Retro-fit heated seats to X5

[Speed addicted]

I'm thinking about adding heated seats to my 2001 X5 D as the leather is flipping freezing at the moment.
Any ideas which parts I would need, and if it would be at all cost effective (cheap).
I'm thinking the under bonnet relays, dash switches and seat heater mat things.
Unless heated seats are totally different to non heated seats and it's not that simple?

[richyb]

I doubt it can be done cheaply. I think you would need to buy the seats complete rather than try to fit the heater element into your current ones. Specialist salvage websites might be a good try for used ones. I'd expect BMW to want a an arm and leg for the two (at a guess £1500 - £2K).

[roofer]

Or use the kit.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=FA72...

[henrycrun]

or some fluffy car seat covers ?

[Speed addicted]

Ah, I never thought to look for a kit. Cheers!

That's a good site too, it'll be handy for the more obscure parts on my 86 K100RT too if I ever get round to finishing it.

[richyb]

Brilliant site. Are all the parts numbers the same in the UK?

[Egbert Nobacon]

richyb said:

Brilliant site. Are all the parts numbers the same in the UK?

Yes - I often use this site if I can't find my TIS/EPC discs.

[richyb]

Excellent. I am in need of some very minor parts so this will be perfect. Unless anyone has a spare mount for the retaining straps in the boot of a E38 .

[Speed addicted]

I called BMW parts today, it looks considerbly cheaper to just buy another X5 that has heated seats already. The parts alone are about £1500, then you need to fit everything including taking the seats apart.

Ah well, thicker jacket it is then.

[richyb]

Something like this is never going to be cheap unfortunately. What are the seats like as standard?

[Speed addicted]

Cold.

(or did you mean something else?)

[richyb]

Speed addicted said:

Cold.

(or did you mean something else?)

Well I was hoping for a bit more detail but that will do. I would have thought they would be similar to the 7series so very adjustable and uber comfy.

[Speed addicted]

As mine is a sport I think they're the same as the ones in 5 series sports, electric adjustment with the 2 stage lumbar support. The SE seats have smaller bolsters.
They're really comfy, and firm enough that long journeys are fine, cant complain really! (unless it's about the temprature!)

[richyb]

Where in the UK are you? Its a little chilly here in London in the mornings but the cars heats up within a minute.

[Speed addicted]

Aberdeen, and since mine is fuelled with Diesel it takes a bit longer to warm up.
It's not that bad really, it's just that it looks like I'll have this car a bit longer than the usual year (unless I'd like to swap it for a bag of chips) due to the fall in prices. So I was thinking about making it more comfortable.
Although because I work offshore I don't do any commuting and it spends most of it's life blocking out the light on the drive.