How the hell do you get comfortable in a W203

[Mark A]

I have recently purchased an 03 reg C220CDI Estate (Classic SE Trim). If I am driving it for a few miles, no probs, however my journey to work is 43 miles each way and after 5-10 miles I have a pain between my shoulder blades. I have tried putting the seat right up, back, forward, down etc.... and I still can't get comy. I even stole one of the head rests from my wife's M-Class.

I have owned many cars ranging from Citroens - Vauhauls - Audi etc..... and never had a problem before. Is this a common problem. It almost feels as if the seat back is too short. Im 6ft, so I'm not huge. Help me please, as I love the car in every other respect.

Mark

 

[Rory]

I find mine uncomfortable too, but I get lower back pain. It's OK if I use a rolled up towel to support the base of my spine.

After years of happily driving Peugeot 406 company cars all over the UK, it's quite annoying that the Merc is uncomfortable.

Have a look at this for set up:
http://www.drivingergonomics.com , click on the Posture link and download the 'Initial Driving Position and Posture Guide'.

 

[100%Bitch]

I sympathise with you both as I too find the 203 uncomfortable. If ever I have one as a courtesy car I whince.I feel as though I am sitting on it rather than in it which feels very strange.

I think the only way I don't get backache myself is because I tend to fidget when driving it (keep your thoughts clean). It's really strange because I don't do it in mine.

 

[Mark A]

I find mine uncomfortable too, but I get lower back pain. It's OK if I use a rolled up towel to support the base of my spine.

After years of happily driving Peugeot 406 company cars all over the UK, it's quite annoying that the Merc is uncomfortable.

Have a look at this for set up:
http://www.drivingergonomics.com , click on the Posture link and download the 'Initial Driving Position and Posture Guide'.

I have had a look at the site, very useful. I think that my problem is that measurement D is insufficient & that my shoulders are above the top of the seat. I can't see any other way to sort the problem other than replacing the seat or car. Do any other seats fit ??, what abouut the leather option, is that exactly the same dimensions ??

Mark

 

[Rory]

I have had a look at the site, very useful. I think that my problem is that measurement D is insufficient & that my shoulders are above the top of the seat.

I'm absolutely not an expert in this area, but I would tend to doubt that's the problem - after all, few chairs / seats of any sort (like a desk chair) would support your shoulders.

My guess would be either that you're hunching to look under the top of the windscreen (has the screen got a shade-band that you're looking under?) or there's something wrong with your arm positions relative to the steering wheel - Perhaps you're again sort of hunching your shoulders to hold the top of the wheel? I know it's not recommended, but when I'm cruising I tend to hold the wheel at twenty past eight to allow my shoulders to drop.

As far as I know, the leather seats are the same (mine has leather). Leather can be worse for some people as it doesn't hold you so well so you can find yourself bracing yourself in the seat.


MB does all sorts of special seats for various models, like comfort, orthopedic & sports - seems a bit of an admission to me that the standard seats aren't as good as they could be.

 

[Mark A]

Thanks for the info Rory.

Mark

 

[grpar]

Mark,

Like you, I find the front seats in my "54" C-class uncomfortable on long journeys. Inevitably, one's shoulders tend to hunch forward because of the inadequate lower lumbar support in the seat. I've tried all the ergonomic suggestions, none of which alleviate the stiffness .... it's just not a particularly well thought-through design, I think.

I ended up buying a product from a company called Puttnams (I think) which was 26 quid and provides additional lower back support (it's a valve-controlled firm sponge wedge, where you can vary the depth of the wedge and then close the valve to maintain that shape). It makes long journeys more bearable, but it still doesn't have enough firmness and already the seams are showing the signs of giving up .... I suspect the rolled up towel might be a better option.

That said, I had a BMW X3 hire car last year which had the optional pneumatic lumbar support on the front seats. Absolute sheer bliss, even though it was as hard as nails on the max setting ! Once tried, one has to have. The next showroom where I part with large amounts of cash will have a BMW sign over the door.

 

[whitenemesis]

Sorry to go against the flow but I find my W203 very comfortable. Seat (Sports, leather) back far enought to give my legs (33" inside leg) a natural bend, well supported under the knee by the lower cushion. Wheel adjusted to give arms a relaxed bend. When criusing my elbows rest on the centre arm rest and door rest (hands at 8:20). Being 6'1" I have the seat as low as possible so I look straight ahead, chin parallel with the road.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I always put the seat to its lowest position. I then raise the front of the seat cushion up, so my thighs are at an angle, and my calves are at a good angle to my thighs, the soles of my feet normally rest flat on the pedals without any bend at the ankle.

I then position the seat so my feet just reach the full travel of the pedals. Then I adjust the seatback so I'm slightly reclined. Then I adjust the wheel and seatback so at 10 to 2 my arms are slightly bent, and I can see the speedometer clearly. The headrest should be rotated fully forward, and lumbar adjusted accordingly.

This has always worked for me. You should also check that the wheel is central to the seat - if its off slightly, your back will twist. Lots of smaller cars are annoying like that.

 

[whitenemesis]

I always put the seat to its lowest position. I then raise the front of the seat cushion up, so my thighs are at an angle, and my calves are at a good angle to my thighs, the soles of my feet normally rest flat on the pedals without any bend at the ankle.

