BMW XM Seat Heater Failure: Repair Costs and Solutions

Hey there! I had the exact same issue with my 2020 BMW X6 M50i (gasoline) last winter. The symptom was identical, seat would barely warm up and shut off quickly with an error message. Took it to my garage and turns out the heating mat in the seat cushion was defective. The wire connections inside had broken down due to regular seat movement over time. It wasn't just a fuse or connection issue as I initially hoped. They had to replace the entire heating element assembly. It was definitely a necessary repair, not just for comfort but also because faulty heating elements can potentially cause other electrical issues if left unfixed. The job took about 4 hours as they had to remove the seat upholstery to access the heating mat. Been working perfectly since then, nice and toasty with consistent heat. Best to get it checked soon before winter sets in properly.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! I actually went through something very similar with my X6 last year. Really good to know I wasn't the only one with this heating mat problem. Can't remember exactly, about how much did you end up paying for the repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or did you notice any other quirks pop up? I'm thinking of getting mine fixed soon and trying to figure out what I'm in for.

Hey again! Just wanted to update you, I paid 390 € for the heating mat replacement and it was totally worth every penny. The service included removing the seat cover and replacing the entire heating element assembly. Since the repair, my seat heater has been working flawlessly, no more unusual shutoffs or error messages. It heats up properly and stays warm throughout my drive, which is exactly what you want. No other issues have popped up related to the electrical system or the seats. If you're experiencing the same symptoms, I'd definitely recommend getting it fixed sooner rather than later. As I mentioned before, these faulty heating elements can potentially cause other electrical problems if left unfixed. Plus, you'll want this sorted before you really need those heated seats! Trust me, once it's fixed, you'll wonder why you waited. The repair wasn't cheap, but it was absolutely necessary and the results were worth it. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks for the detailed update! I finally bit the bullet and took my BMW to a mechanic yesterday. What a relief, it's all sorted now! The repair was similar to yours but cost a bit more at 450 € since they found some additional wiring that needed fixing. The funny part was when they started working on it. The mechanic pulled out this completely fried heating mat, looked like it had been through a war! The installation was quick though, only took about 3 hours. They even showed me the old parts and explained everything. Tested it on my drive home and wow, what a difference! The seat actually gets properly warm now and stays that way. No more error messages popping up either. Feels great to have it working properly again. You were absolutely right about getting it fixed sooner rather than later. Really appreciate your help and advice on this. It gave me the push I needed to get it sorted. Think I've found my new regular mechanic too, they did a fantastic job!