Active ventilated seat package?

[s38b38]

I'm considering a couple of options for the X5M, and wondered what actual owners think.

1) Is the active ventilated seat package worth the additional cost, or are the standard seats sufficient? Will I regret down the road not getting the active seats?

2) What about the leather dashboard? Is it worth the additional cost?


I guess I'm wondering what the most "optimal" configuration is. Any advice appreciated!!

[cmyX6go]

I opted not to get the ventilated seats. I don't like how the leather feels or looks with those damn little holes.

I have the leather dash. Is it a must do? No. The dash looks nice but it's not like you're sitting on it and ejoying the leather. Especially considering that you can't get the napa leather seats in the ///M. I had the full napa dash and seats on my '10 50i. I miss those seats.

Good luck. You can't go wrong.

[alpine300zhp]

I agree with Laura (cmyx6go). I passed on the active vent seat option and I also passed on the leather dash option. The x5M comes standard with the multcontour seats and they are wonderful. I will not buy a BMW without them these days.

[tom2517]

Leather dash looks nice so it's a good option, but I would suggest pass on the seats, just not worth it.

I have it but I never use it, simply not effective enough for me to push the button.

[iMpower]

I have both options, so it's hard to say what it'd be like if i didn't have them.

Leather dash - absolutely love the look and the feel of it. Otherwise you're staring at a plasticky looking dashboard that seems out of place in a car that costs 100 grand, IMHO.

Active ventilated seats - i use it mostly on longer road trips and it actually helps to massage the bottom, though does feel somewhat weird. Again, could you do without it, sure, but i wanted to have that option and don't have regrets.

[///MB]

I agree with iMpower. I have the full leather and ventilated seats and although it just blows fans to circulate the air in the seats, I do notice that it's a bit warmer when I don't have them on. Personally, I turn on the ventilated seats pretty much every time I get in the car. It's just another button to push, like M mode on the steering wheel and the brake "hold" button, which I also use every time so turning them on becomes habit and I don't even think about it.

Also, I think a $100K car of this caliber should have full leather. It's especially noticeable if your interior color choice is not black. I have the Silverstone interior and I love how the leather extends all the way down to the lower parts of the dash and almost the entire door is covered in the Silverstone leather as well. If you've never been in car with full leather interior (S600, 750iL, 911's, Aston Martin, even M5/M6, etc), then you really won't know what you're missing. But, if you have been in one or have one with it, then it makes the standard interior on X5M look kinda cheap. I do wish BMW would add the alcantara headliner or at least offer it as an option. Maybe on the next model!

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by iMpower

I have both options, so it's hard to say what it'd be like if i didn't have them.

Leather dash - absolutely love the look and the feel of it. Otherwise you're staring at a plasticky looking dashboard that seems out of place in a car that costs 100 grand, IMHO.

Active ventilated seats - i use it mostly on longer road trips and it actually helps to massage the bottom, though does feel somewhat weird. Again, could you do without it, sure, but i wanted to have that option and don't have regrets.

I have both as well.

[Mentat]

Active ventilated seats is a must for my on all cars.
My old X3 did not have this option and in the summer I always had a wet shirt...

I purpose of the active ventilated seats is to not get wet on hot days.
If you have black leather is really a must...

[e52fanatic]

Another vote for the ventilated seats. I was originally skeptical, but after 8 months, I'm hooked.

I kind of like the visual texture too.