Front seats

[Themoog]

My X5 has the comfort option with the seats and easy access memory control too.
The other week I bagged a pair of electric sport seats in really good condition so I could try them to compare.
I installed them this morning and quickly found out that they are non heated.. I thought all E53 had heated seats?
Further to that, the memory function on the steering wheel at least doesn't seem to operate the same.
Previously when the key was turned off the wheel would move up and in to give maximum access. Now it just moves upwards.
I haven't tried the seat memory as I've set it how I want but I'll try it later.
So, in conclusion I may swap them back which is a shame as they make the interior look like new and the driving experience has changed so it seems like a different car.
Can anyone explain what and how the options work ie why don't mine now work the same.

[andrewwynn]

If the memory doesn’t work properly you can maybe just swap the controller but that won’t get you heated seats back.


–awr–

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[Themoog]

I'll have to swap them back as the CEO would never have non heated seats in a car. Nor do would I for that matter..
The original comfort seats are not worn but are really shiny so need a really good clean. The side seat base bolster could also do with a bit of extra foam in it. I might see if I can sort that also.

[Henn28]

We didn’t option our 2002 4.4 with heated seats, so it was possible to not have them (lived in San Diego at the time). However, at a certain point, fairly early on, I think all e53s came pre-wired. I swapped in post LCI seats with heat and they work great. Except for the SRS logic for the front seat.

New foam from BMW may be available for your old seats. I picked up brand new bottom cushions for the “new” seats from getbmwparts.com. Huge difference. The heating elements needed to be steamed off and re-glued to the new seats.

[Themoog]

I just put the original seat back together after refilling the lower base bolster with fresh foam. Scrubbed the leather clean and ready to re install.
The sport seats I bought obviously don't have heating as when I switch them on the lights don't come on. Drat.

[Themoog]

Well I've reinstalled the comfort seats. It's been really cold here the last few days and not having heated seats has become glaringly obvious that it's just not cricket.
Saturday I was out and about and my butt just would not warm up.. Not only that - the sport seats are harder and not as comfortable (the clue is in the title..) as my original ones.