Seat Heat - Page 2 - XBimmers

Grovsnus · 01-20-2013, 12:41 AM

I wonder whether ECO PRO affects the seat heater too, or just the regular heater/AC.

I also think the ambient temperature will have an effect on how effective it feels - if you heat the seat from 0 degrees up to 70, I'm sure you're going to feel it as much warmer than if you heat it from 50 to 70.

There's probably also a thermostat that prevents it from heating past a certain point, or if the ambient is too high. If it takes mere minutes to heat from -20 to 70, imagine what it would otherwise do if a kid flips the switch in a sun-parked car.

nospam · 01-23-2013, 02:24 AM

Seat heat is definitely reduced on our X1 compared to our 128i. 3 setting is comfy in the X1 and way too hot for me to handle in the 128i, My wife uses 3 all the time in the 128i though, while I can barely handle 2. Even though my wife can handle high heat, she finds setting 3 in the X1 perfectly suitable. However, we can barely feel the setting of 1 in the X1. It has been warm here since taking delivery of our X1 so we don't know if ambient temp affects seat heat.

I still find the diffuse nature of the seat heat on the X1 more pleasant than the 128i. My wife would put a fireplace in the vehicle if she could.

nospam · 01-23-2013, 05:34 PM

Now I've noticed that seat heat defaults to off every time the vehicle is started. Our 128i remembers the last setting associated with the key in use.

I guess I'll have to add this to my list of request for "remember last setting" programming changes (along with Auto Stop/Start).

CIWS · 01-23-2013, 09:55 PM

Unlike my last BMW, 09 X6, this one remembers to leave the air off when I restart from overnight if I left air off when shut vehicle off.

nospam · 01-26-2013, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nospam

Seat heat is definitely reduced on our X1 compared to our 128i. 3 setting is comfy in the X1 and way too hot for me to handle in the 128i, My wife uses 3 all the time in the 128i though, while I can barely handle 2. Even though my wife can handle high heat, she finds setting 3 in the X1 perfectly suitable. However, we can barely feel the setting of 1 in the X1. It has been warm here since taking delivery of our X1 so we don't know if ambient temp affects seat heat.

I still find the diffuse nature of the seat heat on the X1 more pleasant than the 128i. My wife would put a fireplace in the vehicle if she could.

I wore khakis and linen today and the seat heat was noticeable and comfortable at the setting of 1.

RocGuy · 01-27-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nospam

Now I've noticed that seat heat defaults to off every time the vehicle is started. Our 128i remembers the last setting associated with the key in use.

I guess I'll have to add this to my list of request for "remember last setting" programming changes (along with Auto Stop/Start).

If I have the car off for a short time, such as running in the store for a quick trip, the seat heaters are on when I turn it back on. I've not figured out the time limit for how long it needs to be off for it to reset. But it is definitely not on when the car sits overnight. This is the same thing that my old Mini did. The heated steering wheel does not come back on ever.

With the sub-frigid temps we've had up here in the week since I've had my car I've been very happy with the temp of the seats. No complaints. The heated steering wheel is NICE too.

Teleskier · 01-29-2013, 03:31 PM

I had the heated seats on the highest setting (3 bars) for the entire 3+ hour drive back from skiing in northern VT. It was barely warm (leather seats, eco mode) and thus a big disappointment. It never got the chill out of my posterior from the -20F summit ski day.

Whereas my VW TDI cloth heated seats, within 5 minutes on the highest 3 setting, it roasts you to where you HAVE to turn it down, and in fact if you don't, it turns itself down after a short time.

The X1 seats stayed on the max three setting for the entire trip, and I barely felt it. The X1 was only luke warm vs the VW bright hot.

M3tallicar · 01-29-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teleskier

I had the heated seats on the highest setting (3 bars) for the entire 3+ hour drive back from skiing in northern VT. It was barely warm (leather seats, eco mode) and thus a big disappointment. It never got the chill out of my posterior from the -20F summit ski day.

Whereas my VW TDI cloth heated seats, within 5 minutes on the highest 3 setting, it roasts you to where you HAVE to turn it down, and in fact if you don't, it turns itself down after a short time.

The X1 seats stayed on the max three setting for the entire trip, and I barely felt it. The X1 was only luke warm vs the VW bright hot.

Have you tried it when not in Eco Mode though ?

Teleskier · 01-29-2013, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3tallicar

Have you tried it when not in Eco Mode though ?