I then position the seat so my feet just reach the full travel of the pedals. Then I adjust the seatback so I'm slightly reclined. Then I adjust the wheel and seatback so at 10 to 2 my arms are slightly bent, and I can see the speedometer clearly. The headrest should be rotated fully forward, and lumbar adjusted accordingly.

This has always worked for me. You should also check that the wheel is central to the seat - if its off slightly, your back will twist. Lots of smaller cars are annoying like that.

A textbook approach

 

[Mark A]

Now discovered that the main problem is that I have pulled a muscle in my neck, and the timing was pure coincidence (which is often the way). The thing that gave it away, was that I couldn't get comfortable in my wife's ML which I had previously driven for 700+ miles in a single trip with not even a sign of discomfort.

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys & Gals.

Mark

 

[Redmerlin]

Change the seat!

Hi Mark

You'll need to be sitting down for this!

I have a C220CDI Estate 52 Reg Avantgarde, I too have had a problem with the seat.

I have a history of back problems relating to car seats and your problem seems similar.

I have for many years driven the older model Vauxhaul Vectra, in excess of 300,000 miles with no problems , although the Vauxhaul's seat was voted the worst in any saloon car - it suits my back. No problems

I can drive most upright MPV's but sports saloons - Old Rover Vitesse etc are definate No No's

Anyway I have done so many happy miles in the Vectra , I had forgotten I had a back problem. I was looking for something suitable for high motorway mileages and the Mercedes seemed fine, test drive no problem

On the way home after collecting the car , after 15 minutes ,ping , pain between my shoulder blades. Then all the time when driving - I remembered I had a back problem and began to hate Mercedes

I too tried every seat angle and postion , to no avail . Finally ended up at a Physio who said get another seat.

Fortunately I still had the old 120,000 mile Vectra, so I parked both cars side by side to compare them. On flat ground I measures seat height - distance from wheel to back rest etc. The seat in the Vectra has to be in one position to be right for me.

Two major differences - The Vectra seat is a good 2 inches higher than the Mercedes and a competely different shape.

So simple solution - out with the Mercedes seat and in with the Vectra - seat mounting is virtually the same just needed one extension piece. Seat was also raised with a spacer 1 inch at the back to give exactly the same position.

40,000 miles later no problems . I bought a second Vectra seat from a scrapyard and sold the Vectra. The Mercedes seat is in the loft and will be like new when I sell the car provided the mice have not eaten it.

Vectra seat has now done 160,000 miles !

So if all else fails get a new seat

I too am 6ft tall and I can give you the critical dimensions I use for the seat if you want them.

Desperate I know but atlast I have escaped the Vectra. The 220 is an excellent Motorway cruiser as well

best of luck

Ian ( AKA Redmerlin)

 

[Captain Flack]

Like whitenemisis, I immediately found my 203 the most comfortable car I have driven. The only one that came close was my Range Rover, but the seats in that were like armchairs.

I don't know what seats you have fitted, but mine are the electrically adjustable leather perforated type and I find them really comfortable. In February I drove from the North West of the Isle of Skye to Brighton in 12 hours and had no aches or pains upon arrival.

The lack of adjustable lumber support may have some bearing on your discomfort. Why not go to a dealership and try different seat types and see.

 

[grpar]

Captain Flack,

Like you, I have the leather perforated seats.

Perhaps this problem of comfort is a "perceived" one ..... I like to do 200 motorway miles without stopping, which means I'm behind the wheel for 3+ hours at a stretch. If I took more breaks, I might fair better. That said, I get the achy shoulders after an hour or so, which seems a low average to me.

Hey ho. BMW (with their lumbar seats) can at least bank on one new customer come the change. Clever Germans.

 

[Captain Flack]

I agree. We're all different shapes and sizes so the manufacturer with the most adjustable and compatable seat will get the most benefit.

 

[Mark A]

I too am 6ft tall and I can give you the critical dimensions I use for the seat if you want them.

Yes please. If you could send me a PM with the details and the type of Vectra seat you used.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Rory]

Sorry to go against the flow but I find my W203 very comfortable. Seat (Sports, leather)...

I think 'Sports' there, is the difference.

I had Recaro sports seats in a Ford years ago (Capri S :razz and they were brilliant. However if I used the sunroof on tilt I'd have a stiff neck the next day! There's aways something. :roll:

 

[television]

If you could provide the correct mounting there is no reason why a V70 or Saab 9000 seat would not go in,, the squab is about the same size on all of them.

I could try and measure my V70R base

 

[ivoka1981]

Hello guys.
I have the same problem with mine C220 Diesel from year 1995.
Mark A and Redmerlin, could you please provide more details and probably picture and instructions on the Vauxhaul's Vectra seat ? I am based in Riga - Latvia and we don`t have many of Vauxhaul Vectras , but have plenty of Opels Vectra. Could tips me which one I should pick up ?

Thank you in advance and appreciate your help!

 

[television]

If you could provide the correct mounting there is no reason why a V70 or Saab 9000 seat would not go in,, the squab is about the same size on all of them.

I could try and measure my V70R base

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