We just bought a used 2010 MCS convertible and unfortunately it does not have heated seats. I visited a MINI dealer here in NJ and inquired if they could install and he said they don't do it. Then he said he highly recommends not doing it bc the airbag monitor is under the passenger seat and when you add the extra weight onto the padding it adjusts the weight on the pressure of the airbag. The pad that's under the seat monitors the weight of the passenger and it could miscalculate the weight limit. He said it's very important when you have small children riding. Also said it could void any warranties due to malfunction. The car is already a bit more dangerous driving if I get into an accident so I don't want to mess with the airbag pressure.
So I am now looking for heated seat covers I looked on Amazon, Sharper Image, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions on a particular brand, site, etc.?

Thanks ny and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

This is just wrong on so many levels. Did your dealer explain how the factory heated seats overcome this "additional weight"? A few ounces of heating element and wiring are not even going to be noticed by the sensor.
And how would putting a heated seat cover on top of the seat not do the same thing???
This is one of the highest rated crash-test cars on the road. It is NOT more dangerous to drive.
More expensive to switch to factory heated seats? Definitely. You can get plug-in seat covers for 10 bucks. But don't make a safety issue of it when none exists.

 

I'm not that's what the guy at Mini of Monmouth said. No need to get all irate with me. I was asking a question and feedback is appreciative.

 

I'm sure there is a way to add heated seats to your Cooper.

 

gokart,
no problem I just got your private message I looked at Wagan on Amazon and the only real issue I see is there is not an automatic shutoff so some people said they had car fires or holes in their seats. I will keep looking, thanks

 

I just love the stupid reason the dealers clown gives. The weight isnt but a few ounces. I had my seat bottom cover off and installed it today. That guy is an idiot! period!

dont ask me what I think of dealers service people..

 

One word...........hot water bottle. Problem solved.

 

What are you basing this upon? Personally I beg to differ. I was in a serious accident 5 days ago in my '06 MCS. The other guy crossed the yellow line and came over 2 lanes and was heading straight at me. Since I was in a small, nimble vehicle, I managed to maneuver the car and ended up in an offset collision instead. The witnesses to the accident and the rescue squads that showed up at the accident were stunned at the outcome and couldn't believe my daughter and I walked away. When we went to the wrecker yard the next day to retrieve my stuff from the car, one of the rescue guys was there taking pics of El Kabong. He said they respond to many accidents on that stretch of road due to the incline and the curve and he said it is almost always a critical situation. He also said that my car was one of the few he saw that hit the guardrail and didn't flip over. Needless to say, my husband, who had previously been nervous about me driving such a small car, had me at the MINI dealership on Monday looking at a new one.

 

Heh.... Annette, I was going to use you as an example of how safe the MINI is, but refrained since it just happened recently. Very glad that you are here to refute that claim!

 

We had heated seats added to our Mazdaspeed 3 before it was delivered (they weren't even an option on the Speed) and it didn't mess with the airbags or anything. I know the dealer didn't do it, they sent it out and added them for $500. I love the heated seats and can't imagine ever having a car without them - even if I move someplace warm I'd get them. They are seriously my favorite option.

Yikes BoCRon. Glad you're OK. Sorry about your car. :(

 

I had a local auto upholstry place add heated seats to my 2002 MINI last year. Cost for mine was about $700. I asked that they install the switches in the stock location.. Not much to see since they are in the seat, but here is a pic. of the switches.

 

Brocront and anyone else who doesn't read the post....this is NOT a thread about the safety of my MINI, question was can anyone recommend a heated cushion to put over my seats. Not sure why I am getting stupid comments like "heated water bottle" etc. If you aren't going or give suggestions just keep your mouth shut.
Now if anyone has a problem with the Mini dealer telling me that just a simple, "I think he is wrong" will suffice.

Gee-wiz, I thought Mini riders were friggin' nice and helpful

 

Ernesto thanks for the pics and your advice

 

<Someone doesn't have enough seat time in the new MINI yet. That's OK, the perma-grin will kick in soon>. jrzygal, please lighten up. We are trying to be helpful, in our own warped way. When we hear that someone is given bad info, we will let them know. There is a lot more experience here than any Service Adviser will ever have. I have logged over 250000 miles in MINIs. There are folks here with more than that. When you ask, you will get answers. They may or may not be what you want to hear, but you will get the facts.

 

Ok, jrzygal22, excuse me for trying to make you feel more confident about the vehicle you are driving. I believed I was addressing an issue you commented on and seemed concerned about in your thread.
I will say, I have been a member of this community for 5 years and 5 months and am pretty sure I have never been told to keep my mouth shut. Sorry to offend you.
Annette
like NMgokart, also MINIless for the immediate futrure :(
Annette

 

Sorry if I was overly sensitive but it's cold here and I would like to just get great suggestions to fix the issue .

 

If you will disregard the bad info you were given about weight and airbag sensors, there are a world of options. Some you have seen here, many more await you. Google is your friend. Your buns need not be chilled!

 

Annette,

Shes from jersey, your going to have to understand thats how some of them are around here BTW: Did you get my PM? hope it helps you, unless your dealer is willing to order them for you.

jrzygal22,

To be honest if your willing to pay just find a replacement mini seat that has them built in from the factory, if im not mistaken all the hook ups should be the same for the airbags and sensors. To be able to control them would be a different story and would require abit of wiring/modding to get it to work. BUT if your desperate enough for heated seats (i dont blame you, its cold here) then this is the route i would go. You could start off with the driver seat, because who cares about the passenger's bum being warm

try penske for the replacement seats with heates built in then take it to your local car AV shop or somone thats good with wiring to hook it up

 

From the diy section

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-mcs-r56.html

 

You absolutely can add heated seats. I have done it to a Tundra pickup and my wife's BMW 530. Here is a fantastic post on this:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-mcs-r56.html

I am totally spoiled and they make top down motoring much more comfortable.

 

Yes I guess I get my attitude from Snooker, hehe. I will be putting heated seats in so Thor all the comments. Im on the Jersey Shore does anyone have any places they could recommend? Also, since I'm here, I have the original crap speakers and want to add some bass and oomf to the speakers. Any suggestions?

 

Uhh....which jersey shore...theres quite a few

 

Red Bank/Long Branch area

 

Could always do what a passenger did one time while I was DDing in late January a few years back in my unheated, all metal interior Jeep......

....he goes "Dude, it's so cold. Do you have heated seats?" "Um....no" "Oh okay then, I'm just gonna pee in my seat then." Then he peed in his seat, while sitting it. He didn't complain about the cold anymore after that so I suppose it worked.

 

Still think the hot water bottle would work............

And ya, that is a joke....sheesh