Not on this trip. I was trying to give the eco pro mode a fair chance. Not that it was worth it or did much.

I did turn the seats on in Europe without eco pro mode, and it seemed about the same weak lukewarm warmth as with the eco mode now. You don't even know it's on unless you see the control LEDs.

I do notice that the other VW with leather seats doesn't heat up as nicely or fast or as hot as the cloth seat VW TDI. There is a leather heat performance penalty, but the X1 was weak compared to the leather seat VW as well.

skylineguv · 01-29-2013, 04:46 PM

I still haven't had any issues with the seat heat in mine, including the cold snaps we've had (like today, -20, -30 something with the windchill).
I haven't touched the Eco-Pro button since I got the car and really do wonder if it has an affect on the seat heat as well as climate control.

Red Bread · 01-29-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylineguv

I still haven't had any issues with the seat heat in mine, including the cold snaps we've had (like today, -20, -30 something with the windchill).
I haven't touched the Eco-Pro button since I got the car and really do wonder if it has an affect on the seat heat as well as climate control.

I think the Eco Pro is on the 35i cars just so they didn't have to give us another blank. I had it on for a few hundred miles of steady state hwy driving and it saved 3.5 miles of fuel, or about 0.2 gallons. I haven't touched it since. I understand it's more effective on the 28i cars, but I think it's mostly a placebo on the 35i cars.

M3tallicar · 01-29-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teleskier

Not on this trip. I was trying to give the eco pro mode a fair chance. Not that it was worth it or did much.

I did turn the seats on in Europe without eco pro mode, and it seemed about the same weak lukewarm warmth as with the eco mode now. You don't even know it's on unless you see the control LEDs.

I do notice that the other VW with leather seats doesn't heat up as nicely or fast or as hot as the cloth seat VW TDI. There is a leather heat performance penalty, but the X1 was weak compared to the leather seat VW as well.

Have had set heaters in plenty of leather seat cars with no issues so I don't think that can blamed, have only driven the new X1 one day and didn't use them, will try it and see how they perform

nospam · 01-29-2013, 05:23 PM

I drove my mom this early morning and it was an uncharacteristically cool 36 degrees. I found the heat adequate but much lower than our 2009 128i. She said the heat was the same as her 2012 328i.

Teleskier · 01-29-2013, 06:19 PM

The manual does say Eco Pro does change the climate control systems like AC, however it doesn't feel like the heated seats are part of that (to me).

I had the cloth seat VW, other half has the leather seat VW. For years all I ever heard was the envy of how much warmer my car's heated seats were.

This trip in the new X1 I heard - "Hah! My seats are now warmer than yours!!"

I suspect for most people it's warm enough and fine - but when you can't get to a shower after a day of skiing and you're chilled to the bone - driving home with strong heated seats taking the chill out was such a treat.

The max 3 setting feels like what a 1 setting should be. I can't ever see using settings 1 or 2, it would feel the same as off.

nospam · 01-31-2013, 04:05 AM

I don't think ECO PRO affects seat heat. I'm driving the 2012 328i at the moment and the seat heat feels weaker than the X1. They made a change somewhere as our 128i heat Is too hot for my taste. We just don't need as much seat heat here in SoCal. I was wearing shorts and t-shirt today...it was 72 degrees.

fdpxfunix · 01-31-2013, 05:48 AM

I have a 2010 X1 with leather and heated seats. Although the weather in the Uk never gets to mega minus temperatures, I use the heated seats often between 0 and 5 degrees.

Setting 1 takes about 4 mins to get properly warm and this is enough for me when wearing jeans and a fleece top.

Setting 2 I've hardly used, but have used setting 3 a few times when I've got some back ache. I can't leave setting 3 on for long as it just gets too hot!

Sounds like you have a problem or the heaters are just not as powerful as the older model car.

J.

ScottE · 01-31-2013, 08:37 AM

Just discovered my passenger seat heats up to a max temp higher than the driver's side. The difference is fairly dramatic, although I don't know if it warrants a visit yet. I'll keep an eye on it. Or maybe my butt.

Teleskier · 01-31-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdpxfunix

I have a 2010 X1 with leather and heated seats. Setting 1 takes about 4 mins to get properly warm and this is enough for me when wearing jeans and a fleece top.
Setting 2 I've hardly used, but have used setting 3 a few times when I've got some back ache. I can't leave setting 3 on for long as it just gets too hot!

