Wingback Heating Elements - any alternatives?

[RobC]

Im looking at getting a set of Wingback seats retrimmed and whilst Im at it Id like to add the heating elements. VW want £200 per element (£800 in total!!) which is madness, considering 5 years ago they were £75 a piece. Are there any alternatives? Does anybody have any for sale?! Im going to look at the wiring diagrams but do they just get fed by a simple 12v live, meaning I could use a universal set, chop the plugs off and connect VW plugs to plug in to my existing wiring?

Rob C

[colesey]

That is crazy and a complete piss take for what is essentially a few pieces of wire and a rheostat. I'd have thought you could easily source from another model / brand or directly from Recaro.

[RobC]

That is crazy and a complete piss take for what is essentially a few pieces of wire and a rheostat. I'd have thought you could easily source from another model / brand or directly from Recaro.

I agree!

I believe the seats are fairly unique in that sense and when I asked Recaro they basically said they are a VW seat so you have to get them from VW 

Rob C

[bobby_fodge]

Can you use some generic ones?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Carbon-Element-Heating-Cushion/dp/B07HB1BM82

[RobC]

Can you use some generic ones?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Carbon-Element-Heating-Cushion/dp/B07HB1BM82

Yes, potentially but Id like to keep the wiring OEM so would need to make sure its compatible. If I was to do that Id probably find a cheap set of standard Mk5 seats and pull the elements from them as then at least the wiring will be plug & play.

Rob C