Retrofit heated seats

[Redline]

Just following @windym and host seats thread and its bought me back to one of the upgrades I want to do. Just settling in my mind which way to do this.

I'm missing heated seats and so I'm wondering which way to go. Either try and keep the car as OEM as possible or go third party.

The slim chances of getting fully equipped replacement seats in the same colour and condition any time soon as well as the harness upgrades makes me think a third party retro fit solution might be easiest.

I don't expect to get the opportunity to have a go myself either - ok to work on a second set and swap them but working on the seat out of the car means it got to started and completed fairly quickly. I don't mind paying for someone to do the work.

Motor-Mods in Cheltenham do a strip and fit service for c£450 for both seats. That provides a dual setting arrangement with the switch in the seat if possible. I recall seeing a blanking for what I think is the electric lumber adjustment- that would provide a suitable location.

Anybody any experience of Motor-Mods from a quality point of view?
How much would none OEM heated seats impact the resale value? I would have thought if done well it would add a bit rather than reduce it.

 

[t-tony]

I tested a 2.5 Z4 Sport the other day and I did find the seats comfortable but was surprised to see that they weren't heated. I'm well attached to warm seats, last 3 cars have had them.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I have them in my old Merc but just can't get used to them. I feel like I've peed myself when they're on.

I can't see why retro fitted heated seats would affect your cars resale value, as long as they operate and look like standard fit.

 

[Mint]

...2.5 Z4 Sport the other day and I did find the seats comfortable...

mmmmm I could not get comfy in our Z4, after about an hour I'd get backache. Tried moving the seat in all sorts of ways but no good for me. @GazHyde swears by them though

 

[Redline]

mmmmm I could not get comfy in our Z4, after about an hour I'd get backache. Tried moving the seat in all sorts of ways but no good for me. @GazHyde swears by them though

I found that Heated seats are great if you have back trouble at any time of year. I generally use them for just 5 minutes in the Landy but the car is nice and warm by then, but, when the lower back muscles are giving it some, a ride with them on low works wonders. If I'm to do any top down winter driving then heated seats sounds a must.

To add pads the leather has to come off. Do they go back on properly afterwards?

 

[Redline]

I have them in my old Merc but just can't get used to them. I feel like I've peed myself when they're on.

I can't see why retro fitted heated seats would affect your cars resale value, as long as they operate and look like standard fit.

It wouldn't be the OEM switch above the ash-tray. But, I guess it still looks like they are not fitted unless you know where they do put the switch.

It's funny putting the heated seat on when there's a passenger doesn't know they're there

When it's -20C outside having the seats on a minute before you get in and drive off is fantastic. I normally spend a few minutes reorganising cars on the drive and defrosting them all together in the winter. Putting the seats on means it's more comfortable for the first few minutes. I have noticed the heater in the Z4 starts to put out warm air within 30 seconds. Never had a car that good
The Landy takes five minutes before it gives out any heat.

 

[t-tony]

Definitely agree on the Z4 heater Ian, I know we haven't had a frost (round these parts that is) this back end and my car sleeps in the garage but 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile and it's already warming up. Lovely!!

Tony.

 

[g8jka]

@gookah had them retrofitted in his first Z4. He may be along to help soon

 

[Redline]

@gookah had them retrofitted in his first Z4. He may be along to help soon

Thanks @g8jka

 

[oldcarman]

I've purchased the original switches and wiring off eBay and will install aftermarket seat pads when my upholstery is changed from beige to the brand new green leather I bought off eBay for £50.. Don't know how long my car will start without a block heater though once the temps drop into the -30c-40c and f range but till then a warm butt sounds great! JIM

 

[Redline]

That is getting a little on the cold side. Have had -27C when we were living in a house with virtually no heating Glasses of water on the bedside table froze overnight. The car (Mk1 Escort) still started every time thankfully. And, before anyone asks - the car was outside!

 

[gookah]

Thanks @g8jka

Yes I had aftermarket seat heaters fitted, They were 3 stage and the control buttons were fitted down the side of the seat squab in the plastics. I had the Msport seats also, Couldn't believe why someone would order them and not order the heating as well.
Much better and as said cost me £450. they came to my house in Telford but cannot remember the name of the company, sorry

 

[Antm72]

Some of the aftermarket heating pads are better than the standard stuff anyway as alot use the single wire what is woven around and if it snaps once it fails.
I brought an aftermarket set to repair the drivers seat in my last car a focus the pads came as a honeycomb allowing them to be tailored to any shape have cut outs made in them for fixings and work fine due to the multipule routes the circuit can take.
The kit came with a full harness and was 2 stage in heating worked well and the kit was not expensive i would imagine that most kits would be the same on a retro fit. I,m tempted to fit them to the zed as it doesn't have them but as most heating pads use a feed and earth i think it would be possible to use the stock loom in the car with the bmw switches and have the pads hard wired in may be worth asking if its possible?
Edit...
saying that it must be possible as i used all the stock ford stuff just retrofitted the pad 2 wires to get it working.

 

[Redline]

Yes I had aftermarket seat heaters fitted, They were 3 stage and the control buttons were fitted down the side of the seat squab in the plastics. I had the Msport seats also, Couldn't believe why someone would order them and not order the heating as well.
Much better and as said cost me £450. they came to my house in Telford but cannot remember the name of the company, sorry

Having them fitted at home sounds a great option. I'll search again to see who does this.

This is what I was looking at :-
http://www.motormods.co.uk/heated_seats.html

 

[Redline]

Some of the aftermarket heating pads are better than the standard stuff anyway as alot use the single wire what is woven around and if it snaps once it fails.
I brought an aftermarket set to repair the drivers seat in my last car a focus the pads came as a honeycomb allowing them to be tailored to any shape have cut outs made in them for fixings and work fine due to the multipule routes the circuit can take.
The kit came with a full harness and was 2 stage in heating worked well and the kit was not expensive i would imagine that most kits would be the same on a retro fit. I,m tempted to fit them to the zed as it doesn't have them but as most heating pads use a feed and earth i think it would be possible to use the stock loom in the car with the bmw switches and have the pads hard wired in may be worth asking if its possible?
Edit...
saying that it must be possible as i used all the stock ford stuff just retrofitted the pad 2 wires to get it working.

I'd picked up that some use a carbon matrix of some sort rather than a metallic element.

From what I've read, I don't think the loom in an 07 model has the power feed to the seat or the switch gear.

 

[Redline]

Thanks to @gookah, @oldcarman, @g8jka and everyone else for the advice and information - Much appreciated

 

[gookah]

Remembered
these were the guys:


http://www.trim-star.co.uk/#!heated-seats/c1i0s

 

[Redline]

Remembered
these were the guys:


http://www.trim-star.co.uk/#!heated-seats/c1i0s

Brilliant - Thank you

 

[andyglym]

Wouldn't be without my heated seats, having a glass back it's great to just go for a spin in the car with the seats on full chat for a while and my back feels great after.

 

[oldcarman]

Have had them in several cars now and sure miss it in the Zed!! I started accumulating parts as soon as my car arrived finally last summer, pretty much just need the pads now and my buddy to change over the covers. He'll also change my hood at the same time. Now if I can just get TOO! Onto a ship before the snow flies even more I'll be soooooo happy!