Retrofitting Ventilated Seats
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NJ
2005 E55
Retrofitting Ventilated Seats
As it looks like I am keeping my 55, I am thinking about using it more often. The only feature I regret not having on summer days is the ventilated seats. Has anyone retrofitted them into their car? Any idea on cost involved? I know that the switch needs to be changed and wired, but I imagine that the seat itself is a simple replacement.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
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From: Fairfax,VA
06 E55
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From: Chicago, IL
Real Cars
Best cooled seats I've ever sat in are def the Escalade w/ AC seats. Your nuts will freeze to the leather with that thing on full blast. Nothing feels better during the 100F summer scorchers.
-m
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Chicago, IL
Real Cars
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
I added ventilated (CLS) seats to my 2002 E220CDI (W211) and have not done that (yet) to my 2003 E55...ventilated seats DO work (it is the difference between having your back sweat or not when your doing some long trip driving)...
I have not done that to my E55 as I don't want to spend that much money on new seat inserts (the complete cushion foam and backrest horsehair have to be swapped out)...the switch, wiring harness and possibly needed control unit barely cost anything compared to the seat parts.
The good thing about the AMG leather is that it is already perforated which means that that does not have to be replaced...the cover on the back of the seat has to be cut to house the 2 grills in there (at least those grills are available separately).
most definitely doable and most definitely worth it IF you drive a lot and IF you tend to keep the car a while
greetingz,
I have not done that to my E55 as I don't want to spend that much money on new seat inserts (the complete cushion foam and backrest horsehair have to be swapped out)...the switch, wiring harness and possibly needed control unit barely cost anything compared to the seat parts.
The good thing about the AMG leather is that it is already perforated which means that that does not have to be replaced...the cover on the back of the seat has to be cut to house the 2 grills in there (at least those grills are available separately).
most definitely doable and most definitely worth it IF you drive a lot and IF you tend to keep the car a while
greetingz,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,069
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From: South Carolina
2005 E55 ///AMG
I added ventilated (CLS) seats to my 2002 E220CDI (W211) and have not done that (yet) to my 2003 E55...ventilated seats DO work (it is the difference between having your back sweat or not when your doing some long trip driving)...
I have not done that to my E55 as I don't want to spend that much money on new seat inserts (the complete cushion foam and backrest horsehair have to be swapped out)...the switch, wiring harness and possibly needed control unit barely cost anything compared to the seat parts.
The good thing about the AMG leather is that it is already perforated which means that that does not have to be replaced...the cover on the back of the seat has to be cut to house the 2 grills in there (at least those grills are available separately).
most definitely doable and most definitely worth it IF you drive a lot and IF you tend to keep the car a while
greetingz,
I have not done that to my E55 as I don't want to spend that much money on new seat inserts (the complete cushion foam and backrest horsehair have to be swapped out)...the switch, wiring harness and possibly needed control unit barely cost anything compared to the seat parts.
The good thing about the AMG leather is that it is already perforated which means that that does not have to be replaced...the cover on the back of the seat has to be cut to house the 2 grills in there (at least those grills are available separately).
most definitely doable and most definitely worth it IF you drive a lot and IF you tend to keep the car a while
greetingz,
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 368
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From: IL
2009 E63 AMG
Man I wish these seats ventilated like my old Lincoln Aviator. Those are the best seats on the planet. How hard would it be to hook up some AC to these seats????? It doesn't sound like a big deal. Maybe just taping in somewhere???
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
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From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
This is the truth. I honestly didn't think my ventilated seats were working at first, but they do, a little. It's definitely nothing like I expected. You can't even hear the fans or feel any air moving around, but it does help when it's hot out, a little. I honestly wouldn't spend any money retrofitting them if I didn't already have them.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: NOLA/SoCal
1966 230SL, 1969 300SEL 6.3, 1990 350SDL, 1992 500E, 1993 500E, 2008 GL320 CDI, 2013 S63 w/Perf Pkg
I don't find they actually cool, like my old Saab Aero did, but that they keep me from sweating. On hot days, I definitely appreciate having it as an option.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 368
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From: IL
2009 E63 AMG
the seats flat out suck. They do not cool nor do anything. Anyone that says so is lying. They need to be hooked to the AC like Ford and Lincoln seats. What a worthless option from Mercedes.
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
FWIW...I have them both on the E55 and SL65. I must say that on the SL65 it seems to be more apparent. IDK if the SL65 and stronger blower or what...! Good luck!
Jon
! Good luck!Jon
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From: Kuwait
CLS55 2006, CLS 63S 2015
they do work. You do not notice it like A/C, but it will help prevent you from sweating.
if you sweat with it on then its either really hot out there...or your just a really sweati person
and when i say hot i know what i am talking about
if you sweat with it on then its either really hot out there...or your just a really sweati person
and when i say hot i know what i am talking about
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
and I don't think it is a healthy thing to do - sitting on an airconditioned surface....especially not when doing 400-800 mile trips...
greetingz,
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
from what I've read, mb seats pull air from the passenger compartment, so unless you have the a/c cranked in the car, you just get "room temperature" air blown on ya. Is that correct?
The ones in my 220 don't seem to do much.
The ones in my 220 don't seem to do much.
