sacguy

Is this option worth getting? Any drawbacks? I looked at the MB USA web site and the photo of the option, I do not see that it allows access to the trunk when the rear seat is folded down. My purpose of ordering this option was to be able to place long objects, such as home depot purchases, through the trunk and into the rear seat compartment. I have heard that this option increases road noice and that the seats are not as comfortable. Any input would be appreciated, since I still have time to cancel this option on my order. I do not ski, so the ski pass through is not anything I need.

plocjim

The pictures are deceiving...I thought the same thing when I first saw them, but the seats do allow access to the trunk when folded down...the carpet on the trunk floor blends in the picutres and just looks like it is covering the back of the seat. One of my only regrets with my E320 is that I didn't get the split folding seats...I had them in the C class and they were great for Home Depot runs... next car will definitely have them!!

Double Eagle

I have them and find them just as comfortable as the cars without them. I've ridden in the rear seat of two of my friends E's and can't tell much of a difference. Perhaps the fold down seats are a bit firmer. When seats are folded down, you may hear a slight increase in road noise but it's very little and not distracting. We fold ours down when we carry a large painting (my wife is and artisti) or need the space for extra luggage. Nice for long trips for two where you can put a cooler or other large item right behind the front seat and easily access it while you drive.

hoffyvortex

I have the folding seats on my 2005 E500 which i just got 2 weeks ago. They are great, actually better than i anticipated. I can throw my bike in the trunk without removing the rear wheel. The bottom seat cushion folds forward, and nestles up against the front seat back, and then the rear seat folds forward. This allows the seat to fold perfectly flat, which significantly improves the usefulness of the cargo area. large flat objects fit much better than in other designs. I have a large dog, and now i can put him in back seat area with the seats folded, without worrying about ruining the seating surfaces. I previously owned an Audi A6 4.2 with folding seats, and they did not fold perfectly flat. This is a big improvement and well worth the cost. The seat backs have an electronic latch that is easily reached from the trunk, making it a snap to fold them down. Also, the bottom seat cushion can be completely removed (in 2 seconds) for those times when you need every available cubic inch of space.

I drove models with and without the folding seats, and didnt notice any difference in road noise, although i could believe that technically there could be a slight increase in noise. If you look carefully, you can see a very small amount of daylight between the split in the seats if you are looking from the trunk into the car, so it is possible that some road noise could find its way into the vehicle from the trunk, but i have not noticed this at all and I also have the AMG sport package which also should contribute to road noise, particularly in the rear with the low profile tires. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

TPAbnz

If you ever visit Home Depot, you'll really appreciate the fold-down seats. I measured 2" short of a 10' cargo floor.

sacguy

Perfect guys! The reasons you give are exactly what I wanted in the feature. I only have one vehicle, so it will make it easier to carry long objects or to fold it down and place a purchase, etc on the folded seat. Sounds great for the dogs, they can lay on the flat folded down seat surface when I take them in the car!


Thanks for the input, made my day!

TPAbnz

If you're thinking about carrying dogs, take a look at "Canine Covers" to protect the wood trim on the doors.

https://medica.safe-order.net/canine.../orderDS.html?

DaveFr

I've used the folding rear seats on my '03 E500 a number of times and think they're well worth getting. The only downside I've found to the folding seats is that, at least on the '03 models, the trunk floor net doesn't work because the four hooks in the floor of the trunk that the net attaches to are in a different postition than the hooks in cars without folding seats. I don't know if '05 models with folding seats can use the trunk floor net.

If having a trunk floor net is very important, you might want to rethink the folding seats option. To me, while the floor net would be nice, its benefits are far outweighed by the benefits of folding rear seats.

Omegaonne

I thought they were standard in the E class when I got my car, especially when you can get "them" in much cheaper cars. Unfortunately I didn't bother looking or asking, and was surprise to find out that it's a option. Figures. Anyhow I would suggest getting them, even if it does increase road noise.

luxury1

I didn't have them on my '02 5 series and needed them all of the time. I love having them because it at least gives you options.

I thought I remembered reading that the front seat also folded down. Is this true? If so, does anyone know how this works?

sacguy

Luxury 1,

Don't know for sure if front seat folds all the way forward, but it does fold most of the way forward, I will know for sure in April!!

You had a 02 5 series? How do you like the E in comparison, I have a 2002 530i and the 05 E500 is replacing it.

SAguirre

When I bought my 2004 E320 4 Matic in August, there were two that I was considering: A silver one w/o the split folding rear seats and an Alabaster white with the same options and the split folding rear seats. I picked the white one because of the seats and because I have personally always owned white Mercedes cars. Why not continue the trend? I love the car's looks in silver, but I needed the extra utility.

In the end, the dealer was so eager to sell the 2004 models that I got this car very well loaded cheaper than the invoice of a basic E320 non 4 Matic. When I buy my next car My E??? CDI 4 Matic, it will have this option too.
have used this feature tons of times! I would not get another car without it! I have not found any draw backs.

Here is a picture I have of the seat folded the trunk pucture shows you the outline of the parts that open. The side picture is with just eh 40% part down.

Ignore the Cadillac trunk mat; it is just a keepsake of my old trans-Atlantic ship that I used to have. Now I have a U boat.

OH!, I forgot to say that I just used them today. I usually keep my skis at my place in Vail, and then I remove the ski rack since it reduces MPGs and is a bit noisy. I went skiing today and the road from my house to the buss stop was so slippery that I put the skies in the trunk (with the seat folded forward) and drove to the bus stop. I love this flexibility.

sacguy

Thanks Steve and thanks for the photos. I am glad I ordered the feature. The dealer had the same car without the folding seats and was trying to get me to switch becaues it is in stock and mine is an ordered car. Looks like I will definitely wait for the April car.

tendons

sadly the e55 did not offer the split seats, supposedly because of management decision,not safety or rigidity, according to the montvale office

Oslo

Brav

i remember that deceiving pic.. no go in the US at least.

benzboy

They were included as a "launch promotion" on my '03 E500. Very handy, you'll be glad you ordered them! Only thing about the "launch" folders is that the passenger front seat back does not fold flat like the one pictured above but still I'd order them in a heartbeat!

luxury1

Hi Sacguy,

I LOVED my 5 series but can honestly say that this car kills it. I bought my E with a lot of the fancy options (appearance, premium, rear seat package) so mine has a lot that the 5 didn't have but even with the same options I would like this car more. I always thought my 5 was nice (premium and sports package) but I receive a huge number of compliments for this one. People have a great respect for the three pointed star and I have to admit that I like that too.

I am certain that you will love it from comfort, prestige and driving pleasure!

AEsco48

so on the actual seats from the occupant side the only difference is the line in the seats...but other then that the seats are identical as the normal non folding seats?

sacguy

Thanks for the input Luxury 1,
I am really excited, my 5er has sports and premium too and the E has appearance, premium, active ventilated seats and rear seat pkg. Can't wait!!

04E55 AMG

Very functional but N/A on the E55. Trunk space on these cars is rather large so if I need the extra space I will take the my Big SUV or the pick up.

DavidNJ

Have them. Very functional. Better implementation than BMW. I think they are a little firmer and a little narrower than the non-fold down seats though.

David

P.S.
We order this on every car we get. You never know when you will by something a little big or a little heavy.