Retrofitting OEM options
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 150
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From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
Retrofitting OEM options
So my C230 appears to be missing a lot of the factory upgrade options, Just guessing this by all the buttons missing on the dash. Does anyone know which of these optional extras already have wiring for them and might be able to be installed used from another car without too much effort? for example the heated seats, would those be something I could just find in a scrap car and plug in and go? Just looking for stuff to add and OEM retrofits seem like the least difficult.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
The stuff attached to the switches are not the only options missing for most cars. 
An easy example would be powered seats, which require new modules in the door, and new seats with motors.
For the heated seats, I'd imagine the wiring is missing as well. Best way would be to check underneath the seats and see if there are any "extra" unused connectors.
There are other options that can be added without too much difficulty if you're handy. Examples include the CD changer, phone (Bluetooth) capability, and voice control (Linguatronic). These are "dealer installed options", and these cars come with all of the required wiring.
An easy example would be powered seats, which require new modules in the door, and new seats with motors.For the heated seats, I'd imagine the wiring is missing as well. Best way would be to check underneath the seats and see if there are any "extra" unused connectors.
There are other options that can be added without too much difficulty if you're handy. Examples include the CD changer, phone (Bluetooth) capability, and voice control (Linguatronic). These are "dealer installed options", and these cars come with all of the required wiring.
Last edited by slammer111; Sep 24, 2024 at 03:30 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,004
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From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
I retrofitted the seat memory in my car
Based on my experience with the seat memory project, I expect that you could retrofit other options such as seat heaters. The reason I believe this is that most of the systems in the W203 are controlled through the CAN BUS. If the control for the option you want to retrofit is connected to the CAN BUS, and the component is connected to the CAN BUS, the control should be able to send a signal to the component.
I didn't need to retrofit seat heaters to my car because my car came with them installed. If I needed to add heated seats, I think that I would need to purchase a dash control from a car with seat heaters. (The control should be available on eBay, Car-Part.com or from your local Pick and Pull.) You would also need heated seats. You will likely need to connect the heated seats to the CAN BUS, and you may need to use MB Star/Xentry to activate the system in your car. The process I followed for adding seat memory shows the basic outline of the process, but there are likely to be slight variations for adding different options.
Good luck if you decide to embark on a project.
Based on my experience with the seat memory project, I expect that you could retrofit other options such as seat heaters. The reason I believe this is that most of the systems in the W203 are controlled through the CAN BUS. If the control for the option you want to retrofit is connected to the CAN BUS, and the component is connected to the CAN BUS, the control should be able to send a signal to the component.
I didn't need to retrofit seat heaters to my car because my car came with them installed. If I needed to add heated seats, I think that I would need to purchase a dash control from a car with seat heaters. (The control should be available on eBay, Car-Part.com or from your local Pick and Pull.) You would also need heated seats. You will likely need to connect the heated seats to the CAN BUS, and you may need to use MB Star/Xentry to activate the system in your car. The process I followed for adding seat memory shows the basic outline of the process, but there are likely to be slight variations for adding different options.
Good luck if you decide to embark on a project.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 150
Likes: 6
From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
The stuff attached to the switches are not the only options missing for most cars. An easy example would be powered seats, which require new modules in the door, and new seats with motors.
For the heated seats, I'd imagine the wiring is missing as well. Best way would be to check underneath the seats and see if there are any "extra" unused connectors.
There are other options that can be added without too much difficulty if you're handy. Examples include the CD changer, phone (Bluetooth) capability, and voice control (Linguatronic). These are "dealer installed options", and these cars come with all of the required wiring.
An easy example would be powered seats, which require new modules in the door, and new seats with motors.For the heated seats, I'd imagine the wiring is missing as well. Best way would be to check underneath the seats and see if there are any "extra" unused connectors.
There are other options that can be added without too much difficulty if you're handy. Examples include the CD changer, phone (Bluetooth) capability, and voice control (Linguatronic). These are "dealer installed options", and these cars come with all of the required wiring.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 150
Likes: 6
From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
I retrofitted the seat memory in my car
Based on my experience with the seat memory project, I expect that you could retrofit other options such as seat heaters. The reason I believe this is that most of the systems in the W203 are controlled through the CAN BUS. If the control for the option you want to retrofit is connected to the CAN BUS, and the component is connected to the CAN BUS, the control should be able to send a signal to the component.
I didn't need to retrofit seat heaters to my car because my car came with them installed. If I needed to add heated seats, I think that I would need to purchase a dash control from a car with seat heaters. (The control should be available on eBay, Car-Part.com or from your local Pick and Pull.) You would also need heated seats. You will likely need to connect the heated seats to the CAN BUS, and you may need to use MB Star/Xentry to activate the system in your car. The process I followed for adding seat memory shows the basic outline of the process, but there are likely to be slight variations for adding different options.
