Heated Seats...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 55
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From: Sf Bay Area
2000 ML430, 2008 GL550, 2008 F250 Superduty, 2007 VW Jetta
Heated Seats...
has anyone heard of a connection between using the heated seats feature and premature seat cushion wear? im more concerned with it sagging/drooping after normal use.
My friends BMW convertible had this problem after two years the seats looked like it drooped in the bucket.
BTW, he didnt weigh 300lbs either.
My friends BMW convertible had this problem after two years the seats looked like it drooped in the bucket.
BTW, he didnt weigh 300lbs either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
When I traded my 98 320ML with heated seats there was no deteriation at 40000 miles and 40 months of ownership. My ML500 is too new to even think about this, I have had numerous BMW's in the past with heated seats and had no problem. My 01 E320 after a year seats are like new. Don't believe there is anything to this. Heated seats are great!!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 42
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From: Houston, Texas
ML55 AMG
Comparing MB seats to BMW seats will get you nowhere. BMW uses much more cheap foam and less natural fibers among other shortcuts. I've only been dealing with MBs for 20 years. I've never seen the problem. 10-15 year old seats usually need new innards, especially if the driver was Texas sized. But using or not using the heated seats had no effect.
ML seats are made by US suppliers, but they're still made to MB specs. I believe Lear Siegler made the early ones. I haven't heard of a change in suppliers, but they don't have to tell me. If you have a 2000 or later the seats are better designed and finished, but I've seen 100,000 mile '98 seats that looked awfully good. The driver and passenger weren't NFL sized, though.
ML seats are made by US suppliers, but they're still made to MB specs. I believe Lear Siegler made the early ones. I haven't heard of a change in suppliers, but they don't have to tell me. If you have a 2000 or later the seats are better designed and finished, but I've seen 100,000 mile '98 seats that looked awfully good. The driver and passenger weren't NFL sized, though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
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From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Our Roadside Assistance wagon is a '98 ML320 with 180,000 miles on it. The seat on it is wasted. The padding is flat, the frame makes all kinds of noises. At least the leather isn't torn or cracked yet however.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Actually, on the 98's the leather was in "seating areas" the side bolsters on all the seats is Vinyl and the leather was only in the center of the seat and seat backs. Don't know what year they changed to all leather with the leather seats. Believe it was 99 or 2000.
