fosterelli

Anyone had any luck adding ventilated (cooled) seats option?

I looked up the parts - so far I find the need for ventilated blowers (driver and passenger side), new switch row (where heated seats, parking sensor, fold seats, rear sun shade, etc. are located), and a new plastic trim piece to accept the new switches (it'll be a longer rectangular opening than my existing set).

I assume all wiring is in place to make this plug-n-play...perhaps a module or two will be required. Just looking for advice if anyone has done this. From the parts websites, OEM, it looks like about $1000 to buy it all new...although I may try used from a wrecked unit to save $$. I haven't had a car w/o ventilated seats in a LONG time...can't believe this car doesn't have them. My 2007 Range Rover and 2012 Ford Expedition have them...but not my 2014 MB!

mleskovar

No....but my guess is there will be a need to code the system of its' presence.

I'm skeptical of that price. Just parts only seat covers will be over $500 from what people have quoted for replacing them when the stitching fails. Electric parts....even minor switches....are expensive for MB. My guess is more like $3500 for parts.


Guess you bought the car used.....it's an option.

If you can get the parts at a yard I bet it's still more than $1K - but worth whatever the cost if that's what you like/want.

g4benz

Not even worth it in our cars. I can't feel a difference with the setting on or off.

fosterelli

I'm not afraid of flashing.

I looked these parts up specifically - and I know expensive parts...had my share of BMWs and Rovers...still have one Rover.

I know it's an option - otherwise this thread wouldn't exist. Hell, my 2012 F350 truck had them. It's becoming pretty hard NOT to have them. Just hard to get used to warm seats.


I doubt it...unless there's something massive I'm missing. Blowers, switches, modules, trim plate...that's all I see in the diagrams. And my prices are through a MB dealer @ wholesale, which is available online to anyone.

fosterelli

Thanks - that's good to know. I won't be keeping her more than 2 years, so if I can't feel a difference I'll just forget about it and move on!

mleskovar

Looks like you missed step one.

KEY08

On my second MB with it and it was loaded on the cars when I bought them. I rarely use it because it is barely noticeable even at the highest setting. I think you need leather perf. Is that what you have? They are basically laptop cooling fans. Lol

rediesel

I recall someone adding ventilated seats on a W211 a long time ago. I think he got them from a wrecked E55. IT may have been here it on benzworld.

g4benz

Even with leather perf, no dice at the highest setting - seems like a gimmick to me at least in our cars.

jahquan3

I find it noticeable and useful but not 1k-3k useful. I used it every day pretty much in the summer and often I didn't need it on the highest setting to feel it. I think I'm one of the few that feel this way as many have said it not really noticeable in their case.

IMO it's just as useful as the heated option although the heating is stronger when compared.

jonUF02

Not worth it, barely noticable, not actively cooled, just pushes air through the seat. I notice it more after the A/C has cooled down the car.

I would much rather add the dynamic seats and forget about the blower. That's pretty much the only option I don't have and wish I did. I'm sure the cost and effort would be outrageous. Automatic trunk closer would be nice, but not really a big deal to do it by hand.

mleskovar

My understanding is it pulls air through the seat, not blows air up through it. The purpose is to remove moisture from the body which in effect cools it. Do I have this wrong?

jonUF02

Maybe, I'm not really sure. I thought it was blowing up. I'll have to try and inspect it closer.

KEY08

No, it blows up from the seat and out from the back. There are two vent opening on either side of the rear plastic seat cover(facing rearward). The air is sucked in through these openings and blown through the leather perorations through the seat back. Likewise, air is sucked up through the seat to move air around your legs and butt. The only time this system is remotely effective is if the ambient air is very cool. In other words the car needs to be very cool and your body needs to be very sweaty and hot. You can then feel the air along your back if you sit forward a bit and let the air blow onto your shirt.

The massage seats, on the other hand are excellent.

jahquan3

One day I got soaked in a sudden down pour and I had to use heating and vent at same time. It seemed to dry me off slightly and kept me warm at the same time. Very random but useful on that particular day as well.

fosterelli

That's funny! Yes, they're perforated already. It is curious, the ventilated seats in my American & Japanese vehicles have always been great. My European vehicles have always been a bit less than great.

BeachBunny

I had them for 10 years on my 2004 Infiniti M45. When I spec'd out my custom E350, I did not even bother.

At least on the Infiniti, they were mildly noticeable. If you were wearing a dress or pants, forget it. And that's on the Infiniti where they had a Peltier-element heat pump in the seat, not just a fan as Mercedes does.

Johnny Rad

I see that I'm not alone - they're indeed ridiculously ineffective (unless it's about 70F outside at which point they're not needed!). Plus you get to hear the associated fan noise without any corresponding cooling of your backside. Double whammy.

I was SO excited for ventilated seats, but my bubble has since been burst. It was a "must have" in my buying criteria last year. Silly me! Today, I wouldn't pay more than about $1.98 for them. To hell with the $1k estimate from the OP.

Most autos seem to have poor ventilated seat perf excepting those with true a/c seats with a dedicated a/c condenser or something, like the Lexus LS460 and similar. Maybe I heard some Ford products have good ventilated seats, but the point is "buyer beware."