Heated seats leather vs. cloth

[Johnny225]

Hi all,
Just wondering whether the heated seats worked more effectively on cloth than on leather.

Thanks

[jsteine2]

Well, as both our MINIs have heated seats, one leather, one not, I can tell you the non-leather seems to heat up quicker and hotter than the leather. When I'm in hers, w/o, I can only stand them on for a short while then either turn them down or off. With my leather, I can leave them on all the time, which really feels good on the back. I would not say the heated w/leather are not effeective, just different.

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny225

Hi all,
Just wondering whether the heated seats worked more effectively on cloth than on leather.

Thanks

[Ryephile]

The Cloth heated seats are defintely quicker and hotter, however the head distribution isn't as good. The leather provides better heat distribution at the expense of higher thermal inertia.

[GBMINI]

I have found that the heated seats in my first leatherette equipped MC worked quicker than the ones in my leather equipped MCS ... maybe leathette is a good compromise between cloth and leather as far as heated seats is concerned (and, for me, they look better than full leather - my Lapis is wrinkling already after 11000 miles).

[Actual Size]

I've found the leatherette seats heat within about 3 minutes. I usually have to turn off the "nut roaster" section and just leave the seatback heated to feel comfortable.

[Martin L]

Cloth definately heats much faster. Leather is still an impressive time though

[number_twelve]

Ha ha ha, nut roaster!! What kind of nuts???

[milliethemini]

You don't actually need the heater if you get the cloth seats. We have the Space Cloth seats in our MCS, unheated, and honestly speaking there's no real need for it. The cloth seats never get 'ice cold' as do the leatherette and leather seats, and the great thing about them is that they stay cool in the summer, and never cold in the winter!!! In contrast, I drove a PT Cruiser with leather seats for a week in November - had to turn on the seat heater each and everytime, even though the outside temperature wasn't at freezing they always felt like slabs of ice!

[norm03s]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

You don't actually need the heater if you get the cloth seats. We have the Space Cloth seats in our MCS, unheated, and honestly speaking there's no real need for it. The cloth seats never get 'ice cold' as do the leatherette and leather seats, and the great thing about them is that they stay cool in the summer, and never cold in the winter!!! In contrast, I drove a PT Cruiser with leather seats for a week in November - had to turn on the seat heater each and everytime, even though the outside temperature wasn't at freezing they always felt like slabs of ice!

I agree that the Space cloth seats are the best in any weather plus they provide more butt traction around corners.
I have heated Space Cloth seats and love them, they have two settings, roast and warm if it's really cold out and you get a chill they will warm you right up, very therapeutic.

Hey why not enjoy life while you can, I drove VW beetles for years so I know about Spartan existence in a car.

[mjmedlen]

Is that the difference between the 1 versus 2 lights for the heated seats - 2 = seat and back, whereas 1 = just seats? I thought the difference was the intensity. Didn't read my the manual. Please clarify. Thanks!

[norm03s]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjmedlen

Is that the difference between the 1 versus 2 lights for the heated seats - 2 = seat and back, whereas 1 = just seats? I thought the difference was the intensity. Didn't read my the manual. Please clarify. Thanks!

Haven't read mine either but have been using the heated seats alot this week in Maryland. It's 8 degrees out right now.

[Johnny225]

Thanks 4 the replies . I ordered space cloth with heating, but my friends have heated leather 330ci's.