How important are heated seats?

BanziBarn · 12-12-2009, 01:42 AM

Need to make a decision!

Been offered a 2009 Black 330d Msport Auto saloon with cream leather, Media with BT, 6FL, privacy glass and the Alpine hifi upgrade.

But, the car doesn't have heated seats.... how important are heated seats with cold winter leather?

I've been looking for a while for a car and it's pretty hard to get a used one with all extras I want - this one gets pretty close so I need to decide whether the seats are a deal breaker.

Any advice appreciated!

Cheers all

Ti Rich · 12-12-2009, 02:03 AM

Best £250 i ever spent!

If you have leather then heated seats are a must in my opinion!

- Paul - · 12-12-2009, 02:20 AM

I didn't have them on the e90 so didn't miss them - I soon got used to the cold leather during the winter. Now I have them - I will make sure I get them on any future car - they are lovely!

Rushall · 12-12-2009, 02:29 AM

I've got heated seats in my E92 but not in my Boxster - heated seats are fab and I use them much more than I would have expected, but personally I wouldn't choose a car, that otherwise meets your needs, based on whether it has heated seats or not! We're men for christ's sakes!

BanziBarn · 12-12-2009, 02:36 AM

HaHa, yeah, good point.

My only concern is about the initial feeling of cold, because I know that after a fews mins the seat will be at body tempreture anyway. But as I understand, its takes a few mins to heat up anyway so I'd still have the initial "brrrr" even with the feature.

- Paul - · 12-12-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

HaHa, yeah, good point.

My only concern is about the initial feeling of cold, because I know that after a fews mins the seat will be at body tempreture anyway. But as I understand, its takes a few mins to heat up anyway so I'd still have the initial "brrrr" even with the feature.

Exactly -

Martin 335d · 12-12-2009, 03:07 AM

Heated seats are a must with leather in the UK IMO

335DPOWER · 12-12-2009, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

Best £250 i ever spent!

If you have leather then heated seats are a must in my opinion!

+1

a1reader · 12-12-2009, 04:23 AM

It is true that they do take a few minutes to warm up, but there is no doubt that they make a big difference. If you are speccing a new car it is a must in my opinion. Hope this helps.

BanziBarn · 12-12-2009, 04:37 AM

It's a used car so I can't spec it

Need to decide what to do! Its very tempting to know I could be sitting behind almost 400ft/lbs before Xmas!

Need to take a decisive pill.

NFS · 12-12-2009, 04:58 AM

I couldn't care less about heated seats and would never even dream of spending money on them.

I've had cars with them and never used them.

NightVisitant · 12-12-2009, 04:58 AM

Had them on an E90 and never switched them on
Don't have them spec'd on the E60 and don't ever find myself wishing it had them.

Note however, the car is garaged so the interior is not as chilly in the mornings when compared to street parking.

I'm sure your derriere spends more time outdoors in the cold than the time it takes a car to warm up and blow hot air - that's my personal opinion. I'd take it.

Best of luck, whatever your decision

Should also add that leather and heat combined is a no-no for longevity, and I've often seen impressions of the heating element on the leather of the seat base.

PhilL · 12-12-2009, 05:07 AM

I love them, and would definitely spec them on any car with leather. Warms you up much quicker on a cold day while the heater is still getting to temperature.

Nothing better from getting in tired and muddy after a day in the great outdoors and putting the heated seats on. I find it soothes me when I've got backache too.

Snooky · 12-12-2009, 05:26 AM

I think they are really-nice-to-have rather than a must. Would always spec them if ordering but wouldn't miss out on a good used car just because of this.

Can theybe retro-fitted? Do a search on here as I think it might be possible to have them retrofitted. Not sure though.

MOB · 12-12-2009, 05:34 AM

They are great, but I could live without them if the car was otherwise perfect spec

Steve A · 12-12-2009, 06:13 AM

For me heated seats are absolutely a MASSIVE must, i love a warm back and dont want to get piles

i have them on all the time

Proudest_Monkey · 12-12-2009, 06:17 AM

If you are getting a good deal on the car, i wouldn't say no because it didn't have heated seats! Is it a retrofit option?

BanziBarn · 12-12-2009, 06:23 AM

I looked into retrofit and I think that could be quite pricey.

Mixed bag of opinions then. Think I might just wait for the Stealer to call and make a decision on the spot.

I suppose, if I did get it, the excitement of having it would make me forget any thought of heated seats anyway!

Think I'm going to go for it........ !

SoYank · 12-12-2009, 06:24 AM

If you go with the car without them there are seat pads that you can put on the seat that plug into the power outlet (if you have that) to give you the same effect.

Heated Car Seats

Proudest_Monkey · 12-12-2009, 06:26 AM

When i was looking for a car, i wasn't looking for heated seats. It's just a bonus that i found one with them! I could live without them though!

Irnbrukid · 12-12-2009, 06:38 AM

If the car has leather i'd say they are a must. If cloth or alcantara not important

a1reader · 12-12-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irnbrukid

If the car has leather i'd say they are a must. If cloth or alcantara not important

I thought you couldn't get heated seats unless the car has leather seats??

