As the subject says, I would like to know it retrofitting (not sure the word applies in this case) ventilated seats is reasonably possible on an E89 Z4. AFAIK, ventilated seats have not been an option for this model, so I guess things would have to be "borrowed" from other models, but would they fit? And what could be the costs of such an operation?
It is possible to retrofit ventilated seats on an E89?
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It has not been attempted as far as I know.
As with all things, it would be possible, but the effort, expense and expertise required would probably be prohibitive.
You would need to source the right seats, made sure they fit, if not fabricate brackets, then they would need wiring in, and a control unit fitted, to activate ventilation.
People here have managed to retrofit electric seats, so you could look those guides up, and use that as a knowledge base.
There are several additional complications with the addition of working ventilation though.
As with all things, it would be possible, but the effort, expense and expertise required would probably be prohibitive.
You would need to source the right seats, made sure they fit, if not fabricate brackets, then they would need wiring in, and a control unit fitted, to activate ventilation.
People here have managed to retrofit electric seats, so you could look those guides up, and use that as a knowledge base.
There are several additional complications with the addition of working ventilation though.
The primary problem with almost all mods of this type are the ECU requirements / ramifications.
Almost everything on these cars even though they now seem old and simple is computer controlled.
All the interfaces are proprietary and hence unless BMW decreed it, although you may physically be able to fit something, getting it’s computer controlled parts is close to impossible to work with the rest of the car’s systems. :headbang:
So unless you devised your own, independent off board control systems then getting things to work, IMHO is close to impossible, for mere Z4 owners :tumbleweed:
Almost everything on these cars even though they now seem old and simple is computer controlled.
All the interfaces are proprietary and hence unless BMW decreed it, although you may physically be able to fit something, getting it’s computer controlled parts is close to impossible to work with the rest of the car’s systems. :headbang:
So unless you devised your own, independent off board control systems then getting things to work, IMHO is close to impossible, for mere Z4 owners :tumbleweed:
I figured the answer would be like this, "possibly possible" but definitely not reasonable; it was worth a question. Thank you for the clarifications.
Although I thought the most difficult part would be to lead the cold air from the AC system to the seats, hoping the necessary control units could be taken from another model (like the E90).
Although I thought the most difficult part would be to lead the cold air from the AC system to the seats, hoping the necessary control units could be taken from another model (like the E90).
Cooled seats don't use the AC SSF, they have internal fans. Recaro do a seat with a climate pack but at 3k per seat it aint cheap. Can never understand why BMW have never offered them on Zeds, Porsche have been doing them on Boxsters and Caymans for years, even the new G29 don't have them, crazy for a modern roadster. 
Luckily for me, I have beige leather, so the seats don't heat up too badly in the sun, but those with black leather I'm sure do wish they had this option. Which I'm really surprised to here is not available on the G29, I didn't expect that... Where they planning to sell these cars only in Germany / Northern Europe?
@john-e89: Are you sure they are not connected to the AC unit? I drove a BMW (an F10) with ventilated seats; I could swear the seat was colder than the ambient air (the sun was strong, the car was still hot inside, but the seat was pleasantly cold).
@john-e89: Are you sure they are not connected to the AC unit? I drove a BMW (an F10) with ventilated seats; I could swear the seat was colder than the ambient air (the sun was strong, the car was still hot inside, but the seat was pleasantly cold).
