Adding Ventilated Seats Option
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From: Southern
2014 E-350
Adding Ventilated Seats Option
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 $$. I haven't had a car w/o ventilated seats in a LONG time...can't believe this car doesn't have them. My 2007 Range Rover and 2012 Ford Expedition have them...but not my 2014 MB!
I looked up the parts - so far I find the need for ventilated blowers (driver and passenger side), new switch row (where heated seats, parking sensor, fold seats, rear sun shade, etc. are located), and a new plastic trim piece to accept the new switches (it'll be a longer rectangular opening than my existing set).
I assume all wiring is in place to make this plug-n-play...perhaps a module or two will be required. Just looking for advice if anyone has done this. From the parts websites, OEM, it looks like about $1000 to buy it all new...although I may try used from a wrecked unit to save $$. 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!
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
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.
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.
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From: Southern
2014 E-350
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.
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From: Southern
2014 E-350
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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
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
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.
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Even with leather perf, no dice at the highest setting - seems like a gimmick to me at least in our cars.
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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.
IMO it's just as useful as the heated option although the heating is stronger when compared.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
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.
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.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
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?
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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.
The massage seats, on the other hand are excellent.
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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.
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From: Southern
2014 E-350
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.
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2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
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.
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.
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
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."
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."
