Looking at E70's - seat options

[JF1980]

Hey guys,

My 2004 E53 is getting on a bit now.  I've had her for 7 years and on the whole she's been good to me but it's time to refresh.  I haven't been completely sure of what I'll replace her with - I'm looking for ~2012 model - I have considered a Discovery 4 (super-poor MPG is putting me off), ML350 (interior is really ugly), New Ford Edge (reports from US of poor build quality/rattles put me off) or another X5.

I'm leaning towards an LCI X5 for the above reasons.  My current E53 has the comfort seat option and compared to the standard sports seats I think it was an option well worth holding out for.  My family have a holiday home on the Spanish/French border so a trip down there entails around 10 hours of driving - mainly sitting on cruise on the motorway.  With my current car I can do this in one go without feeling too bad afterwards.  I would be very disappointed if I couldn't do the same in a newer vehicle.

Browsing ads on Autotrader and elsewhere it's really tough to find an E70 with comfort seats.  A few I've seen advertised with comfort seats don't look like it from the photos.  There seem to be a few different seat options for the E70:

1. Standard flat seat in SE models.
2. Standard sport seat in Sport models (is there also a lumbar support option added to this?)
3. Comfort seats (just one type or are there additional options?)

Any car without seat heating would be immediately eliminated from my search.

I was wondering what people's experience is with the different types of seats in the E70?

On a side note I'm really surprised how much used car prices have risen.  When I brought my 2004 model it was 4.5 years old with 40k on the clock.  It's fully loaded and cost me £17.5k from a main stealer with approved warranty etc.  Now an equivalent purchase looks like it'll set me back around £30k.  Stings as wages haven't risen at the same rate!

[99ron]

Found some images that look like the ones I have - Mine look like this in terms of controls.


and this...


Mine are black perforated leather as they are cooled as well as heated. When I was looking to buy I found cars without heated seats tended to be cheaper. There is soo much adjustment and all electric. The very top of the seat can be adjusted in/out. The bolsters can be adjusted for firmness and they release when you switch the car off, so the opposite effect is you feel them tighten around you when you get in.

Mine is a 2008 M Sport so pre LCI. Driven to the Costa Brava last year and the Italian Lakes the year before - one hit both ways. No seat issues 
Well worth finding one with these. Was thinking of downsizing to an X3 but the missus won't give these seats up in a hurry unless I can find an X3 with comfort seats (even rarer I should think).

[X5Sport]

Only one type of comfort seat, though ventilated option could be chosen.

Sport seats could be fitted with lumbar support as an option.

Comfort seats on the E70/71 are significantly better than the E53, so well worth holding out to find.  I had them in my E53 and specced them on the X6. Sport seats I find are just too 'grippy' for the car driver, and with adjustable side bolsters the comfort seats do a 'comfier' job. 

My X6 40d cost £64k back in 2011, and is now over £80k new (too much IMHO).  That is with options of course.

The LCI versions of both seem to be holding their value but I am surprised a 2011/2 model year would be worth the wrong side of £25k.  That would need to be an absolute mint, very high spec, low mileage example, and even then it's pushing it!

[bubbabear]

I have a 2012 LCI XDrive30 m sport with comfort seats and having had m sport and se before on previous bmws they are simply the best because they are adjustable in every way where as most upper parts of the seat do not adjust inwards and outwards. BMW seat heating is excellent compared to MB M class.

[mark hamster 28]

My 2009 m sport has comfort seats. Until i read this i guessed that most of them did on e70 models (m sport) ?  Probably be changing mine in about 6 months, must remember to state its got this, hopefully a good selling point.

[X5Sport]

They were expensive unless you specced Nappa soft leather, but they were still about £1,200 ISTR.

[JF1980]

Thanks guys this is really helpful.  I suspect quite a few probably have the comfort seats but neglect to mention it - knowing what the control panel looks like might help identify them.

Sounds like it is worth making sure I get these seats if I do go for an E70.  Something I like on the E53 comfort seats is that the flatter profile means less rubbing getting in/out so they wear much better.  Agree on the prices they seem to be holding up well.  I was expecting low 20's for a fully loaded approved used car; perhaps just a bit of a dry spell at the moment.  New prices are insane!  :blink:

[Abbot26]

Personally I love the comfort seats, so glad I managed to get an X5 with them fitted

[BullyB]

[quote="Abbot26"]
Personally I love the comfort seats, so glad I managed to get an X5 with them fitted
[/quote]

Me too, the most comfortable I have ever been in a car (apart from the back of an S class merc with massage feature)