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      04-16-2020, 09:31 AM   #1
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Ventilated seats?

Any thoughts on whether these will be an option? I noticed they're available on the X3M, so was hoping the M3 might get them too.
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      04-16-2020, 09:48 AM   #2
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Ventilated seats are available in the X3 M because they are available in the standard X3. The 3 Series does not have ventilated seats so, with near certainty, neither will the M3.

Now, if the 3 Series LCI (coming mid-2021) were to get ventilated seats, the M3 might become a beneficiary at that time. No word yet on that, but since the X3 has this feature it is at least plausible it will come to the 3 Series. Similarly, if the 4 Series (coming mid 2020) or 4 Series LCI (coming late 2023) were to get ventilated seats, it would perhaps benefit the M4 and therefore M3 since it will share seats with the M4. No word on those possibilities yet either. All of this would, of course, depend on M seats designed to support the feature which itself is not necessarily likely.
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      04-16-2020, 10:39 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Ventilated seats are available in the X3 M because they are available in the standard X3. The 3 Series does not have ventilated seats so, with near certainty, neither will the M3.

Now, if the 3 Series LCI (coming mid-2021) were to get ventilated seats, the M3 might become a beneficiary at that time. No word yet on that, but since the X3 has this feature it is at least plausible it will come to the 3 Series. Similarly, if the 4 Series (coming mid 2020) or 4 Series LCI (coming late 2023) were to get ventilated seats, it would perhaps benefit the M4 and therefore M3 since it will share seats with the M4. No word on those possibilities yet either. All of this would, of course, depend on M seats designed to support the feature which itself is not necessarily likely.
Sooo... maybe?
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      04-16-2020, 10:23 PM   #4
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Sooo... maybe?
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      04-17-2020, 05:15 PM   #5
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Not sure why the 3er doesn't have it, X3 shares the same seats yet has it available, although at the cost of a hard rock seat and no adjustable bolsters.
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      04-17-2020, 05:48 PM   #6
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I wonder how much weight it adds for ventilated seats? The seats themselves probably have a little extra design in them, not sure if that would weight more, but possibly... also just some ducts and switches or more to it than that? hmm...

M3 needs to be as light as possible, but also should prevent/treat swamp@$$.
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      04-18-2020, 07:16 PM   #7
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Once you have ventilated seats there is no going back However, you do sacrifice a bit of comfort to have the ventilation system.
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      04-18-2020, 09:44 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by evanescent03 View Post
I wonder how much weight it adds for ventilated seats? ... M3 needs to be as light as possible, but also should prevent/treat swamp@$$.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't think lightness has really been a major factor in M3 designs lately. I compare my F80 M3 to my other actually light cars and it is DAY AND NIGHT different. The M3 is great in many ways, but let's not kid ourselves - it is not a lightweight car. It weighs ~3,600lbs-- almost 900 lbs more than a BRZ/GT86, and 500lbs more than a civic and 1,500lbs more than a Lotus. Big power and reasonable weight with tradeoffs.

Given that, they might as well throw in the ventilated seats.
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      04-19-2020, 10:44 AM   #9
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the ventilated seats would be better if they were actually cooled as with many US autos. They're all but useless in the F15/16 and sacrifice a lot of comfort.
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      04-22-2020, 12:56 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evanescent03 View Post
I wonder how much weight it adds for ventilated seats? The seats themselves probably have a little extra design in them, not sure if that would weight more, but possibly... also just some ducts and switches or more to it than that? hmm...

M3 needs to be as light as possible, but also should prevent/treat swamp@$$.
15 lbs max? I think it's mostly plastic ducts and mounting brackets, fans, and wiring.

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Originally Posted by scm6079 View Post
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't think lightness has really been a major factor in M3 designs lately. I compare my F80 M3 to my other actually light cars and it is DAY AND NIGHT different. The M3 is great in many ways, but let's not kid ourselves - it is not a lightweight car. It weighs ~3,600lbs-- almost 900 lbs more than a BRZ/GT86, and 500lbs more than a civic and 1,500lbs more than a Lotus. Big power and reasonable weight with tradeoffs.

