Heated seats in e46 coupe

[stub101]

Ive heard recently that the heater elements are already fitted into all e46's seats and that it is quite a simple retrofit - is this true?

Has anyone done this mod, as my ass is freezing while going 2 work at daft o clock until the cars warmed up! Id be interested in knowing the cost as well to see if it would actually be worth it.

[peppernick]

Unless you've seen the heater filaments yourself, I'm not sure if all seats come with them. It might just be a rumour or it might be true.

If you have the filaments, then all you need are THESE (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV52&mospid=47644&btnr=52_2921&hg=52&fg=95) (again not sure if they are still available, from the discription it looks like they have been discontinued)

[Chaos]

Been looking into this recently. The general assumption I believe is that electric memory seats come with the heater elements in place, and non-electric seats don't. I don't know if that's gospel, but it's worked in the cars I've checked thus far, and I can certainly confirm that not all e46 seats have the elements.

It's not just plug and play too, you seem to need a loom wired in aswell as the switch done for the dash. Nothing major, but it's not as easy as say putting folding mirrors onto an electric memory car, for example. Hopefully get to the bottom of it soon (ooerr).

[Vin]

if it costs less than £320 (front heated seat option) which it sounds like it will, we will actually make a saving. sounds like its sub £150 price retrofit, let us know if works.

[Ian E]

I don't think they come with the heating element but might be wrong.
I was going to ask if anybody had done this to.

[mysticm3]

BMW parts brochure actually show that you can retrofit the heated seats but says contact dealer for more info. Chaos said we need the new panel and loom and also needs to get the car reprogrammed by the dealer which doesn't sound too bad.

chaos and me had a discussion about this if it's too complicated I don't think BMW would list this in their own brochure as we all know how bad their so called master technicians are like lol :p

[CA Automotive UK]

FYI ....

we just finished retrimming a 2003 E46 M3 with full electric everything , and there were no heating elements inside . We know this because we had to fit
aftermarket heated seat kit

[mysticm3]

doh that kills ever hope then haha :eek:

[Vin]

hpoefully electric memory sport seats might be different to the m3 seats

[BigFas]

I've got a 2002 E46 vert with SE seats and I definitely have the elements

[bmwboy73]

I looked into this for my sport cab...it came with standard alcantara seats and heated elements but didn't have the necessary loom. However someone on the bmwcarmagazine forum just bought a switch panel and fitted it to his car (which had leather as standard) and it worked for him.

Ask the parts dept in you local $tealer if you've got the correct loom...they'll need your chassis no. I'm not sure how to find this out from the online parts catalogue. Then if you've got the leather interior as standard, suggest you look for a set of switches for the centre console from a scrapyard and try it out.

I've got BMW workshop guides on fitting the heated elements and wiring loom...PM me if you want copies but IMHO it's too much hassle.

[Chaos]

You can't just buy the switch from a breaker unless you're really lucky and it has the same components as your current one (roof, tyre pressure sensor, etc, etc). They're only about 30 quid from the dealer I think, so may aswell go that route rather than spend all you'll save on phone calls and petrol.

I think I may buy the console and try it anyway. Even if I don't have the loom or the elements, it'll be worth it to confuse the hell out of the monkeys when it's time for a service. :p

[whitey]

mine are the non sport electric memory seat if i can help what im i looking for

[Chaos]

Quickest way to check if you have the easy option is to check if the loom is present under the seats - page 8 of: http://home.comcast.net/~fmzip/heated_seats.pdf After that, if the answer's no, it's a matter of taking a seat out and having a look underneath AFAIK.

[whitey]

wife's driving the vert this week ill look in the morning after night shift if it is the BONUS ill be doing this mod freezing sitting in those seats :mad:

[Davidch]

Yeah My M3 2003 seats, have not got the element in there! Shame really and my old 2001 sport seats didn't have them either!

[paul323ci]

hi i have 2000 323ci with electric memory leather seats, does any one know if they would have element in them?
Paul

[Ade]

Does anyone have any pics of what the elements look like? I've had a quick gander under under my seats and think i 'may' have them.
There's a couple of square units under the seats that resemble the square boxes on the Diagaram supplied by Chaos.... Is this them?
I'm off to BM to buy the parts and get them fitted if they are, no more cold arse in the mornings for me :p

[Chaos]

Well I'm gonna buy-it-and-try-it some time next week if I get a few mins spare - if anyone wants to do it first then be my guest, just take pics along the way and we can be the first forum I know of with a comprehensive e46 write-up. :)

[whitey]

:mad: dont think i have them

[m3cslboy]

I have heated seats on my E36 M3, i've only used them like 3 times in abour 3.5 years of ownership and i think 2 times my hand accidently hit the button.

Stage 1 feels like a light fart whearas stage 3 burns your ass. Totally useless !! but its nice to have the console buttons!