active multicontour seat option ???
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 345
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From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
active multicontour seat option ???
Hi,
I'm ordering 2013 E350 Wagon and have questions for those with the active multicontour driver's seat option.
1. Is the basic seat shape of this option the same or more contoured vs the stock seat?? I find the stock E seats a little too flat for my taste---would prefer more contoured side bolsters etc.
2. The active seat has adjustable lumbar support, side supports, and shoulder supports. What does the stock seat have, adjustable lumbar only or what??
3. How's the cornering auto adjust function, do you like it?? Auto massage wothwhile or worthless?
4. Any other comments greatly appreciated, like if you love it or hate it and why.
Thank you.
I'm ordering 2013 E350 Wagon and have questions for those with the active multicontour driver's seat option.
1. Is the basic seat shape of this option the same or more contoured vs the stock seat?? I find the stock E seats a little too flat for my taste---would prefer more contoured side bolsters etc.
2. The active seat has adjustable lumbar support, side supports, and shoulder supports. What does the stock seat have, adjustable lumbar only or what??
3. How's the cornering auto adjust function, do you like it?? Auto massage wothwhile or worthless?
4. Any other comments greatly appreciated, like if you love it or hate it and why.
Thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
w212 E550
i love the cornering auto adjust function and my wife is still complaining about why i drive this car much faster when i'm going in corners compare to my previous bmw. i told her simply because i want to have some fun w/the side bolsters and she finally understands...but still complains 
. anyway, i think this is probably the only option i consider is a great deal. you'll pay a lot more on a slightly better massage lounge at home but still w/o the auto side bolsters . btw, the massage on the multicontour seat is just so so. not really like massage, more like a roller going up and down. still feels good especially for ppl drive long distance. i have it on even for 30 mins driving 
.
. anyway, i think this is probably the only option i consider is a great deal. you'll pay a lot more on a slightly better massage lounge at home but still w/o the auto side bolsters . btw, the massage on the multicontour seat is just so so. not really like massage, more like a roller going up and down. still feels good especially for ppl drive long distance. i have it on even for 30 mins driving .
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,277
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
big +1 on the cornering hugging........that is great....
I don't really like the massage setting.......feels kind of weak.....
but the hugging seat is awesome! I'd get it again just for that!
I don't really like the massage setting.......feels kind of weak.....
but the hugging seat is awesome! I'd get it again just for that!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
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From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
My only gripe with this is that it adds the switches on your right thigh. I don't consider myself to be among the nation's obese by any means, and the switches seem to be taking away about an inch of space that I would prefer to have. But, coming out of a GL, it's taking some time to get used to the driving position anyway.
That being said, the cornering active bolsters are great. For me, I like the knee bolster extension also. Lumbar is same as most MBs now, up/down and in/out function is nice.
If you're getting this you're obviously getting leather, so don't forget the vented seats. A noticeable difference in the heat when you have the fan pulling air through the seat.
That being said, the cornering active bolsters are great. For me, I like the knee bolster extension also. Lumbar is same as most MBs now, up/down and in/out function is nice.
If you're getting this you're obviously getting leather, so don't forget the vented seats. A noticeable difference in the heat when you have the fan pulling air through the seat.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Does the fan push the air through the sit or pull the air through the seat? I thought it pushes cabin air through the seat vents...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 12
From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
I could be mistaken, but I believe each seat has an auxiliary fan motor that pulls air from either under or behind the seats. When the seat vent button is turned to high, you can actually hear the fan motor running and then feel the air being pulled through the seat vents. Not sure of the actual parts or technology, but it works.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
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2015 GL450
I must be in the minority here - I dislike the cornering adjustment. It's too slow for my tastes, and begins adjusting only after most of the weight shift has occurred. Then again, everybody tells me I take corners faster than most...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
I HATE MY CORNERING SEATS! But only because the side bolsters make noise every time I corner...this is on my 08 S550 w/ 66K miles on it; longevity wise, these bolsters will start to deteriorate FYI
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 672
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From: Massachusetts
2007 E63 Amg
Hi All,
I have a question about multicountour seat buttons.
The last two buttons on the seat, what do they do? I mean the ones closer to the back of the seat. I thought the very last button with two arrows on it would inflate/deflate, and the one above it, would move it up/down so that I could adjust the support.
What it does is that the very last one, regardless if I click on the bottom arrow or down arrow, iflates the lumbar part. The button above it does the same thing - inflates/deflates. So how do I control whether I want a lumbar support or a shoulder support?
I mean the passenger seat that has a button with 4 sides is much easier to understand and control: up,down, inflate, deflate.
Is my seat settings messed up?
I have a question about multicountour seat buttons.
The last two buttons on the seat, what do they do? I mean the ones closer to the back of the seat. I thought the very last button with two arrows on it would inflate/deflate, and the one above it, would move it up/down so that I could adjust the support.
What it does is that the very last one, regardless if I click on the bottom arrow or down arrow, iflates the lumbar part. The button above it does the same thing - inflates/deflates. So how do I control whether I want a lumbar support or a shoulder support?
I mean the passenger seat that has a button with 4 sides is much easier to understand and control: up,down, inflate, deflate.
Is my seat settings messed up?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 672
Likes: 99
From: Massachusetts
2007 E63 Amg
The second to last only inflates/deflates.
That being said I don't have easy way to inflate as much as I like, and then to move it up/down.
I wonder if dealer can adjust it, or whether they will say "oh sorry, it functions as it should". The car is still under warrantly
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
For me, the last one moves the lumbar support only up and down by what feels like half a foot or so as you'd expect with lumbar. It doesn't go up to my shoulder area or even middle back so it only does lumbar, not shoulder. It only goes that high during the massage function.
The second to last will inflate/deflate. It doesn't feel like it goes up and down much but there is a slight rising sensation as it inflates.
Passenger seat with regular lumbar support control feels about the same, but the up and down movement was more discernible. Not a big difference though. Although at the highest or lowest point it starts to deflated on the passenger side.
Just tried it on the way home - hadn't used it in a long time.
The second to last will inflate/deflate. It doesn't feel like it goes up and down much but there is a slight rising sensation as it inflates.
Passenger seat with regular lumbar support control feels about the same, but the up and down movement was more discernible. Not a big difference though. Although at the highest or lowest point it starts to deflated on the passenger side.
Just tried it on the way home - hadn't used it in a long time.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 672
Likes: 99
From: Massachusetts
2007 E63 Amg
The way mine works is that pushing those up and down arrows both inflate different parts of the lumbar area. So if I want to inflate a bit and then move the inflated area to the upper part of my lumbar, I cannot accomplish that, as both buttons keep inflating different parts. As a result the seat becomes too inflated and uncomfortable to seat on. The passenger seat, in contrast, can be inflated as much as I can, and then moved up/down using the up/down arrows.
Based on what you said, I think I will ask the dealer if mine works correct. It will be hard to explain to the dealer. I doubt they will have another E550 with multi-contour seat to compare.
Based on what you said, I think I will ask the dealer if mine works correct. It will be hard to explain to the dealer. I doubt they will have another E550 with multi-contour seat to compare.
Last edited by Rovel; Jan 6, 2017 at 10:48 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It was also an option on the E350. I have those and I don't really play with those buttons because I think it does what you say. I only use the massage and push the front cushion out more. The cornering I don't play around with too much, too distracting when it comes on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
It was also an option on the E350. I have those and I don't really play with those buttons because I think it does what you say. I only use the massage and push the front cushion out more. The cornering I don't play around with too much, too distracting when it comes on.
