Firm seating

[LiamMc]

As a new-comer to the Merc world, I wonder if I could ask for some help?

As a result of a back injury sustained playing rugby many years ago, the driver's seating position in any car is absolutely crucial for me. I recently bought a C class, and find the driver's seat incredibly firm

Has anyone found a neat solution ? Next step, a zimmer.........................

 

[sixpack]

Hard seat

Hi Liam,
You dont say which C class, 202 or 203, I had a 1995 202 which I found very uncomfortable. The drivers seat had a noticeably firmer base than the passenger seat, probably due to high miles (about 200,000). I replaced the seat base with one from a Ford Sierra (honest!), it was much more comfortable. It was a bit fiddly to do. All I replaced was the bit with the padding and upholstry, leaving the original metal springing. The interior of my car was grey "quartz" colour and the Sierra I used was a fair match. You could recover it with the Merc cloth but I wanted the option of refitting it later. Taking the seat out isnt difficult but you need a reversed torx socket to remove the runner bolts. All in a simple improvement to a superb car !

Hope this helps

Peter

 

[BarryG]

As a new-comer to the Merc world, I wonder if I could ask for some help?

As a result of a back injury sustained playing rugby many years ago, the driver's seating position in any car is absolutely crucial for me. I recently bought a C class, and find the driver's seat incredibly firm

Has anyone found a neat solution ? Next step, a zimmer.........................

DITTO (Did my back lifting a concrete lintel on my own.Yes I now know how stupid I was.) I actually picked up an oblong shaped inflatable cushion from a local poundshop it is only about an inch thick. And place this at the base of my spine. Not pretty but it does help.
I must say, I think I have mentioned this on another thread, I cant believe how uncomfortable the seats in my C250 are. Most of my other cars have had very good lumbar support.
I have seen some covers with built in lumbar support I think one of these could be next on the shopping list.

Barry

 

[television]

this posting is something new, during the 90's SAAB had the best seats of that time with the 9000SE Several countries voted it best ever seats,closely followed by Volvo 98 on. The MB 129 98 on also had very good seats,and most MB's after 98 all have very good seats. The 123 cars were all very hard, 124 better but the squab was too short offering no suport for the thighs and a little on the hard side, after 3 hours your backside ached. The new SL (comfort warm/cold air,massagingand inflatable) are first class.
I am a fussy bugger when it comes to seats, all the chairs in my house are Swedish,completely adjustable, some people just buy any outside furniture without sitting on it. I love the ones where when you lean back it pushes your bottom off the front..
Back to car seats MB had to do something in the late 90's as SAAB and Volvo were always highly rated, and the best. To this point in time, not one reported whiplash clain against a Volvo.

Malcolm

 

[LiamMc]

Firm seats

Many thanks for the replies. I am trying a 2 inch foam cushion at present - the car is a C200 CDI Classic SE. I should have tried out my friend's C200 first - experience is a great teacher.

Could be next week I'll bite the bullet and look at a car with a more comfortable driver's seat. I am going to lose a lot of money but comfort is priceless.

Thanks again.

 

[daveenty]

Hi Liam,

Got the *comfort* option in mine.

Not the best option I've tried, but better than some

The most comfortable one I ever had was a Renault 25 many years ago <spit>

It really was like driving an armchair around.
It was also like investing money in a third world economy : (

Persevere with the cushion....add (or subtract) bits of foam..

 

[benzo]

To this point in time, not one reported whiplash clain against a Volvo.

Malcolm

Gotta admit , after trading in my S60 for a W211 E class, one thing I miss about the Volvo is the seats... Don't get me wrong - the E class seats are comfy but not as nice as the volvo's.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

on the whole our German friends seem to like frim seats. I've had quite a few German cars (3 Audi's, 1 BMW and a Merc) and been in many others and they all seem to have pretty firm seats in comparrison to other cars. I quite like a firm seat so I guess it's just preferences. More lumbar support would be nice though.

 

[Blobcat]

I find it can take awhile to get used to the firm MB seats, however they are worth persevering with. In the long term they provide the necessary support required and the longer you sit the more comfortable they are.
There was a post recently of buying a new base pad from MB and recovering it with the orginal leather/cloth. The pad was quite cheap according to the thread so if the car has quite a few miles and/or a previously heavy pilot changing the seat base sponge maybe of benefit to you.

 

[Bolide]

The ultimate solution is to buy a Recaro seat and the custom seat base for your car. Recaro do a range of proper Orthopaedic seats including ones with split squabs for people with serious disabilities

You may find there was an orthopaedic seat option from Mercedes for your car - there was for the W124. Worth seeking out in a breakers yard

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Rory]

Got the *comfort* option in mine.

I always think it's pretty ironic that MB offer *comfort* as an option! You'd think they'd be embarrassed to show that in the options list.

The seats in my facelift W203 are not as good as the ones the Peugeot 406 Exec I had previously. As others have said, it's the lumbar support that's lacking.

 

[Bolide]

If you need more lumbar support, Sparco do an inflatable lumbar cushion with a bulb pump on a trailing pipe for about £35. It works well with race seats where the back rest padding is separate from the seat shell but would require a bit of ingenuity to fit to most MB seats

The MB Orthpaedic seat has three of these inflatable bladders plus an electric pump to inflate them

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[LiamMc]

Thanks for all the tips and adieu. I bit the bullet today and bought a Volvo S80 D5 Se Lux. It is a dream to drive after the C class. Lost a lot of dough but health comes first.

Thanks again.

 

[television]

Thanks for all the tips and adieu. I bit the bullet today and bought a Volvo S80 D5 Se Lux. It is a dream to drive after the C class. Lost a lot of dough but health comes first.

Thanks again.

They are the best seats on any car, good luck with it.

Malcolm