the forums and cross referencing with the i4 manual, I see some i4's come with manual seats, there's no way I'm spending 70k+ on a car with manual seats.

Any idea in which case the car comes with manual seats ?

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

After looking at the forums and cross referencing with the i4 manual, I see some i4's come with manual seats, there's no way I'm spending 70k+ on a car with manual seats.

Any idea in which case the car comes with manual seats ?

I know some 430's at my dealer came with manual seats due to chip shortage.

It would be explicitly spelled out.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by jeffc42

I originally included ventilated seats, then after doing more research I dropped them. Do a search in the other forums here. There's a lot of buyer's remorse. Even the sales manager at my dealer said don't bother with them (he had them in an i3). You lose adjustable side bolsters, by the way.

There are no ventilated seats in an i3, as in never in 9 years in the market.

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by Technic

There are no ventilated seats in an i3, as in never in 9 years in the market.

That's what I thought he said; maybe I misheard. Regardless, he downplayed the option, thereby potentially reducing the dealer's profit. It's what led me to search ventilated seats in the 3-series forums here, and what I saw convinced me to drop them.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I know some 430's at my dealer came with manual seats due to chip shortage.

It would be explicitly spelled out.

What are the chances the i4's will come with manual seats ? There is nowhere spelled out what type of seats are on the i4's. Not in the specs/features, full release notes, my order form. I'd hate for that kind of disappointment.

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

What are the chances the i4's will come with manual seats ? There is nowhere spelled out what type of seats are on the i4's. Not in the specs/features, full release notes, my order form. I'd hate for that kind of disappointment.

The only reason an i4 sold in the U.S. won't come with power seats is because BMW could not get enough of them due to the chip shortage. There's no way for you to know in advance if the car you bought will suffer from that. That's the world we live in.

We can hope BMW would one day replace the manual seats, in those cars so inflicted, with power seats under warranty, but they sure as hell aren't saying they will. We can hope the i4 will be immune to this because 1) it's a low volume car and 2) having a successful launch is important, but hope is all we can do.

The only alternative is to not buy a car until the chip shortage is over. Or take your chances and make it clear, preferably in writing, that you will refuse delivery if the car arrives with manual seats.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by jeffc42

Or take your chances and make it clear, preferably in writing, that you will refuse delivery if the car arrives with manual seats.

Sounds good, thank you for this. I did actually email the dealer and asked if the car comes with manual seats and if it does, there's no way I was taking delivery.

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

Sounds good, thank you for this. I did actually email the dealer and asked if the car comes with manual seats and if it does, there's no way I was taking delivery.

Glad to be of assistance. BTW, power seats are standard equipment. It's in the pricing guide:

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

What are the chances the i4's will come with manual seats ? There is nowhere spelled out what type of seats are on the i4's. Not in the specs/features, full release notes, my order form. I'd hate for that kind of disappointment.

I think unlikely since i4 production is prioritized for chip supply. They will cripple existing models to make sure the i4 gets features

They start with lower models.
That's why with the HUD the M and 5/7 didn't get affected much.

I have seen 430s with manual seats. I have not seen 440s with the same.

[spool twice]

If I remember right, to get "heat" from the ventilation, you have to turn on the heated sears and ventilation at the same time on the 540i