Not As I Remember

[Don Coffey]

Hi Gang.

I've been using the heated steering wheel this week and although I enjoy he feature I feel that it doesn't seem to perform to the same level as I remember from my last X5 (E53 sold early 2007).  Now I am conscious that I maybe imagining just how good it was on the previous X5 as it seemed to heat up both quickly and rather warm.

On this car it seems to slowly get mildly warm and isn't consistent around the wheel.  So I suppose the question I'm asking is, does your steering wheel heat up quickly and feel very warm with a consistent temperature around the wheel, or as in my case, slowly warm up with an inconsistent temperature?  Maybe something to get looked at by dealer at next service.

Don

[Black X5]

Mine has the same wheel as yours and it warms up quicker than the seats. It is never as hot as the seats, but is 'toasty'. Not very scientific but hopefully you know what I mean.

Temperature is fairly consistent- but I have found the portion of the wheel facing 6 o'clock seems warmer (i have subsequently rotated the wheel through 180 degrees, and again what was the top and is now on the bottom seems warmer). I put it down to cold air around windscreen/vents cooling the top portion of the wheel.

Where is the inconsistent heating on your wheel?

[X5Sport]

+1 for consistent and fast warm up, not as warm as seats.  I usually switch it off again in under two mins.

Richard

[Don Coffey]

So maybe my memory hasn't exaggerated my thoughts.  What you guys describe is what I remember from the X5, this wheel is slower to heat up than the seats and although I don't expect it to be as hot as the seats, toastie is a good discription of what I would expect but don't get.

One for the warranty guys.

Don

[MJim]

Sadly this is an option that isn't available on M Sport cars.  Don't understand why as the proper M has similar steering wheel but with heating.  Surprised that BMW missed the usual opportunity to get more cash out of customers!

Hope you get it sorted soon and on those cold mornings, spare a thought for those of us in M Sports soldiering bravely on with chilly hands ...  )

[X5Sport]

You can't have it with the 'Performance' wheel either as it doesn't play nicely with the Alcantara Leather trim on the wheel.  No idea what the issue is, but heating is not an option.  Shame, coz I do like that wheel.....

This being said beastie.....

[Don Coffey]

Just been out for a drive.  Temperature +1.  Put the seat heating and steering wheel heating on at the same time.  Within a couple of minutes had to turn down seat heating to 1 bar.  I could feel slight heat in steering wheel but nothing much.  Couple of minutes later had to turn off seat heating, no increase in steering wheel heating.  Something not right.  Not really a big deal, will just wait till service (due Feb/March).

Thanks for the input guys.

Don

[Black X5]

Definitely sounds like something is wrong. I'd book it in asap- you want to enjoy the heated wheel during the cold spell! Especially after deicing the car )

[pvr]

Never had the feature, not one that I even ever thought of to be honest as I never have cold hands

[Don Coffey]

[quote="pvr"]
Never had the feature, not one that I even ever thought of to be honest as I never have cold hands
[/quote]

I'm not a cold person.  But find this a surprisingly pleasant feature.

Don

[535dboy]

Bunch of Jessies!

[Don Coffey]

[quote="535dboy"]
Bunch of Jessies!
[/quote]

Anyone can be uncomfortable.  ::)

Don

[Black X5]

[quote="535dboy"]
Bunch of Jessies!
[/quote]
Not as bad as an old Jap car I once drove- had a separate vent underneath the steering wheel to warm the crotch area!

[535dboy]

[quote="Black X5"]
[quote="535dboy"]
Bunch of Jessies!
[/quote]
Not as bad as an old Jap car I once drove- had a separate vent underneath the steering wheel to warm the crotch area!
[/quote]

Or divert the smell !

[Black X5]

Depends who was driving I suppose and what kind of mood they were in! )