DavidNJ

Ok, we can get the premium package with the heating package including the heated wheel. Or we can get premium package with the ventilated seat (includes seat heating) which requires the premium leather interior.

Which should we get? Does the ventilated seat work better that the heated wheel. We are in NJ where we could use both, unfortunately MB doesn't seem to have a way to order both!!!

As a side bar, is the premium leather worth the extra expense on an E320 CDI?

Thanks,

David

P.S.
There is another thread on ventilated seats, however, it seemed inconclusive.

NATS64

Heated seats make a lot of sense, especially in New Jersey. Why not go for the wood/leather steering wheel? Wood doesn't get that cold, and it looks and feels great. The price is about the same as for the heated wheel alone (2004 model prices).

bmms8

i actually dont have any of those two options, but from a third party standpoint, the steering wheel with wood looks better, but the setas to me would be a lot more pratical. GL with your decision.

lig

The heated seats are my wife's favorite option without question.

Wood/leather wheel would be nice too...

DavidNJ

Confusion, confusion....

We will have heated seats. The question is:

Heating Package with heated seats and heated steering wheel

OR

Ventilated/Heated Seats with Premium Leather BUT NO HEATED STEERING WHEEL

Choice is:

Ventilated Seats vs. Heated STEERING WHEEL

If we could get both we would however MBUSA won't let you in MY05!!!

Thanks,

David

theitalianjob

I'd get the "Ventilated/Heated Seats with Premium Leather BUT NO HEATED STEERING WHEEL"....

W210

I don't have the heated steering wheel but I heard they are not that effective and do not last more than 10 minutes.

The ventilated seats will be useful all year around, especially if you sit in the car for more than 30 minutes.

glojo

Certainly would not advice anyone, but if it were me, then the leather trim wins on its own. The ventilated seat is just an extra bonus.

I believe I have the same colour interior, and if that is the case I would also recommend some form of protection. From what I have read on the forum I think the US offers 'Scotch Guard'

I have the Mercedes-Benz version and a good quality vacuum cleaner sucks the dried mud off the rear panels, and leaves it in pristine condition.

Our German Shepherd is the 'rear cargo' and being long haired just adds to the challenge of keeping the vehicle clean. I am really impressed with the protection and unreservedly recommend it.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards,
John

Windy Torquay

HotWheels500

I'm going with the heated wheel (heating pkg). Had one in a 540i and loved it. Real nice during CT winters. Would have liked vented seats as well (although no experience with them), but life is life.

Oslo

Again, a "funny" thing about US cars. I have ventilated/heated seats, and heated wheel. I can't understand why they cannot combine these options in US? Are you 100% sure, or could it just be an error in the configuration set up. By the way, the ventilated seats are not as good as I expected. Tried it last summer in a BMW E60, and they were excellent, but in the E it’s not nearly the same effect, and most of the cooling comes from the back rest, not from the seat.

ATS

I would have gone for the ventilated seats.. I thought, I will never need them.. Man, it is one of the coolest features I have ever used.

alewifebp

Ventilated seats and Leather! In my opinion, the heated steering wheel is nearly worthless. I have attempted to use it during extra cold periods, but have not gotten enough use out of it to make it a feature that I would get again. The heat takes way too long to come on, and it is barely felt.

On the other hand, I wish I had ordered the Premium Package, as my back sweats very easily, and no doubt the ventilated seats would help that problem.

levind

I also wanted both options. Since I had to choose, I went for the ventilated seats. I ordered the wood/leather wheel as a consolation prize

DavidNJ

The answers are running 5-2 in favor of ventilated seats over the heated steering wheel.

Interestingly, one owner of the heated wheel says it doesn't work very well, and one owner of the ventilated seat says it doesn't work very well.

If you think your heated wheel or ventilated seats work well, could you elaborate on their comments?

Thanks,

David

Comments from this thread:

Heated Steering Wheel:
"In my opinion, the heated steering wheel is nearly worthless. I have attempted to use it during extra cold periods...The heat takes way too long to come on, and it is barely felt."

