Can the dealer (or me?) put in heated seats?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
Can the dealer (or me?) put in heated seats?
I'm buying a 2006 C230 Sport Sedan for daily driver, auto-cross, and track days. 
It is bare bones! Only options are rear door airbags and folding rear seats. This car is without:
- automatic transmisssion
- xenon lights
- heated seats
- sunroof
- rear sun shade
- rain sensing wipers
- CD changer
- power-adjustable steering column
- etcetera and so on......
The only thing I will miss are the heated seats.
- Can the dealer install those?
- Can I get the parts and install them myself?
- Can I go aftermarket?
It is bare bones! Only options are rear door airbags and folding rear seats. This car is without:
- automatic transmisssion
- xenon lights
- heated seats
- sunroof
- rear sun shade
- rain sensing wipers
- CD changer
- power-adjustable steering column
- etcetera and so on......
The only thing I will miss are the heated seats.
- Can the dealer install those?
- Can I get the parts and install them myself?
- Can I go aftermarket?
Last edited by GermanCarShow; Oct 29, 2007 at 04:58 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
You can buy a switch row, wiring harness and either factory covers with heated option (expensive if leather) or after market heat pads and use factory plugs to connect to harness. We can look up numbers, PM if you need these. Most dealer do not want to deal with it, its not that hard.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
C350 '12
When I bought my preowned coupe, I was appalled at the cloth upholstery on those seats. The pattern looked like a bad sofa from the 80's. I had them remove the seats and put in MB leather with an upholsterer that did work for the dealership.
I can't imagine it would be that difficult for them to figure out how to get heated seats in there, though it might cost you. Do the research first and let us know -- is it just a heating element inside the upholstery; can it be put in later or do the seats have to have them premade? I have no idea, but am interested in you finding out.
I can't imagine it would be that difficult for them to figure out how to get heated seats in there, though it might cost you. Do the research first and let us know -- is it just a heating element inside the upholstery; can it be put in later or do the seats have to have them premade? I have no idea, but am interested in you finding out.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
When I bought my preowned coupe, I was appalled at the cloth upholstery on those seats. The pattern looked like a bad sofa from the 80's. I had them remove the seats and put in MB leather with an upholsterer that did work for the dealership.
I can't imagine it would be that difficult for them to figure out how to get heated seats in there, though it might cost you. Do the research first and let us know -- is it just a heating element inside the upholstery; can it be put in later or do the seats have to have them premade? I have no idea, but am interested in you finding out.
I can't imagine it would be that difficult for them to figure out how to get heated seats in there, though it might cost you. Do the research first and let us know -- is it just a heating element inside the upholstery; can it be put in later or do the seats have to have them premade? I have no idea, but am interested in you finding out.
If you had factory leather covers installed you may have heat pads installed. If you order new covers they most likely have the heat pads since the replacement part only has one part number.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
I'm buying a 2006 C230 Sport Sedan for daily driver, auto-cross, and track days.
It is bare bones! Only options are rear door airbags and folding rear seats. This car is without:
- automatic transmisssion
- xenon lights
- heated seats
- sunroof
- rear sun shade
- rain sensing wipers
- CD changer
- power-adjustable steering column
- etcetera and so on......
The only thing I will miss are the heated seats.
- Can the dealer install those?
- Can I get the parts and install them myself?
- Can I go aftermarket?
It is bare bones! Only options are rear door airbags and folding rear seats. This car is without:
- automatic transmisssion
- xenon lights
- heated seats
- sunroof
- rear sun shade
- rain sensing wipers
- CD changer
- power-adjustable steering column
- etcetera and so on......
The only thing I will miss are the heated seats.
- Can the dealer install those?
- Can I get the parts and install them myself?
- Can I go aftermarket?
Yes, you absolutely can add the heated seats, but the price may scare you. Your car came with the leather seating inserts, whereas the 2007 models came with MB Tex. On the heated seat models, the heating element is made into the seat cover.
It is possible your seat covers already have the heating elements, as stated above; if so, this will greatly reduce the cost. If not (probably), you will have to buy each seatcover piece (seat bottoms and seatbacks) separately. I think they are a few hundred dollars each in leather. If you can live with MB Tex (2007 style), it may be somewhat cheaper. You will also have to install switches and wiring.
Yes, aftermarket alternatives are now available for heated seats. They are definitely cheaper, but quality is a question mark. Factory parts will always be better for durability, and value of the car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
Thanks for the replies, everyone! I will inquire with the dealer$hip to find out if my leather inserts have the heating elements or not.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Here is a link for parts, they claim that they are a OEM supplier.
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/overview.html
Can I buy the individual switch that goes in the row or do I have to buy the whole row?
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/overview.html
Can I buy the individual switch that goes in the row or do I have to buy the whole row?
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
Here is a link for parts, they claim that they are a OEM supplier.
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/overview.html
Can I buy the individual switch that goes in the row or do I have to buy the whole row?
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/overview.html
Can I buy the individual switch that goes in the row or do I have to buy the whole row?
Last edited by RES; Oct 30, 2007 at 01:53 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
a full switch row will have 8 toggle switches:
- heated seats / vented seats (Left)
- PTS
- rear window shade (up/down)
- ESP off
- door unlock
- rear head-rest drop
- anti-tow alarm / IMS
- heated seats / vented seats (Right)
Last edited by Saprissa; Oct 30, 2007 at 12:17 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
I read in the link that if you have leather seats that the element is already built in?? Can anyone confirm?
I have the leather inserts on my front seats OEM, how can I tell if they have the elements? That would be great if they did as then all I have to do is by the switches!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
thanks for the link but that is for a 2005+ I have an 04 and the buttons are a different shape
I read in the link that if you have leather seats that the element is already built in?? Can anyone confirm?
I have the leather inserts on my front seats OEM, how can I tell if they have the elements? That would be great if they did as then all I have to do is by the switches!
I read in the link that if you have leather seats that the element is already built in?? Can anyone confirm?
I have the leather inserts on my front seats OEM, how can I tell if they have the elements? That would be great if they did as then all I have to do is by the switches!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
funny how the listing says it will work on a C32
eBay sellers are idiots !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
I put in the factory heated seats last year. You have to get the swith row, wire harness, plus the upper and lower seat coverings. It was pretty expensive, but I use it all the time when it is cool outside.
You have to remove the center console, the seats and everything from the vents on down to ash tray on the front panel.
I did it in two steps, first installed the wire harness and switch row and the next week did the seats.
You have to remove the center console, the seats and everything from the vents on down to ash tray on the front panel.
I did it in two steps, first installed the wire harness and switch row and the next week did the seats.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Try a winter where I live with no heated seats when it is -28*c, the seats are rock hard and the leather feels like a slab of ice
Last edited by Boom vang; Oct 31, 2007 at 06:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
Here's an old heated seat thread from 2005:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/108473-seat-heat-install-revisited.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/108473-seat-heat-install-revisited.html
