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YOUR RESEARCHHeated seats retrofit easy/possible?
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Install here in louisville, ky
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Leading evidence: 'Install here in louisville, ky' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is '"3"' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Install here in louisville, ky' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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The previous owner had them installed last winter.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
But I like it when I set the Audi's to "6" and must actually set it back to 3 or 4 since 6 is just too damn hot.
Use those plastic tie wraps, zip ties, (police sometimes
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I used those plastic tie wraps, zip ties, (police sometimes use them for handcuffs) purchased at Home Depot instead of hog clamps (hog nose rings to keep them from rooting).
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On my Boxster S, "high" is probably a "3" on the Audi.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Although my wife says, "we're not going to be driving it in the winter", I also don't drive the Boxster S in the winter yet I use the heated seats all the time.
Use those plastic tie wraps, zip ties, (police sometimes
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I used those plastic tie wraps, zip ties, (police sometimes use them for handcuffs) purchased at Home Depot instead of hog clamps (hog nose rings to keep them from rooting).
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Hi folks,
I am seriously considering a pre-owned 996, but it doesn't have heated seats. It is the only option that I really want that's not in the car.
So how easy is it to retrofit the heating element into the existing seats of the car? Has anyone done this or heard of anyone doing it with success?
Thanks in advance...
I put them in my 2000 996 Cab based on this DIY
http://dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html
There are some minor differences between a Boxster and a 996. Mostly the switch locations.
Thanks, this is exactly what I saw when I searched. But it sounds like a major pita... However, I congratulate you and MANY MANY thanks for posting such great detail. Each time I contribute, I also try to make great pains to make my instructions as clear as possible. You, on the other hand, have gone even well beyond that and have produced a very good hot-to document...
I've done this twice, once as an upgrade and once due to failure, LS400 in both cases. Bought new seat heaters off of ebay both times.
Tedious but rather easy work.
The install based on Vogel's DIY is really not that bad. Parts are $700-$800 and the time is probbly 6-8 hrs. You may need an upholstery shop to do the hog clamps in the seats unless you want to by the special pliers, on ebay for less than $10. If you want to proceed let me know, I have a parts list updated to the 996.
I used those plastic tie wraps, zip ties, (police sometimes use them for handcuffs) purchased at Home Depot instead of hog clamps (hog nose rings to keep them from rooting). Less chance of shorting something out too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Unive...Q5fAccessories
That does look like a lot of work. I'd go aftermarket, which should be around $800 installed. (Back when I had it done in my S2000 it was $450. That car had no factory seat heat option.)
Some food for thought: when I was shopping for my P-car, heated seats were a must. That was based on my experience (and my wife's) with the heated seats in my Audi A6. We both love them and joke about not wanting to get out of the car on a cold night.
Anyway, I got an '02 C4S with heated seats but was disappointed in them compared to the Audi. First, the P-car has only two settings, low and high. The Audi is infinitely adjustable. Secondly, the P-car seats seem to heat only on the seat bottom, not the seat back. That is much less satisfying than the Audi which warms the entire seat.
So - if you haven't already done so, be sure to test drive the heated seats to make sure you really want them before going to all the work.
I agree that the Audi's heated seats are great - they are actually the best we've had. But it's not "infinite" - there are usually 6 settings. The Porsche's heated seats are a joke compared to the Audi's. On my Boxster S, "high" is probably a "3" on the Audi. I can't even feel "low". BMW's high setting is also good. But I like it when I set the Audi's to "6" and must actually set it back to 3 or 4 since 6 is just too damn hot.
Thanks for the input. Although my wife says, "we're not going to be driving it in the winter", I also don't drive the Boxster S in the winter yet I use the heated seats all the time. Maybe I should just restrict the search to cars with heated seats...
Why not 'just' buy a used set of heated 996 seats and install them. On every P-car I have had, the electrical connection from the car to the seat is the same and that electrical umbilical powers all seat electrics. In other words you simply plug & play. You will have to run a jumper between the seat and install a seat switch in your arm rest. You could also sell your unmodified seats to somebody else as well. Sorry if this has already been suggested - I am sneaking at work...
From my reading, it's not that simple. I've read that Porsche does not use "one harness" for a "one size fits all". Thus, I wouldn't be able to plug-n-play as you stated.
Each car has a specifc wiring harness based on the options in the car. If your car did not have heated seats then you will need to do the wiring per the DIY. You also need the switches and relays. Really not that hard to do.
My 993's had a 'generic' wiring harness that went 'to' the seats. The seat had a plug that fit the generic harness regardless of seat configuration - only the 'hot' leads in the seat-side of the harness got juice. Simple and VERY engineeringly smart. I'm still going to bet that the 996 is the same way. Again it sounds like the 996 skimped on the engineering and design side.
Dharn55, sorry to bring this thread back from the past but would you be able to share the parts list to add heated seats for a 996 with sports seats?
Thanks very much!
Andrew Wojteczko
[email removed]
My 2002 C4 was a Texas car initially, ergo no heated seats. The previous owner had them installed last winter. The invoice I have shows that it cost $550. It was installed here in Louisville, KY.
They used rocker switches and a custom plate, looks very nice and they heat up very well (based on comparison to my BMW and GTi).
I can post photos of the switches and scan of invoice if anyone is interested.
b
Andrew
Here is the link to the site with the instructions for adding the heated seats to a Boxster.
http://dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html
Basically the same for a 996, although the switches on a 996 are usually in the batwing on the front console. I do have an "updated" parts list for a 996, although it is 3-4 years since I did the upgrade. PM me if you want the list and I can email it to you.
One of the best upgrades I ever did, living in an area where it gets cold in the winter.
Hmmm sorry to bring this up, but I just bought a Targa and would like to add heated seats as it the only option I want. Theres a guy parting out a targa with heated seats and he has switches, wiring but sold the drivers seat but has passenger.....Would like to get switches and wiring and aftermarket heated pads if thats doable and keep my seats as they are full leather option
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