Folding seats
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 44
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Folding seats
I have the folding rear seats option and recently noticed that both sides of the rear seat (they're divided - like two different seats) are not well alligned. One is a little furher than the other - basically you could see that it's different seats. Those that have the same option - do you guys have the same thing? I mean it's a minor thing but I'm not sure if that's how I got the car or it's something that recently happened. Just wanted to find out if you have the same issue or not. I have a 2001 X5 with the same option and it's still well aligned.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 73
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From: Paris
2003 E 500 - Full option
My E 500 is one of the very first exemplar to have been produced, probably in late 2001. I got it in april 02.
The seats are also not aligned. From what I have seen in MB dealership, it looks to have corrected.
The seats are also not aligned. From what I have seen in MB dealership, it looks to have corrected.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
Improvements to E500
Has anyone noticed any improvements to the problems many have posted here about the early Es? I am having one built now and hope some of the bugs have been fixed, like noisy wipers, the folding seat, steering/alignment, engine mount noise, others????
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2003
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It's a minor thing but I'd hope that they would be aligned in a $63K car. As to all other questions, I've got my car about a week ago and it seems that MB still didn't fix the ticking problem. Other than that I don't see anything wrong except the wheel alignment on my car. But I love the car anyway. 
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Something I've wondered about with the folding seat option. I got the special folding seat promo when the new E was released last year. It is different from the normal folding seat option in that the promo does not have the folding front passenger seat. Now that my E500 is going to be replaced because of the Nav issue, I presume that I will now get the folding seat option that includes the front passenger seat since the promo has long since ended. Anyone know if that's correct?
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Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 145
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Front Folding Seat
I wanted to add this to my replacement car, but was informed that it is no longer available. I was faxed a copy of a memo from M-B USA copy shown below:
"May 1, 2003
To: All Mercedes-Benz Dealers
Re; Model Year 2003 E-Class Code 287 Split-Folding Rear Seat Promotion
We are pleased that we were able offer this promotion beyond the previously announced December cutoff and we trust that many of our customers are already enjoying the benefits of this feature.
Please be advised that effective with June I decade scheduling, the split-folding rear seat promotions offered on the E320 and E500 will be discontinued, and we will reinstate optional ordering of this feature. We have also recently learned that due to the technical sophistication of the weight-sensing system in the front passenger seat, we will be unable to offer the front-folding passenger seat, (which was previously published as part of the E4 package).
The new E4 package (Code 236) will be comprised of the 60/40 split folding rear seats with center armrest pass-through and ski sack, at a retail price of $520. This package is available on both the E320 and E500, and can be ordered as of June I decade scheduling. (Please note that this does not apply to your COMAND "replacement" vehicle orders, which can be ordered with Code 237 or Code 287 through TOPS 99.) Going forward, only those units scheduled as replacements will be confirmed with these codes.
If you have any questions, please contact your Market Manager. Thank you.
Best regards,
Karen Makris
Product Manager, E-Class
Lisa Big
Product Specialist, E-Class"
"May 1, 2003
To: All Mercedes-Benz Dealers
Re; Model Year 2003 E-Class Code 287 Split-Folding Rear Seat Promotion
We are pleased that we were able offer this promotion beyond the previously announced December cutoff and we trust that many of our customers are already enjoying the benefits of this feature.
Please be advised that effective with June I decade scheduling, the split-folding rear seat promotions offered on the E320 and E500 will be discontinued, and we will reinstate optional ordering of this feature. We have also recently learned that due to the technical sophistication of the weight-sensing system in the front passenger seat, we will be unable to offer the front-folding passenger seat, (which was previously published as part of the E4 package).
The new E4 package (Code 236) will be comprised of the 60/40 split folding rear seats with center armrest pass-through and ski sack, at a retail price of $520. This package is available on both the E320 and E500, and can be ordered as of June I decade scheduling. (Please note that this does not apply to your COMAND "replacement" vehicle orders, which can be ordered with Code 237 or Code 287 through TOPS 99.) Going forward, only those units scheduled as replacements will be confirmed with these codes.
