Has anyone added a heated seat option (aftermarket style) to their R56?
if so, any pics of the button/controls location?

I'm in the SF Bay Area and have a 2008 MCS. I'd really like to add heated seats. Just not sure what the best aftermarket brand is, or if aftermarket installers will botch issues with the airbags, etc.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

 

No one?

I may have to take one for the team and try out a local shop for this.

 

If you do, please report back.
I would love heated seats too.
There are a few options that I was unable to to get, and the heat package was one of them.
Leather seats are another option that I would have liked.

 

I'm looking for the same information. Anyone?

 

I've retrofitted factory heated seats into my MINI. First off you'll need the seats that have heating elements and modules. Second you'll need a complete AC control panel with the appropriate toggle switch circuit board.
See pic below:

The controller on the left has the heated seat toggle switch circuit board(the white wires) The controller on the right does not.


MINI doesn't sell the circuit boards themselves so you'll need to fork out over $700 just for the electronics not including the actual seats themselves. Finally there's the coding from the dealer which will require 2+ hours of labor charges at over $100 an hour.

 

I added seat heat to our BMW 530. We installed the seat heat switches that came with the kit and did not attempt to tie them into the BMW controls. The switches were small switches about 3/4" in diameter and blended in well. These could be installed in the MINI's console in front of the parking brake etc. if you don't want the expense of replacing controllers etc. Good luck - I am addicted to my seat heat - on ALL vehicles.

 

Yes, I personally was looking for an aftermarket add-on that did NOT tap into the factory switch module.
This would save a ton of $$$ and I personally don't mind an aftermarket solution like this for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_4980wt_923

The biggest question I have is: Do all R56's already come with just the heating elements pre-installed?

I was under the impression that they all came with just the heating elements installed, and then if you order the heated seat option, the factory installs the module, switch, etc.

If all seats already have the heating element pre-installed, then this would be valuable info and I'd like to tap into this with a 3rd party switch, etc.

 

No the seats do not come with the heating element's if the heated seat option wasn't ordered..

 

Eww...darn. I was under the impression they were.

I know with the R50 and R53 there was a factory OEM kit you could get for about $275 to add heated seats at a later date since the heating elements were already pre-installed.

Here is a link to the install instructions for that R50/R53 OEM retrofit kit.

I definitely have this on my To Do list.
Stay tuned.

 

Many of the car audio shops like Cartunes etc. install seat heat. I'd give them a call and ask if the heating elements are installed in all MINI seats. I don't believe they are.

I heard many rumors that BMW sewed the heating elements in all seat covers but there were none on our '06 530.

The key that I would be careful about is making sure that the shop that does it knows what they are doing. I have no idea about MINI but some cars have special metal seat switches (turn off air bag if no one is sitting in the seat) when seat heat is installed and use plastic switches on cars without seat heat. I ran into this on my Tundra. Probably not a problem but I'd check it out.

Good luck - it will be worth the effort!!

 

Well, it was a two day project, but I did it!!

Here's the write up in case anyone wants to tackle this as well:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...many-pics.html

 

Awesome job!

 

I use to install leather interiors and heated seats for years. It's really quite easy. The kits are all pretty standard. All the kits you get from Katzkin, Roadwire or pretty much anyone are the same manufacture (http://www.seatcomfort.com/home.htm). Excellent kits with a button that would match the interior of the Mini.
Installation Instructions: http://www.seatcomfort.com/heater%20...20jan%2018.pdf



The only problem DIYer's run into is when they try to cut the heating element to fit in with the velcro or clips that hold on the head cover. Just follow the instructions if you have to cut it and you will be okay. Hope this helps.

If you want to add even more comfort to the seats, they make massagers and cooling systems too. Check out their website. Their kits are excellent and I can't tell you how many I installed over the years.
This isn't a plug for the company, I don't work for them or even in the auto industry anymore. Just helpin out.