mcr

I have a 2006 CLK350 that I don't want to part with because it's well-optioned (designo, keyless go, etc) and runs very well at 180k miles. However, it has regular seats (no lumbar adjustment) and they are very hard and the lack of lumbar support doesn't help. I drive a lot so it gets quite uncomfortable. I want to replace the driver's side seat, or maybe even both front seats.

Any suggestions? I did a little search and found racing seats, but I'm not sure I want that. I just want some plush, comfortable seats, like the ones in the S class for example.

Another option I'm open to is seat covers that would add some padding. I just need to fix this issue in whatever way possible.

Yidney

You are not missing anything without the lumbar support, which I have. The seats in these cars gets about a D+ for long drives. The lumbar support just makes it feel like somebody is shoving a baseball into your back. I have no solutions. Buy a Volvo. World's best seats.

mcr

Good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way about these seats! I was considering buying the next gen (E coupe) and watched a video review and they said the same thing about the seats! Very sad that MB can't make good seats in cars under $100K. I think even a Honda Accord has superior seats. I am still hoping there's a replacement seat I can buy.

Fatz

Hmmmm. I guess it is a matter of taste and perhaps one's physical makeup, but I find the CLK seats most comfortable and quite relaxing on long drives. I've driven it 650 miles in a day and felt pretty good at the end of the trip. I have sat in the E coupe seats and they are not very comfortable for me. I somehow felt "controlled" and restricted by them.
I use the lumbar support and the side adjusts, even for local driving. Like em..... BTW I'm 6'1" and 175 lbs.

mcr

I am shocked how you could feel that way. I almost want to accuse you of working for MB.

After about an hour, I feel like I'm sitting on a park bench. My butt goes numb and my lower back starts to ache. I have to angle my body and sit a little bit sideways to relieve the pressure.

I actually just got an idea: maybe I should visit an upholstery specialist and see what they suggest. Maybe they can re-upholster the seat and add some padding.

Fatz

What you describe sounds like my state when I drive my Frontier more than 50-60 miles.

Having your seat looked at by a pro is probably a good idea. They may even be able to modify it to fit you better if it is as designed.

The one thing I would add to mine if I can is an extension on the front of the seat for added support.

Yidney

Fatz, you and I are the same size (at least in the parts you can see!). Do you have your seats adjusted so that your thighs are supported by the seat front? I find that hard to do.

To the OP, one option you have is to replaced the OEM foam. They do get compressed over time.

Fatz

No I do not, as there is not an extension at the front of the seats, as I have seen/sat in on BMW cars. This is something I would add if I ever got into modifying/updating the seats.

I have my seat adjusted so the back is tilted back a little and my butt is positioned higher over the point where the back and bottom of the seat come together. With a little inflation of the lumbar and with my shoulder blades resting on the upper outer sides of the seat back, I am really comfy and relaxed. This is my normal driving position (2). Position 3 is set for long highway drives and the seat is a bit farther back and the seat back is tilted back a small bit more. Position 1 is set for spirited driving, with the seat closer to the dash, the seat back is a bit more upright and I inflate the side bolsters to touch my sides.

I know that all sound pretty analytical, but I've had the car 10 years..... It's sorta like that favorite pair of shoes.....

mcr

I went to an upholsterer today, he quoted me $350 to add padding. He said he'd have to remove the seat and take it apart.

Rudeney

Seats are a very personal thing. I liked the seats in my CLK, but the ones int he SL are much better. My wife hates both of them. She prefers a pillowy, soft seat. I prefer big and firm.

insame1

I recently found out that the w207 seats bolt into the w209 and have been on the hunt for about a month.

gaazmon

The back support is definitely annoying and I have not tried the CLK seats with multicontour. I test drove an W207 E coupe with both regular 4 way lumbar and multicontour. The seats in general are taller, yet narrower from my experience. Also, the side cushions on the seat bottom of the multicontour seats felt a bit too raised and more firm, making it uncomfortable for me on my thighs. As well, the seat bottom felt narrower, which bothered me as well. Overall, I did not like the E coupe seats and the head room felt much lower and sharper. Also, the backseats had much less passenger leg room and I did not like the fact that the headrests were fixed and could not be lowered like in the CLK, making the rear view smaller. But I found the E coupe seats better than those in the W212 E sedan, the later being by far some of the worse seats I have ever experienced (my W211 E320 with dynamic multicountour were amazing compared to the W212 E350).

I believe there was a member here in Greece that did that.

degeja

bought an inexpensive add on/ removeable seat cushion at auto parts -- works fine on long trips

dzmitry

Wow, I thought I'm the only one who think that CLK seats are terrible
Don't get me wrong I love my CLK but I think that even w203 seats are better.
Are AMG seats any better?

gaazmon

I don't think they're terrible in all honesty, just wish it had at least a manual lumbar lever like the W203 C. I on the other hand did not like the seats in our 07 C230 and still prefer the W209 seats.