Hello,

First time poster here. Have the wagon on order to replace a 2016 BMW M3 and am torn between the active multicontour and performance seats. I like the sport seats in the BMW for day-to-day driving but admit that they can be a little uncomfortable on longer drives or when sitting in traffic for long periods. I was able to sit in the multicontour seats at the dealer and thought they were pretty good. More comfortable than the seats in the BMW and not too far off in terms of support. Less bolstering for sure but wasn't able to experience the multi contour seats while driving. SA at the dealer is encouraging me to get the multi contour and not the performance seats, but from what I am seeing and reading the performance seats are getting very good reviews. Right now I have the active contour seats on order, but I am still debating. I am okay sacrificing some performance for comfort but not too much. As i know body type can sometimes make a difference, I am 47 and in good shape.

Thoughts from those that have sampled both would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

If you are going to track the performance, if you are going to drive and not track (serious track) then contour. the contour will not hold you in place (unless you have a 5 point) hence passing a lot of tension into the steering input.

 

The Performance Seats are more bolstered and look more sports-car like. The Multi-Countour are nice as well but I guess depends on what you want.

 

The active bolstering on the multi contour seats works pretty well and can be set to different levels.

The seats are also quite comfortable for multi-hour trips.

 

Welcome. As someone above mentioned, you will have decide which path to go down, of course. I had the chance to view and drive both, and decided sport seats were for me. They look great and are super comfortable as well. I just hit the 1k mark, and not once have I had a comfort issue or wished I had gone in the other direction. Try to get time in both.

 

I think it depends if you have a significant other sitting in the passenger seat. Reality is that most of these cars don't get tracked. As a driver, the performance seats are comfortable and work great in virtually all situations. A passenger will feel different about that when rolling in city traffic on crappy roads. Unless riding alone or planning to track, the comfort seats will be the better all around choice. Creature comforts like dynamic bolsters/massage/heated/vented are great for the passenger.
Performance seats clearly look better but if my wife would have picked the car, we would have had the comfort seats

 

ha ha... that was the deciding factor for me... I'd love to have the performance seats, but at the risk of getting an unhappy wife during road trips, I'll take the active bolster seats... Happily they BOTH come with massage function, unlike the W212. I took sh*t for that in the last car.

 

Performance seats in the edition 1 are suprisingly comfortable with great lateral support and thigh extension. The heated and vent option works well. Have done a few several hour drives with no issues. I think the main variable that leads to long term comfort with driving is position of steering wheel and pedals, which the e63 is well done. If your leg isn't comfortable at the pedals despite having proper distance from steering wheel you will be miserable no matter what seat you are on.

 

I like my performance seats as well, but I do think ventilation part sucks...I compare them to my RS7 comfort seating option and its no contest. My RS7 can cool me down thru multi layers. But for the true function of the seat, the Performance seats are a great option when pushing the car laterally.

 

Appreciate all the responses. Changed my order today to the performance seats. The sales manager at the dealer told me that the thigh bolsters on the performance seats often will cause numbness in the thighs over longer drives from the bolster pressure, especially as your legs relax into a more splayed out position. Also, dealer has been recommending the multicontour seats based on recommendations from the product/car specialists at MB. Still somewhat torn...multicontour seats are definitely more plush and side bolstering is good, but I like the way the sport seats hug the whole body and the sporty feel. They look bad-*** too! Hopefully I don't regret it.

 

I'll have to get in a car sometime that has the performance seats, never even tried them out. I just assumed the multicontour seats were better for me as I'm transferring into the car from a wheelchair, the performance seats are probably lower I'd think which would mean a lower transfer for me.

 

Yup the RS7 and Turbo S seats are perfect, the AMG sport seats are not even close.. I brought my car back to the dealer to see if there was an issue with them and they said that's just the way there are..almost zero ventilation, with a fan you can hear cycling on and off doing zip.

If you have a wide back the comfort seats are horrible in my opinion. In order to have any support on your spine you have to blow up the lumbar support but then you will have no lateral support for cornering... Sport performance for the win .

 

I honestly like (and prefer) the performance seats over long drives....I think its supportive.. I have a C43 sedan on order w/them.. it'll be my daily...may see an occasional track day..

