I am looking to replace the factory seat heaters, which are burnt out, in an R53, but it seems that R50 and R52 parts should work. I cannot find factory parts. Are there aftermarket heaters that will attach to the factory wiring? I am having the seats reupholstered now and would like to replace the heaters at the same time

 

I bought an R53 running aftermarket seat heaters through the factory harness. The connectors running from the heaters had to be replaced with the OE connectors or the harness side with the aftermarket connectors. In our R53 the connectors on the harness side were modified. The heaters worked way better than the OE heaters. I believe there are quite a few companies offering 12v heating pads. I would think the place reupholstering your seats would have access to these suppliers.

 

Thanks Black Forest! - I can try that, though I will need to sort out which wire from the harness goes to which wire of the heating pads

 

Has anyone actually done this hookup? If so, what heaters did you use and how were they wired? Thanks!