SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Active Ventilated Seats retrofit (SL55)?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 64
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From: Los Angeles
SL55 AMG
Active Ventilated Seats retrofit (SL55)?
Has anybody installed (retrofitted) the Active Ventilated Seats option to their SL55? Any info on cost, DIY, etc. would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tirreno
Thanks,
Tirreno
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Dude, it's not worth it, no matter the cost. The ventilated seats in MBs are little more than a joke. They don't cool, and don't even blow air for that matter. My E500 and SL600 have them and don't cool you at all. They actually suck air, not blow. You can barely feel them working on cool days, and on hot days you won't feel them at all. If it's not a hot summer day, they will keep your back and butt dry from sweat, but that's about it.
That said, they do work a bit better in my SL600 than E500.
That said, they do work a bit better in my SL600 than E500.
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
SL55 AMG
So, I called my local MB parts, and they suggested it would cost around $6,000 do retrofit the Active Ventilated Seats... This is due to the fact they would need to change the seats, according to the parts guy. Any input on that?
To be honest, I could use even little air during those hot days like the ones we are having these days in Southern California. I figure, it's better little air than nothing at all. So unless you guys are suggesting there is absolutely no air coming out of the seats, I am still interested in options.
Thanks for the feedback though.
To be honest, I could use even little air during those hot days like the ones we are having these days in Southern California. I figure, it's better little air than nothing at all. So unless you guys are suggesting there is absolutely no air coming out of the seats, I am still interested in options.
Thanks for the feedback though.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
I always wondered if there would be a reasonable way to use the cool air supply to the center console and redirect to the driver's seat. Retrofit the fan that sucks with a fan (or reverse the fan if possible) that blows and "cool air" maybe.
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From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
I am really going to have to agree with the others, and tell you not to waste your money..
You could reduce the inside temperature of your parked hot car more effectively by managing the amount of sunlight that can enter your car.. Use collapsable sunshades for the windshield (and windows if neccessary).
You can buy these at any auto parts sales store or WalMart.
Also, i have seen solar powered fan devices that sit on the window glass when lowered, then when you raise the window they are pinched at the top and leave the window open about 1/2". Inside the vent is a solar powered fan that circulates air out of the car. I personally do not have these, and mere sunshades work perfectly fine for me, but i do have family members that have these, and i have been told they do help a bit (and are cheap).
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/sopoaucofan.html
http://www.warehousedeals.com/Auto-C...B000QGGY9E.htm
Nick
You could reduce the inside temperature of your parked hot car more effectively by managing the amount of sunlight that can enter your car.. Use collapsable sunshades for the windshield (and windows if neccessary).
You can buy these at any auto parts sales store or WalMart.
Also, i have seen solar powered fan devices that sit on the window glass when lowered, then when you raise the window they are pinched at the top and leave the window open about 1/2". Inside the vent is a solar powered fan that circulates air out of the car. I personally do not have these, and mere sunshades work perfectly fine for me, but i do have family members that have these, and i have been told they do help a bit (and are cheap).
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/sopoaucofan.html
http://www.warehousedeals.com/Auto-C...B000QGGY9E.htm
Nick
Last edited by NikleinR6; Aug 25, 2010 at 09:44 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 64
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From: Los Angeles
SL55 AMG
I am more concerned about ventilation while I drive with the top down...My back could use the air..
I talked to a buddy of mine who has the 2009 SL63 AMG with ventilated seats. He could not live (ride!) without them, he says...
For those none believers with ventilated seats, I'd be ready to exchange my seats for yours and give you cash in addition... Any takers?
I talked to a buddy of mine who has the 2009 SL63 AMG with ventilated seats. He could not live (ride!) without them, he says...
For those none believers with ventilated seats, I'd be ready to exchange my seats for yours and give you cash in addition... Any takers?
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Joined: May 2010
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04 sl55 amg
Maybe he's talking about the newer airscarf? I don't see how the older ventilated seats would help at all with the top down. I'd suggest finding someone that will let you test the seats before making a decision.
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G55, SLS, smart eq
I had the ventilated seats retrofited to my SL55 by MBenzNL some time back. I agree that the ventilation does not blow me out of my seat, but it does tend to keep my back dry when it's really hot.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
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From: Madison WI
2003 SL55, 2010 C63
I had the ventilated seats retrofited to my SL55 by MBenzNL some time back. I agree that the ventilation does not blow me out of my seat, but it does tend to keep my back dry when it's really hot.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
SL55 AMG
I had the ventilated seats retrofited to my SL55 by MBenzNL some time back. I agree that the ventilation does not blow me out of my seat, but it does tend to keep my back dry when it's really hot.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
Can't remember what it cost me but it wasn't cheap. But since it was the only missing option on my car I went for it. Don't regret having it done, but I agree with the others that you can live without them.
Thanks!
Last edited by Tirreno; Aug 28, 2010 at 12:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 64
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From: Los Angeles
SL55 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
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G55, SLS, smart eq
Senior Member
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From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
It would be cheaper to have a shop cut some holes in your refrigerated storage compartment and have that air blowing into your right side... anything will work better the seat fans.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
I used the ventilation on a daily basis and find it increases my level of comfort substantially. I live in NoVa and it gets damn hot and humid here, and the ventilation keeps me dry. In fact, it is enough to dry me off if I work up a sweat walking to the car. I arrive at home, after a hard day's work, and 40 minutes of NoVa crap traffic, fresh and dry (and marveling at my good fortune that has allowed me to own an S55 AMG. Seriously. It's been a year and I still can't believe it. And it's "only" a 6-year-old depreciation darling. 
)
The "massage" feature is detectable, and can help to relieve a fatigued lower back, but it's not worth $5K. Maybe $500.
The "active" feature is a gimmick and nothing more. It's meant to keep you in your seat during heavy cornering, but it fails miserably. I wouldn't pay $50 for it. If you need to stay in the seats, retrofit some E55 seats.
edit: the heating kicks ***! We had a b!tch of a winter here (record setting in many ways), and my butt was TOASTY! I wish I could drop a grand on a heated steering wheel, but that's a couple days of fuel.
)The "massage" feature is detectable, and can help to relieve a fatigued lower back, but it's not worth $5K. Maybe $500.
The "active" feature is a gimmick and nothing more. It's meant to keep you in your seat during heavy cornering, but it fails miserably. I wouldn't pay $50 for it. If you need to stay in the seats, retrofit some E55 seats.
edit: the heating kicks ***! We had a b!tch of a winter here (record setting in many ways), and my butt was TOASTY! I wish I could drop a grand on a heated steering wheel, but that's a couple days of fuel.
Last edited by i_am_amused; Sep 10, 2010 at 09:00 PM. Reason: forgot to comment on the heating
