Tom,
Does that mean that 8Z elements can still be bought from Audi? Or do you use used ones?
Thanks
Yes, they're still available from Audi, but they're expensive ...circa £550 for a set of 4 elements (2x base, 2x back).
8Z0 963 557 E (Back)
8Z0 963 555 E (Base)
I've lost count of the number of OEM heated seat retrofits that I've done, but 99% of them have used seats that had the heated elements already integrated at factory. Only on 2 or 3 occasions have the OEM elements been purchased separately and integrated into an existing set of seats.
I've never removed the elements from a set of seats and migrated them into another set of seats. The elements are really quite tightly integrated into the seat covers.
my drivers side heated element might be damaged as it rarely works.
The elements can be damaged by people kneeling on the seats. The heating elements really don't like point pressure, as it can damage the fine conductor wires, creating an intermittent connection. However, worth checking the regulators and the loom connections first.
As a additional point on this broad subject, the heated seats looms that are available online, that purport to be for the A2, are, in my opinion, a load of rubbish. They're for left-hand-drive mk4 Golfs, but are branded as A2 looms simply because the connectors on the ends are the same. However, the lengths are all wrong, they're not designed to run along the correct wiring routes, the points where they connect to the car's existing wiring are all in the wrong place, the wiring colours don't conform, etc, etc. Some people don't care; if it can be made to work, and the mess can be buried out of sight, there's no problem. However, I couldn't live with that in my own A2, nor could I install such things in other people's A2s. As such, I fabricate my own heated seat looms, which are inch-perfect for the A2 and as close to factory standard as I can get them.
Cheers,
Tom