W203 Rear Folding Seats / Ski-Sack / Retrofit / Removing Back Seat Thread
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by Bens-Benz
So I have looked at options listed in your sigs. I haven't noticed hardly any that mention Split folding rear seats. Does noone buy this option? I ordered it on my car that I am still waiting for.
Basically, I don't want to rent a uhaul to pick up a 2x4 peice of wood. I guess I could stick it sideways through open windows, but would have to remove prior to pulling into garage unless I wanted to mod my car into a covertible
So do you guys get split seats and not include in your sigs or is there a reason not to get this option?
Basically, I don't want to rent a uhaul to pick up a 2x4 peice of wood. I guess I could stick it sideways through open windows, but would have to remove prior to pulling into garage unless I wanted to mod my car into a covertible
So do you guys get split seats and not include in your sigs or is there a reason not to get this option?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 631
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From: Augusta, GA
'05 SS Brillant Silver
Originally Posted by Bens-Benz
Basically, I don't want to rent a uhaul to pick up a 2x4 peice of wood.
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
2004 E55 AMG WAGON
I have it and it is really practical. It makes the trunk much more useable and recommend it to anyone. I think that the reason so many people do not have it is because dealers rarely option stock cars for their lot with them. Most people buy what is in stock rather than order and therefore you see many on the road without the split seats. I have spoken to several owners that regretted not having the seats because they could not fit larger items in their car.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
I regret not having it either. It was really useful in my old C280, which did have it and was a "stock" car from the dealer. I couldn't find split-folds in any 05 that I looked at. It's not even an expensive option, I have no clue why dealers don't get it with it or why it isn't standard...
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: California
I was insistant on having a split fold-down rear seat with my new car, along with class and a size to fit my small garage (my husband's E300 is there also).
After studying Lexus, BMW, and numerous other cars, we found the C320 to be the only car to fit the bill (albeit more than hubby wanted to pay for a "second" car). We were fortunate to find almost the exact car I wanted (originally I was planning to get the brilliant silver, but now I LOVE my pewter!) in stock at MB of Oakland.
The fold-down seat feature has been used 6 or 7 times, and I'm so pleased to have that option. I have the best of both worlds----the class of a Mercedes, and the usefulness of a small station wagon.
2004 C320 pewter/ash
After studying Lexus, BMW, and numerous other cars, we found the C320 to be the only car to fit the bill (albeit more than hubby wanted to pay for a "second" car). We were fortunate to find almost the exact car I wanted (originally I was planning to get the brilliant silver, but now I LOVE my pewter!) in stock at MB of Oakland.
The fold-down seat feature has been used 6 or 7 times, and I'm so pleased to have that option. I have the best of both worlds----the class of a Mercedes, and the usefulness of a small station wagon.
2004 C320 pewter/ash
Last edited by Alamo Lady; Nov 29, 2004 at 11:45 PM. Reason: added to it
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
The truth about folding seats - a good retrofit.
Ask any person about retrofitting folding seats to a C-Class sedan after the fact and their eyes glaze over with delightful catatonia. The local head office in Australia was asked by a dealer if they could do such a mod to a new car. They simply forgot to order the option for the client and ended up with something close but 2 digits transposed.
Myth 1 - the chassis is not the same in a car with folding seats. It is stiffer.
--------
The chassis is identical because a) the lugs and connection points are in all cars and b) seats themselves are not at all structural.
Myth 2 - Too many small parts are needed and its very complex to order
--------
There are exactly 9 parts + (screws, nuts and clips)
i) 2 side bolsters
ii) 2 vertical folding sections
iii) 2 horzontal folding sections
iv) 2 release handles in trunk
v) A small horizontal pad
Im talking part numbers here not concepts in general. The confusion seems to arise when looking at the pieces and then the sub-assemblies and confusing the two.
This mod would take about 1 hour to fit. Comes in all fabric and leather combinations and in all colours.
What remains to be seen is the requirement for air hoses - which is not yet resolved but can be done manually to drop the headrests.
Myth 1 - the chassis is not the same in a car with folding seats. It is stiffer.
