heated rear seats - can they be retrofitted?

qwertyb22 · 03-31-2013, 09:24 PM

There is a thread on another forum (xoutpost.com) showing that some X5s with heated front seats have the wiring harness in place for heated rear seats when the vehicle was not equipped with heated rear seats. Again, not sure this is true with the X3, but practically speaking I can't imagine it is more cost-efficient for BMW to custom make each wiring harness combination specifically to order rather than have a few harnesses pre-built for several option sets. I'll try and get under our X3's seats tomorrow and see what I see...

02420X3 · 03-31-2013, 09:56 PM

Why don't y'all look at the various wiring harness options on realoem.com There aren't as many as you might think.

I would be happy to check to see if the wiring harness is there for my rear seats, but I know that it is because I have heated rear seats.

lbjgh · 03-31-2013, 11:41 PM

The easiest thing to do is pop out the panel where the rear seat heater switch is located (back of the center console) and see if the switch wiring is in place.

qwertyb22 · 04-01-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Why don't y'all look at the various wiring harness options on realoem.com There aren't as many as you might think.

I would be happy to check to see if the wiring harness is there for my rear seats, but I know that it is because I have heated rear seats.

I did actually, and wasn't able to locate any wiring harness that mentioned heated seats... Not sure if I missed it? The other option is perhaps there is no specific harness for it because it is pre-wired?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbjgh

The easiest thing to do is pop out the panel where the rear seat heater switch is located (back of the center console) and see if the switch wiring is in place.

That probably is easier than pulling the seats up... Anyone know how to get that panel off?

Still waiting on hearing back from my dealer, for the record.

lbjgh · 04-02-2013, 11:26 AM

I imagine it would pop off with the help of some gentle prying with flat-head screwdrivers.

I was going to buy the power port attachment (cover plate) so my kids could run their phones and toys from the back seat power outlet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwertyb22

That probably is easier than pulling the seats up... Anyone know how to get that panel off?

RetroB · 04-03-2013, 03:36 PM

Damn i would really like heated back seats...

qwertyb22 · 04-03-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbjgh

I imagine it would pop off with the help of some gentle prying with flat-head screwdrivers.

I was going to buy the power port attachment (cover plate) so my kids could run their phones and toys from the back seat power outlet.

With the weekend coming up and some access to my wife's car during daylight hours, I'll see what I can come up with.

cfw · 04-03-2013, 06:32 PM

You'd think that with technology / BMW being BMW, heated and cooled seats all around would at least be a combined package.

qwertyb22 · 04-03-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfw

You'd think that with technology / BMW being BMW, heated and cooled seats all around would at least be a combined package.

The front and rear heated seats are packaged on my F30... Now we miss them on the F25!

RetroB · 04-06-2013, 09:02 AM

Could you please help me! I would like to fit heated front and rear seats. I have found the front and rear heat pads, switches and mounts on RealOEM. What else do I need. Cables?

RetroB · 04-07-2013, 10:19 AM

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...61&hg=52&fg=65
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...31&hg=52&fg=65
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...41&hg=64&fg=20
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...01&hg=61&fg=35
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...1&fg=35
I have found these parts what else do I need?

Thanks

qwertyb22 · 04-07-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroB

Could you please help me! I would like to fit heated front and rear seats. I have found the front and rear heat pads, switches and mounts on RealOEM. What else do I need. Cables?

If we knew the answer, we'd tell you! Stay tuned though, we're working on it...

RetroB · 04-08-2013, 05:16 PM

Please im desperate

Jblackbelt · 04-14-2013, 05:06 PM

Any luck? We are turning in our x6 Friday and picking up our x3. We couldn't get heated rear seats without giving up lane departure. Would love to be able to retrofit them of easy.

Thanks

qwertyb22 · 04-17-2013, 09:02 AM

Just spoke with my dealership again who insists it cannot be done. I'm not sure I believe it though based on the above, so I'll keep pressing and see. I think it all hinges on the wiring harness and I don't know the answer to that yet.

lbjgh · 04-17-2013, 05:15 PM

I removed the plastic panel an their is only a single wire sitting there. I assume this wire is for a 12v power port.

RFGuy_KCCO · 04-17-2013, 08:53 PM

Guys, this is a BMW you're talking about... NOTHING on these cars is as easy as just installing two switches. No matter how trivial it may seem, BMW will find a way to make it more difficult than it should be to retrofit options. That's just the way it is, unfortunately.

