CEB

Over the last few days I've looked at a couple of 2011 550's and noticed something strange with one of the cars.

The car has multicontour seats and I noticed what appears to be a spring under the seatcover. The object feels like two short pieces of metal (each about an inch long) spaced about a half inch apart almost dead center in the seat about two inches from the front of the seat on the passenger side and closer to the outside of the seat (about under the thigh) on the driver's side.

That same thing is also on non multicontour seats but not nearly as prominent and appears not at all on MB text seats.

Is this on all leather seats or is it peculiar to those two cars?

If it is normal, what is it?

newyorktoLA

I don't know what it is, but I know what you're talking about. I have the metal protruding there in the same place; i can feel it if i press in and around that area

CEB

Do you feel it when you're sitting there or just when you push on it?

I can only think of something with the seat heaters or the multicontour seats - but if it were the multicontour then why is it on the passenger side too? Finally, why is it in different places on the driver and passenger seat?

Things that make you go hmmmm...

CEB

Any other thoughts?

thekurgan

Do either of the seats have the ventilation units built in? I don't feel what you describe on my MB Tex ash, no multicontour or ventilation units within them.

captj3

I think it has to do with ventilated seats.

CEB

Ahh, that might explain the difference to 350 seats (either leather or MB-tex.

thekurgan

Also, CEB, I believe the ventilated and/or articulated seats do not have the storage compartment so that may be another clue.

CEB

Thanks. So it appears that it is normal and does not cause discomfort or increased wear of the seat.

Live Oak

Ummm . . . 2011 E550 with leather multi-contour ventilated seats has the storage compartments.

However, I've never found anything I want to store there.

thekurgan

Glock 30 fits in there.

Live Oak

I was going to say that, but hesitated. I would put the Les Baer 1911 .45 there.

The problem is, even with a concealed carry permit, as I cross various states on my trips, the screwy laws change so much that a driver is at real risk of being a felon by accident after crossing a state line. In southern NM and AZ, I am SURE to put the .45 in that compartment -- a lot of really different creatures cross the border there, armed, thirsty, hungry, and broke, and desperately needing quality transportation.

I wonder if that funny, but very unique, Mercedes compartment would be easily overlooked by the local sheriff, or if it's highly visible. Maybe it shouldn't have that very visible handle.

thekurgan

Probably always a risk, and it's not a good place with which to grab in a hurry; best place is still the SOB. I sort of wish it wasn't so protruding.

CEB

Right. That's a really bad place. I usually velcro a holster to the center tunnel and put the holster away when I leave the car.

6G Schnell

Funny....
I keep sunglasses and microfiber towel there.

And guns locked in the safe place

thekurgan

Sunglasses, yes, I was disappointed there wasn't a dedicated glasses holder.

BM2BZ

i don't like the glove compartment's "divider". makes the whole compartment too small. i know it's a good idea to separate your ipod or other devices but still. btw, is there a way to remove the "divider" ? the armrest compartment is too deep and kind of low for my arm. bmw has a better design. they have another compartment inside that compartment. i put my sunglasses by the door compartment but once again, too deep . never touch the compartment under the seat. don't like to reach down and grab something unless that's something i don't use all the time. one last thing is the parking card clip by the sunvisor. it's on the right side. why did they put that on the right side in a left-hand drive car ? i have use my right hand to take it out and use my left hand to open the gate, then use my right hand to put it back . but doesn't matter mb or bmw, hard to believe they don't make a proper coin holder .