Ventilated Seats:
"the ventilated seats are not as good as I expected. Tried it last summer in a BMW E60, and they were excellent, but in the E it’s not nearly the same effect, and most of the cooling comes from the back rest, not from the seat."

onpaws

Haha, I'll chime in.

We also have ventilated seats in leather, and the heated Steering Wheel. The ventilated seats do work, especially in reducing perspiration from your back. It may not initially seem cooling because the air is being sucked away, not being blown into your body, but it does indeed work.

The Heated Steering wheel on the other hand, takes way too long to warm up. We asked the salesperson about it and he said that's the way it operates. My dad jokes that he'll already get to his destination with frozen hands before the steering wheel puts out any heat.

RAD

Well, I don't have either one on mine, but to me the choice is a no-brainer--get the ventilated seats.

I was driving just last weekend--beautiful weather, a nice late spring day in the low 70s with the A/C on--and I was already wishing for ventilated seats. From my perspective, in most all climates south of the arctic circle (I'm in NYC and have lived in Boston, so I know what cold winters are), you'll get more days of use from the ventilated seats than the heated steering wheel.

If you're sweating in your seat, there's not much you can do (assuming the A/C is already cranked). If your hands are cold--wear gloves!

Gunther

I have both the A/V seats and the heated steering wheel in my MY04 SL.

Both are great. The wheel does heat up in a reasonable period of time - 2 to 3 minutes and I can feel the heat.

The A/V seats are a god-send down here in GA where humidity is unbearable.

If I could only choose one...I'd have to go with the seats. I can always wear some gloves as needed but it's just too nice to get out of the car when it's hot and NOT have the back of my shirt stuck to me. You don't notice that much happening until you get where you are going and realize you aren't all wet.

Besides...always get the leather upgrade...leather surfaces for seat? I don't think so.

luxury1

Ventilated seats and a $5 pair of gloves

Barry45RPM

Ventilated/Heated Seats with Premium Leather BUT NO HEATED STEERING WHEEL is how I went. The heated wheel is rediculous. Besides, around here you'll have heat coming out of the ducts in 1/4 mile or so... as long as your body is warm, you'll feel warm. And the ventilated seats WORK on long drives! You will like the cool.

If u get the wood wheel, be advised the heated wheel only heats the leather part, not the wood part.

My advice...don't get the heated wheel. This is my 1st car in almost 30 years that I have NO REGRETS about not ordering it properly equipped! Everything I have I would do again, & this was a cold winter.

DavidNJ

Just for clarification, the ventilated seats are no longer in the Premum Package. They are $1250 plus Premium Leather for $1500. The Heating Package is $920, heated seats as a stanalone are $680,

So, the heated wheel adds $240.

The ventilated seat is $570 over heated seats.

And if you weren't ordering premium leathers (standard in an E500), it is $2070 more.

So, would you pay $1830 more for premium leather/ventilated seats over a heated wheel? Would you pay $2070 more over plain heated seats?

benzboy

My E500 came in with heated seats and wheel (even though I did not order them). The dealer threw them in to the deal for no extra cost to me! Had I known how nice they are on winter days here in CT I would have ordered them initially myself. Go for that package, you woun't regret it.

DavidNJ

Does your heated wheel work ok? The seats are not question...just the steering wheel.

benzboy

Wheel works fine. I've been reading the other posts but mine seems to heat up quickly and provides plenty of heat. It does go on and off but seems to maintain sufficient hear for me. It does not "time out" completely but seems to have a sensor that calls for heat when needed.

DavidNJ

My wife says her hands (slight arthritis) like the heated wheel on our current BMW. So it is a tough decision.

I would like my suit to be fresh when I drive somewhere in the summer.

yxc145

depends on where you live.. If you live in Florida or Southern Cali. I think you don't need any heated seat.. Mine car has it.(comes w/ the car which I picked from the lot) I never use it.. could have used that $$ for other option. What does a heated wheel do?? melting snow??