12-12-2009, 01:42 AM	#1
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	How important are heated seats? Need to make a decision! Been offered a 2009 Black 330d Msport Auto saloon with cream leather, Media with BT, 6FL, privacy glass and the Alpine hifi upgrade. But, the car doesn't have heated seats.... how important are heated seats with cold winter leather? I've been looking for a while for a car and it's pretty hard to get a used one with all extras I want - this one gets pretty close so I need to decide whether the seats are a deal breaker. Any advice appreciated! Cheers all
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12-12-2009, 02:03 AM	#2
Ti Rich Major 310 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: Porsche Macan S D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dudley, West Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	Best £250 i ever spent! If you have leather then heated seats are a must in my opinion!
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12-12-2009, 02:20 AM	#3
- Paul - Major General 695 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	I didn't have them on the e90 so didn't miss them - I soon got used to the cold leather during the winter. Now I have them - I will make sure I get them on any future car - they are lovely! __________________ My Photos
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12-12-2009, 02:29 AM	#4
Rushall Private First Class 6 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 335d Coupe / Boxster S 987 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I've got heated seats in my E92 but not in my Boxster - heated seats are fab and I use them much more than I would have expected, but personally I wouldn't choose a car, that otherwise meets your needs, based on whether it has heated seats or not! We're men for christ's sakes!
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12-12-2009, 02:36 AM	#5
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	HaHa, yeah, good point. My only concern is about the initial feeling of cold, because I know that after a fews mins the seat will be at body tempreture anyway. But as I understand, its takes a few mins to heat up anyway so I'd still have the initial "brrrr" even with the feature.
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12-12-2009, 03:07 AM	#7
Martin 335d First Lieutenant 22 Rep 302 Posts Drives: E91 335d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (1)	Heated seats are a must with leather in the UK IMO
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12-12-2009, 04:23 AM	#9
a1reader Evolve tuned... 9 Rep 291 Posts Drives: E93 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wilts, England iTrader: (-1)	It is true that they do take a few minutes to warm up, but there is no doubt that they make a big difference. If you are speccing a new car it is a must in my opinion. Hope this helps.
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12-12-2009, 04:37 AM	#10
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	It's a used car so I can't spec it Need to decide what to do! Its very tempting to know I could be sitting behind almost 400ft/lbs before Xmas! Need to take a decisive pill.
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12-12-2009, 04:58 AM	#11
NFS Major General 275 Rep 9,218 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I couldn't care less about heated seats and would never even dream of spending money on them. I've had cars with them and never used them.
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12-12-2009, 04:58 AM	#12
NightVisitant Private First Class 12 Rep 169 Posts Drives: BMW F10 M-Sport 2011 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Had them on an E90 and never switched them on Don't have them spec'd on the E60 and don't ever find myself wishing it had them. Note however, the car is garaged so the interior is not as chilly in the mornings when compared to street parking. I'm sure your derriere spends more time outdoors in the cold than the time it takes a car to warm up and blow hot air - that's my personal opinion. I'd take it. Best of luck, whatever your decision Should also add that leather and heat combined is a no-no for longevity, and I've often seen impressions of the heating element on the leather of the seat base.
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12-12-2009, 05:07 AM	#13
PhilL Captain 62 Rep 629 Posts Drives: M2, F15 X5 4.0d Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Middle Lands iTrader: (0)	I love them, and would definitely spec them on any car with leather. Warms you up much quicker on a cold day while the heater is still getting to temperature. Nothing better from getting in tired and muddy after a day in the great outdoors and putting the heated seats on. I find it soothes me when I've got backache too.
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12-12-2009, 05:26 AM	#14
Snooky Major 40 Rep 1,167 Posts Drives: Audi RS5 Sportback Carbon Blac Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Livingston, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I think they are really-nice-to-have rather than a must. Would always spec them if ordering but wouldn't miss out on a good used car just because of this. Can theybe retro-fitted? Do a search on here as I think it might be possible to have them retrofitted. Not sure though. __________________ Still missing my E92 335i M Sport!
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12-12-2009, 05:34 AM	#15
MOB Major 56 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	They are great, but I could live without them if the car was otherwise perfect spec __________________
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12-12-2009, 06:13 AM	#16
Steve A Brigadier General 96 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: too much Join Date: May 2007 Location: Manchester UK iTrader: (0)	For me heated seats are absolutely a MASSIVE must, i love a warm back and dont want to get piles i have them on all the time __________________ C350 cdi sport estate facelift 457lbft 130i M SportMercedes C350 CDI Sport Estate AutoMini Cooper Auto.Mercedes E250 CGI,Lexus IS-F,R36, RS4 Saloon,ML 420 CDI SPORT,M6, 335d, C55, C32, M3, M5, S3, ALL SOLD but fondly remembered
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12-12-2009, 06:17 AM	#17
Proudest_Monkey New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E92 325d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cardiff iTrader: (0)	If you are getting a good deal on the car, i wouldn't say no because it didn't have heated seats! Is it a retrofit option?
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12-12-2009, 06:23 AM	#18
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I looked into retrofit and I think that could be quite pricey. Mixed bag of opinions then. Think I might just wait for the Stealer to call and make a decision on the spot. I suppose, if I did get it, the excitement of having it would make me forget any thought of heated seats anyway! Think I'm going to go for it........ !
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12-12-2009, 06:24 AM	#19
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	If you go with the car without them there are seat pads that you can put on the seat that plug into the power outlet (if you have that) to give you the same effect. Heated Car Seats __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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12-12-2009, 06:26 AM	#20
Proudest_Monkey New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E92 325d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cardiff iTrader: (0)	When i was looking for a car, i wasn't looking for heated seats. It's just a bonus that i found one with them! I could live without them though!
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12-12-2009, 06:38 AM	#21
Irnbrukid Major 45 Rep 1,486 Posts Drives: Imaginary M2 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	If the car has leather i'd say they are a must. If cloth or alcantara not important
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