mb c class hard hard seat

[egallacher9]

Folks,
Wondered if any have a very very hard seat???
After driving 15-20 minutes i have a sore rear.
The car in question is a 2002 C class sports coupe which i have owned
for 3 months.

Any comments appreciated i have tried a selecton of cushions, the
dealer has checked the seat for damage, no problems

But i still have a sore rear !!!

hope this serious subject(for me) is not treated too lightly !!!!

 

[Eric Tilley]

Had this with a C class saloon (about 98 reg if my memory serves me). About 1 hour driving was max before the pain forced a stop to let the tears subside. I wondered at the time if MB optioned specially hard seats for orthopaedic or masochistic preferences. I am afraid that in my case I solved the problem by getting rid of the car dead quick.

 

[staylorhome]

I did not want to set up a thread re the seats as i thought it was me obviousley not.

Going from a Volvo armchair seats the the MB seats its like sitting on nails. I just put it down to the newness of the leather

Are you seats cloth or leather

(2006 C Class wagon)

 

[television]

Yes the Volvo seats are the best in the world, saying that the seats in my SL are superb, there again they are with the comfort option, and so much better than the standard SL seats, but these cars cost 3 times the price of the C class, so they should

 

[chelsea57]

had read that C class seats were uncomfortable after about an hour.

i have done 4 hours journey and got out totally fresh but mine are cloth. Not as comfortable as Saab leather seats though. My Volvo V70 leather were awful, used to slide off seat round corners and suits wore shiny after 3 months.

most uncomfortable ever though, rear seats in Volvo V50, brought ters to my eyes!

 

[television]

had read that C class seats were uncomfortable after about an hour.

i have done 4 hours journey and got out totally fresh but mine are cloth. Not as comfortable as Saab leather seats though. My Volvo V70 leather were awful, used to slide off seat round corners and suits wore shiny after 3 months.

most uncomfortable ever though, rear seats in Volvo V50, brought ters to my eyes!

In 1994 my SAAB executive won the best seats of the year, my V70R seats are wonderful

 

[egallacher9]

The seats in my c class are cloth/fibre

 

[NewMB]

You can't beat Volvo's seats....they are simply the best. If leather is fitted, the best in the business and, to me at least, beats MB's best leather quality easily....

My leather in the C class feels nice, but very plasticky and just not as soft as in my previous V70 fitted with Sports seats.

 

[Eric Tilley]

I did not want to set up a thread re the seats as i thought it was me obviousley not.

Going from a Volvo armchair seats the the MB seats its like sitting on nails. I just put it down to the newness of the leather

Are you seats cloth or leather

(2006 C Class wagon)

Your 06 C class seats should be OK. Mine are leather and are comfortable. I made sure of this after my previous experience before I bought an MB again.
The leather has all the supplenesss of a blacksmiths apron but the cushioning and support are such that the seats do not draw their presence to our attention. (I have the matrimonial oracles confirmation of this fact, she was scathing of the previous MB`s seating)
Your seats should be the same as mine, I moved from a Volvo S60 with leather and considered the MB seats just as comfortable.
Either there has to be some spec or manufacturing variation or your derriere is playing up . You could try the leather slipper therapy, a good slapping often works wonders

 

[Rory]

I find my late 04 C-Class (leather) seat very uncomfortable. In my case it's lack of support at the base of the spine, which I've fixed with a rolled up towel. I've never needed to do this in any other car.

I'm sure at least a few people have been put off Merc's after seeing me position the towel, but if they choose to fit inadequate seats, then so be it. How bizarre is it that Comfort seats should be an option in a Mercedes?

 

[hawk20]

I find my late 04 C-Class (leather) seat very uncomfortable. In my case it's lack of support at the base of the spine, which I've fixed with a rolled up towel. I've never needed to do this in any other car.

I'm sure at least a few people have been put off Merc's after seeing me position the towel, but if they choose to fit inadequate seats, then so be it. How bizarre is it that Comfort seats should be an option in a Mercedes?

Comfort seats are also an option in the BMW 5 series and I think in the X5 too.

I had a 2002 C class 180 Classic. We drove to the South of France and when we arrived my ass was on fire. Very, very hard indeed. The seats in the new C class were developed after much new research says Merc blurb. No doubt after many old C class owners grumbled.

In the new model A class (and the B class) the seats are much better. And the Merc blurb says that new technology has enabled them to mould the seats so that the foam is softer where you sit but still firm where the side bolsters are. In the past foams were of one density and I think Mercedes erred on the side of dense foam for good lateral support.

I found the E class better than a Volvo estate I owned.

Other threads on other forums share the view that the C class seats are hard.

German seats have always been on the firm side. I remember a review of the old BMW 5 series saying that the seats "offered all the comfort of a concrete park bench".