Good luck if you decide to embark on a project.
Based on my experience with the seat memory project, I expect that you could retrofit other options such as seat heaters. The reason I believe this is that most of the systems in the W203 are controlled through the CAN BUS. If the control for the option you want to retrofit is connected to the CAN BUS, and the component is connected to the CAN BUS, the control should be able to send a signal to the component.
I didn't need to retrofit seat heaters to my car because my car came with them installed. If I needed to add heated seats, I think that I would need to purchase a dash control from a car with seat heaters. (The control should be available on eBay, Car-Part.com or from your local Pick and Pull.) You would also need heated seats. You will likely need to connect the heated seats to the CAN BUS, and you may need to use MB Star/Xentry to activate the system in your car. The process I followed for adding seat memory shows the basic outline of the process, but there are likely to be slight variations for adding different options.
Good luck if you decide to embark on a project.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
Post #26 in this thread C63 Seat swap discusses the seat weight sensor issue. I don't think I provided specific details on swapping the seat belt buckles, but it is fairly straightforward. There is one bolt that holds the buckles on the seat frame. The seat belt wiring has a yellow connector.
One other safety issue: If you buy seats with the side airbags installed in the seats (the side airbags in our cars are in the doors) be careful to avoid triggering the seat airbags while you are working on the seats. You don't want an airbag inflating near your head.
Good luck.
Last edited by KevinH2000; Oct 1, 2024 at 10:34 AM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2024
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From: SoCal
90 VW Corrado g60, 07 New Beetle Vert triple white & 09 Escalade ESV Plat LOL!
If you’re going down the rabbit hole for heated seats (with resistance heater pads), consider heated and vented (by fans) or heated and air conditioned (by peltier device).
The technology has come so far that it’s an owner do’able thing now. If you already have perforated leather seats in your vehicle, you’re already ahead for a a/c - cooled or ventilation system.
Once you have a/c heated seats you won’t own a vehicle without them again.
The technology has come so far that it’s an owner do’able thing now. If you already have perforated leather seats in your vehicle, you’re already ahead for a a/c - cooled or ventilation system.
Once you have a/c heated seats you won’t own a vehicle without them again.
Last edited by Petethepug; Oct 1, 2024 at 10:48 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
Black leather and the Virginia summers make ventilated seats appealing. Unfortunately, the C63 seats I installed in my car don't have perforated leather. I guess I could get busy and start poking holes in the leather. I expect that the ventilation is like the heaters. Once you have it, you can't live without it.
I have attached the Mercedes instructions on retrofitting heated seats. There may be other useful documents on this website: Benzbits
I have attached the Mercedes instructions on retrofitting heated seats. There may be other useful documents on this website: Benzbits
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 150
Likes: 6
From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
When installing replacement seats, you will need to consider the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)/Airbag wiring. If you install seats from another W203 they should be plug and play. If you install seats from a later car like I did, you will need to swap the seat belt buckles and associated wiring from both of your original seats and the weight sensor module from the passenger seat. If you don't do this, you will see an SRS error in the center display. I'm not sure, but it is possible that none of the airbags will deploy in an accident if you trigger the SRS warning.
Post #26 in this thread C63 Seat swap discusses the seat weight sensor issue. I don't think I provided specific details on swapping the seat belt buckles, but it is fairly straightforward. There is one bolt that holds the buckles on the seat frame. The seat belt wiring has a yellow connector.
One other safety issue: If you buy seats with the side airbags installed in the seats (the side airbags in our cars are in the doors) be careful to avoid triggering the seat airbags while you are working on the seats. You don't want an airbag inflating near your head.
Good luck.
Post #26 in this thread C63 Seat swap discusses the seat weight sensor issue. I don't think I provided specific details on swapping the seat belt buckles, but it is fairly straightforward. There is one bolt that holds the buckles on the seat frame. The seat belt wiring has a yellow connector.
One other safety issue: If you buy seats with the side airbags installed in the seats (the side airbags in our cars are in the doors) be careful to avoid triggering the seat airbags while you are working on the seats. You don't want an airbag inflating near your head.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 150
Likes: 6
From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
Black leather and the Virginia summers make ventilated seats appealing. Unfortunately, the C63 seats I installed in my car don't have perforated leather. I guess I could get busy and start poking holes in the leather. I expect that the ventilation is like the heaters. Once you have it, you can't live without it.
I have attached the Mercedes instructions on retrofitting heated seats. There may be other useful documents on this website: Benzbits
I have attached the Mercedes instructions on retrofitting heated seats. There may be other useful documents on this website: Benzbits
