Yes, there's levels even, 2 on the 1st Gen, 3? on the 2nd Gen. And my 03 R53 seats heat up very quickly. They are awesome.

 

There are two settings, high and low. On high, I can feel the heat through the cloth seats within a minute or two. When the seat gets up to temp, it turns itself off, and then on again as needed. The low setting is nice once the seat heats up. Definitely worth the added cost, IMHO, even though my MINI is off the road for the winter. I get plenty of use out of them in the spring and fall.

 

Heated seats are a must up here in the NE. I wouldn't have a car with out them.

Yup, you can turn them off and then on. These seats warm up pretty quickly. For me it is a bout a mile to the end of my street before the main road. They are warm by then.

Also as mentioned there are 3 levels for the Gen2.

 

The seat heaters are manually operated (separate from the ventilation heater controls). Turn the seat heaters on and off and select the heat level. The 2nd gen MINI has 3 heat levels. The 1st gen MINI has 2 heat levels. On my R52, I can feel the seat starting to heat up within 30 seconds.

 

imho...If you live in a very cold climate and are cold natured...get them. I have them and have tried to use them on a few very cold days and they are just too hot. Even on the lowest setting it's a bit too hot for my comfort and by the time you feel them warming up - they're hot and then they don't simply cool under you. If MINI offered a heated steering wheel I'd be all in. Good luck with your order.

 

IMHO - heated seats are essential for convertibles, optional for hardtop.

 

I was in the same boat, and from NorCal as well.

I installed heated seats into my Mini myself, with the detailed How To here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-mcs-r56.html

This mod is not for the faint at heart.
But having them installed is the BEST. I use them all the time.

 

They're a nice feature if you park outside. The seats heat up much faster than the heater vents so it's much more comfortable while the blown air warms up.

On the other hand, I didn't realize I was suffering from cold buns until I got a car with heated seats. If you haven't had them before and aren't already hooked, you won't miss them.

O/T: +1 for heated steering wheels. I also wouldn't mind a heat vent aimed at the gearshift in manual cars.

 

I used to sort of roll my eyes at people who needed all these cushy features in their cars, needing to be pampered all the time. That's back when I was all-year commuting on a motorcycle which is as spartan as it gets.

However, my used R50 came with heated seats, and they are great. After a rough day at work, or a hard training session of squats and dead lifts, I fire them up to relax my back. My girlfriend is a big fan, too.. when she's PMS'ing and has cramps, they make her feel better. Isn't relaxing your pre-menstrual lady worth any cost?

Also, they allow me to motor with the sunroof and windows open even if it's a bit brisk out.

 

I don't think I will ever have another car without heated seats. They are toasty warm within the first mile. For a decadent treat, I have used them with the air conditioning on just to feel the hot/cold contrast.

 

I just read the DIY on the heated seats. Do you think I can use that
kit on the cloth seats and have no troubles?

 

I live in Northern California as well and love my heated seats. I had two major requirements when looking for a used MINI, heated seats and a sunroof. My last vehicle was a truck and had neither and I was always interested in what it would be like to have them. I can honestly say the only time the sunroof is closed is when it hot, or raining and I use my heated seats almost everyday.

I love the hot/cold contrast, cool air through the sunroof on those brisk mornings with the heated seats on HI and the heater on my feet. Makes for a great start to my day. Not sure I could own a car without both options...I don't care how unnecessary those extra comfort features are, I love them!

 

Heated bums are worth it... and the winter package includes heated side mirrors aswell

 

+1 on heated seats.

 

My Mini is stored for the winter, so seldom used.

Still, I love to secretly turn on the passenger seat on a hot
summer day and watch my passenger squirm!

 

heated seats are absolutely worth every penny.

 

I waz gonna comment about my life in Florida and not needing heated seats . . .

but then saw this . . .

I live at the same latitude and have yet to even use my car heat since buying my 07 . . . but what ever floats your boat I suppose

 

Hence my LOL in my sig. I bought used, the car was from Illinois. Not sure I would order one with it, but it is nice to have.

 

i live in honolulu. see my signature below for my opinion on the heated seats. my other half, who drive half the time, loves them too, esp post-gym or after a long night at work in front of the computer (he's a webmaster for the local paper).

for the record, though, we may consider a move to the PNW and we'll sorely appreciate the heated seats then. my mom, who lives in portland, doesn't have them and we miss heated seats if we're driving her car when we visit in the winter.

 

i love heated seats, though my current mini does not have them. Great in cold weather or just when i felt cold from being out in the rain... Also helped my back feel better after working 12 hour days on my 40 minute ride home. My next car will have heated seats again!

 

I have the heated seats as well and love them, even living in NC where its not too cold too often I find use then quite often in the morning in the fall through early spring. I've also used them occasionally inthe summer esp in the morning if my back was slightly stiff from sleeping and what not.

The heater is more then just the but part of the seat it comes up to about mid back which I really like.

The seats heat up very quickly at lest in my experiences and yes you can turn them on and off. In fact there are 3 heat settings, I find I generally only use the low setting, as the high gets too hot for me.

 

YES. I love in New England and I love the heated seats. It also relaxes my back after a long night of work.

 

The heated seats are great!

The level 3 setting has been dubbed "The Tuchas Toaster". Too hot for me (so far -- this will be my first winter).

 

I'm backing everyone else up. My 08 Cooper has them and the other day I got in and remember that they were. I hit that button and was very happy.

 

Here's a Mini with an aftermarket Hot Air Intake for seats



BTW, my Mini purchased last March, 1st car with heated seats, love them, like putting on clothes right out of the dryer!