E46 heated seat retrofit

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26-01-14, 14:10
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

*Warning, this could be the slowest thread to be updated on any forum :D*

So as a few know I bought my 00 318i SE saloon over two years ago. On the outside it's not the cleanest but very original. On the inside it has some great options so this is one of the reasons I bought it.

Options are:
Harmon Kardon sound system
Sunroof
Folding mirrors
Full half leather sport interior
MFSW

Options I've added:
Leather centre armrest
Centre cup holder and coin tray
Clubsport weighted 5spd gear knob
Msport steering wheel
Front load CD player
Full anthracite roof cloth

So tbh I'm pretty happy with what I have so far but still a few options I'm missing so this is the first big one I hope to do asap. Others on the list are BC button and rear blind.

So after doing some homework and discovering that the factory retrofit kit is not available any more I gathered together with the help of Johnh the parts I need for this.

Seat pads for sport seats
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/26/vumara7y.jpg

Switch pack with heated seat and rear blind buttons
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/26/vyqa8y8a.jpg

Loom that's part of the retrofit kit that's NLA
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/26/e3y7usen.jpg

Next up is to strip the passenger seat out and fit the pads, I need to keep the car mobile for as long as possible so ill learn the fuck ups on that one.
26-01-14, 14:32
Andy

E46 heated seat retrofit

Good man you will have it perfected by the time you do mine :D

Regards,

Andy
26-01-14, 15:12
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

So just for the craic I quickly swapped over the switch pack and must say she looks well.

Some day I'll add the "sport" button but that requires a bit more of retrofitting :D

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/27/u5y8e3uz.jpg

Join the que Andy :p
26-01-14, 15:22
John_D

E46 heated seat retrofit

Looking good Conor, would like this option myself but only if I stumble across a cheap set of grey cloth sport seats which are by all accounts rare as rocking horse poo.
26-01-14, 16:07
Don B

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Good man Conor, the heated seats are a great addition.

Are rear oower windows and digital climate a difficult DIY too? That'd complete the picture
26-01-14, 16:11
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_D

Looking good Conor, would like this option myself but only if I stumble across a cheap set of grey cloth sport seats which are by all accounts rare as rocking horse poo.

Is that not the interior I have with the grey cloth centres and leather bolsters?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don B

Good man Conor, the heated seats are a great addition.

Are rear oower windows and digital climate a difficult DIY too? That'd complete the picture

Both I'd say are difficult enough Donal, doubt try wiring is there for the rear windows and it's a full dash out job inc adding on AC for the climate control. Tbh both are no addition to me so not worth it.
26-01-14, 16:46
John_D

E46 heated seat retrofit

The colour I'm talking about is light grey, like this:
I'm starting to doubt if they can be had at all tbh

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/27/eha3a4u8.jpg

Dark would look out of place in my car, ie my wife would notice.
26-01-14, 18:34
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_D

The colour I'm talking about is light grey, like this:
I'm starting to doubt if they can be had at all tbh

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/27/eha3a4u8.jpg

Dark would look out of place in my car, ie my wife would notice.

Never seen them in that colour in cloth. Had contemplated either black alcantara or M3 seats but Johnh talked me out of it :D
26-01-14, 18:45
Don B

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Never seen them in that colour in cloth. Had contemplated either black alcantara or M3 seats but Johnh talked me out of it :D
[/quote]

You're not changing your seats are you? The ones in there are great
26-01-14, 18:51
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don B

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Never seen them in that colour in cloth. Had contemplated either black alcantara or M3 seats but Johnh talked me out of it :D

You're not changing your seats are you? The ones in there are great
[/quote]

No not now, just give them a good clean and maybe let Austin redye the bolsters.
26-01-14, 21:05
E36Austin

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don B

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Never seen them in that colour in cloth. Had contemplated either black alcantara or M3 seats but Johnh talked me out of it :D

You're not changing your seats are you? The ones in there are great

No not now, just give them a good clean and maybe let Austin redye the bolsters.
[/quote]

Ah thanks Conor.
Your still not getting my M3 Leather/Alcantara front seats:tounge:

Maybe best while you have the to seat lads off the you swap over the driver and passenger seat pads. Just means you have a stronger driver bolster and a lot more life left in the seat.
09-02-14, 14:06
HealyC

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

I said this would be the slowest thread ever for updates but since the new E46 this is put on hold for a few weeks.
09-02-14, 14:18
318 iS Cosmos

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

I said this would be the slowest thread ever for updates but since the new E46 this is put on hold for a few weeks.