--------
The chassis is identical because a) the lugs and connection points are in all cars and b) seats themselves are not at all structural.
Myth 2 - Too many small parts are needed and its very complex to order
--------
There are exactly 9 parts + (screws, nuts and clips)
i) 2 side bolsters
ii) 2 vertical folding sections
iii) 2 horzontal folding sections
iv) 2 release handles in trunk
v) A small horizontal pad
Im talking part numbers here not concepts in general. The confusion seems to arise when looking at the pieces and then the sub-assemblies and confusing the two.
This mod would take about 1 hour to fit. Comes in all fabric and leather combinations and in all colours.
What remains to be seen is the requirement for air hoses - which is not yet resolved but can be done manually to drop the headrests.
Last edited by benzmodz; Jul 5, 2005 at 06:06 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 106
From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
the hose is actually a vacuum line from front. THe is a small vacuum switch clipped onto the rear sam and then back to the rear seat. When the button in front is pressed, this opens the vacuum switch and releases the locks in the head rest to make them fall.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Gadsden, Alabama
'06 C350 4MATIC
Folding Seats
I had been ambivalent to folding seats out of my perception that trunk noise would be greater with the folding seats.
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Tishers
I had been ambivalent to folding seats out of my perception that trunk noise would be greater with the folding seats.
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by W0n6_3d4n
How much does this mod cost?? I want one bad now, since i'm doing stereo upgrade and love big bass 
The nearest estimate I could get was about 1200 Euro. Which would be about $2500 AUD with shipping but not including customs.
The really cool thing is that you get 3 things in one mod.
- folding seats
- ski bag pass-through
- integrated child seat
(I doubt that doof-doof goes with small kids)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by sunman
the hose is actually a vacuum line from front. THe is a small vacuum switch clipped onto the rear sam and then back to the rear seat. When the button in front is pressed, this opens the vacuum switch and releases the locks in the head rest to make them fall.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by sunman
the hose is actually a vacuum line from front. THe is a small vacuum switch clipped onto the rear sam and then back to the rear seat. When the button in front is pressed, this opens the vacuum switch and releases the locks in the head rest to make them fall.
Originally Posted by sunman
the entire row of rear head rests are tied together with vacuum lines and there is one line exiting to the left side towards the rear sam.
beyond the cost, and the naysayers who would ask "why would you want to do that?"
- could the vacuum lines be retrofitted to a C-Coupé with folding rear seats ?
- would I need to replace the SAM, or all i need to do is add the small vacuum switch ?
- would my head rest switch on the row, then work ?
- what else would I need ? some sort of wiring from switch row to rear SAM ?
I guess, I need to start putting together a Parts List,
and the WIS to do this, using the Sedan template on a Coupé.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Last edited by Saprissa; Jul 5, 2005 at 07:28 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 106
From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
Carlos,
The SAM can remain. It does not need to be changed. You would have to run a vacuum line from the engine compartment to the rear left near the sam, buy a vacuum switch, run the line from the switch to the rear seats. I am not sure what the inside of your headrests look like. If you pull the head rests off and see a plastic pipe in one of the stems, those would work fine. No wiring is necessary from SAM to Switch in front.
The SAM can remain. It does not need to be changed. You would have to run a vacuum line from the engine compartment to the rear left near the sam, buy a vacuum switch, run the line from the switch to the rear seats. I am not sure what the inside of your headrests look like. If you pull the head rests off and see a plastic pipe in one of the stems, those would work fine. No wiring is necessary from SAM to Switch in front.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 570
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2001 C240 Tectite
well check to see if your frame behind the seat is closed or open, if it's open like mine was, then you can simpy swap the seats/harnesses, went to a scrapyard and traded my non-folding seats with the folding type for 200$ cdn. including handle and everything.
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
Originally Posted by Tishers
I had been ambivalent to folding seats out of my perception that trunk noise would be greater with the folding seats.
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
It does add to the utility of the vehicle with folding seats and the cost impact on a new purchase is minimal.
Does anyone have any feelings about a C class with or without folding seats. Do you think it will make the cabin noisier?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by Jim Banville
My folding seats :p
