Columbia1991

I have a 2007 E60 with Sport Package. I had a local shop install seat heaters (the shop has great reviews and comes highly recommended). Much to my chagrin, however, the passenger side only has the seat-back heated and not the seat-bottom. The driver side has both. The only reason I did this was for my wife!

The installer told me that because of the passenger "sensor" the heating element could not be installed on the seat-bottom. Ironically, I had seat heaters installed in a 2008 Yukon and a 2006 Mercedes, both had front passenger weight sensors and the install was without issue.

is there something special about the BMW or the sports seats on a 2007 E60 that would validate their claim? I intend to speak with the shop owner tomorrow so I'd like to be armed with some expert opinions.

BTW - You'd think seat heaters would be standard issue on a 5 Series with Sport Package! Geez!

ETNav382

There shouldn't be anything special about the seats but I'm no expert. Heated seats come with cold weather package.

Bobbrown13

+1
Mine didnt come with Cold Weather Package but I made it part of the deal with the dealer to get them installed at local shop. No issues, however the switches are not in the center pillar like stock, there on the side of the seat.

tonyb635

Well the sensor is on all BMW passenger seats but the heater is not. I'm not sure if there is a difference between the seats with and without and then adding this with an aftermarket system and how it would react with the SBE mat etc. Maybe they have installed this system before and when they did it caused the SBE warning light to illuminate, but they should have known this up front and made you aware of it. But I guess they wanted the money instead of you changing your mind...

wcr3d

As stated above, heated seats along with wheel and mirrors come with the cold weather package. They are also both fully heated.

audiophool

My CWP came with rear seat heaters too. Not sure if this is part of the regular CWP or a Canada thing?

wcr3d

I know it is not a canadian thing. I think it was an add on after my production date.

Columbia1991

UPDATE - I called two other seat heater installers and got the same story. They will not place a seat heater element on or near a passenger air bag sensor due to liability reasons. Apparently this sensor is located in different places depending on the make and model of the vehicle. They did say some installers will install the heating pad anywhere with no regard to potential danger or liability. This may explain why some folks on this and other forums said they had full heaters.

I also called the manufacturer of the seat heater element and they said the same thing. Bottom line, the shop should have disclosed this to me be before accepting my appointment.

tonyb635

OEM Heated seats heat the bottom and the back. I have them and I don't have the CWP. I also have heated mirrors. The CWP Includes heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors and headlight washers.