Hi:
Again, since I bought my '05 MCS used, I'm just assessing what can be retrofitted by myself or the dealer and what not prior to start "modding". Now, If I get a heated seats console switch unit and plug it into my console, will it work? I know some cars come already equipped with the heater pads inside the seats so it's just a matter of enabling them.
Also, same thing for the auto climate control, if I replace a manual with an auto one, will it work or is it more involved than that?

Thanks again

 

I also want heated seats!

 

I'm not so sure on the auto climate control...

But I can tell you that MINI makes a "retrofit" kit for the heated seats. If you've got the heater pads in your seats (you can see a 'spare' connector under the seat cushion, not plugged into anything), then it's just a matter of installing the retrofit kit.

Check out this link:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/...seat_retrofit/

I purchased a retrofit kit for my car, now I'm just trying to locate a set of seats with the heating elements in them. It has been kind of a PITA - I rarely ever see heated Lapis Blue/Panther black seats on the marketplace or anywhere else...

 

great, more exciting news thats going to cost me more money, yet keep my rump toasty!

how much did the retro kit cost you?

 

Well... looked underneath the seats of my '05 MCS, (I have the Sport seats in panther black leather), but found no "spare" connector. I only found three connectors, a blue, a yellow and a black and all were plugged to something. Does that mean I don't have the heated pads, or are they connected to something?

Thanks

 

The retrofit kit was $148. Keep in mind, this is for the wiring and the switch - but not any heater elements. Part number: 61 11 0 145 996

If you don't have the 'spare' connector under the seat, then your seat covers do not have the heater elements. From what I've read, only the English Leather seats are known to "always" have the heater elements in them.

You will have to replace the seat covers (seat back, and seat cushion) in order to get the heater element. Jayson at Classic MINI did some research for me and found that all replacement cushions have the heater elements in them.

Best bet would be to try to find a used set at a wrecking yard or something. Unfortunately for me, MINIs are hard to come by in Alaska - and shipping two whole seats would be very expensive. I may end up ordering brand new cushions for my car. I want toasty buns for the winter!

 

I am very excited about installing the retrofit kit in my cabrio. It does have the heating parts in the seat itself with the "loose" cord hanging there just waiting to warm us up this Minnesota winter. BUT -- our local Mini dealer doesn't like to sell parts without the installation. Where did you get your kit? I would really appreciate the information.

BCG

 

I got mine from Classic MINI in Ohio. Talk to Jayson, that's who I ordered mine from.

 

No, no heated seats no climate control, keep it spartan, lightweight.

 

Where can I order new seat cushions and how much are they?

 

Call your friendly MINI dealership's parts department. Last I checked, it would cost roughly $600 for each seat bottom, and $730 for each seat back. Keep in mind, the price will vary depending on what sort of seats you have. I've got the "gravity" leather seats in panther black/lapis blue.

Some dealerships in the vendor directory give discounts for NAM members, so the price may vary.

 

The MINI warms up pretty quickly in the winter. I opted out and don't regret it at all.

 

There are aftermarket seat kits that are much cheaper and work very well. I have installed a couple in my cars and I am not a mechanic or electrician, just an inveterate DIYer. I don't have any affilliation with these companies.

Do a a search and you will find some. Here is an installation pdf for "Warm Seats" brand http://www.jegs.com/InstallationInst...6/936-S225.pdf


Here is "Seat Heater" www.seatheater.com go to the self-install and put in 2005 MINI each seat is $198 for the premium package. Installed offers severa packages from 90 a seat to the 350 massage option for 350. call them at 1-800-Warms-up

I installed an OEM in a Grand Cherokee and a Wrangler in the past and helped a friend put in an aftermarket (forget which) in his Blazer. It is doable if you can follow directions.

 

I was actually thinking about doing something like this. I've wondering if I'd be able to use the factory retrofit wiring with an aftermarket seat heater kit. That would get me exactly what I want - OEM appearance, and heated seats. I'll have to explore this possibility. Thanks for the links!

Yeah, the MINI warms up fairly quickly, but I live in Alaska and I've found that my car's leather interior doesn't take long to go cold again in the winter. If I run a quick errand in a store (literally less than 5 mins), my seats are bone cold again. Argh. I didn't really have a choice in the matter - I bought my car used. I wanted some very specific options when I was shopping for mine. I looked for over a year before finding the car I have now - it had everything I wanted, except the cold weather package.

 

Any idea on the climate control module? Can I swap out a manual one for an automatic one?

 

Heated seats? sounds too yuppie hahaha.
Do you want yer farts to heat up?

 

No...lots of parts and motors...not a simple job...much more than just the controls must be switched....heck, even the dash...

 

I might be alone here, but I'm not a fan of the auto climate control in my Cooper S. I would rather have manual

 

I am in the Phils after in Korea where it was like 30 below in winter...now is like average 90 .......don't change yer seats esoecially of u have original build sheets from MINI. Just saying......lol u want to warm up yer farts hahaha

 

I considered this last year, then I did the research and it was so costly that I scrapped the idea.
It's not an easy thing to do since you need a new wiring harness, and programming done.

I'll try to find the threads...

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-control.html

 

You're not alone nicefeet I hate the automatic climate control. I had an R53 for 10 years with standard controls and loved it, my current R53 has the auto climate control and I curse it nearly every time I have to turn it on, especially if I need the defroster which apparently will only run on high fan speed. However I love the heated seats in the winter, especially for short trips when the car doesn't reach full operating temp.

 

I have heated seats, I never use them. It was for me a worthless option.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ted-seats.html



Heated Seats here:

 

So I bought an 05 R53. It has auto climate, but the **** is stuck. It doesn't move very freely at all. Think it'd be pretty simple to swap the entire module out from my 06?