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.

 

can i have the folding seats put in after i have my car or do you have to order it with your car. if so how much whould it cost.

 

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.

 

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????

 

my e and clk have the folding rear seats option and they are not aligned

 

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.

 

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?

 

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"

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Anyone know if the 2004 Rear Seat Package (#325) allows the front passenger seat to be folded forward? From the previous posts, it seems that this feature was removed.

 

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.

 

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 ?