W212 heated seats - why so rubbish?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 39
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e class
W212 heated seats - why so rubbish?
Without a doubt, the worst thing I have found about owning a W212 are the seats. Not only are they horribly uncomfortable, the heating in them is dreadful.
It is utterly pathetic and takes ages to get even moderately warm. My friend has a Volvo XC90 and the seats in that get super toasty quickly and shame the Mercedes for comfort.
Not only that but the W212 automatically drops the head level from 3 to 2 then 1 on its own well before the seat has got quite warm (it doesn't get actually hot)
So my question is - Is there anyway in the Mercedes OBD software to alter the seat heating power? Or is this as good as it gets?
(I have also tried the passenger seat heating and that seems equally pathetic so it's not a fault in the seat as far as I can tell.)
It is utterly pathetic and takes ages to get even moderately warm. My friend has a Volvo XC90 and the seats in that get super toasty quickly and shame the Mercedes for comfort.
Not only that but the W212 automatically drops the head level from 3 to 2 then 1 on its own well before the seat has got quite warm (it doesn't get actually hot)
So my question is - Is there anyway in the Mercedes OBD software to alter the seat heating power? Or is this as good as it gets?
(I have also tried the passenger seat heating and that seems equally pathetic so it's not a fault in the seat as far as I can tell.)
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,922
Likes: 6,775
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
heated seats
I concur these rubbishy seats are way below average. I never understood how on earth most E-class come with vinyl seats?
I purchased the $3000 leather option that is non-perforated and ridiculously uncomfortable. Lately its also becoming clunky in traffic driving. The whole driver seat sucks.
I have seen first hand these heat pads inserts. Around here, I use them once every two years...
You can try to replace the pads or add extra heat pad in a serial addition.
God knows what the networked seat controller will handle before smoking.
Seat controller itself is an honnest module but it's paired with crappy nearby GND circuit at chair rail. So it has all chances to turn into a service item.
> CAN controller is not plugnplay :
Good options are very limited!
-- If you add pad in parallel controller won't like the load!
-- If you add in serial circuit, you'll have a better spread and can run on high longer.
✌️
I purchased the $3000 leather option that is non-perforated and ridiculously uncomfortable. Lately its also becoming clunky in traffic driving. The whole driver seat sucks.
I have seen first hand these heat pads inserts. Around here, I use them once every two years...
You can try to replace the pads or add extra heat pad in a serial addition.
God knows what the networked seat controller will handle before smoking.
Seat controller itself is an honnest module but it's paired with crappy nearby GND circuit at chair rail. So it has all chances to turn into a service item.
> CAN controller is not plugnplay :
Good options are very limited!
-- If you add pad in parallel controller won't like the load!
-- If you add in serial circuit, you'll have a better spread and can run on high longer.
✌️
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 846
Likes: 559
From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
my seats clunk too, I thought it was those bushings you could buy, but those don't even apply to these seats.
I have the nice seats on the E550 and they're comfortable as all heck but I think they should be the same thing. I think it depends how you sit. I sit wrist length away from the wheel and low and slightly reclined at all times.
I have the nice seats on the E550 and they're comfortable as all heck but I think they should be the same thing. I think it depends how you sit. I sit wrist length away from the wheel and low and slightly reclined at all times.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
I have the leather vented seats in mine. The ventilation sucks compared to US brands (they're just a couple of computer case fans). They blow up ambient air, so sometimes I turn on the heaters full blast and the vents full blast, and that seems to push the heat up towards you. Also, compared to my W211 with MB-Tex, the heaters are not as quick or as powerful. I just keep upping the heat to level 3 every time it drops. Nothing better than a cold day with heat blasting and seat heaters on and the sunroof open.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,296
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
I have the leather vented seats in mine. The ventilation sucks compared to US brands (they're just a couple of computer case fans). They blow up ambient air, so sometimes I turn on the heaters full blast and the vents full blast, and that seems to push the heat up towards you. Also, compared to my W211 with MB-Tex, the heaters are not as quick or as powerful. I just keep upping the heat to level 3 every time it drops. Nothing better than a cold day with heat blasting and seat heaters on and the sunroof open.
yeah, that’s not how the ventilation works in the W-212 or any Mercedes ventilated seat. It pulls through the seat. It is considered a ventilated seat and not a cold seat and that is where people don’t understand the definitions of what ventilation versus cooling is. Mercedes has had ventilated seating for 25 years while another brand clearly had the patent for air-conditioned or “cooled” seating which Mercedes has clearly not licensed.
