Rear Heated Seats Retrofit (E53)

[Sanj]

Hope this helps anyone considering the mod - mine is an 04 plate but remember the option wasn't available before 2001, so you may not have the connectors - check this first before embarking on the retro-fit!

Bigs thanks to Raj firstly - sourced the rear heated seats for me and the blinds. 2nd thanks to nigwhyrito (xoutposts) and petert (xdrivers) - couldn't have done it wothout your posts gents.

The breakers had this little lot ready for me.



So - first you have to get the old one's out - get the bolster out first. Pull on the top edge and then upwards and it will lift out.



Then look for this bracket - T30 torx to get it out, trim likes to get in the way but should be easy enough. One more bracket where the seat splits - like a cover, to get off and then the seat is free (make sure you get the other end too).



Backs are easily removed and the new one's go in exactly the same - keep the new leads ready, they go here:



Small 2 pin one's are for the back (one each side) and the big one is for the bench seat - easy to remove, pull underneath each corner and the seat base comes up, then pull outwards. You will need to get to the bolt underneath to get the 3rd seat-belt out - reverse to get the new one in.

Now the curve ball - where are the connectors for the new switches that go into the centre console? You need to get that console out, info on the forum to tell you how to get that out. Once out you have access to the wiring. Some of that is extra!



Next step is to get under the carpet, that's where the connectors are! Passenger seat (UK cars) needs to come up, 4 bolts, one each corner:







Get the front seat moved forward and out the way to get to the carpet, that has a front and rear half, pull it up. You can see the split.



Now the money shot - you'll see the connectors tied up along the rear passenger footwell.



Un-tie and pull back the connectors to the centre console. Get that centre console back in:



Troubleshooting and things to check as mine didn't work first time:

1. Check your rear fuse is in place and not blown (no.80)
2. Same goes for the front fuse (no.4)
3. The relay! You need this in the rear fuse box, it goes here (first on the left that's empty - green squares at the top of the pic). The one next to it has the part number - take it in and get the dealer to supply a similar one - £10 (hopefully).



Got them working!



And here's a few shots of them in place:





And this is a shot of the rear blinds also thanks to Raj - cards need to be swapped along with the window surround and the 3/4 panel:

[petert]

Great 'How-to' post Sanj - it took me back a bit!  Glad my previous one helped a bit but this one looks more involved than what I did - nice job with excellent photos as well.

Peter T

[graemeX5]

Nice job and how to fit heated rear seats, it certainly improves the car, glad the main bit of wiring is there.

Thanks for that one and I now know who to come to if I get stuck when I come to do mine.

The only thing to do is is find beige heated rear leather seats.

[bigsanj]

Nice job Sanj.... What's next?

[Raj]

Nice write-up paaji. No probs with the help and the late night strip out from the donor car LOL. Glad it's all in.

[Black X5]

Great write up. The heated rear seats AND sunblinds- eagle eyed and lucky! )

[Sanj]

[quote="Black X5"]
The heated rear seats AND sunblinds- eagle eyed and lucky! )
[/quote]

All thanks to Raj and the breaker friend we got to know at the last meet. If the blinds had fitted Raj's car he would've had them. Since we stay in constant touch and I knew he was going to see the cards, I asked if I could take them if they weren't for him...

And Raj bagged the rear seats for me.

[jaynana]

GREAT JOB, as always mate  :thumbup:

i do have the blinds, as for the heated seats - what for? its two child seats that sit on em usually.. (just jealous lol)

and then not having a  heated steering damn!  :devil:

[Raj]

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="Black X5"]
The heated rear seats AND sunblinds- eagle eyed and lucky! )
[/quote]

All thanks to Raj and the breaker friend we got to know at the last meet. If the blinds had fitted Raj's car he would've had them. Since we stay in constant touch and I knew he was going to see the cards, I asked if I could take them if they weren't for him...

And Raj bagged the rear seats for me.
[/quote]

Was lucky tbh as the blinds really don't come up very often but hey ho. He is a lucky boy lol

[Raj]

[quote="jaynana"]
GREAT JOB, as always mate  :thumbup:

i do have the blinds, as for the heated seats - what for? its two child seats that sit on em usually.. (just jealous lol)

and then not having a  heated steering damn!  :devil:
[/quote]

If don't use the blinds I'll happily part ex em with a bit of cash on top LOL

[andym3]

Nice work & write up! 

[jaynana]

[quote="Raj"]

If don't use the blinds I'll happily part ex em with a bit of cash on top LOL
[/quote]

part-ex for a heated steering maybe?  lol

out of jokes naah, i'd hang on to the blinds.. if you see a heated steering though pls do let me know.

cheers

[ChrisLux]

Sanj , your silver door inserts , are they standard of have you 'foiled' them ??

[Sanj]

Arh haaaa - I was wondering if anyone would spot that. 

Door inserts sprayed to the same colour as the exterior of the car (by Raj's bodyshop guy).

The door handle inserts sprayed by me, to the same colour.

All scotched, primed, flattened, base coated, flattened and then clear lacquered (with several coats on each) to give that gloss finish.

If you want better shots, can post up later?

[ChrisLux]

If it'd been 'foiled' was gonna ask where from .

If I paint mine the same colour as the exterior , I end up with the same problem I already
have , coz everything's bloody black  )  I had the idea to maybe change it to silver carbon
like the ACS stuff , but don't wanna pay their prices !!