E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Installed Folding Rear Seats

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Old 06-15-2024, 04:00 PM
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E350
Installed Folding Rear Seats

Because, I really need this option.

All leather from a W212 AMG E63.




Old 06-15-2024, 11:32 PM
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W212 FL
Great work . I know it can be done but I stepped back tackling it due to amount of work and $$$ getting involved in this job
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Old 06-16-2024, 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by BenzV12
Great work . I know it can be done but I stepped back tackling it due to amount of work and $$$ getting involved in this job
Thank you. It was about 350 for the seats bolsters, ebay. 50 for the latches.
All the mounting points were present.

About six hours of labor.
Not complicated in any way.
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Old 06-16-2024, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hogger453
Thank you. It was about 350 for the seats bolsters, ebay. 50 for the latches.
All the mounting points were present.

About six hours of labor.
Not complicated in any way.
But it is not connected to the car systems so that it knows if the seat backs are locked in position and gives warnings etc., or is it?
Old 06-17-2024, 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
But it is not connected to the car systems so that it knows if the seat backs are locked in position and gives warnings etc., or is it?
Exactly. Once all the hardware is in place, the RearSam must be "coded"/"activated to recognize all the sensor signals.

I have a used RearSam (backup) complaining about not sensing the folding rear seats which I do not have. Since it is not installed at the moment, I will deal with it when the time comes.
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Old 06-17-2024, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
But it is not connected to the car systems so that it knows if the seat backs are locked in position and gives warnings etc., or is it?
Originally Posted by juanmor40
Exactly. Once all the hardware is in place, the RearSam must be "coded"/"activated to recognize all the sensor signals.

I have a used RearSam (backup) complaining about not sensing the folding rear seats which I do not have. Since it is not installed at the moment, I will deal with it when the time comes.
The car did not come with folding seats so it was never coded for such.
As far as the computer knows it still has the same seats.

The head rest connectors were exactly the same and were connected.

I'm really not sure what you guys are on about no codes no nothing.
As far as folding or locked it works perfectly.

It was really all just plug and play.

But I do appreciate the info.







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Old 06-17-2024, 03:49 PM
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2008 E350 (W211 @170K), 2012 ML350 (W166 @119K), 2014 E350 Sport (W212 @96K), 2015 ML350 (W166 @92K)
There are some subtle behaviors that require the signals to be active. Like moving the front seats towards the back, they will be limited by the folded rear seats. The computer will know where to stop before pressing against the rear seats.

There is another behavior I read about, but do not recall.

My comment is that I got a warning because my RearSAM expected the sensors to be connected, but there was nothing to connect to. If I use my current RearSAM (original) the message in the cluster disappears -> There is something in the computer telling if the folding seats are available.
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Old 06-18-2024, 08:41 PM
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OP, great work

I love this mod.

There are two options missing from my E550 - heated steering wheel and folding rear seats - that I wish I had.
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Old 06-19-2024, 01:39 AM
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It is indeed nice mod you did but here is how it works in my car that was built with the folding rear seats.

When I pull the release lever in the trunk for folding the sat back the front seat on that side moves forward and tilts the front seat back also forward to make room for the rear seat head rest when you fold that seat back down. I feel this is an overkill by MB engineers as you will certainly see if there is room for folding the seatback when you are doing it unless you just poke it thru the trunk when at it.

My biggest concern is that your car does not give warning for the unlatched seat back in case of an accident or very heavy braking when the seat back can open and let contest of the trunk fly thru in the cockpit where you or other people are..
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Old 06-19-2024, 08:44 AM
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Nice job. I have folding rear seats in my 2014 C350 and I have NEVER gotten any warning or have had the front seats move at all when releasing and folding the rear seat back forward. So, I think you can ignore all the warnings about unlatched seats, etc. Just make sure they are latched when you flip them up.

Old 06-19-2024, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by juanmor40
...My comment is that I got a warning because my RearSAM expected the sensors to be connected...
Have you scanned for codes? I cannot find such a fault code in the Rear SAM module listed in XENTRY. Nor could I find an Actual Values, Actuations, or Adaptations setting.

If I know what error codes you are getting, maybe it will help identify the setting to change. Also, please provide your specific model or DM me your VIN.

Last edited by JettaRed; 06-19-2024 at 09:07 AM.
Old 06-19-2024, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
It is indeed nice mod you did but here is how it works in my car that was built with the folding rear seats.

When I pull the release lever in the trunk for folding the sat back the front seat on that side moves forward and tilts the front seat back also forward to make room for the rear seat head rest when you fold that seat back down. I feel this is an overkill by MB engineers as you will certainly see if there is room for folding the seatback when you are doing it unless you just poke it thru the trunk when at it.

