Heated seat switches?

[Cloggy Saint]

I'm having a pair of Recaros retrimmed and am having them fitted with heater elements. I told the trimmers that I want to keep the original BMW switches that I already have but they were a bit aprehensive and said it was probably not a smart move as it could be "dangerous". Surely there's no problem in doing this, a switch is a switch, right??

[e30topless]

they have been retro fitted many times without any issues !! if you have the full loom it's all plug and play, no dangers IMO

[Cloggy Saint]

All the loom was in place when it left the factory, I can't see a problem.

[Z3I]

If you can't use the original switches, then dont have them trimmed there! Go elsewhere.

[Cloggy Saint]

It'll be fine. I've mostly been negotiating with a desk-jockey who probably isn't clued up on these things.

[Z3I]

The last thing you would want is some non-original swiches spoiling the interior!

[Cloggy Saint]

That was the point I was trying to make but he couldn't grasp the idea, peasant!

[Billwill]

Worse case scenario....if you need a different type of switch to work the new elements then keep your original switches and have these switches operate a set of relays which take over the switching functions.

[Brianmoooore]

The original switches will have a maximum operating/switching current, but as long as the new elements don't consume significantly more power than the OE ones, then there shouldn't be a problem. If they do, then fit relays, as suggested above.

[Cloggy Saint]

Cheers, keep an eye out for my "how, where and what sort of relays do I need" thread!

[Brianmoooore]

In the unlikely event that relays are needed, the orange ones as found in the fusebox are what you need. A twin relay bracket, as used for dim dip headlamps, mounts behind the glovebox and would be ideal.