FWIW my 2013 e63 has very warm front seating. The function of the seat heating is indifferent than how many work with resistors to not burn the seat, similar to my landcruisers. Many of these units although they stay completely eliminated actually vary the temperature, because the wire would otherwise burn out... i’m confident in my statement, having rebuilt seats down to the leather and foam and wiring.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
I have leather with heated/ventilated seat option on my E350. The heated seats work just fine. They are comfortable and have never had issues. Seats I guess are very subjective. Ventilated seats however are weak and that is the only sort of the seat I dislike. I wish they were actually cooled like in some other cars.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
E350
When I was shopping for a W212, I looked at coupes, convertibles and sedans. I know for a fact that there are at least 2 types of seats in these cars. The "regular" seats with heat only that are normally found in the sedans and the heated / ventillated seats with controls on the bottom cushion near the center console found in coupes and convertibles. I definitely agree that the heated / ventillated seats found in the coupes and convertibles are an insult to humanity - terribly hard and uncomfortable. But the seats in the sedan are an entirely different story. I bought a sedan with the comfort option and the seats are the most comfortable I've ever had in a car. Keep in mind this is a used car, but the interior is like new so the owner must have been a small, low-poundage person. My heat isn't bad, and it gets plenty hot. If I had a car with the fancy seats, I'd look into replacing them with a pair from a sedan.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,372
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W212 FL
Are you talking about MB TEX / ARTICO or leather seats ?
Honestly, I don't want to say either rubbish or poor but W212s deserve better seats . I might be wrong but W212 FL's seats seem more comfortable than prefacelift model's seats to me . At least it makes me feel that way
Honestly, I don't want to say either rubbish or poor but W212s deserve better seats . I might be wrong but W212 FL's seats seem more comfortable than prefacelift model's seats to me . At least it makes me feel that way
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Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 194
Likes: 75
S212 E300
Hm, my 212 has leather multicontour seats. Compared with my E91 BMW, the heated seats take a very long time to heat up and don't get very hot at all. Fully agree that MB could have done a lot better on this aspect.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 245
Likes: 105
2014 E350
Hmmm, I wonder if I really am the only E350 owner who likes the seats, finds the warmer perfectly fine, and actually has zero complaints about them, as in nothing but praise! Car is a 2014, has the ivory leather interior (no other seat options) and currently has 108k miles which have included innumerable long jaunts across states. I have owned Volvos, Alfas, myriad Japanese cars, 911s, and a Suburban: I had to chime in as it seems I hear of so many complaints for what I find to be excellent seats for long-range comfort. Not to mention if my wife found the 350 uncomfortable, that'd be a deal breaker for sure. Sorry, nothing to add here, except to be the lone contrarian, so it seems 
Edward
Edward
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
My 2010, purchased in Nov. 2009, has MB-Tex and it is GREAT. No wear, no tears, comfortable and seat heaters work really well. Put it on level 3 and in five minutes or so, you are sweating. Have had other cars with leather and have another make now with leather - not that impressive in reality. And seat heaters are not as good as MB.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Hmmm, I wonder if I really am the only E350 owner who likes the seats, finds the warmer perfectly fine, and actually has zero complaints about them, as in nothing but praise! Car is a 2014, has the ivory leather interior (no other seat options) and currently has 108k miles which have included innumerable long jaunts across states. I have owned Volvos, Alfas, myriad Japanese cars, 911s, and a Suburban: I had to chime in as it seems I hear of so many complaints for what I find to be excellent seats for long-range comfort. Not to mention if my wife found the 350 uncomfortable, that'd be a deal breaker for sure. Sorry, nothing to add here, except to be the lone contrarian, so it seems
Edward
Edward
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Same, I love mine. It's not like my old W222's (nothing is...) but I do have leather with multicontour and they're awesome. Much better than my GLE43 with leather.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 26
From: Toronto,CA
22' Mercedes GLE450, 16' E550 4matic (stage 1 ECC tune, Morendi TCU tune), 09' 911 turbo
Hmm odd, In my E550 i have leather and the heated seats get super hot and swassy even on _25 days here in Canada. The vented option isn't the greatest, but neither is it on my Newish GLE450, but the seat heaters in my E550 are amazing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 932
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
my 2015 heat/ventilated have awesome heat. I feel warmth at end of driveway and hot I mean roasty turn it off hot by end of subdivision so 7 mins or so.
