DogWood

For those of you who have the vented seat option, does it help keep you comfortable on those long warm weather drives?
right now they are on my "must have" list, but I was reading a thread in another group where they w=talked about how wimpy the vented seats are in the Panamera

should I move them from "must" to "would be nice"?

vkb123

DogWood

Thanks, yes the heated seats are a must, I've gotten used to having them in my wife's Jeep, that and a heated steering wheel :-)

lexhair

If it's a choice between heated steering wheel and ventilated seats, it's the heated steering wheel all day, every day. I've got both but don't use the ventilated seat near as often as I use the heated steering wheel.

skiracer

I had them in my Audi A8L W12 and they weren't very useful - I just heard more noise. I also have them in my PTT and in contrast I find them quiet and very effective in those hot summer days. Definitely a luxury item, but I really like mine!

DogWood

Thanks Jim, sounds like they can be hit or miss, guess I will keep them up there as desirable feature, but not a deal breaker if they aren't there.

golfnutintib

short answer -- barely

MaxLTV

I find them useful. They make no noise at any power besides max power (then they sound like a vacuum cleaner), and they do a good job of cooling down the seat preventing sweat stains, especially if a car has been parked in the sun. Also useful when having people in the car who get cold easily. My mom always is worried about too much AC giving her a cold, so I set AC to 75F but run cooled seats and all if perfect. I also love cooled seats in my 911 TTS, particularly when at a track. I know it sounds like a sacrilege, but they keep me less tired & dehydrated and enable me to run longer days. So I would get them.

Now massage seats are a different question - not sure if I want them or not.

SaratogaLefty

For me the heated steering wheel is totally worthless because I live in California and I didn't order it. The seat cooling however is something that is very nice to have based on my experience with my Lexus LS so I did order it. Not sure how good the actual cooling is on the Panamera however since I don't have any firsthand experience yet. Interestingly last Spring I was in the Atlanta area and stopped by a Porsche Dealer to see the new (at that time) Panameras. The dealer had received two "launch cars" (one 4S and one Turbo) and he was very upset with Porsche because they didn't have the seat cooling/ventilation feature. He said he would not be able to give the cars away because nobody will buy a luxury car in the Southeast that doesn't have seat cooling. So it really all depends on where you live. If it gets hot in your area you will welcome the ventilated cooling seats for sure. If it gets extremely cold then the heated steering wheel probably makes sense.

justabout

I was a little disappointed in the seat ventilation compared to my previous car (Jaguar). I cured that feeling by not turning on the seat ventilation then realized it makes an appreciable difference in comfort. You get used to it and want more but it’s a desirable option in warmer weather. Panny (970). My 991 has very cold AC so seat cooling is unecessary for me.

DogWood

thanks for the feedback guys

lexhair

Makes sense. It's also one of those things that you get very used to. My last ride had a keyless start, touch lock/locking, heated steering wheel, heated rears, voice control and soft close doors (2011 BMW 535GT). I'm getting along fine in my 14 Panamera but only have the heated wheel and heated seats front and back but I miss the soft close doors quite a bit.

cerbomark

A must have for comfort in my book. Use them even when it s not so hot on longer trips. Also use heat seat and steering wheel when needed.

NJS_04_996

I guess I find out this summer....signed on the dotted line this evening on a 2012 P4.

lexhair

Congrats!