Massage seat impact on comfort

mattsrs · 03-19-2024, 07:20 AM

My order will freeze soon and I am on the fence whether to get the "exec package" or not. The only useful feature there that I care about is massage (already checked glass controls as standalone). However, I am concerned that having massage hardware in the seats will make them stiffer and less comfortable. I know there have been debates whether it is true or not so thought we should do a poll and see what everyone experience has been.

Edit: I am getting Tartufo extended leather seats. Don't plan to change it to Sensafin. The decision for me is really to get the massage seats or not?

tinfoiltuna · 03-19-2024, 07:25 AM

I’ve only tried Sensafin (no massage) vs Merino (massage), and found the Sensafin significantly more comfortable. The Merino/massage seems to be too stiff, I still haven’t gotten fully used to it.

themama · 03-19-2024, 07:32 AM

have massage seats and they certainly help during long drives. But expectation might vary on how strong massage is. There isn't any difference in stiffness between with or without. Do you get luxury seating without massage?

I have tartufo and tried sensafin too. It's a personal preference at that point , and sensafin is soft and comfortable too.
My personal choice is to order massage seats for sure.

mattsrs · 03-19-2024, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinfoiltuna

I’ve only tried Sensafin (no massage) vs Merino (massage), and found the Sensafin significantly more comfortable. The Merino/massage seems to be too stiff, I still haven’t gotten fully used to it.

I had Sensafin without ventilation/massage on my X5 and they were comfortable. Your post makes me worried now but I wonder if the impact of feeling too stiff is because of Merino and not the massage part. Some folks say the quilting on the sensafin has more give as you sit on it so makes it more comfortable.

mattsrs · 03-19-2024, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themama

have massage seats and they certainly help during long drives. But expectation might vary on how strong massage is. There isn't any difference in stiffness between with or without. Do you get luxury seating without massage?

I have tartufo and tried sensafin too. It's a personal preference at that point , and sensafin is soft and comfortable too.
My personal choice is to order massage seats for sure.

I am getting Tartufo extended merino leather seats. Had Sensafin on my X5 but the chemical smell from Sensafin took so long to go away and I missed the leather smell

ledphut · 03-19-2024, 08:11 AM

I’ve got the extended leather in Tartufo with massage.

You’ll hear many people complain that the massage function is too weak and there’s no happy ending,

but if you go on long road trips the “full body activation” program is excellent at preventing soreness & stiffness.

For what it’s worth BMW must’ve heard all the complaints because the new 7-Series massage function is much stronger and more forceful.

tinfoiltuna · 03-19-2024, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattsrs

I had Sensafin without ventilation/massage on my X5 and they were comfortable. Your post makes me worried now but I wonder if the impact of feeling too stiff is because of Merino and not the massage part. Some folks say the quilting on the sensafin has more give as you sit on it so makes it more comfortable.

I wouldn’t be worried. FWIW, I’m fairly skinny/boney in the rear, I probably just need to hit the gym!

Tyriondo · 03-19-2024, 08:36 AM

I visited one of BMW dealer to give a try with the massage and ventilated seats last week. My experience was better than I have expected overall. Therefore, I have decided to add the options to my MY25 order later.

BMWMN1971 · 03-19-2024, 08:39 AM

An absolute gimmick. Had it on a X7 loaner and while wearing a winter jacket I couldn’t feel anything. Turned the passenger seat and my wife couldn’t feel anything. Waste of money.

careyd38 · 03-19-2024, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledphut

I’ve got the extended leather in Tartufo with massage.

You’ll hear many people complain that the massage function is too weak and there’s no happy ending,

but if you go on long road trips the “full body activation” program is excellent at preventing soreness & stiffness.

For what it’s worth BMW must’ve heard all the complaints because the new 7-Series massage function is much stronger and more forceful.

The new 7-Series massage is much better than my current X5. If my wife found out I would have to upgrade…

mattsrs · 03-19-2024, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by careyd38

The new 7-Series massage is much better than my current X5. If my wife found out I would have to upgrade…

oh man. I had 2023 760 and the massage was crap compared to what I had in Porsche and Audi. BMW really needs to step up their massage game.

