Front Seat Weight = 56.2lbs ea.
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Front Seat Weight = 56.2lbs ea.
Just in case anyone is curious about weight savings along with better bolstering going to an aftermarket seat. This weight includes full mounting tracks.
An average aftermarket reclining manual seat is around 27-33lbs without tracks. 20-25 extra lbs per seat for power, heating, and airbag is less than what I thought. Going with aftermarket cost, having to match the fabric, and malfunction lights to deal with when unplugging, etc. is a lot to deal with for only 40lbs combined weight savings.
A person better really hate the OEM seats and love the comfort of aftermarket if going this route as weight saving alone is not justified IMO.
An average aftermarket reclining manual seat is around 27-33lbs without tracks. 20-25 extra lbs per seat for power, heating, and airbag is less than what I thought. Going with aftermarket cost, having to match the fabric, and malfunction lights to deal with when unplugging, etc. is a lot to deal with for only 40lbs combined weight savings.
A person better really hate the OEM seats and love the comfort of aftermarket if going this route as weight saving alone is not justified IMO.
Last edited by racetested; Aug 4, 2008 at 12:43 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Thanks for the info, as always.
I briefly considered getting an aftermarket sport seat. Two reasons:
1. I just cannot seem to find a comfortable position on the stock seats.
2. The seats do not provide enough lateral support (bolsters) in hard driving situations.
But I eventually decided against it after a week or so of deliberation. I don't want to deal with all the electrical problems you mentioned. I also feel like switching the seats out will look terrible on an MBZ unless the new seat is of extremely high quality, and I kinda like the electronic front/back adjustment capabilities.
I too am surprised that the weight savings are so minimal. A greater weight saving would've reawakend my interest in the seat change.
I briefly considered getting an aftermarket sport seat. Two reasons:
1. I just cannot seem to find a comfortable position on the stock seats.
2. The seats do not provide enough lateral support (bolsters) in hard driving situations.
But I eventually decided against it after a week or so of deliberation. I don't want to deal with all the electrical problems you mentioned. I also feel like switching the seats out will look terrible on an MBZ unless the new seat is of extremely high quality, and I kinda like the electronic front/back adjustment capabilities.
I too am surprised that the weight savings are so minimal. A greater weight saving would've reawakend my interest in the seat change.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 418
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08 MB
I am sure quality lightweight wheels could save 4lbs ea. wheel easily from the OEM(would need to confirm OEM wheel weights) which is equivalent to 26lbs each corner or 104lbs total.
Much easier to return to stock and much less hassle involved if comparing cost to cost(quality seats with matched material vs. quality wheels minus tires) and deciding the best way to spend a modification budget.
Note: rule of thumb is every 100lbs equals about 10hp or .1 second off a 1/4 mile time.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Thanks for the info, as always.
I briefly considered getting an aftermarket sport seat. Two reasons:
1. I just cannot seem to find a comfortable position on the stock seats.
2. The seats do not provide enough lateral support (bolsters) in hard driving situations.
But I eventually decided against it after a week or so of deliberation. I don't want to deal with all the electrical problems you mentioned. I also feel like switching the seats out will look terrible on an MBZ unless the new seat is of extremely high quality, and I kinda like the electronic front/back adjustment capabilities.
I too am surprised that the weight savings are so minimal. A greater weight saving would've reawakend my interest in the seat change.
I briefly considered getting an aftermarket sport seat. Two reasons:
1. I just cannot seem to find a comfortable position on the stock seats.
2. The seats do not provide enough lateral support (bolsters) in hard driving situations.
But I eventually decided against it after a week or so of deliberation. I don't want to deal with all the electrical problems you mentioned. I also feel like switching the seats out will look terrible on an MBZ unless the new seat is of extremely high quality, and I kinda like the electronic front/back adjustment capabilities.
I too am surprised that the weight savings are so minimal. A greater weight saving would've reawakend my interest in the seat change.