My biggest concern is that your car does not give warning for the unlatched seat back in case of an accident or very heavy braking when the seat back can open and let contest of the trunk fly thru in the cockpit where you or other people are..
Mine works like that also, as soon as I pull the release for the passenger rear seat, the front seat moves forward to make room, also if I don't put the seat back up firmly, I get a warning on the dash.
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Old 06-19-2024, 11:35 AM
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I double checked this morning. With a rear seatback unlatched and the engine on and running, I get NO warnings. Also, my front seats do not move. Do you have to put your tranny in gear to get the warning? I didn't try that.

I just guess us C-Class owners are not as important as owners of more upscale models. I can just imagine what the poot A-Class and B-Class owners have to deal with.
Old 06-19-2024, 11:47 AM
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Here is a video of what @Arrie , and @pierrejoliat described, BUT for the W211

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Old 06-19-2024, 11:51 AM
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The bench seat in the C-Class (W204) does not fold up first.
Old 06-19-2024, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by juanmor40
There are some subtle behaviors that require the signals to be active. Like moving the front seats towards the back, they will be limited by the folded rear seats. The computer will know where to stop before pressing against the rear seats.

There is another behavior I read about, but do not recall.

My comment is that I got a warning because my RearSAM expected the sensors to be connected, but there was nothing to connect to. If I use my current RearSAM (original) the message in the cluster disappears -> There is something in the computer telling if the folding seats are available.
I started doubting myself about my recollection with my backup RearSAM, but here someone else went through the same episode

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Old 06-19-2024, 12:53 PM
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OK. My bad. Apparently, the driver's door needs to be closed and/or the transmission in gear to trigger the warning message. (Kinda toasty today!)


Last edited by JettaRed; 06-19-2024 at 12:57 PM.
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Old 06-19-2024, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by juanmor40
I started doubting myself about my recollection with my backup RearSAM, but here someone else went through the same episode
In this case, I am pretty certain this is something @BenzNinja can help with. I no longer have the mental capacity to futz around with Vediamo.
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Old 06-19-2024, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ghlkal
OP, great work

I love this mod.

There are two options missing from my E550 - heated steering wheel and folding rear seats - that I wish I had.
Thank you.
Old 06-20-2024, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by juanmor40
Here is a video of what @Arrie , and @pierrejoliat described, BUT for the W211

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQqBNZh4wck
Yes, the 211 i had the bottom cushion folded up first, my 212's do not, only the seat back folds down and front seats automatically move forward. I don't know about C-classes, my last one was a 2001 C320 and it did not have folding seats
Old 06-21-2024, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by pierrejoliat
Yes, the 211 i had the bottom cushion folded up first, my 212's do not, only the seat back folds down and front seats automatically move forward. I don't know about C-classes, my last one was a 2001 C320 and it did not have folding seats
In my cars the front passenger seat would not allow moving the seat back to any reasonable position that you can actually sit on when the rear seatback was down. I had this coding changed both for my 2011 E350 and the current 2010 E550 so the p[assenger seat behaves the same as the driver seat, i.e., the seat can be freely moved after that initial move forward when you unlatch the seat back in the trunk.
Old 06-21-2024, 01:59 PM
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Beat me to it. I have all the parts, including the seat hinges to convert mine but haven't gotten to it yet. Ebay for all the parts.
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Old 06-21-2024, 02:06 PM
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I bought this thing on ebay too

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325139088219

Where did you get yours?
Old 06-21-2024, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
In my cars the front passenger seat would not allow moving the seat back to any reasonable position that you can actually sit on when the rear seatback was down. I had this coding changed both for my 2011 E350 and the current 2010 E550 so the p[assenger seat behaves the same as the driver seat, i.e., the seat can be freely moved after that initial move forward when you unlatch the seat back in the trunk.
Interesting, they must have fixed that in later models as my '13 the passenger seat moves manually after moving forward for the initial clearance issue
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Old 06-22-2024, 11:25 AM
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I love MB for over engineering everything.

But guys, we are not launching the space shuttle.

They are just folding seats. Other manufactures get by with a manual basis with no issues and so can I.
I fold the seats and in the E Class there is so much room they never interfere with the front seats.
I don't need a computer telling me if the seats are locked of down or whatever else, I think I can manage.
If your MB came with the coding for folding seats well GL in whatever you have to do.
I like my set up perfectly.
Actually, like the fact it never came with the coding, make life just a little simpler.

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