VAHML350

I was looking at some pic's on motor trend's website and noticed how the rear seats of the new M-class fold differently. It seems the base fold up towards the front seats. I wonder why this was done, one of the things i love about the current one is how the seats fold down and creates a completely flat cargo space. I had an Isuzu Trooper that had the same configuration as the new one seems to have, and it held less than my current ML, because of the space the base took up when it folded upward....

i tried to post the picture but im not sure how to

GregW / Oregon

Trade-offs, I guess. Sounds like new seats may be easier to fold, and create a more continuous load floor without those stupid covers over the well behind the rear row. Headrest also compact more so don't hit front seats when folding. Downside is the length of flat floor may not be as great. We'll see.

autogunner

The new ones are real easy to fold not like the old ones which took some muscle. There were many who complaned about the old ones being to stiff and difficult and heavy, the new one is none of these and actually the bottoms that fold up has a quick release handle and you can pull it out all together very easally. Autogunner.

GregW / Oregon

Thanks--I haven't tried any of the new style. Like you say, the originals are somewhat difficult to operate, and do not come out easily.

Capt Nemo o2

My Jeep GC had that too. Under the seats was convinient storage, Factory amp on one side... Later to an aftermarket amp and XM tuner... and the other side was the jack, and my emergency equipment and some tools.

scorchie

Yeah my G-class seats fold the same way as the new M-class seats and I don't really like it because it uses valuable cargo room. My old M-class could take a 22 cubic foot refrigerator in the back and STILL CLOSE THE DOOR. The G-class can hardly fit something 4 feet long because the seats take space. Looks like the M-class isn't going to be able to carry as much in its new configuration, unless you can completely remove the seats... looking at the stuff I have though looks like the seats do not come out for customers.

-s-

autogunner

the 164 may not be as tall as the 163 but it has alot more useable cargo room and the rear seat bottoms you just push a button and they pop out then the seat back will fold all the way to the floor, flush with the floor. The removable seat is an option but on the standard 164 the seat bottom folds up and the back folds down flush, level with the floor but the seat bottoms take up some room behind the front seats. Hope this makes since. Autogunner.

TNblkc230wz

I can't see the pics of the folded seats, but the C coupe's seat bottoms fold forward and the seat back folds down. This creates a nearly flat floor with the steal seat bottom protecting the front seats from sliding objects. Works pretty good overall.