That being said.. Ive ordered probably 8 E63's overall.. and I did half and half ( two were launch cars so technically no choice on those). I think 80% of the people would not want Perf seats as a daily.. my guess anyways...and so far so good lol.. been selling out

This is my last (I think?) 2018 E63 on order.. mid May build... 1st one I ordered with performance seats and not the carbon ceramic brakes... which the other 3 had (again 2 were launch cars).. I generally think CCB's w/ perf seats (go hand in hand sometimes?)... until someone changes this build lol

2018 E63W4S $104,400 ($126375 w/options)
040 Black
561 AMG Black Nappa Leather w/Silver Stitching
B28 B28 AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package II: Carbon Fiber Elements: $1,750
B28 : AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Components II
U93 : AMG Carbon Fiber Trunk Lid Spoiler
H73 AMG Carbon Fiber Trim $2,850
L6I AMG Nappa/DINAMICA Performance Steering Wheel
P04 P04 AMG Premium Package for AMG Performance Seats: Power Rear $3,600
K32 : Steering Code
K33 : Extended Restart by STOP and GO Traffic
P47 : Parking Pilot w/ Surround View System
23P : Driver Assistance Package
233 : DISTRONIC PLUS (with PRE-SAFE Brake)
266 : DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
463 : Head-Up Display with AMG Specific Content
501 : Surround View Camera
513 : Speed Limit Assist
540 : Power Rear-Window Sunshade
546 : Speed Limit Pilot
RTS 20" AMG Black Forged Cross-Spoke Wheels $1,700
U78 AMG Performance Exhaust System $1,250
Y04 Silver Seat Belts
319 319 AMG Advanced Lighting Package: LED Intelligent Light System, $1,500
P35 : Lighting Package
608 : Adaptive Highbeam Assist
640 : LED Intelligent Light System
413 Panorama Sunroof $1,000
51U Black Fabric Headliner
521 521 AMG Night Package: High-Gloss Black Elements: Front Splitter, $750
P60 : AMG Exterior Night Styling
U50 : AMG Night Package Steering Code
555 AMG Performance Seats $2,500
773 773 AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package I: Carbon Fiber Elements: Fron $2,950
773 : AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Components I
872 Heated Rear Seats $580
883 Soft-Close Doors $550

SUBTOTAL $125,380
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $995
TOTAL $126,375

 

AMG performance seats can be fairly uncomfortable and it depends on the car
I had them on my GLA 45 and despite the fact that they did not bother me , every one driving the car or is a passenger complained about them
I drove/rode in my friend's GTS , and the seats were very annoying for any drive longer than 30 minutes
I have a 2016/E63 and love the comfort seats .I wish they had a little bit more support. I am in the process of switching to this gen. E63 and will not order the performance seat

 

As far as I know/can tell, the perf seats in all AMGs are about the same .. from a C43 to a AMG GTR... maybe Im wrong.. but the space and angles could be different.

Good point though about the other people... my wife is gonna hate the seats haha.. hat'll keep her in her car lol

 

susman, when do you start ordering 2019 models? Are the DOGs out yet?

 

I agree that all performance seats are the same, but the cars suspension setup/tires are different, so this explains some of the variations among different models

 

I tried both, and no way I could drive in the performance seats every day. I am 6'3 with fairly large legs and the leg bolsters just didn't have enough adjustment. I wish I could have made it work as I loved the look, especially in the first edition with the black chrome.

 

I went with ordering multicontour. I always liked the air bolstered seats when I had them in my '06 E55. Plus clients will tend to enjoy the comfort over brute sport in the car. I tried the performance seats in the CLA and they were too tight for me. E class was different, but I do like the massage options.

 

Bumping this thread to give my $0.02.

I bought a used '18 yesterday after debating ordering a new '20. I would not have specced a new car with the performance seats however the used '18 does have them. I was a little apprehensive to purchase this car due to the seats as I have mild radiculopathy (it is very nicely optioned otherwise). I get R leg numbness in my '14 wagon if sitting for more than 90 mins or so ('regular' base seats).

I actually flew out to IN to take delivery of this car & was concerned about the 9 hour drive back home. The concern was unwarranted as the seats are very comfortable & supportive. The first leg of the drive back home was uninterrupted for 4 hours & I had very minimal if any numbing. No issues the rest of the drive home either.

Bottom line, I highly recommend the performance seats (& they certainly look the part too!)

 

here’s my feedback as well on this...for anyone still mulling it over. my previous W213 E63 wagon had the comfort seats, and the new one has the performance seats.

i’ve now driven 1,700 miles in the new wagon, and literally just finished a 5-hour trip from LA to SF.

i was concerned about the livability of the performance seats, since i’m 6’2” and around 240 pounds. i can honestly say that i find them more comfortable than the “comfort” seats. and in the canyons they provide a lot more support. the only downside is that they don’t have the massage function, but that always felt more gimmicky than practical to me anyways. added bonus: my wife likes them better than the other ones too.

 

Same here, I was surprised when my wife said she liked the sport seats after our trip to Monterey.
The comfort seats are a gimmick, the only thing lacking with the sport seats is the lack of any real ventilation and a noisy fan..

 

Had my 2019 E63 for 6 months, I did 2 track days and 2 rallies. Also use it as my daily. I prefer the performance seats over the comfort ones. I drove a friends 18 e63 with the comfort seats and personally could not get into a good driving position. I am a bit short compared to post people, I am 5'8 and 190lbs stocky build. Plus you get alittle extra leg room in the back and they look much nicer too.