SRS / pass air-bags for S Class W140 ...

[charlesjs]

Hi, we own a '97 P plate S280 which has a pass SRS/Airbag. Our problem is we will soon need to carry a rear facing child seat for a third child and we would have preferred to put this in the front.

From earlier brochures I own it appears that from launch until some date this was optional, does anyone know what age of car this could be found in.

Alternatively, I've been advised that some MB have a dashboard light which comes on to show the MB child seat has deactivated the SRS. Again, does anyone know whether the W140 range in the last few years (ie 97-99) had this.

Otherwise my wife will be driving around in the B@W 7 series we own, rather than the MB! ! !

Thanks for your help

Charles

 

[rdcw]

CharlesJS,
We have a '97 S320 with parcel shelf mounted rear stop light. The model year after , ie 1998, models came with the sensor passenger seat and hence had a dashboard light. I've owned A-class 2000 , E class 1998, C sportscoupe 2002 and currently also have a CLK 430 2000 all with the sensors. I have two children and a variety of sensor fitted childseats. In operation you just place the transponder fitted seat onto the front passenger seat and within 2 or 3 seconds the light comes on on the dashboard. My manual does say for the 1997 S you could fit a front facing seat as long as the seat was moved to its rearmost position. You should not try and fit the baby rear facing seat in your car with the airbag on.Dr Richard Williamson

 

[charlesjs]

Apologies for the delay in my acknowledgement of your reply, but, belatedly, thanks very much.

Since posting the question I have had the S280 checked out thoroughly by my preferred non-franchised garage and we're come to the conclusion that there are too many issues to be dealt with so it is going back to the auction house in the next few weeks (bought that way to start with)

This is frustrating since the car appears on the surface to be ok but when you read the list of faults, and then calculate the cost ... well I have decided I would rather lose a few hundred pounds to get rid of the car rather than keep a suspect one.

It has been useful to own the car since it has confirmed for me I want one and I have been able to clarify further the key issues to look for.

So I still am looking for a good S-class. It would appear that the earlier ones did not have a pass air-bag so a rear facing child seat could be placed there.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.

Regards

Charles