MystroX5 · 03-19-2024, 12:22 PM

Massage seats make a huge difference to me on long road trips. I did a 1200 miles in one day from Florida to PA to beat an ice storm and I couldn’t have done it without the Merino/Massage seats. Not sure when you’re playing in the $100k up league of vehicle why you wouldn’t get them.

mattsrs · 03-19-2024, 03:40 PM

thanks everyone for chiming in! I asked the dealer to add the exec package and even though my build week is 14 (Apr 14), it looks like the car as flipped to 150 status and already got a vin. Looks like they will make it 2 weeks ahead of the schedule! Looks like massage seats didn't mean to happen for me

View Poll Results: Does the massage function make the seat less comfortable/less cushioned?
Yes, I have tried seats with and without massage seats are more comfy	4	11.76%
Yes, I have the massage seat and they are not as comfortable as I expected	4	11.76%
No, I have the massage seat and they are very comfortable	13	38.24%
No, I have tried with and without massage and there is no impact on comfort of the seats	3	8.82%
Just want to see the results	10	29.41%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

03-19-2024, 07:20 AM	#1
mattsrs Captain 626 Rep 997 Posts Drives: X7 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	Massage seat impact on comfort My order will freeze soon and I am on the fence whether to get the "exec package" or not. The only useful feature there that I care about is massage (already checked glass controls as standalone). However, I am concerned that having massage hardware in the seats will make them stiffer and less comfortable. I know there have been debates whether it is true or not so thought we should do a poll and see what everyone experience has been. Edit: I am getting Tartufo extended leather seats. Don't plan to change it to Sensafin. The decision for me is really to get the massage seats or not? Last edited by mattsrs; 03-19-2024 at 07:48 AM..
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03-19-2024, 07:25 AM	#2
tinfoiltuna Private First Class 60 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 M60i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: South iTrader: (0)	I’ve only tried Sensafin (no massage) vs Merino (massage), and found the Sensafin significantly more comfortable. The Merino/massage seems to be too stiff, I still haven’t gotten fully used to it.
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03-19-2024, 07:32 AM	#3
themama Private First Class 73 Rep 199 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X7, 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	have massage seats and they certainly help during long drives. But expectation might vary on how strong massage is. There isn't any difference in stiffness between with or without. Do you get luxury seating without massage? I have tartufo and tried sensafin too. It's a personal preference at that point , and sensafin is soft and comfortable too. My personal choice is to order massage seats for sure.
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03-19-2024, 08:11 AM	#6
ledphut Private First Class 211 Rep 188 Posts Drives: Alpina XB7 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Alpina CB7 [3.50]	I’ve got the extended leather in Tartufo with massage. You’ll hear many people complain that the massage function is too weak and there’s no happy ending, but if you go on long road trips the “full body activation” program is excellent at preventing soreness & stiffness. For what it’s worth BMW must’ve heard all the complaints because the new 7-Series massage function is much stronger and more forceful.
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03-19-2024, 08:36 AM	#8
Tyriondo Private First Class 127 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X7 40d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: BMW HQ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 BMW X7 M60i [0.00] 2023 BMW X7 40d [0.00]	I visited one of BMW dealer to give a try with the massage and ventilated seats last week. My experience was better than I have expected overall. Therefore, I have decided to add the options to my MY25 order later.
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03-19-2024, 08:39 AM	#9
BMWMN1971 Lieutenant 163 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i MSport Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	An absolute gimmick. Had it on a X7 loaner and while wearing a winter jacket I couldn’t feel anything. Turned the passenger seat and my wife couldn’t feel anything. Waste of money.
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03-19-2024, 12:22 PM	#12
MystroX5 Major General 6290 Rep 5,324 Posts Drives: 2020 X7 M50i/ 911 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Central Pa. iTrader: (0)	Massage seats make a huge difference to me on long road trips. I did a 1200 miles in one day from Florida to PA to beat an ice storm and I couldn’t have done it without the Merino/Massage seats. Not sure when you’re playing in the $100k up league of vehicle why you wouldn’t get them.
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03-19-2024, 03:40 PM	#13
mattsrs Captain 626 Rep 997 Posts Drives: X7 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	thanks everyone for chiming in! I asked the dealer to add the exec package and even though my build week is 14 (Apr 14), it looks like the car as flipped to 150 status and already got a vin. Looks like they will make it 2 weeks ahead of the schedule! Looks like massage seats didn't mean to happen for me
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