W124 Heated Seat Retrofit

[JohnM.]

Regrettably, the only thing keeping my 300E from perfection is a toasty pair of seat heaters. It was a rare option on the W124. However, a 1992 300E has showed up at the local Pull-N-Pay with heated seats. Unfortunately they are gray leather so I would have to extricate the heating elements.

How hard is it to install the seat heater elements? Is that something I would have to take to an upholstery shop? Or can I remove the seat covers myself realistically without damaging my seats?

From what I know there is a heated seat relay (yellow), and a harness runs from each switch to the underside of each seat. The car also has the center console wood in good shape, just needs refinishing.

I want seat heaters, bad!

[babymog]

Where are you located? I need some gray leather interior parts, ...

I'd suggest getting all of the electrical bits and the console wood, and checking the price on new heating elements in case they're not that bad. Otherwise, might be a simple matter of disassembling the seats, ... and I'll happily take the discarded seat leather and seat-backs when you're finished.

[pawoSD]

Seat heaters? Psh, be rugged! You'll have to add wiring, relays, switches, and upgrade the alternator too....sounds like a lot of work to bake your rear end.

[compu_85]

Naw, sounds like an easy job to me. You can probably carefully disassemble the donor car and grab the whole harness right back to the fusebox... no cut wires. I doubt the cars with heated seats came with better alternators. Not that fitting one that's more then 70A is a bad idea Just like the rear defroster the heated seats are designed to cut out if voltage gets too low. They don't draw much power anyway, as I recall they only draw 12 amps with both seats on high.

As I understand it the heater elements sit right under the leather, above the horsehair and padding. I've not had a seat cushion that far apart, so I can't comment on how hard that step would be.

Yes, retrofitting seat heaters and the orthopedic cushions are on my to-do list for my SDL I'll pay good $$$ for anyone who has a un-cut W126 front heated seat harness.

Pawo, have you ever had a car with seat heaters? They are literally the best thing ever in Michigan. I used the ones I retrofitted to my Jetta this morning

-J

[JohnM.]

I highly doubt the alternator will have a problem. My charging system is very solid. Even with all the high load items (headlights, rear defroster, upgraded stereo) on at once, the lights still don't dim at idle! Having really clean grounds everywhere is a must.

I'm comfortable with completely tearing apart my interior to add such a wonderful feature. It would make the car perfect to drive all year round. Although the W124 warms up faster than any car I've driven in the winter. Even in the coldest weather, within 2 miles of driving around town, heat is there. But seat heaters seal the deal.

babymog, I am in Denver. Unfortunately the seats on this car were a bit nappy. Looks like the car sat outside with the windows down for at least a year if not more. Sandblasted. Sad, because there were no tears in the leather.

On a scale of 1-10, how hard would it be for the "average" technically inclined person to remove the leather seat covers and re-install them? Any tips, tricks, instructions from anyone?

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by compu_85

Naw, sounds like an easy job to me. You can probably carefully disassemble the donor car and grab the whole harness right back to the fusebox... no cut wires. I doubt the cars with heated seats came with better alternators. Not that fitting one that's more then 70A is a bad idea Just like the rear defroster the heated seats are designed to cut out if voltage gets too low. They don't draw much power anyway, as I recall they only draw 12 amps with both seats on high.

As I understand it the heater elements sit right under the leather, above the horsehair and padding. I've not had a seat cushion that far apart, so I can't comment on how hard that step would be.

Yes, retrofitting seat heaters and the orthopedic cushions are on my to-do list for my SDL I'll pay good $$$ for anyone who has a un-cut W126 front heated seat harness.

Pawo, have you ever had a car with seat heaters? They are literally the best thing ever in Michigan. I used the ones I retrofitted to my Jetta this morning

-J

I like it cold.....this morning I did not even wear a jacket, it was 47 out. I have the heat off completely in my car if it is over 50 degrees outside. I like cold chairs and pillows etc.......I'm one of those people who's hands are never cold.....they steam in the winter. Heated seats = no thanks

[macdrone]

There is a thread for seat heater parts search here and benzworld.org. I want to do the same thing but the old elements are glued into the padding underneath the leather. Usually doesnt come out well. All the wiring should be an easy pull.

Good luck.

[babymog]

I got my first car with bun-warmers in '85, would never buy a car without. Great, thereputic, and a safety enhancement (yes, that's why Volvo developed them).

Also great in winter to leave the heat off for short trips in the snow so that the windshield doesn't melt snow and re-freeze every time you run in a store, ...

Kind of like explaining color to a blind man I'm afraid, you can't really understand unless you experience it, but once experienced, a major improvement.

I suppose the first padded seat was frowned upon also.

[anziani]

Oh how the Fates mess with our lives. Here I sit in Palm Springs CA with a ex-Canadian E420 with seat warmers. I DREAD the day someone turns them on accidentally. We've had the car 4 years and I don't even know if they work!
Today it will hit 94F.
Anziani

[Kestas]

I remember from reading my owners manual that if there are too many accesories on (high current draw), and the alternator can't keep up (i.e., car at idle), then the heated seat circuit is temporarily cut out and the heated seat switch starts blinking. I wonder if your car would be protected with this feature, or if it even needs it.

[compu_85]

That is part of the heated seat relay, so you would get that feature if you did a proper install.

[babymog]

Rear defog does the same thing.