Houston We have a problem
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
Houston We have a problem
Today, my wife and I went to the dealer to drive a C300 4Matic. My wife is 5' tall and couldn't get the seat far enough forward to reach the accelerator.
She worked with the seat and discovered there is an interaction between the seat back angle and how far the seat will move forward. By tilting the seat back, where it wasn't supporting her back, the seat would move forward enough for her to operate the accelerator. I suppose she could put a cushion behind her back but that would negate the back heating and cooling features.
I enjoyed driving the C300 as much as my 2006 C350 which is my gold standard for a car I enjoy driving. Unfortunately, the C300 would be mainly for my wife so, for not it isn't in the cards.
She worked with the seat and discovered there is an interaction between the seat back angle and how far the seat will move forward. By tilting the seat back, where it wasn't supporting her back, the seat would move forward enough for her to operate the accelerator. I suppose she could put a cushion behind her back but that would negate the back heating and cooling features.
I enjoyed driving the C300 as much as my 2006 C350 which is my gold standard for a car I enjoy driving. Unfortunately, the C300 would be mainly for my wife so, for not it isn't in the cards.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
Today, my wife and I went to the dealer to drive a C300 4Matic. My wife is 5' tall and couldn't get the seat far enough forward to reach the accelerator.
She worked with the seat and discovered there is an interaction between the seat back angle and how far the seat will move forward. By tilting the seat back, where it wasn't supporting her back, the seat would move forward enough for her to operate the accelerator. I suppose she could put a cushion behind her back but that would negate the back heating and cooling features.
I enjoyed driving the C300 as much as my 2006 C350 which is my gold standard for a car I enjoy driving. Unfortunately, the C300 would be mainly for my wife so, for not it isn't in the cards.
She worked with the seat and discovered there is an interaction between the seat back angle and how far the seat will move forward. By tilting the seat back, where it wasn't supporting her back, the seat would move forward enough for her to operate the accelerator. I suppose she could put a cushion behind her back but that would negate the back heating and cooling features.
I enjoyed driving the C300 as much as my 2006 C350 which is my gold standard for a car I enjoy driving. Unfortunately, the C300 would be mainly for my wife so, for not it isn't in the cards.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
She tried every combination for about a half hour. The fact that the new design ties the seat movement limits to the seat back angle seems to be the problem. I had read that MB was designing there seats for taller people since they are taller today so smaller people may have a problem. A simple adjustable accelerator position could help solve the problem.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
I believe I know why the seat won't go farther forward. It may be a safety item to keep the driver's chest a safe distance from the wheel. She doesn't have a problem in our 2014 GLK but she does have the seat closer to the wheel than I believe is safe. Again, an extension for the accelerator would easily solve the problem.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Get a used W203 C Class and I can assure you that she will not have this issue. They are TINY! I cannot say I have ever herd of someone being too small to drive a C Class. Or get a CLA?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
It would, but there's not many cars out there w/ this level of adjustability, IIRC. And w/ people already complaining about how expensive the new C-class is.... 
Wonder if the new GLK will be more to her liking?
Wonder if the new GLK will be more to her liking?
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
I have a 2006 C350 which fits her just fine. She just thinks it is getting too old and lacks many of the neat features on the current cars.
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