BTW on the A and B class the 'comfort seats' option does not affect the seat comfort as such. It offers height adjustment for the passenger seat (driver only is standard), adjustable lumbar support for both seats, and squab tilt adjustment for both seats. Only £80 and well worth every penny.

 

[Rory]

Only £80 and well worth every penny.

When you think that that probaby costs Mercedes about £20, plus the extra logistics cost of having different seats, setting up the different p/n's in their system etc etc, why on earth have it as option?
Just ridiculous.

 

[hawk20]

When you think that that probaby costs Mercedes about £20, plus the extra logistics cost of having different seats, setting up the different p/n's in their system etc etc, why on earth have it as option?
Just ridiculous.

I quite agree and said as much to a contact I have high up in Mercedes. But he said that I also wanted the rake and reach adjustable steering column to be standard (rake only is standard -rake and reach adds £115) as it makes a huge difference to comfort if you are 6ft with a 5ft 3inch wife. And on it goes. So he says.

Personally I think the seating and driving position should be top priority on a Merc with both these standard.

 

[toby1]

I must say that mine could do with more buttock support, if I could change something. And more "damping" in the base cushion for want of a better word.

I've just had back disc surgery 6 weeks ago, so I'm being vigilant when it comes to posture, seating, etc.

I remember a 1989 190E with cloth seats which my old man had as a loan car, and I really liked those front seats. Firm-ish, but they had the "give" and one soon ignored the firmness once one became accustomed to the seat's own suspension.

 

[hawk20]

I must say that mine could do with more buttock support, if I could change something. And more "damping" in the base cushion for want of a better word.

I've just had back disc surgery 6 weeks ago, so I'm being vigilant when it comes to posture, seating, etc.

I remember a 1989 190E with cloth seats which my old man had as a loan car, and I really liked those front seats. Firm-ish, but they had the "give" and one soon ignored the firmness once one became accustomed to the seat's own suspension.

I had a similar op. and my surgeon said either get a 4x4 or at the very least raise the seat as much as you reasonably can. Watch people getting out of cars. They often put only one leg out and push themselves up on that. Huge load on spine and it is twisted at the time. Not good. TRY to learn to put both feet out and swing round to get rid of twist before levering yourself upwards. The A and B classes offer some of the height of a 4x4 and are good for me when getting out.

 

[jberks]

my experience is that people switch from one make to another and despite wheel, pedals etc being in a different position, they choose the same seating setup as their old car - and then complain that they are in pain.
I agree, swedish seats are very comfortable - soft and cossetting. I quite like renault seats too. But, I have driven tens of thousands of miles in 202,203,210 and 211s and, yes german seats are hard compared to others, but if set right, they are also very supportive and comfortable. I have driven 4 hours+ straight in several mercs and got out fresh as a daisy.
I must admit that after having E classes for a few years now, I find the C class seat not long enough in the base, but then I did have a 202 and for a few years and didn't have a problem so it's more me and my seating position and what I'm used to than it is the car.

Try adjusting the seat and changing your position, there will be an ideal setting for you, you simply haven't found it yet.

 

[Janice321]

I'm in a 2002 avantguarde with cloth seats (80k on the clock) The seats gave me a pain in the butt after 2/3 hours of driving. I originally bought an inflatable cushion but dont seem to need it now (thick skinned?) On the positive side the seats still look like new!

 

[hawk20]

I'm in a 2002 avantguarde with cloth seats (80k on the clock) The seats gave me a pain in the butt after 2/3 hours of driving. I originally bought an inflatable cushion but dont seem to need it now (thick skinned?) On the positive side the seats still look like new!

You only have to read what Mercedes are saying about the research to get the seats in the new C class to know that they must have had many complaints. I had E's for years and no problems. But I did find the C class hard and the seat is certainly not large.

I agree with Jberks that positioning the seat is important. Try not to take all your weight on the bones in your bottom. The easiest way to spread the load is to tilt the squab up a tad to take more weight on the back of the thighs. Or riase the seat. Or move it back a bit till the thighs are fully supported. Do all that and it does help. But it is still a pretty hard place to sit!

 

[stevesey]

Normally keep cars for 5-6 years and do find it takes a while for seat and body to adapt to each other.

First trip in my merc was a weekend trip to Torquay, followed by taking my my son to London for Uni on the Monday. Seats very hard, felt like a spring had broken and was sticking in me at some points. Wife was frustrated by my constant twiddling with the seat adjustments.

5 weeks later, 6 hour trip up to the lakes (half term Saturday) and a 4 hour return the next weekend - much better.

 

[egallacher9]

permanent "NUMB BUM"

Gents,
Thanks for the great response, thought I was the only one with
problems, but that's where a forum is excellent
Tried your various suggestions/advice but no success

Regards & thanks again for your response

numb bum