Replacing C Class seats

[tempsford1]

Hi All
After initially disliking my 2002 C270 Estate I've quickly come to love it.
But I still hate the seats, I miss the V70's tilt facility which rocks right back raising the knees which for a tall man is bliss.
So, the question is: does anyone have any experience of fitting Volvo seats in a C Class, I can do without the electrics and be content with a basic manual comfortable Volvo seat.
Please, any advice very welcome.
Stephen

 

[Blobcat]

With the electric seats you should be able to lift the front of the seat base. Many people take time to get used to Mercedes seats as they can be quite hard compared to what people are used to. I know Volvo spend a lot of time & money on seat design I have however never had any issues with my Mercedes seats and have spent a great deal of time in them over the last few years. I do however acknowledge that if you see it as an issue then it will stay an issue and only bug you more until you do something about it. I doubt that Volvo electrics would work with Mercedes controllers and the mountings may not even be in the same place. What about the seat belt catch as that sits on the seat as well. Also air bags & pre-tensioners. A lot to integrate.

 

[tempsford1]

Hi Blobcat
Thanks for the reply.
The seats are only part electric so the seat base is raised by a rotary dial which only brings the seat to just above level.
I'm happy to dispense with electrics altogether and just have manual controls but of course Air bags and pretensioners are another matter.
Ijust thought that as I've had a quote for supply and fit Recaro seats(exhorbitant) it follows that it should be possible to fit other seats.
I have got better adjusted to it over a short period of time but I still feel as though I'm tipping forward and theres no support under my knees, in fact theres no contact with anything for about 8" from the backs of my knees.

 

[EGBM]

I can empathise with tempsford. I'm a tall lad too and that angle of dangle is all important. I've struggled in a friend's C class for the same reasons and the adjustability of the seats was a major feature of our search for an MB. Having said all that, the seats still needed some getting used to (or should I say, still do a bit after 4 months) as they are harder than what we were used.

 

[hawk20]

Hi Blobcat
Thanks for the reply.
The seats are only part electric so the seat base is raised by a rotary dial which only brings the seat to just above level.
I'm happy to dispense with electrics altogether and just have manual controls but of course Air bags and pretensioners are another matter.
Ijust thought that as I've had a quote for supply and fit Recaro seats(exhorbitant) it follows that it should be possible to fit other seats.
I have got better adjusted to it over a short period of time but I still feel as though I'm tipping forward and theres no support under my knees, in fact theres no contact with anything for about 8" from the backs of my knees.

I am long in the leg (33 inch inside leg) and had no problem in a C class. Do you put the seat right back on its slide. If so you should be able to get thighs supported unless your leg measurement is outside normal trouser sizes.

 

[tempsford1]

Hi Hawk20
Although I too am 33" I don't have the seat all the way back as I find it uncomfortable reaching the steering wheel but I do see your point, the straighter the leg the more contact with the seat.
I shall persevere as I like the gadgets and love the power and mpg.
I've never driven a diesel that delivers so strongly, I'm used to an old tech V70 diesel and before that small engined diesels so this is breathtaking.
There's a Volvo breakers 5 mins from me and I'll have a chat with my local garage and see what they think about different seats as I still miss the seat pitch.
Regards to all.
Stephen

 

[Rory]

I have a later C Class and it certainly has the worst seats I can remember - and that's after many years of doing a lot of miles in "rep-mobile" Cavaliers, Sierras, Mondeos and 405s and 406s. It's very annoying to be able to get into my daughter's SEAT Ibiza and immediately feel comfortable.

I find there's no lower back support, and I fix that by using a rolled up towel - other people who travel in the car are very impressed by that! The thigh support is lacking too, although I think it's considered to be a bad idea to have the thighs too supported as it reduces blood flow.

We were pointed towards these guidelines at work some years ago - one thing that you apparently have to bear in mind is that the "right" position might feel awkward at first.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/...rgonomics/biw/docs/driving_position_guide.pdf

 

[tempsford1]

Hi Rory
I've just read the link, clearly written by someone with a sense of humour, I wonder if they'd ever actually sat in a Mercedes driving seat.
I am a bit more comfortable after yet another adjustment, seat has slid all the way back and I've raised up about half way, it either feels more comfortable or it's just different. we'll see.
I wonder if the E Class is any different, bigger seats perhaps?
Stephen

 

[Bolide]

I think that, in ascending order of difficulty & cost, your options are:

* get the existing seat remade / refoamed (if that will help)
* find alternative C Class seats that you like and fit those
* buy a Recaro & subframe
* fit Volvo seats

I had a pair of Recaros years ago that went from car to car with me. They are, to my mind, the best upgrade you can buy

I think fitting Volvo seats will be a struggle but not impossible. I suspect you'll have to lose any seat-mounted airbags

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Rory]

I wonder if the E Class is any different, bigger seats perhaps?

I've commented before on how amusing it is (to me) that some Mercedes models offer "comfort" seats as an option.

What an admission that is!

 

[hawk20]

I've commented before on how amusing it is (to me) that some Mercedes models offer "comfort" seats as an option.

What an admission that is!

Isn't that only the A and B class?

BMW offer extra comfort seat options too.

 

[hawk20]

Hi Hawk20
Although I too am 33" I don't have the seat all the way back as I find it uncomfortable reaching the steering wheel but I do see your point, the straighter the leg the more contact with the seat.
I shall persevere as I like the gadgets and love the power and mpg.
I've never driven a diesel that delivers so strongly, I'm used to an old tech V70 diesel and before that small engined diesels so this is breathtaking.
There's a Volvo breakers 5 mins from me and I'll have a chat with my local garage and see what they think about different seats as I still miss the seat pitch.
Regards to all.
Stephen

It is important to get the seat far enough back to support the thighs. The tilt adjustment on the C class offers loads of adjustment and to have more is to use an 'unnatural' seat angle IMO. I cannot remember if the steering column has reach adjustment. One reason people sit too near the wheel (and so do not have adequate thigh support) is that they want to be closer to the steering wheel. On the E and the S the wheel adjusts for rake and reach so I can sit well back and still have the wheel close enough.

I thought this was on some C's??? If not, you need a car with reach adjustment to get comfortable.

A major survey of driver's found most tried to get the same position in their present car as they had in the previous one. Even if the previous one was wrong! Try and get right. Back till thighs supported. Wheel close enough to allow arms with reasonable bend in them.

 

[whitenemesis]

I've commented before on how amusing it is (to me) that some Mercedes models offer "comfort" seats as an option.

What an admission that is!

It does come over amusing but I think you'll find that it's written "Comfort" as in a style as opposed to a condition..

I have the Sports seat and find it very comfortable. I too am a 33" leg, I don't have the seat all the way back but do have the front raised to support the thighs.

On this model the steering wheel does adjust for reach, which is very good for getting the driving position just right :grin:

 

[tempsford1]

Mine's the Avantgarde SE so the steering wheel has both Rake and Reach but if I have the seat all the way back and the steering wheel extended as far as possible I then hit the wheel on the way out with my not inconsiderable stomach.
I think I have to face it, either the car's too small for me or I'm too big for the car and whilst I thoroughly enjoy the car's toys and performance I may have to say goodbye.
One interesting note, my right knee gave me pain because it was resting on something hard.
It wasn't till my wife borrowed the CD case that I realised what it was resting on.
No CD case no knee pain.
I wonder if I took the seat out???????????????

 

[Rory]

Isn't that only the A and B class?

BMW offer extra comfort seat options too.

It's interesting that you've commented in this thread that you had no problem in a C Class but I vividly remember you saying previously that after a long journey in a C Class you felt like your backside was on fire!