adding ski passthrough
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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2010 e class
adding ski passthrough
This might have been asked before, but I'm not sure it was answered.
My E350 4matic doesn't have fold down rear seats, but I'd like to add a ski passthrough for...skis. Has anyone done this? Can you cut a hole from the trunk? Can you buy a passthrough kit that will fit? Many thanks-I really would rather not have a ski rack.
My E350 4matic doesn't have fold down rear seats, but I'd like to add a ski passthrough for...skis. Has anyone done this? Can you cut a hole from the trunk? Can you buy a passthrough kit that will fit? Many thanks-I really would rather not have a ski rack.
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
On a W212 I think it is much more realistic to add the ski pass-through than it was on previous models that had the body frame parts differently built for cars with and without the feature.
I assume the owner would change the rear seat parts with those for a folding rear seat. It would not be cheap, I did not check if parts like the rear window shelf needs to be changed but it should be simply swapping parts plus installing the wiring and coding the car so that the cluster can give warnings if the backrest is not properly locked etc.
I assume the owner would change the rear seat parts with those for a folding rear seat. It would not be cheap, I did not check if parts like the rear window shelf needs to be changed but it should be simply swapping parts plus installing the wiring and coding the car so that the cluster can give warnings if the backrest is not properly locked etc.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
On a W212 I think it is much more realistic to add the ski pass-through than it was on previous models that had the body frame parts differently built for cars with and without the feature.
I assume the owner would change the rear seat parts with those for a folding rear seat. It would not be cheap, I did not check if parts like the rear window shelf needs to be changed but it should be simply swapping parts plus installing the wiring and coding the car so that the cluster can give warnings if the backrest is not properly locked etc.
I assume the owner would change the rear seat parts with those for a folding rear seat. It would not be cheap, I did not check if parts like the rear window shelf needs to be changed but it should be simply swapping parts plus installing the wiring and coding the car so that the cluster can give warnings if the backrest is not properly locked etc.
It's too bad you cant cut a hole throught the rear seat armrest (which my family has never used), clean it up with a removable panel and be done with it. If anybody has a solution, I am all ears (don't say buy a new car).
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
BenzE350 has a good point that you don't wanna be hacking up a 50+ sedan. I went to 2 after market guys. 1 said "yeah, I can do that, pretty cheap" which had me run in the other direction, and another said he "wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole". I really think there is a way to cut through the mettle backplate, add a hinged door that somewhat matches the decor and create a pass through via the armrest. Doesn’t have to look exactly OEM because it will be hidden by the armrest while it's upright 99% of the time. Looking for other "helpful" suggestions (I don't want to open this up to a bunch of smart a## responses that have littered this forum in the last week or so). Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!! B.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: East Bay, California
2018 GLC 300 W / 2011 E350W, Luxury, P01, leather steering wheel
Better have a roof top ski rack..after season, just simply take it off...simple and easy life! I install it to my Pilot near Thanksgiving day every year and take it out around end of February depend on winter weather..
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
You could leave it for a specialist too. But you should not expect an MB dealer do it for you this way. The OEM approach is to use OEM parts. It would not even be expensive if you pay attention to the features you need when ordering the car. Note that it should not be standard, a lot of owners do not want direct access to the car from the boot.
By the way, the 221 does not have any folding rear seat option but there is an option for the ski pass-through. I prefer it a lot over the option to play with roof top ski racks (for someone else that option may be a lot better, just not for me).
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Perth, Western Australia
W212 E500, W164 320CDI, W116 450SEL 6.9, W116 450 SEL.
I guess it wasn't available in the US.
Bill
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
How a car is built as a base car is determined by the marketing dept of each country. For example, a Canadian car comes standard with the fold down rear seat and 4 Matic. Of course it's not free. we have a higher base price. MB surveys probably show less demand for this stuff in the US therefore it is optional.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
I dont complain about the stuff Canada get as Standard, I complain about the stuff that Canada gets that we cant even get as an option. If they make it why cant we get it if we want it? Folding mirrors and rear climate controls are my biggest complaints. I just dont understand why its not at least an option for US buyers.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 119
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From: Perth, Western Australia
W212 E500, W164 320CDI, W116 450SEL 6.9, W116 450 SEL.
I dont complain about the stuff Canada get as Standard, I complain about the stuff that Canada gets that we cant even get as an option. If they make it why cant we get it if we want it? Folding mirrors and rear climate controls are my biggest complaints. I just dont understand why its not at least an option for US buyers.
But then to get an E500 on the road in Australia is $209,000 with all taxes paid so you do expect something for the money.
And at the moment the Australian Dollar is worth more than the US Dollar so you guys get a bargain by comparison.
Bill
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: East Bay, California
2018 GLC 300 W / 2011 E350W, Luxury, P01, leather steering wheel
When I bought my BMW number of years ago, split folding rear seat was an option. I had to pay more money for that even I haven't used it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,914
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
I dont complain about the stuff Canada get as Standard, I complain about the stuff that Canada gets that we cant even get as an option. If they make it why cant we get it if we want it? Folding mirrors and rear climate controls are my biggest complaints. I just dont understand why its not at least an option for US buyers.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 617
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,499
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
There are more difficult options to retrofit than the folding rear seat. I guess this was still a new car, I understand you buy from the shop new cars more often in the US than in Europe. In Europe it is a rare case to purchase a car like an E-class MB from the shop (instead of a factory order). One is free to choose the options then, of course it takes some time for the car to be delivered.
