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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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After market non OEM seat heater kits?
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11-13-2018, 02:00 PM | #1 |
Old Guy
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After market non OEM seat heater kits?
I will be replacing the seat cushion on my drivers side sport seat shortly as the padding is wearing out on the outside bolster. The leather is still good so this is a preemptive repair to keep it that way. My car did not come with the heated seat option and it was never an issue with me. But since I will be disassembling my seat to do the cushion, my mind started wandering and I started searching.
There are many instances of people swapping seats, replacing the control unit and coding to get the end result. I've read where people have discussed using aftermarket pads and attempting to use the factory buttons. But I have not seen it done. One objection that keeps popping up is the look of aftermarket switches for the seat heaters being unsightly, which I completely understand. The last thing I would want is my car looking like Pep Boys on the inside. But what interests me the most is that I can not find anything on the internet regarding someone doing an aftermarket seat heater upgrade on an E9XXX anywhere. Because of this my curiosity increased and I called a few local automotive upholstery shops in the area and all of them said it can be done, but they all want $900 to $1000 do it. For those prices I would swap seats and do it the OEM way. Anyhow, is there an underlying reason why no one does this outside of what I listed above? |
11-13-2018, 02:03 PM | #2 |
Brigadier General
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Did it in a chrysler minvan once.
installed a rocker switch in the seat base plastic towards the door. You couldn't see it except when you got in. I imagine most don't do aftermarket because it's a PITA to take a seat cover off, and the OE option is plug and play. |
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11-13-2018, 02:07 PM | #3 |
Hoonigan
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I think what you listed is the reason why.
I have seat covers in my Jeep, and put in $50 heated seat pads from Amazon in between the seats and the covers. They came with the switches, wiring, etc. They heat up quite quickly and have worked great for 5 years now. Best $50 ever spent. Yeah, the switches don't look factory, but they work great. These are what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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11-13-2018, 02:30 PM | #4 | |
Old Guy
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Yes my 2000 TJ built for rock crawling has heated seats and my BMW doesn't... It also gets the garage and the BMW gets the driveway... It wasn't hard to do as I bought the hog ring pliers when I did it. |
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11-13-2018, 03:24 PM | #5 |
Save the manuals!
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you can install a generic aftermarket seat heating pad in your cushion and backrest, they tap into a power and ground and the button can be placed anywhere. It's not 100% OEM, but close. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-c...!-1:rk:18:pf:0
Something like the above. They have different stages and buttons too.
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11-13-2018, 03:56 PM | #6 |
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I did a heated seat kit in my oldmans '07 Duramax. Really easy with the way the GMC seats are designed. All you need to do is fine switched 12v and you're golden.
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11-13-2018, 10:52 PM | #7 |
Colonel
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you may consider my kit
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1512516 and ask Nicko43 to install it for you because you are both on the east US and he already disassembled seats and knew what to do
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11-14-2018, 09:50 AM | #8 |
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I know sometimes cars come installed with heating pads/elements to reduce production costs. Is that an option with E90 series? Do the seats already come with the heating element pre-installed and you just need the wiring/module along with coding and the button?
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11-14-2018, 10:44 AM | #9 |
Colonel
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if you order new seat cover as a spare part ($400-600 for a piece) it will be with heating mat
but from factory it is not installed if heating is not ordered
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11-14-2018, 06:27 PM | #10 | |
Old Guy
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11-16-2018, 12:19 AM | #11 | |
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in such seats used same heat modules as in mechanical seats for your seats you need to replace modules i can sell mats and control panel from my kit for $160 and recommend which modules for seats get from ebay
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