Cold Weather Climate usefulness

spacey · #1 10-18-2009, 12:15 AM

I've been struggling w/decision on whether to get the Cold Weather Package or just heated front seats for $685 (invoice) / $705.55 (after tax) less. When thinking rationally, based on my driving experience over the past X years the only real feature worth something is the front heated seats. To some extent maybe the headlamp washers but I've never had them before and while there were times when I wished I did have them I really don't know how well they work, IOW do they eliminate the need to wipe your headlamps on long trips for example during bad winter/muddy wheather? I would love to hear people's opinion on those, especially who has/had them.

Another feature that seems ridiculous on the face (or maybe not just on the face, but I can't decide) is the heated steering wheel. I mean... c'mon! ... I understand on a motorcycle when it's cold as hell, you do want to have heated grips... but in a car? where you have heating, and it probably will take as long to heat up the steering wheel as it takes for your hands to warm it up! ... no? Am I missing something? Have I been deprived all those years? Are the claims that this feature once experienced is so addictive that people can't go on w/out it ever again true? Is this the solution to world hunger? Or at least the best thing since sliced bread?

Please help! On one hand it's only $685 on a ~60k car so why not just get it (which I might just do) but on the other If both items prove useless I'd feel stupid just on principle.

Thanks for any help you can provide to ease the pain in my spoiled little mind...

spacey

alexmish · #2 10-18-2009, 12:21 AM

just get it...

Headlights washer is very effective, although it "gulps" the windshield fluid at huge rate.

The heated steering wheel makes your car feel very luxurious. It is quite fast - you'll feel after 10-15 seconds, and it stays comfortably warm. I personally prefer keeping seats on low-warm, steering wheel heater "on", and cabin temperature around 63F.

In my opinion, you either get all possible cold weather-related options, or none of them.

mtech8 · #3 10-18-2009, 02:02 AM

Get it.

Yeah. It's really not that much in comparison to the total cost of the car.

I like the feeling of the heated steering wheel in the cold weather. At least it's effective (not like active ventilated seats that don't really cool you down).

cmyX6go · #4 10-18-2009, 05:14 AM

Once you go heated steering wheel you'll never go back! I had to take the X in for service on a real cold day. I got in the loaner and no heated steering wheel

OMG!

Seriously, it makes a big difference. It heats up very quickly and sure helps take the edge off on cold days.

bigx5er · #5 10-18-2009, 06:24 AM

The heated steering wheel rocks. One of my favorite features here in cold Minnesota. I do not wear gloves during the winter because of it.

dathrilla · #6 10-18-2009, 06:25 AM

get it, heated steering wheels are priceless...

Emerson11 · #7 10-18-2009, 08:14 AM

Back in 98, when I bought my first BMW, the heated steering wheel option was the thing than pushed me over the line from the Mercedes side, which wasn't offering it on the car I was considering. Heated steering wheel is a must have!

FunfDreisig · #8 10-18-2009, 08:55 AM

I really think that both options are very dependent on the weather where you are. Here in Central Texas winters can be pretty chilly but we rarely see temps below 20. The ONLY option that we wish we had ordered on our BTO 2001 X5 was the heated front seats. So we got them on our new 35d. But the rest of the cold weather package and the heated steering wheel is, to us, a waste of money and simply adds more electrical things to go wrong.

Note: the main unresolved issue with the E70 (all years and models) is the reports of the electrical system draining the battery so low the X5 won't start. One day everything seems OK, the next day the battery is dead. So IMO adding any electrical option you're not sure you really want is not a good idea.

Funf Dreisig

BGM · #9 10-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

I really think that both options are very dependent on the weather where you are. Here in Central Texas winters can be pretty chilly but we rarely see temps below 20. The ONLY option that we wish we had ordered on our BTO 2001 X5 was the heated front seats. So we got them on our new 35d. But the rest of the cold weather package and the heated steering wheel is, to us, a waste of money and simply adds more electrical things to go wrong.

Note: the main unresolved issue with the E70 (all years and models) is the reports of the electrical system draining the battery so low the X5 won't start. One day everything seems OK, the next day the battery is dead. So IMO adding any electrical option you're not sure you really want is not a good idea.

Funf Dreisig

Yeah here in TX there might be a few days a year the heated seats come in handy--like maybe 5 or 6. I would think in VA you would get some use out of them.

eyeguy · #10 10-18-2009, 09:15 PM

Gotta say - I tried the heated steering wheel on my new X5 last week and LOVED it. Toasty warm by the time I reached the end of my street. Someone pointed out it really enhances the luxury feel. Maybe try it on a demo?