Did I miss something? What e46 did you get Conor? :cool:
09-02-14, 14:20
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Imola Red 2 E46 316i sport saloon, aka the missus's new car http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/09/y4ysena4.jpg
09-02-14, 14:24
318 iS Cosmos

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Imola Red 2 E46 316i sport saloon, aka the missus's new car http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/09/y4ysena4.jpg

We're moving off topic but that looks like a clean car Conor..colour is alright i suppose:happy:
11-02-14, 20:16
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Recovered one of the seats in an anti bolster wear and anti dirt cover :D

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/12/zuqe7edy.jpg

Would be nice to have them in the mornings this week :(
11-02-14, 21:48
JohnH

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Would be nice to have them in the mornings this week :(

Thought the same myself when I sat onto the ice cold seat at 5am this morning.
25-05-14, 15:46
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

Connor did that loom come from the german on ebay ?

Any chance you could take a picture of the connections on the heated seat pads please whenever you get a chance [emoji2]
25-05-14, 16:58
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Connor did that loom come from the german on ebay ?

Any chance you could take a picture of the connections on the heated seat pads please whenever you get a chance [emoji2]

No got it here Gar, not too dear afaik. Yeah I'll take a pic of them later on. Did you get buttons yet?
25-05-14, 17:03
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

Cheers conor appreciated, haven't picked buttons up yet probably wont fit till middle of the summer picked out a button panel though going to go with this as once the seats are in its nice and simple to add the blind http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/26/ava9aqe5.jpg
25-05-14, 18:17
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Cheers conor appreciated, haven't picked buttons up yet probably wont fit till middle of the summer picked out a button panel though going to go with this as once the seats are in its nice and simple to add the blind http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/26/ava9aqe5.jpg

Here a pic of the block connector on each of the two pads. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/26/ahape6y9.jpg

I'm assuming you have the button block similar to the above one you posted and you have DSC not ASC? If so you need this loom 61116902941
25-05-14, 18:26
Gar

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Cheers connor mine is asc but finding an asc panel is a lot harder there identical on the back as its a facelift car and the dsc button just performs the asc buttons function

I just wanted to see the seat block connectors as the mats I got off john were for the e70(there labeled e90) from that guy on ebay.de I wanted to see if there was any difference
25-05-14, 18:34
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

My mystic meg ball predicts a lot of swearing and punching the dash ahead when I start this one [emoji1]

I must check realoem for these connections , what will you plug that plug into I dont see any connector blocks on the retrofit cable
25-05-14, 18:40
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

My mystic meg ball predicts a lot of swearing and punching the dash ahead when I start this one [emoji1]

I must check realoem for these connections , what will you plug that plug into I dont see any connector blocks on the retrofit cable

I'll hopefully be doing it in a few weeks but from what I can gather that plug goes into the main plug that's already under the seats that connects up the airbags etc......
[hr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

My mystic meg ball predicts a lot of swearing and punching the dash ahead when I start this one [emoji1]

I must check realoem for these connections , what will you plug that plug into I dont see any connector blocks on the retrofit cable

I'll hopefully be doing it in a few weeks but from what I can gather that plug goes into the main plug that's already under the seats that connects up the airbags etc......