Sounds like you have a problem or the heaters are just not as powerful as the older model car.

Hmm. This makes me feel that I might have an issue in my car. I had setting 3 on for 3+ hours wearing just long underwear tights directly against the seat. It was barely warm. This was on a -20F at summit and -5F at the base ski day.

I don't think 70F in LA qualifies for needing any heated seats, but rather a seat cooling system if it were me.

My expectation is that a 3 setting should get the -5F frigid leather warm in 5 mins, then get my posterior warm in another 5 mins, and then become too hot forcing a downgrade to 2 setting after 15 mins. Sitting on a 3-setting in my VW TDI for 3+ hours would not be possible - you'd be roasting after 20 mins.

Cosmickites · 02-04-2013, 09:23 PM

My brand new x1,leather, has been to the shop to address the issue

First answer, "works as tested. Lower temps used on all new model BMW"

2nd dealer response. " we fixed your seats so they get warm"

My answer to all this? A bunch of bs
My seat heat downright sucks
Went paddle boarding the other day and barely felt heat afterwards

I'm beyond frustrated

On top of this both dealers returned my car damaged

Yep, they both hit something and neglected to tell me
They figured I wouldn't see it

Hassle and rallye on long islsnd

paradoxical3 · 02-04-2013, 11:58 PM

I have a X3 loaner (2013) and it gets WAY hotter than my X1. Very strange.

Teleskier · 02-05-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3tallicar

Have had set heaters in plenty of leather seat cars with no issues so I don't think that can blamed

I agree now. I drove the other VW with heated leather seats last weekend - they do indeed get HOT after only 5-10 mins.

I'm starting to think my seats have a problem, but am concerned that my dealer might rip them open in attempt to debug the problem.

During the week I only make short trips - this weekend on a longer trip, I'll try to try remember to try out the heated seats again.

nospam · 02-05-2013, 11:37 PM

I drove our 128i tonight. Setting of 2 in the 128i is hotter than the 3 setting in the X1. Luckily temps here are mild year round so its not a big issue.

01-23-2013, 09:55 PM	#26
CIWS Moon Parasite Drives: X1 35i Sport (was)X6 50i Dinan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: D/FW Posts: 293 iTrader: (0)	Unlike my last BMW, 09 X6, this one remembers to leave the air off when I restart from overnight if I left air off when shut vehicle off. __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-20-2013, 12:41 AM	#23
Grovsnus Captain Drives: Le Mans blue X1 35i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CT Posts: 655 iTrader: (0)	I wonder whether ECO PRO affects the seat heater too, or just the regular heater/AC. I also think the ambient temperature will have an effect on how effective it feels - if you heat the seat from 0 degrees up to 70, I'm sure you're going to feel it as much warmer than if you heat it from 50 to 70. There's probably also a thermostat that prevents it from heating past a certain point, or if the ambient is too high. If it takes mere minutes to heat from -20 to 70, imagine what it would otherwise do if a kid flips the switch in a sun-parked car.

01-23-2013, 02:24 AM	#24
nospam Captain Drives: X1 x28i; 128i; S2000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 627 iTrader: (0)	Seat heat is definitely reduced on our X1 compared to our 128i. 3 setting is comfy in the X1 and way too hot for me to handle in the 128i, My wife uses 3 all the time in the 128i though, while I can barely handle 2. Even though my wife can handle high heat, she finds setting 3 in the X1 perfectly suitable. However, we can barely feel the setting of 1 in the X1. It has been warm here since taking delivery of our X1 so we don't know if ambient temp affects seat heat. I still find the diffuse nature of the seat heat on the X1 more pleasant than the 128i. My wife would put a fireplace in the vehicle if she could.

01-23-2013, 05:34 PM	#25
nospam Captain Drives: X1 x28i; 128i; S2000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 627 iTrader: (0)	Now I've noticed that seat heat defaults to off every time the vehicle is started. Our 128i remembers the last setting associated with the key in use. I guess I'll have to add this to my list of request for "remember last setting" programming changes (along with Auto Stop/Start).

