BMW F30 to W205 -- any noticeable difference in seat comfort?
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From: Northern California
2019 Acura RDX
BMW F30 to W205 -- any noticeable difference in seat comfort?
If you have had a BMW F30 with sport seats and made the switch to a W205 C-class, can you comment on whether you notice any difference, good or bad, in seat comfort?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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2016 C300
I've driven a few 3 series on test drives only so I can't attest to long term comfort, but it felt like there was too much lumbar, not enough upper back or shoulder, the leather felt brittle and the seat overall was too firm.
I'm coming from a series of cars with legendary seats as far as comfort (W220 S Class, W221 S) so I was pleasantly surprised by the C's seats. I can dial the lumbar almost completely out. Nice thigh extensions like in the S (and some BMWs). The upper side bolsters are very prominent in the Sport version (Not the AMG seats). I'm relatively slender so they hug me just right, but if you're wider they might be too much. The non sport seats have less aggressive side bolsters.
I'd recommend the softer perforated leather over MB Tex, which also gets you heated and cooled seats in the C300. Is there a specific area of your body that is sensitive to certain seat issues?
I'm coming from a series of cars with legendary seats as far as comfort (W220 S Class, W221 S) so I was pleasantly surprised by the C's seats. I can dial the lumbar almost completely out. Nice thigh extensions like in the S (and some BMWs). The upper side bolsters are very prominent in the Sport version (Not the AMG seats). I'm relatively slender so they hug me just right, but if you're wider they might be too much. The non sport seats have less aggressive side bolsters.
I'd recommend the softer perforated leather over MB Tex, which also gets you heated and cooled seats in the C300. Is there a specific area of your body that is sensitive to certain seat issues?
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2019 Acura RDX
If I had to pick one it would be lower back/tailbone areas. But in general I find long drives in the 3 series to be very uncomfortable on my entire back--upper back area around the shoulder get achy as well.
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
My wife's 2014 328i has sport leather seats, and so does my 2015 C300 Sport...very close in comfort & support, and both heat a large portion of the seat in the Winter.
The BMW seats feel like they have slightly more side bolster, but the Mercedes seats have better quality leather, there're more luxurious (electric adjust on everything), and they feel a bit softer. Plus my C300 seats are heated & ventilated!
The cons of the BMW seats are the cheap feeling leather, the flimsy thigh support cushion, and I just can't seem to adjust the driver's seat to my liking...I only last about 3 hrs in the BMW seats before my lower back starts to ache.
The BMW seats feel like they have slightly more side bolster, but the Mercedes seats have better quality leather, there're more luxurious (electric adjust on everything), and they feel a bit softer. Plus my C300 seats are heated & ventilated!
The cons of the BMW seats are the cheap feeling leather, the flimsy thigh support cushion, and I just can't seem to adjust the driver's seat to my liking...I only last about 3 hrs in the BMW seats before my lower back starts to ache.
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2019 Acura RDX
That's a lot longer than for me. I last about 30 mins and then I notice significant discomfort and I'm constantly adjusting myself throughout the rest of the ride. I also find it's hard to sit in the center of the seat...I tend to be a little to the left of the seat pan, unless I adjust myself with awareness.
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
My 15 minutes in a 5-series
Several years ago, my local BMW dealer invited prospective customers to test drive and compare both an E-Class and a BMW 5-series. I got only 15 minutes in each one. The optional seat bottom that tipped slowly back and forth, from side to side. For many years, I interviewed applicants for disability benefits for the Social Security Administration. Many applicants with bad backs told me how they had to change position constantly. At the time I experienced this BMW feature, I thought to myself that this would be godsend to many of the people I had interviewed. Of course, you didn't say anything about having a bad back. Still, it might help you on long trips, when you start shifting from position to another, and the power adjustments are no longer enough.
The other feature was a power-adjustable top of the seat. This could provide support for the shoulders independent of the back and lumber support. If such a seat would help you, you could find used vehicles so equipped, even if BMW no longer has the seat with these features as an option for new cars. A used car would also eliminate the price difference that could otherwise be an obstacle to moving into the higher level of the 5-series.
I have the leather, ventilated seats on my C300. I am retired and have made only one long trip, a trip of 800 miles round-trip. It was about 8 hours each way, including only one rest stop. I have no back problems, but I am 74 years old. I had no discomfort, experienced no shifting around, and had to make only a few adjustments in the seat (no cycling the seat back and forth). The seats were substantially more comfortable than the MBTex, non-ventilated seats of my 2007 C280 (and they were pretty good).
The other feature was a power-adjustable top of the seat. This could provide support for the shoulders independent of the back and lumber support. If such a seat would help you, you could find used vehicles so equipped, even if BMW no longer has the seat with these features as an option for new cars. A used car would also eliminate the price difference that could otherwise be an obstacle to moving into the higher level of the 5-series.
I have the leather, ventilated seats on my C300. I am retired and have made only one long trip, a trip of 800 miles round-trip. It was about 8 hours each way, including only one rest stop. I have no back problems, but I am 74 years old. I had no discomfort, experienced no shifting around, and had to make only a few adjustments in the seat (no cycling the seat back and forth). The seats were substantially more comfortable than the MBTex, non-ventilated seats of my 2007 C280 (and they were pretty good).
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Mercedes Benz C450 AMG sport
I will have to say I prefer the BMW sport seats over the Mercedes. My wife has a 2015 BMW 328 and I have a 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG sport. I can drive both for over 6 hours in one sitting, but the seat cushion is longer in the BMW with out the extensions moved out, and in my case, just feels more comfortable after adjusting to my liking. Also the side bolster adjustment is superb in the BMW where the Mercedes is non existent. To me this is an individual preference, but having a bigger build, the BMW fits me better. I will say the seats look better in the Mercedes.
I will say, the BMW is much more fun to drive...I found myself in my old BMW 335i msport looking forward to going around curves at a fast pace, I never have that feeling with my C450 even when adjusting to S or S+ mode.
I will say, the BMW is much more fun to drive...I found myself in my old BMW 335i msport looking forward to going around curves at a fast pace, I never have that feeling with my C450 even when adjusting to S or S+ mode.
