Retro fit heated seats (comfort seat)

[justin0]

Has anyone tried retrofitting heated comfort seats, I have comfort seats fitted and have seen a couple of posts mentioning that comfort seats have heating elements fitted as standard. I have tried fitting a switch set with heated seat buttons and everything works apart from seat switches. Will this feature require BMW switching on? or is it a myth that seats are fitted with elements?

The fuses in box are present, anyone aware of any relays?

Does anyone have a wiring diagram, I am unable to access the WDS wiring diagram due to security issues with my PC..

Cheers

[petert]

I fitted heated sports seats with lumbar support to my previous E53 and once the switch pack was plugged in the heating elements worked - no need to do anything with relays etc. Sounds to me like the seats you have fitted don't have hating elements. Let me check though: you are talking about an E53 and not an E70 aren't you? because I'd expect that on an E70 the car, seats and switches would have to be coded to respond to each other.

Peter T

[ChrisLux]

I have an '05 3.0d with Comfort seats fitted with leather , and the aux.heater , but no
Heated Seats , and I wanted to retro fit them , cos a friends just done it on his E36 and it was
£300 all sorted .

So I foned my 'local' dealer , Benhams in W-ton and gave my chassis number and asked for the
'kit' to do it .

They told me you have to buy the leather cover with an integrated heating element , you can't
just fit an element like you can on E36/E39's .

They quoted me ; £475 (x2) seat pads , £570 (x2) seat backs , £380 console switch .
That's £2470 parts only , no labour !!!

So if you find something different to that I'd be very interested coz I'm not gonna spend that
when the original extra was only about £500 from factory , no matter how much I love heated
seats !!

Chris

[ChrisLux]

After calling the main dealer , I decided to do some more digging , so I called my 'local' Independant , BM EuroService ,
and after some investigation , they called me back to say that according to the details (Chassis number etc) that I gave
them , all that was needed was a retro-fit console switch £360+VAT plus a £30 re-code , because the car is fitted with
all necessary wiring/elements etc , it's just they have to be 'switched on' .
So I'm hoping that's right , and I'll get it done .

Chris

[justin0]

Interesting stuff, I also did some digging today with a BMW dealer in West Wales and it has been confirmed that you can not purchase heating elements for the comfort seat, which would suggest that the seat is manufactured with elements included. They did however check the part numbers for the retro fit items and they come back as PDC retro fitting?

The guy has contacted BMW technical and they suggested buying the retro kit & heating elements in order to retro fit the heating option! WTF! Don't they have the information to assist their outlets?

I am trying to obtain a wiring diagram of the system to confirm what I have thus far, I have fitted a 2nd hand switch pack and all buttons work except the seat heat buttons..

Any further ideas appreciated.

I would like to know if the function does require setting up via the BMW network.

[justin0]

Hi Petert,

E53 yes, Intravee spot on too, cheers, hope all good over the pond!

[petert]

You and Pete - both satisfied customers! (I have a ski chalet that i rent out by the way...)
Chrislux - i bought a complete interior - nappa leatehr seats and all the door cards and the centre console that included the necessary switch pack for 400 pounds. The do come up on ebay for around this much - maybe a little more. On the old site i did a 'How to' guide on how to change out the interior. I'll try to find it and resubmit it on this site. Also, I thought that the switch panel including the heated seat switches was only about 120 pounds, though I stand to be corrected.

Peter T

[Pete]

Must admit, now the temp has dropped a little more, the heated seats are a great extra that I wouldn't want to be without

[justin0]

I had a bit of spare time today and thought I would pull the back off my comfort seat and pull the leather cover off a bit to see if there is a heating element on the seat cover, I couldn't see any wiring to cover? it would appear this may be a lost cause!

The wiring diagrams I have obtained show a seat back & base circuit!

BMW don't have a part number or part listed for a seat element, I'm confused

I have all the wires at the switch unit, and as far as I can see the wiring at seat base.. perhaps there is an aftermarket kit available?

I may be forced to abandon this exercise...

[bigshout]

I wouldn't think they would fit an element for the sake of it, it wouldn't make sence for BMW to do this as they would be loosing money on every sale. Personally I thought all comfort seats came with heated seats, as part of the comfort package, mine do. I have to agree the heated elements do the trick and yesterday heading out at 5.00am they felt like they were giving me a hug.

[petert]

Splashed out and got them in the back on my leased E70 (and the heated steering wheel is nice in the cold weather too!)
Always wanted to retrofit the heated rear seats in the E53 but couldn't find seats witht the elements in second hand.
There is a supplier of elements and switches in the US that looked good but never got around to doing enough research to make the purchase.
Peter T

[justin0]

Can anyone who has heated comfort seats please take a photograph of the underside of the seat, particuarly the location of the seat heating connection.

I realise this is a bit difficult to do, great if possible!

It would be interesting to confirm if an aftermarket element kit would work with the OEM switch pack, the OEM heated switch pack is considerably larger than a non heat switch pack. It is possible that this is also the control unit and therefore should operate any heat element with varying voltage/heat output.

TBC

[X MAN]

Not sure about any relays but if fuses are present for heated seats or for any other option for that matter
then chances are your car is pre-wired for that option. Now, to check wheather or not you have the heat
elements fitted to your front seats slide your finger across your seat were the backrest meets the bottom
part of your seat,if you feel a bump near the middle heat elements are also fitted.

[justin0]

Had a look and no bump at centre of seat base! All fuses etc present, got the switch, it would appear no pads..

Aftermarket route with OEM switch pack, will it or wont it?

If the elements are just a simple circuit and the pads dont contain any control functions, the OEM switch pack must control everything. I will have to consult an electrician on this one!

Cheers for any advice, Ill keep you posted.

[lezmtaylor]

I've got comfort seats, have checked for the hump!!!! which aint there, so presume not fitted.
Lez