If you have any questions, please contact your Market Manager. Thank you.
Best regards,
Karen Makris
Product Manager, E-Class
Lisa Big
Product Specialist, E-Class"
Last edited by Legacy; May 16, 2003 at 11:22 AM.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
E500
Legacy,
Is the memo you read the same as the one you posted?
If you reread it, you'll see it says that you'll be able to get the split seats whether your getting a replacement vehicle or just ordering a new one. It's just that the codes have changed. The only thing that wasn't and will not be available in the future is the folding front passenger seat. If your dealer is telling you it's not available, they're wrong. I'm also getting a replacement and if I wanted it the dealer would include it.
Is the memo you read the same as the one you posted?
If you reread it, you'll see it says that you'll be able to get the split seats whether your getting a replacement vehicle or just ordering a new one. It's just that the codes have changed. The only thing that wasn't and will not be available in the future is the folding front passenger seat. If your dealer is telling you it's not available, they're wrong. I'm also getting a replacement and if I wanted it the dealer would include it.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
E500
I currently have this option on a vehilcle that will be replaced because of the nav issue. I hear road/tire noise coming from the back when driving. I suspect it comes from the split seatbacks. In daylight, if I have the trunk opened and look in at the rear of the seatbacks, I can see daylight thru the gap between the two seatbacks. I had asked the dealer about it and they said they saw it on other cars thay had.
Since the trunks are so large and I've not used the feature, I'm deleting it on my reorder.
Since the trunks are so large and I've not used the feature, I'm deleting it on my reorder.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 264
Likes: 22
From: Northern VA
2021 GLE 450
I'm in the opposite situation where my current e320 does not have the promo fold-down seats (even though the sticker says it's there), and I'm requesting it for my replacement vehicle. As large as the trunk is, I could not fit my skis in there. My salesman suggested the roof rack. I thought roof rack on an E class!? Not!
Regarding noise, I don't think the E class is that quiet now anyway. What's a few extra decibels?
Regarding noise, I don't think the E class is that quiet now anyway. What's a few extra decibels?
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Folding Front Seat
E500
The memo states that you WILL be able to get folding rear seats in a replacmenet vehicle, which I am getting, but you WILL NOT be able to get a folding front seat, which I also wanted .
As the memo states, those now ordering a new car and wanting fold-down rear seats (E4 option) will now get in addition the pass-through ski sack for $520 for the entire option package. This is apparently not available to "replacement" car orders, unless dealer allows you to add option E4 at additional cost. I did not bother to follow-up on this, as I was not interested in the ski pass-through.
I hope this answers your question.
The memo states that you WILL be able to get folding rear seats in a replacmenet vehicle, which I am getting, but you WILL NOT be able to get a folding front seat, which I also wanted .
As the memo states, those now ordering a new car and wanting fold-down rear seats (E4 option) will now get in addition the pass-through ski sack for $520 for the entire option package. This is apparently not available to "replacement" car orders, unless dealer allows you to add option E4 at additional cost. I did not bother to follow-up on this, as I was not interested in the ski pass-through.
I hope this answers your question.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
I know most of you here for the most part drive your car, but has anyone actually sat in the back seat of a 320 or 500 with these fold down rear seats???? There seems to be a big difference of the actual shape of the seat and comfort.... During my test drives I drove an e320 with the fold down seats and an e500 without. My kids complained of the car with the fold down seats not being as comfortable as the car without... We probably would'nt have noticed if we did'nt drive the two cars immediatly after each other. Not only are the seats not as comfortable on the fold down models but they seem to have a different bottom seat that does not give good support.... Anyone else notice this...
B.T.W... We opted not to get the fold down seats for this reason. Bad enough to have the rugrats in the back, all I need are some uncomfortable one's to boot.
B.T.W... We opted not to get the fold down seats for this reason. Bad enough to have the rugrats in the back, all I need are some uncomfortable one's to boot.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
I guess mine are different since they are part of the AVS package- but I sorta like them- Not stiff or uncomforatable- or maybe my fat butt is doing so padding ?
