Ventilated seats are becoming a more common option in luxury cars. Unlike heated seats, which are available from almost any manufacturer, the idea of keeping your seat cool is limited to higher-spec brands, such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.
BMW is a manufacturer known for its extensive options and features. Ventilated seats have been introduced on more BMW models than ever, although the cost of this option depends on the model you choose. For some of their flagship models, ventilated seats are included as standard, but most models require an optional fee to add this feature.
In this article, we’ll talk you through which BMW models include ventilated seats, how much they cost, and if it’s worth adding them. We’ll also give you a brief explanation of how they work on your BMW too.
Let’s get started!
How do ventilated seats work?
Ventilated seats operate using several fans built into the seats. These fans are designed to work at various speeds to increase cooling levels (similar to the intensity levels of heated seats).
Ventilated seats are often confused with ‘cooled’ seats – it’s an easy mistake to make. Cooled seats use fluid stored within tubes that are built into the seat. This fluid is cooled and pumped through the seat to cool the occupant.
The result is similar – although cooled seats are usually more effective. As you’d expect, these are far more expensive and less common than the ventilated system and trickier to repair.
How to use ventilated seats on your BMW
Ventilated seats are accessed in the same way you use heated seats on a BMW. Depending on the BMW model, you can access ventilated seats in two ways:
- Some BMW models have a specific ventilated seat button next to the heated seat button. These are usually located on either side of the AC controls. You can select from three intensity levels on your ventilated seats and turn them off with a 4th press of the button.
- Some BMW models include ventilated seat controls in the iDrive system. Your BMW will have a single button that combines heated and ventilated seats. Once pressed, the infotainment screen will allow you to choose the level of ventilation.
Do all BMW models come with ventilated seats?
Not all BMW models come with ventilated seats. On high-spec models, you get ventilated seats as standard, but on most mid-range BMW models, you have to pay for these as an optional extra.
The lists below show which models come with ventilated seats as standard, how much they cost as an optional extra, and which BMW models have no ventilated seat option.
BMW models with ventilated seats as standard
The highest-spec BMW models come with ventilated seats as standard. With this option becoming more popular, we expect to see ventilated seats feature on more BMW models as standard in the future. Most of the cars on this list are above $100,000, so you would expect most options to be standard here.
The list of current BMW models with ventilated seats at no extra cost is below:
- XM
- X5 M60i
- X6 M60i
- 760i
- i7 e50
- i7 x60
- i7 M70
- M850i
- M8
- iX M60
BMW models with ventilated seats as an optional extra
Most BMW models include ventilated seats as an optional extra. This is the standard approach with a feature like this, although BMW often includes ventilated seats in larger packs. On some models, particularly ‘M’ badge cars, adding ventilated seats isn’t possible if you choose the carbon fiber seat package, so there is a compromise.
Cost-wise, BMW ventilated seats are priced around the Mercedes-Benz and Audi price
levels. We’ll cover if this option is worth buying later in the article, but for now, the list of BMW models is below:
- X3 30i – $500
- X3 M40i – $500
- X3 M – $500
- X4 30i – $500
- X4 M40i – $500
- X4 M – $500
- X5 50e – $1,350 (part of the Climate Comfort Pack)
- X5 M – $3,100 (part of the Executive Pack)
- X6 M – $3,100 (part of the Executive Pack)
- X7 40i – $1,600 (part of the Climate Comfort Pack)
- X7 M60i – $1,600 (part of the Climate Comfort Pack)
- M3 – $350
- M440i – $500
- M4 – $350
- i4 e35 – $350
- i4 e40 – $350
- i4 M50 – $350
- 530i – $500
- i5 e40 – $500
- i5 M60 – $500
- 740i – $500
- 750e – $500
- 840i – $500
- iX 50 – $500
BMW models without ventilated seats
There is currently no ventilated seat option on a few lower-spec BMW models. We expect that to change in the next generation, but for now, make sure to check if the model you are buying has this option.
- X1 28i
- X1 M35i
- X5 40i
- X6 40i
- 230i
- M240i
- 228i
- M235i
- M2
- 330i
- 330e
- M340i
- 430i
- Z4 30i
- Z4 M40i
Can you add ventilated seats to BMW carbon seats?
Within the BMW M range, those models with the most focus on performance, one option is to add carbon bucket seats. These are designed to be lightweight and suitable for a harness, making them perfect for racetracks. This also means that they aren’t ideal for the road, and you miss out on some features.
With these carbon bucket seats, you lose the option for ventilated seats. Because these are lightweight, cutout designs, there’s no room for the cooling system in these seats. If you’re buying your M BMW for all-out performance this probably won’t bother you, but on those warmer days, you’ll miss the cooling function.
Are ventilated seats worth adding to your BMW?
Ventilated seats are an option that will be vital for some owners and pointless for others. If you’re in a warmer climate, then we’d strongly recommend looking at ventilated seats – particularly for leather seats that can get incredibly warm; the ventilation options are well worth it.
In cooler climates, most owners will rarely use the ventilated seat function. It’s still handy for those warmer days, but you can probably live without ventilated seats if you’re in a colder region.
For $500, the cost of adding ventilated seats isn’t high compared to other options from BMW, but you will need to consider how much use you’ll get from this feature.
To check out other BMW options and features from rival manufacturers, check out the links below:
Which BMW Models Have A Panoramic Moonroof?
Which BMW Models Have Ambient Lighting?
The Best BMW Packages and Options