01-29-2013, 03:31 PM	#29
Teleskier Private Drives: '13 X1 20mpg, '01 VW TDI 55mpg Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New England Posts: 52 iTrader: (0)	I had the heated seats on the highest setting (3 bars) for the entire 3+ hour drive back from skiing in northern VT. It was barely warm (leather seats, eco mode) and thus a big disappointment. It never got the chill out of my posterior from the -20F summit ski day. Whereas my VW TDI cloth heated seats, within 5 minutes on the highest 3 setting, it roasts you to where you HAVE to turn it down, and in fact if you don't, it turns itself down after a short time. The X1 seats stayed on the max three setting for the entire trip, and I barely felt it. The X1 was only luke warm vs the VW bright hot.

01-29-2013, 04:46 PM	#32
skylineguv Private First Class Drives: 2013 X1 35i M-Sport, Le Mans Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 170 iTrader: (0)	I still haven't had any issues with the seat heat in mine, including the cold snaps we've had (like today, -20, -30 something with the windchill). I haven't touched the Eco-Pro button since I got the car and really do wonder if it has an affect on the seat heat as well as climate control.

01-29-2013, 05:23 PM	#35
nospam Captain Drives: X1 x28i; 128i; S2000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 627 iTrader: (0)	I drove my mom this early morning and it was an uncharacteristically cool 36 degrees. I found the heat adequate but much lower than our 2009 128i. She said the heat was the same as her 2012 328i.

01-29-2013, 06:19 PM	#36
Teleskier Private Drives: '13 X1 20mpg, '01 VW TDI 55mpg Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New England Posts: 52 iTrader: (0)	The manual does say Eco Pro does change the climate control systems like AC, however it doesn't feel like the heated seats are part of that (to me). I had the cloth seat VW, other half has the leather seat VW. For years all I ever heard was the envy of how much warmer my car's heated seats were. This trip in the new X1 I heard - "Hah! My seats are now warmer than yours!!" I suspect for most people it's warm enough and fine - but when you can't get to a shower after a day of skiing and you're chilled to the bone - driving home with strong heated seats taking the chill out was such a treat. The max 3 setting feels like what a 1 setting should be. I can't ever see using settings 1 or 2, it would feel the same as off.

01-31-2013, 04:05 AM	#37
nospam Captain Drives: X1 x28i; 128i; S2000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 627 iTrader: (0)	I don't think ECO PRO affects seat heat. I'm driving the 2012 328i at the moment and the seat heat feels weaker than the X1. They made a change somewhere as our 128i heat Is too hot for my taste. We just don't need as much seat heat here in SoCal. I was wearing shorts and t-shirt today...it was 72 degrees.

01-31-2013, 05:48 AM	#38
fdpxfunix Private Drives: X1 sDrive 18d Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK - West Sussex Posts: 89 iTrader: (0)	I have a 2010 X1 with leather and heated seats. Although the weather in the Uk never gets to mega minus temperatures, I use the heated seats often between 0 and 5 degrees. Setting 1 takes about 4 mins to get properly warm and this is enough for me when wearing jeans and a fleece top. Setting 2 I've hardly used, but have used setting 3 a few times when I've got some back ache. I can't leave setting 3 on for long as it just gets too hot! Sounds like you have a problem or the heaters are just not as powerful as the older model car. J.

01-31-2013, 08:37 AM	#39
ScottE Private Drives: '13 X1 xDrive 28i Mineral Gray Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 58 iTrader: (0)	Just discovered my passenger seat heats up to a max temp higher than the driver's side. The difference is fairly dramatic, although I don't know if it warrants a visit yet. I'll keep an eye on it. Or maybe my butt.

02-04-2013, 09:23 PM	#41
Cosmickites New Member Drives: X1 xdrive Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Long beach ny Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	My brand new x1,leather, has been to the shop to address the issue First answer, "works as tested. Lower temps used on all new model BMW" 2nd dealer response. " we fixed your seats so they get warm" My answer to all this? A bunch of bs My seat heat downright sucks Went paddle boarding the other day and barely felt heat afterwards I'm beyond frustrated On top of this both dealers returned my car damaged Yep, they both hit something and neglected to tell me They figured I wouldn't see it Hassle and rallye on long islsnd

02-04-2013, 11:58 PM	#42
paradoxical3 Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: USA Posts: 256 iTrader: (2)	I have a X3 loaner (2013) and it gets WAY hotter than my X1. Very strange.

02-05-2013, 11:37 PM	#44
nospam Captain Drives: X1 x28i; 128i; S2000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 627 iTrader: (0)	I drove our 128i tonight. Setting of 2 in the 128i is hotter than the 3 setting in the X1. Luckily temps here are mild year round so its not a big issue.