If you fit the pads to both seats ill sort out the wiring for both cars ;)
25-05-14, 18:59
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

That my friend sounds like a deal im sure il need replacement fingers after it though [emoji1]
25-05-14, 19:02
Gar

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

One more question for you iv read two guides but there giving conflicting statements

One says remove the excess padding from the back of the leather attach the elements then attach the padding to the seat base and put the seat back together this ensures heat comes through correctly

But in another thread its saying the retrofit heating elements are stronger and already set to take into account the extra padding on non heated seats so literally just fit them

Hopefully that makes sense
25-05-14, 19:38
HealyC

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

That my friend sounds like a deal im sure il need replacement fingers after it though [emoji1]

No bother!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

One more question for you iv read two guides but there giving conflicting statements

One says remove the excess padding from the back of the leather attach the elements then attach the padding to the seat base and put the seat back together this ensures heat comes through correctly

But in another thread its saying the retrofit heating elements are stronger and already set to take into account the extra padding on non heated seats so literally just fit them

Hopefully that makes sense

Yeah I know what you mean, I've stripped off heated seat covers before to fit occupancy sensors and they seem to be glued to the fabric from factory. IMO there should be no need to remove the padding on the back of the cloth as it can't be that thick to make a difference.
25-05-14, 20:04
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

I think wire your car up first and then I can test with cover on off etc , will using a spray on contact adhesive to hold the mat in place otherwise it will crease to easily will do a bit more reading up on it during the weak , im not sure if my connector blocks will cause issues or not as there e90 blocks not e39 but the pins could be removed from the blocks and tapped in to were they need to go

or separate blocks can be bought from bmw for buttons, or of you reckon it be fine il just pop them in without messig with padding its up to you

im getting a brainfreeze thinking about it now so will leave it for a bit [emoji1]
25-05-14, 20:18
JohnH

E46 heated seat retrofit

Talk to Andy about the blocks as he fitted them to the x3 iirc
25-05-14, 20:38
HealyC

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Cheers conor appreciated, haven't picked buttons up yet probably wont fit till middle of the summer picked out a button panel though going to go with this as once the seats are in its nice and simple to add the blind http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/26/ava9aqe5.jpg

Here a pic of the block connector on each of the two pads. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/26/ahape6y9.jpg

I'm assuming you have the button block similar to the above one you posted and you have DSC not ASC? If so you need this loom 61116902941

Gar ignore that part number for the loom as I thought you where doing it to the E46 not the E39

You will need the loom in this link I'd say!

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/52110002132/
25-05-14, 20:55
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

Cheers connor had that number bookmarked from a guide typical its double the price of the e46 bastad :-( [emoji1]

@ JohnH glad I got them off you now just looked up the seller on ebay.de hes gone theres not one kit for sale on german ebay now
26-05-14, 21:07
GerH

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Sorry for the hijack but any idea why when I push the passenger heated seat button it goes green for a second and then just goes off? Driver one works fine but it's OCD stage now!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
26-05-14, 21:18
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by GerH

Sorry for the hijack but any idea why when I push the passenger heated seat button it goes green for a second and then just goes off? Driver one works fine but it's OCD stage now!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

It's not connected somewhere Ger, mine does the exact same because I've nothing wired up yet
26-05-14, 21:22
GerH

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Thought so alright! Ah well, fcuk the passenger!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
28-05-14, 09:29
kdevitt

RE: E46 heated seat retrofit

Quote:

Originally Posted by GerH

Sorry for the hijack but any idea why when I push the passenger heated seat button it goes green for a second and then just goes off? Driver one works fine but it's OCD stage now!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

The heating element has burnt out somewhere in the pad. Theres a repair kit available and you need to solder in some wiring to bridge the continuity break, but it does involve removing the leather from the seat which is time consuming.

The newer elements are designed in a way that one section burning out won't break continuity.
01-10-14, 19:32
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

@[Gar] any sign of an update? :D
01-10-14, 19:55
Gar

Re: E46 heated seat retrofit

Nearly there takes hours , but 90% done just bolster swap left and done went back together nice and snug too

You have an airbag light on is well i needed the car to get contact spray earlier and already had the seat out shouldn't be an issue for yourself though [emoji1]

Seat broke down
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/sybaqu2y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/ebavatab.jpgcommon problem this http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/ezedezyn.jpg
Put back to one piece with the contact adhesive great stuff
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/yta6yrab.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/vu4y7ebu.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/y4y6u7aj.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/u6y7ygev.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/10/02/uve8ynyh.jpg
01-10-14, 19:58
HealyC

E46 heated seat retrofit

Excellent work, don't worry about the light, I'll drop it over to Valdas :D

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