I'm thinking of adding this package, with the heated seats, mirrors, and washers-- I have never used heated seats much, but previous cars have had bigger engines and heaters that began to work within a block. I think the mini may take a bit longer to warm up in the winter, and the seats may be a quick warmer until the heat gets going-- have others ordered the heated seat? I have used and liked heated mirrors (maybe 5xyear), but never the heated windshield washers-- are these (the washers) a convenience or just another thing to go wrong-- I could just go with the heated seats 'a la carte'.

 

I have no experience with the MINI's heated seats but I do have them on my '96 Nissan Maxima. I really like them in the winter and use them all the time. I am getting them on my Cooper S and I recommend the heated seats to anyone that lives in an area where it gets very cold for long periods of time.

 

The heated seats came on my Cooper. I didn't special order it, just went to the showroom and drove one home. It's been in the 80's most of the time since I got it but I'm looking forward to trying out the heated seats this winter.

 

It is a different kind of heat too - the heated seats warm your back before the main heat begins; and they keep your back warm too! Good if you have back pain as well as in winter ...
But one problem I always find is you don't feel them so well if you have a big coat (so even in mid winter, you have to take it off before you get in the car!)

 

a ~MINI dilema~ of sorts

I was going to order a car with the cold weather package..... but upon being ~HOSED~( see the mountain dew comercial with davey & golaith..for reference) by Princeton Mini, I went to Prestige in Mahwah and they are letting me buy one on the way in ,at list... what a group huh!

only thing is the car has all I wanted, XCEPT the cold weather package..... any ideas on after market.... I Imagine most of the wiring is already in place.....

thoughts?

MS

 

>>a ~MINI dilema~ of sorts
>>
>>only thing is the car has all I wanted, XCEPT the cold weather package..... any ideas on after market.... I Imagine most of the wiring is already in place.....
>>
>>thoughts?
>>

Decide now if you want the CWP or not. You won't be able to easily or cheaply add it after you buy the car. To add the heated seats you would have to take the seats apart to add the heaters, then also add the wiring harness. For the heated mirrors you would have to replace the mirror glass with the heated glass, add the switch, and wiring, and likewise for the heated windshield washers.

For $300 I think the CWP is a hell of a deal, and certainly cheaper than you'd be able to do it aftermarket. You'd be stuck buying the parts at the dealer.

Before I bought my current car (VW Passat) I never had heated seats. The Passat I got had them (they came with the leather seats) and I'm never going back :smile:
The VW implementation is very nice, with 5 different heat settings for each front seat. I understand the MINI uses the BMW implementation where there are 2 heat levels.

The Passat also has the heated mirrors (great feature!) and the heated washer nozzles which are nice so that the washer fluid doesn't immediately turn to ice on your windshield :smile:

So if you can't tell, I have a Passat but I'm looking at the MINI pretty hard. It's damn tempting. I do love this Passat though, so I'm conflicted.

_________________
Sean Bartnik
Springfield, MA

 

Thanks for your help and ideas!! I went ahead and ordered the CWP-- i agree, the seat heaters may be useful as a back muscle relaxer, year round.

 

I do not have the CWP. I have been cleaning under my seats and have took note that there appears to be wiring for something??? already in place. I have the beige leather seats. Has anyone else seen these wires? If they actually are the ones for the CWP, than I would imagine all I would need is a toggle switch and my bunns are warm. Any one else take notice of this?

 

mini-g.,
What you spotted may be the electrics for the seat belt warning light. ie. Don't buckle up you get a red light on the dash. Could be wrong but under the seat is a likely place for this.
SW

 

I think i will ask at the dealer just to be sure. I would just love to have more toggle switches on my console. Even more appealing than the functions in some circumstances.
hahaha!
thanks