Seat Heater Help
 

So, our 2007 LCI X3 3.0si (June production) has heated front seats. They work great. No heated rear seats; they were only available together with other options that we didn't want when we ordered the vehicle.

Usually there is no one in the back of the X3, but we have occasion to make several long winter trips with a passenger. I had read somewhere (here or on another board) that the LCI X3s all had the rear seat heaters installed, just not necessarily connected. That is what I need to determine. I am not going to buy new seats, but if I can get away with a switch and a short wiring harness, as well as loosening the seat upholstery to fish the cable out, no problem.

RealOEM shows a single switch for the rear seat heaters. I am not sure if it replaces our Aux In at the rear of the centre console, or the trim panel is different to hold it as well. Not sure if it is supposed to be one or two switches, either. I haven't opened the console yet. It would be straightforward to buy and install the switch or switches if the wiring is there.

RealOEM shows that the rear seat covers are one part number (for each colour) for vehicles with or without rear seat heaters. Makes sense from a parts stocking point. However, that may just be for replacements, and not for factory builds.

So, when I removed the rear seat, I don't see wiring out in the open. I can go digging for it, but it isn't obvious for either the heaters (cushions) or the wiring harness. It would be too easy if it was just laying there.

Has anybody done this before? Alternatively, has anyone with rear seat heaters on an LCI X3 had the rear seat bench out? It lifts out very easily, and my question is where the wiring exits the seat cushion. And do you have one switch or two?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Unfortunately my X3 is pre-LCI. However, I'll see what's up with the cable on the E70 X5 this weekend, since that vehicle has heated rear seats but no rear climate control, so it'd be a similar setup.

For the X3, I do know that the panel in the back of the centre console is slightly different to accommodate both the AUX and 2 seat heater switches.

http://static.bmwfans.info/images/epc/MTYzMDA3X3A=.png
Mittelkonsole High - BMW Teilekatalog

Yes, I currently have panel 16, above, which flips open to reveal a power outlet and the Aux In. There is nowhere else to install the switch.

I believe that panel 16 is not used with the seat heaters, and panel 21 replaces it, in conjunction with 22. I just haven't seen one to know for sure. I could drop by the dealer and take a look, but if there aren't heaters in the seat cushions it is a moot point.

I would be curious to know this answer as well. My wife and I are looking to purchase a 2008 X3 soon and have noticed the rear heated seat option is not very common. I have been wondering how difficult or possible this install would be.

Also, JCL mentioned he had heard the heating units for the seats on all X3's were OEM. This would be amazing if it is in fact the case. I can't imagine BMW spending the $$$ to install these heat units on ALL X3's. Seems too good to be true. Fingers crossed though...:D

We need someone with an LCI X3 to lift the rear seat cushion (four plastic carseat clips come out, and then the seat can be lifted, no tools required, takes 60 seconds) to see where the wiring goes. Two photos would be great.

We know that the replacement X3 rear seats from BMW all have heaters installed (and this is where the idea that all seats have heaters in them may have come from, if it isn't true).

Years ago, a US car manufacturer used to charge extra on a new car for back-up lights. However, the tail light lenses were the same on all models, and they all had the sockets. If you didn't pay for back-up lights, you had to go and buy two 1156 bulbs, and then they worked fine. It was just too expensive to make taillight assemblies two different ways. This was not publicized, of course, but factory and dealer employees knew it. My challenge is here, I need to know where the leads come out of the seats, as BMW may have put the heater elements in there, but they didn't run the leads out past the upholstery. I just don't feel like pulling the upholstery off on a chance.

Sorry, x3 newb here. What does LCI stand for? :D

It translates from German as Life Cycle Impulse, but it literally means the mid-life refresh, usually around the four year mark of the standard seven year product cycle for BMW. Also called a facelift. Grills usually get changed, lights, engines, some options, depending on which model it is. Applies to all BMW models, not just X3s. The X3 was out in 2003, and the LCI was in 2006.

Got it! Thanks!

I doubt that they have it direct from the factory if you didn't choose it as an option. They are more than likely sewn into the leather cover.

This is how my Mercedes E-Class was. We had both front heat seaters fail and the only way to fix them with MB parts was to buy new leather seat covers.

I used aftermarket heat pads (under the leather) and wired into the factory system to repair it. They weren't as hot and didn't heat as fast as they had to go through the leather cover AND the fail OEM heating element as there was no way to remove it from the cover.

I have the rear system on my X3. You can see the switches in the below picture.

http://bora20.smugmug.com/Cars/2007-...8_X949x-XL.jpg

Thanks Dan.

Your photo shows switch panel 22, where I have panel 16, from the parts catalogue drawing in post #2. Looks like the two panels would be a straightforward swap. However, that would be the easiest part of the job.

Where the idea for them all having heaters likely came from is the part book. The heaters are sewn into the covers the same as your Merc, but all replacement parts department seat covers have the elements sewn in, BMW doesn't sell X3 rear seat covers without heaters.

Have you by chance had your rear seat lower cushion out? I lifted up on the front edge, it unclips, and then the whole cushion pulls forward. Same in reverse going back. I am interested in where the wiring comes out of the seat cushion before I go digging for it.

Jeff