Then turn the fan on with the heat and much nicer as heat is spread better.
PS all my next future cars will have heated and "Cooled" seats
Then turn the fan on with the heat and much nicer as heat is spread better.
PS all my next future cars will have heated and "Cooled" seats
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 175
Likes: 74
From: Tremonton, Utah
2014 E350 Sport 4Matic Sedan
I am one of those that is very happy with the seats in my '14 E350. It has MB Tex ivory seats. I have went on long road trips, spending as much as 12 hours in the saddle, before calling it a night. Each time on a long trip, I am very pleased at how comfortable my body, and back in particular, are. I compare the experience with long trips in other cars I own, or have owned, and how sore my back and butt can be.
As far as the heater, I don't have any complaints. I can feel the seat starting to warm up in about 2 minutes, and they are comfortably warm in about 3-4 minutes. As far as the auto setting adjust, I personally would be happy with the settings adjusting a little sooner than they do. But it works for me.
I have timed the settings, and my seat heaters switch from high to medium at 8 minutes, from medium to low at 18 minutes, and from low to off at about 34 minutes. Typically, I am toasty warm before the 8 minutes are up, and manually lower the setting before the auto feature adjusts the setting. Are you aware, if you don't want the seat heater auto adjust feature to lower the temperature, all you have to do is press the button to make a manual adjustment, and this will disable the auto feature. The seat heaters will stay on, at the manually selected setting, until you manually turn the seat heater off?
To answer your question, yes, the seat temperature auto settings can be adjusted with a two way OBDII device. The MB Star Diagnostic device and do it for sure, and I've been told there are a few aftermarket systems that can also do it.
Perhaps a previous owner had the settings adjusted on your seat, and that is why the settings change so soon?
As far as the heater, I don't have any complaints. I can feel the seat starting to warm up in about 2 minutes, and they are comfortably warm in about 3-4 minutes. As far as the auto setting adjust, I personally would be happy with the settings adjusting a little sooner than they do. But it works for me.
I have timed the settings, and my seat heaters switch from high to medium at 8 minutes, from medium to low at 18 minutes, and from low to off at about 34 minutes. Typically, I am toasty warm before the 8 minutes are up, and manually lower the setting before the auto feature adjusts the setting. Are you aware, if you don't want the seat heater auto adjust feature to lower the temperature, all you have to do is press the button to make a manual adjustment, and this will disable the auto feature. The seat heaters will stay on, at the manually selected setting, until you manually turn the seat heater off?
To answer your question, yes, the seat temperature auto settings can be adjusted with a two way OBDII device. The MB Star Diagnostic device and do it for sure, and I've been told there are a few aftermarket systems that can also do it.
Perhaps a previous owner had the settings adjusted on your seat, and that is why the settings change so soon?
Last edited by Bhopkins; Jan 17, 2024 at 12:39 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 97
Likes: 45
2011 E550 | M273 | 4Matic NA | W212
I have multi conture, massage, real leather seats minus the vented cooling. I love these seats and I was looking specially for vent-less seats as my previous car (Lexus), the ventilated cooling sucked so i stayed away on this E550. Massage function sucks if you wear a thick jacket, but in a tshirt in the summer, makes for a nice drive.
Heated seat have been great through this cold snap along with the heated steering wheel.
Heated seat have been great through this cold snap along with the heated steering wheel.
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 164
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
2006 CLS55 AMG
They are much more comfortable than the seats in both of my old w211s and about as comfortable as the seats in my w219, but yes I agree, the heated seats in this car take forever to warm up. Probably the worst heated seats in any car I’ve owned. My 95 Volvo 850 and 99 Acura TL had better heated seats than this