RetroB · 04-18-2013, 10:13 AM

Come on!

lbjgh · 04-18-2013, 06:33 PM

here is the plug I found... doesn't look too promising.

qwertyb22 · 04-20-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbjgh

here is the plug I found... doesn't look too promising.

I'd have to agree. I've pestered my dealer to find out why it isn't possible, and I'll be there Weds. Hopefully we can put this all to rest then.

RetroB · 04-21-2013, 02:31 PM

Please...

03-31-2013, 09:24 PM	#23
qwertyb22 Private First Class 4 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 35i, 2014 X5 35i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Milford CT iTrader: (5)	There is a thread on another forum (xoutpost.com) showing that some X5s with heated front seats have the wiring harness in place for heated rear seats when the vehicle was not equipped with heated rear seats. Again, not sure this is true with the X3, but practically speaking I can't imagine it is more cost-efficient for BMW to custom make each wiring harness combination specifically to order rather than have a few harnesses pre-built for several option sets. I'll try and get under our X3's seats tomorrow and see what I see... __________________ 2016 BMW X3 35i X-Line, 2014 BMW X5 35i Luxury Line Retired: 2013 BMW 335xi M sport, 2013 BMW X3 28i, 2006 BMW 325xi, 2008 Infiniti G37S, 2008 Infiniti EX35
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2013, 09:56 PM	#24
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Why don't y'all look at the various wiring harness options on realoem.com There aren't as many as you might think. I would be happy to check to see if the wiring harness is there for my rear seats, but I know that it is because I have heated rear seats.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2013, 11:41 PM	#25
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	The easiest thing to do is pop out the panel where the rear seat heater switch is located (back of the center console) and see if the switch wiring is in place. __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2013, 03:36 PM	#28
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Damn i would really like heated back seats...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2013, 06:32 PM	#30
cfw New Member 4 Rep 11 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	You'd think that with technology / BMW being BMW, heated and cooled seats all around would at least be a combined package.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2013, 09:02 AM	#32
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Could you please help me! I would like to fit heated front and rear seats. I have found the front and rear heat pads, switches and mounts on RealOEM. What else do I need. Cables?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2013, 10:19 AM	#33
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...61&hg=52&fg=65 http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...31&hg=52&fg=65 http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...41&hg=64&fg=20 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...01&hg=61&fg=35 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...1&fg=35 I have found these parts what else do I need? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2013, 05:16 PM	#35
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Please im desperate
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2013, 05:06 PM	#36
Jblackbelt Second Lieutenant 41 Rep 230 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Any luck? We are turning in our x6 Friday and picking up our x3. We couldn't get heated rear seats without giving up lane departure. Would love to be able to retrofit them of easy. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2013, 09:02 AM	#37
qwertyb22 Private First Class 4 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 35i, 2014 X5 35i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Milford CT iTrader: (5)	Just spoke with my dealership again who insists it cannot be done. I'm not sure I believe it though based on the above, so I'll keep pressing and see. I think it all hinges on the wiring harness and I don't know the answer to that yet. __________________ 2016 BMW X3 35i X-Line, 2014 BMW X5 35i Luxury Line Retired: 2013 BMW 335xi M sport, 2013 BMW X3 28i, 2006 BMW 325xi, 2008 Infiniti G37S, 2008 Infiniti EX35
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2013, 05:15 PM	#38
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	I removed the plastic panel an their is only a single wire sitting there. I assume this wire is for a 12v power port. __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2013, 08:53 PM	#39
RFGuy_KCCO Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2022 X3MC BSM/SO Join Date: May 2010 Location: Niles, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 M Compe ... [0.00] 2016 VW Touareg V6 ... [0.00]	Guys, this is a BMW you're talking about... NOTHING on these cars is as easy as just installing two switches. No matter how trivial it may seem, BMW will find a way to make it more difficult than it should be to retrofit options. That's just the way it is, unfortunately.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2013, 10:13 AM	#40
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Come on!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2013, 06:33 PM	#41
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	here is the plug I found... doesn't look too promising. Attached Images __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-21-2013, 02:31 PM	#43
RetroB Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 20d Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	Please...
	Appreciate 0 Quote