[kindofblue]

Hi all,
When the outside temps climb our leather seats can get uncomfortably warm. And ventilated seats are not an option that BMW offers on the 2 series. So I was wondering if anyone has come up with an aftermarket option for putting some mesh between our backsides and the hot leather.

I have used the "beads" seats in the past and they can pinch the skin on your legs if you're wearing shorts.

[Nyorky2428]

My sales guy just kind of shrugged at me when I complained that my mom's Kia Optima had ventilated seats but I couldn't even purchase them in my BMW...

Also intrigued if others have created a workaround

[xantdieselx]

Maybe use a sunshade when you park? I have the Terra leather so it never really gets so hot that it burns you. Now the brushed aluminum trim on the other hand will burn your hairs and skin off.

BTW we have the perforated leather in my wife's Santa Fe and it is garbage. You think the leather in our cars is a little on the cheap side. It's light gray and still gets hot. The difference is they breathe a little better with your backside against them.

[Kolyan2k]

Maybe try redirecting rear floor vents to shoot air up to the seats? I always wanted to try that but never got around doing it

[SlickShift]

I live in Florida and the combo of tinted windows and a sunshade make it so the car is never unbearable. If you have the tech package I recommend downloading the BMW Connected app and then you can remotely run the HVAC fan a couple minutes before you know you're about to get in your car.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

I live in Florida and the combo of tinted windows and a sunshade make it so the car is never unbearable. If you have the tech package I recommend downloading the BMW Connected app and then you can remotely run the HVAC fan a couple minutes before you know you're about to get in your car.

This is a good idea. You can also set the fan to come on at present times through iDrive. I used to set it a lot last summer and definitely took some heat out of the car. One afternoon I did come out to a low battery warning after using it for a couple of weeks straight so I decided to forgo it.

[RoundelM3]

There's always the "sheepskin" option - they'll cover the seat cushion and backrest surfaces, and are washable. Don't seem them much anymore, but they are effective. Aside from that, the vent fan, tinted windows and a sunshade as mentioned above are also effective. Lighter colors also don't get quite as hot as the darker shades.

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by roundel335

There's always the "sheepskin" option - they'll cover the seat cushion and backrest surfaces, and are washable. Don't seem them much anymore, but they are effective. Aside from that, the vent fan, tinted windows and a sunshade as mentioned above are also effective. Lighter colors also don't get quite as hot as the darker shades.

I have the Black Dakota in my convertible. I have been seriously thinking about getting some "sheepskin" seat covers. Back in the 80's when my Porsche 912 was running (Leatherette and no AC) I had sheepskins on my seats (they were very popular back then) and they really worked pretty well. Anyone else using the "sheepskins" and if so, what brand / source? Do you like them?
Thanks.

[mdputnam]

Even older Mercedes come with ventilated seats:

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Maybe try redirecting rear floor vents to shoot air up to the seats? I always wanted to try that but never got around doing it

I'm thinking of the same thing - finding a way to run a short hose to seat base, and cap the rear vents for a pressurized source of cold air.

And I learned the hard way not to go with the cheaper sun shades. They work great, but after a couple of months they start to delaminate and leave these awful ashen plastic flakes all over the dash and interior that are electrostatically charged enough that they are hard to wipe off. Like cigarette ashes on steroids.

[USA-RET]

I always kept a couple of (interior matching) bath towels in the car. Simple and easy to put on and remove. Washable and also saves some wear and tear on the leather. I'd routinely just leave them folded on the seat of the car. Hardly noticeable, and saves leg burns when wearing shorts.

Used them in every Corvette I've owned.

As mentioned, window tints help a lot.

[kindofblue]

Originally Posted by roundel335

There's always the "sheepskin" option - they'll cover the seat cushion and backrest surfaces, and are washable. Don't seem them much anymore, but they are effective. Aside from that, the vent fan, tinted windows and a sunshade as mentioned above are also effective. Lighter colors also don't get quite as hot as the darker shades.

Thanks, I might try that. I've got the oyster leather seats and always use a sunshade when parked and try to park so that the front seats are shaded. Still though when the car interior gets hot, so does the leather.

I had not heard though that sheepskin seat covers were washable. And any links/recommendations on where to get some?

[3rdcoast228i]

I'm looking for neoprene seat covers because I'm planning to keep my car long term and the neoprene should be cooler.

Coverking makes some, think I'm going to try those.

[c1pher]

Neoprene holds heat in which is why, along with compression, is used for knee and elbow joint support. You shouldn't burn yourself like on leather seats, but you won't be cool either. Your back and legs will get sweaty even in the Winter.

[3rdcoast228i]

It's the only thing I can think of that would look a little sporty.

Too bad they don't make them with little vent holes like the ventilated seats have.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by kindofblue

Thanks, I might try that. I've got the oyster leather seats and always use a sunshade when parked and try to park so that the front seats are shaded. Still though when the car interior gets hot, so does the leather.

I had not heard though that sheepskin seat covers were washable. And any links/recommendations on where to get some?

We have oyster seats in my wife's 228i convertible, and that helps to reduce heat absorption. I used to live in NM myself, and I know how hot it gets out that way. I would suggest doing a google search for the covers - I did and got numerous sources for sheepskin, including Amazon. One thing I used to do way back in the day was put a light-colored beach towel over my vinyl seats on hot days. Also, use the ventilation timer feature in iDrive - that will at least circulate the air in the passenger compartment.

If you haven't tinted your windows yet, do so - it makes a huge difference in both of our cars. Find a place that will do the maximum allowable tint percentage and do all the windows the same, unless they have a requirement that the driver and passenger windows have to be lighter.

[p912guy]

I am still leaning toward sheep skin covers - would need to add Coco or Sisel floor mats too for the complete retro look. I noticed my driver's seat bolster is already starting to wear a bit from getting in an out so seat covers could kill two birds with one stone.

[Hellrot]

I got these for when it gets really bad. They work great but make the seats a little tight. Have to pick your battles.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Almaretto]

I see way too many people complain about ventilated seats not working well, so I would not worry about not being able to order them.

Better choice is to tint vehicle in high quality film, including front Windshield.

[3rdcoast228i]

FYI I contacted Coverking to verify if their seat covers would fit the 2016 228i M-sport seats and this is the reply I got.

Thank you for contacting Coverking Support!

Even though we have an ever-expanding library of many thousands of patterns, we do not yet have the pattern available for your specific vehicle.

However, if you are in Southern California and would allow us to have access to your vehicle for 4-6 hours at our facility in Anaheim, we could measure your vehicle and develop a new pattern over the next week.

If you can not make your vehicle available to us at our Southern California facility, development of a pattern would depend on Coverking being able to find access to a similar vehicle. This process would take approximately 4-6 weeks. If we can not get access to a similar vehicle, we will not be able to develop a pattern for you.

[kindofblue]

Hi all,
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm having some sheepskin color samples from
http://www.rmsheepskin.com
sent to me and may try that route

[2msport]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

I see way too many people complain about ventilated seats not working well, so I would not worry about not being able to order them.

Better choice is to tint vehicle in high quality film, including front Windshield.

+1 Works very well for me