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      03-27-2026, 12:37 PM   #2
smokinjoe64
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Drives: e92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: OC SoCal

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2012 BMW M3  [9.75]
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Quote:
Originally Posted by narkotic View Post
Hi - I want to swap my factory leather seats (with heat) for aftermarket seats (with heat). I imagine the aftermarket ones are less complicated, but I could not find much here regarding this topic.

I want to integrate the factory heated buttons to these new seats. Is it as simple as locating the wire and connecting, or is it some overly complicated CAN-controlled system and I need some sort of aftermarket module (or build one via ESP32)?

Controlling levels 1,2,3 are hopefully as simple as different voltage outputs. But in the BMW world everything is overly complicated. The german way. thanks.
Generally, replacing OE to AM seats is fairly simple, "uncomplicated" for a DIY project. Did my Recaro install solo...toughest part was wrestling those heavy OE seats out
Coding is required to eliminate airbag related warnings.

All BMW electrical wiring for seat controls resides underneath each seat; all plug-in to a simple harness [ie motors, seat belt sensor, airbag, heater]. Typically, no special tools required, yet depends on AM seat and features involved.

Keys to success include:
> Compatible AM selections - Seat wiring/harness, mounting assy etc.; especially for motorized seat replacements
> Time & Patience
Post threads and YT vids exist to give a sense of topic...
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e92 M3 - Interlagos Blue | Recaro GTs w/Fox Red Extended |Carbon Leather
BPM Stage II; SuperSprint: header-back, catless, nonresonated, F1s; Infinity Design CF intake; Partee Racing CF plenum; do88 coolers; Bilstein B16 kit w/EDC, monoball links; Brembo BBK; AutoSolutions SSK

Appreciate 0