Given that, they might as well throw in the ventilated seats.
Same. Whatever the weight is just isn't that big of a deal on a car this size imo. If sunroofs and powered sunshades can be an option, I think this should be too. Cars are evolving, other companies offer them on cheaper cars, and trivial as it is to some my next car must have them.
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      04-22-2020, 01:28 PM   #11
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Once you have ventilated seats there is no going back However, you do sacrifice a bit of comfort to have the ventilation system.
Based on my last car that had ventilated seats (Lexus 3IS), I would opt for non-ventilated personally. The little holes made the seats a real PITA to clean, and I never felt any real benefit from them.
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      04-22-2020, 02:31 PM   #12
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The main issue is a lot of brands use ventilated seats, not AC Cooled seats which are much more effective.
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      04-23-2020, 12:03 AM   #13
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My buddy has an 2015 Lexus IS with ventilated seats. Having your cheeks cooled on a hot day is the dream.
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      04-23-2020, 05:36 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scm6079 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by evanescent03 View Post
I wonder how much weight it adds for ventilated seats? ... M3 needs to be as light as possible, but also should prevent/treat swamp@$$.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't think lightness has really been a major factor in M3 designs lately. I compare my F80 M3 to my other actually light cars and it is DAY AND NIGHT different. The M3 is great in many ways, but let's not kid ourselves - it is not a lightweight car. It weighs ~3,600lbs-- almost 900 lbs more than a BRZ/GT86, and 500lbs more than a civic and 1,500lbs more than a Lotus. Big power and reasonable weight with tradeoffs.

Given that, they might as well throw in the ventilated seats.
I agree, but only to a certain degree. As much as I'm not the guy who thinks 15lbs matters, I do think that the mentality of "15 lbs didn't matter" is important because otherwise 15lbs here and there will add up. These aren't lightweights but I feel like it's be nice to not let them become a complete boat. I do appreciate some ac seats though, not gonna lie.
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      04-23-2020, 06:01 PM   #15
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My old '18 IS350 had ventilated seats (not cooled...big difference as others have mentioned) but it was still nice to have. It didn't really cool you off but it kept your rump and back from sweating in the middle of summer which is always a welcome addition.
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      05-05-2020, 09:38 AM   #16
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My X7 has ventilated seats and they're nothing exiting. It provides a little relief so you're not pealing your sweaty back off the seat on a hot summer day while wearing a cotton shirt, but I'm more annoyed by the noise the fan makes.

I would say the massaging seats that come with the ventilated seats are more useful, but only if you're often taking long drives, which I wouldn't be doing in my M car very often.

All that being said, it's typically only a $500 or so option once you have the correct seats to add them, so I'll still likely get them unless there's a better seat that doesn't make them available (don't expect them on the carbon buckets).
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      05-14-2020, 03:35 PM   #17
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You gotta go upmarket (M5 with executive package) to get massaging ventilated seats.
I don't see a need for ventilated seats especially with Carbonstructure Anthracite Cloth. They should keep the M3 focused on performance first, big boys can always get their luxury fix with the M5. Otherwise, what's the point of having M3?

Also, I think they should offer several cloth seat colors and patterns (for seat centers) instead of usual boring leather colors. Same goes for exterior, instead of 5 shades of grey they should bring back interesting colors
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      05-14-2020, 03:53 PM   #18
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My parents have a Hyundai Sonata with ventilated seats and they're great!
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      05-14-2020, 05:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
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My parents have a Hyundai Sonata with ventilated seats and they're great!
Your parents or the ventilated seats?
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      05-14-2020, 06:07 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter619 View Post
My parents have a Hyundai Sonata with ventilated seats and they're great!
Your parents or the ventilated seats?
Just the seats.
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      08-06-2021, 01:42 PM   #21
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Sorry to resurrect this thread but a quick question to those of you who have ventilated seats in your G80 or G82. I've read some horror stories about dissatisfied buyers of M340i cars or X-series vehicles who ordered the ventilated seats and got seats that don't have the side bolster, are not as adjustable, etc. (basically, the seats are not the standard sport seats). Is this true for the G80 and G82 as well, or are the ventilated seats you got the same as the normal sport seats? Also, would you say that the ventilated seats are more delicate than the standard ones? I mean in terms of wear and tear on the leather, being that it is perforated.

Thanks so much.
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      08-06-2021, 03:00 PM   #22
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My understanding is the seating surfaces

are identical; both types have perforated center sections.

Some say the cooling effect isn't great as the fans suck in air rather than push out cold air.

Some say the ventilated seats have thicker foam padding making them a little stiffer.

I was leaning toward non-ventilated seats based on the thought the leather would hold-up better. Once I learned both types have perforated center sections, it was a no brainer. I ordered the ventilated seats.

Should have her in a month.
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