BMW X6 Seat Heaters Die Fast, Quick Fix Needed

I had a similar issue with my 2011 BMW X5 35i last winter. The front seat heating would barely get warm and then completely shut off. The diagnostic showed a fault in the heating mat under the seat leather. At the garage, they confirmed my suspicion, the heating elements in the seat pad were damaged. It wasn't just a simple fuse or wiring issue. They had to replace the entire heating mat and sensor assembly. The seat cover had to come off to access everything. This wasn't a quick fix since they needed to carefully remove the leather and replace the heating elements without damaging anything. Getting everything back together properly was crucial to avoid wrinkles in the seat cover. While not a critical safety issue, faulty seat heaters can indicate electrical problems that should be checked out. In my case, it was worth fixing since I use the heated seats regularly. Just make sure you get it done by someone who knows these specific BMW systems, there's more to it than just swapping parts.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. The heating mat replacement makes total sense given the symptoms. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was for yours? Also curious if you've had any other heating issues pop up since getting it fixed?

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up about the costs since you asked. I got my seat heater fixed and it set me back 390 € for the complete repair. They did a proper job replacing the heating mat, and I'm happy to report that it's been working perfectly since then. Absolutely no issues with the heating function anymore, it warms up quickly and stays on as it should. It's been several months now, and the repair has definitely proven worth every penny. No other heating problems have shown up at all. The seats warm up evenly and maintain the temperature just like they did when the car was new. If you're experiencing the same symptoms I had, I'd say go for the repair, just make sure you find a mechanic who really knows their way around BMW electrical systems. The initial cost might seem a bit steep, but having properly working seat heaters makes such a difference.

Just wanted to update everyone, I finally got my seat heater fixed! After hearing about your experience, I decided to try a different mechanic who specializes in BMW repairs. Really glad I made that choice. Turns out my heating mat was shot too, just like yours. The new guy did an amazing job replacing it, took extra care with the leather and everything. Cost me a bit more than yours at 450 €, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The seat heats up perfectly now and stays warm the whole time. Funny story actually, while I was waiting at the shop, the mechanic showed me the old heating mat and you could clearly see where it was burned out. No wonder it kept shutting off! Really appreciate everyone's help here. If anyone else runs into this issue, definitely get it checked out by a BMW specialist. Makes all the difference in the world. Thanks again for pushing me to get it fixed properly instead of just living with it!