Ventilated Seats Or Heated Wheel?
06-05-2004, 01:22 AM
#26
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
For those who didn't notice, I live in New Jersey, where there are both hot, humid summers and cold, frigid winters.
From what I've heard here and elsewhere, both the heated steering wheel and ventilated seat work. The wheel may have a muted effect at times because of a conservative temperature sensor that prevents the wheel from getting to hot.
The ventilated seats have a subtle effect. Not one to sell the car on the showroom floor or quick test drive by blowing air at you. But steady suction of moisture away from the seat.
And I've learned neither is retrofittable!!!. Apparently MB uses different wiring harnesses in cars were either feature (or both features) are specified. So adding a feature (such as the heated steering wheel) which might seem simple at first (new stalk, wheel, and some relays) is actually very complex and very expensive.
So we really have to make a decision. The result may come from what we decide about the premium leather interior (Premium Leather Thread ).
We are so annoyed MB isn't letting us order both.
David
From what I've heard here and elsewhere, both the heated steering wheel and ventilated seat work. The wheel may have a muted effect at times because of a conservative temperature sensor that prevents the wheel from getting to hot.
The ventilated seats have a subtle effect. Not one to sell the car on the showroom floor or quick test drive by blowing air at you. But steady suction of moisture away from the seat.
And I've learned neither is retrofittable!!!. Apparently MB uses different wiring harnesses in cars were either feature (or both features) are specified. So adding a feature (such as the heated steering wheel) which might seem simple at first (new stalk, wheel, and some relays) is actually very complex and very expensive.
So we really have to make a decision. The result may come from what we decide about the premium leather interior (Premium Leather Thread ).
We are so annoyed MB isn't letting us order both.
David
06-06-2004, 12:01 AM
#27
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Well, this should be my last post on this subject. I will actually be placing it in three threads that were related to this purchase.
The final car is an MY05 E320 CDI, Alabaster White/Ash leather, lighting, rear seat, and 426 premium (nav, drive dynamic seat, rear shades, rear side blinds, and entertainment package) packages and parktronic, tire pressure monitor, and sat radio. Phone w/VCS will be included when the new phone is announced. ED 9/3. So we won't have it in NJ until October.
The final decisions were a killer. Heated steering wheel or ventilated seats. Premium leather or standard interior.
The there were two deciding factors. After I pointed out the two strips of leather on the MY05 standard interior, my wife described it like as a vinyl skirt with a leather belt. Nearly as if MB was trying to fake-out the customers. The vinyl has leather-like stitching, and in a $50k car, you think it would be leather.
Second, although my wife may use a heated steering wheel 30% of the time, I only use it for the first 10 minutes or so on very cold days. On the other hand, the ventilated seats would be used on long sticky drives (our average trip is close to 1 hour because of the NYC commutes). Therefore, we would get more use out of it. And, the leather with the ventilated seats seems better than the leather without them.
Two factors weighed against this decision. Cost was one. The MY05 426 premium package plus separate ventilated seats is now $5200 vs. $3650 in MY04. Ouch!!!
Second, the convex tufted door trim (the airbag is in the seat) takes over an inch of effective width off the armrests compared to the concave standard interior.
Combined, they took the decision to the wire. However, we went with the ventilated seats.
I'd like to thank everyone for all their help.
David
The final car is an MY05 E320 CDI, Alabaster White/Ash leather, lighting, rear seat, and 426 premium (nav, drive dynamic seat, rear shades, rear side blinds, and entertainment package) packages and parktronic, tire pressure monitor, and sat radio. Phone w/VCS will be included when the new phone is announced. ED 9/3. So we won't have it in NJ until October.
The final decisions were a killer. Heated steering wheel or ventilated seats. Premium leather or standard interior.
The there were two deciding factors. After I pointed out the two strips of leather on the MY05 standard interior, my wife described it like as a vinyl skirt with a leather belt. Nearly as if MB was trying to fake-out the customers. The vinyl has leather-like stitching, and in a $50k car, you think it would be leather.
Second, although my wife may use a heated steering wheel 30% of the time, I only use it for the first 10 minutes or so on very cold days. On the other hand, the ventilated seats would be used on long sticky drives (our average trip is close to 1 hour because of the NYC commutes). Therefore, we would get more use out of it. And, the leather with the ventilated seats seems better than the leather without them.
Two factors weighed against this decision. Cost was one. The MY05 426 premium package plus separate ventilated seats is now $5200 vs. $3650 in MY04. Ouch!!!
Second, the convex tufted door trim (the airbag is in the seat) takes over an inch of effective width off the armrests compared to the concave standard interior.
Combined, they took the decision to the wire. However, we went with the ventilated seats.
I'd like to thank everyone for all their help.
David
06-06-2004, 10:37 PM
#28
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I have premium leather seating in my car... But, I would have been fine w/ the leatherett(vinyl) insert seating. You can't really tell and I think it will be a lot easier to take care of. I would use that $$ for the bi-xenon headlight. Heated seats.... not neccessary. Just wear an extra layer of clothes. and Like you said... after 5-10 mins. the AC will do just fine. Are you ordering the car or picking something avaliable from the lot?
06-06-2004, 10:48 PM
#29
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Visually, if no one sitting the seat, it is hard to tell the difference. If you touch it, the vinyl feels like...vinyl. And since my wife and I actually do sit in the seats, that was an issue.
Heated seats are great, my wife insists on them, and everyone else who has them says so also. You are in a very distinct minority. Actually, it took a while until my wife decided to give up her heated steering wheel. She has had a heated steering wheel since March 1998, and she loves it.
The ventilated seat handles something the AC doesn't, the space between you back and the seat. There is no AC there.
And if you re-read the posts, you will find that the car is ordered for European Delivery.
Heated seats are great, my wife insists on them, and everyone else who has them says so also. You are in a very distinct minority. Actually, it took a while until my wife decided to give up her heated steering wheel. She has had a heated steering wheel since March 1998, and she loves it.
The ventilated seat handles something the AC doesn't, the space between you back and the seat. There is no AC there.
And if you re-read the posts, you will find that the car is ordered for European Delivery.
06-07-2004, 11:23 PM
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
well, I guess our priorities and needs are different. You are a married man w/ a family. I am a young single guy that..... don't have all the $$. IF i had the $$ I would get every option possible for this car!!!!! But, I spend every penny I save each month to modify the car's appearance and performance, which you probably will not do. So, once again, our needs are different. Ok. Good luck!! Oh, be careful w/ that leather!! I already got some scratches and permanent stain!!
06-07-2004, 11:40 PM
#31
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2004 E500 / 2001 C240
You won't be dissapointed. Vinyl vs Leather.. I mean c'mon, is that a serious consideration..
Clean water vs dirty water.. Which one will you drink.. hehe.
Clean water vs dirty water.. Which one will you drink.. hehe.
06-07-2004, 11:46 PM
#32
MBWorld Fanatic!
hey, that's totally different. You are not eating that leather. Just putting your butt on it. But, I will shut up now.. cause I have leather seats in mine.. It's nice to have.
06-08-2004, 12:02 AM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hey Hey!! watch it. we might have some female drivers here....
