My wife wants the small 7th seat removed from her R-class so its easier to pass through to the 3rd row. Its just 4 nuts to pull the seat up and off the fixed studs, but I can't seem to figure out what to do with the seat belt.

Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks.

The obvious thing your missing is its not made to be removed.

I've checked that very issue out at the dealer with a R350 in the showroom and discovered that removal is impossible.

Was hoping that if removable, it would help convince the wife to get the R-class when the lease on her Odyssey Touring ends...but that pass through feature is big for her given we have a toddler and an infant, plus a dog when we travel long distance with the van. Not to mention the ease of car pooling with other children for school and booster seats...

Argh!

The good news is, 2006-2007 models didn't have the 7 seat option, so if your in the market for a used R that would be an easy fix. For 2008-2009 the 7 seat option was put into the P1 package, but R's without P1 wouldn't have it. Problem is, I would almost put money on the idea that there were no R's built in 08-09 without P1. For 2010 the 7 seat option is just that, an option and not part of P1 anymore. Probably still going to be hard to find one without it though.

I pulled the carpet and found the seat belt is attached by a large Torex bolt. Got the seat out and replaced the carpet. The only issue is the studs sticking out of the floor, but once I replaced the nuts and covered it with a small mat its not too bad.

Since I have two car seats in the car for the kids the center seat was not usable. Now other kids can pass through easily to the back row.

The only casualty was a small plastic cover that covers the bolts on the seat. A small clip snapped off, but I was able to repair it so when the seat goes back in the cover should be fine.

If you ll remove it i can buy it from you i need it ..

The only way it will do you any good is if you already have the 7 seat option and something has happened to yours and you want to replace it. As his previous post mentions, you need to have the studs the seat mounts to in the floor and the seat belt anchor to meet safety regulations.

Though its nice to see someone finally figured out how to remove it sort of.

I could have told how. The studs are there on the cars that dont have the seat option. You just cut the carpet or buy the carpet already cut to expose the studs. The studs have black plastic caps on them so they wont wear through the carpet, just pull those off.

I don't see how some of you see the benefit? Our '08 has the seven seat package (Twin captain seats 2nd row) and really there isn't enough space for an adult or really a kid to squeeze through the center.

My wife and I can, and have done it. But she usually has a basket there between the seats filled with "kid supplies" (toys).

I am waiting for the '11 model to come out to get an R-class, and I am on the fence about ordering the center seat. There will be infrequent occasions when we'll need the 7th space, but most of the time we'll want to keep the back down as an armrest between the two main seats.

But in all the photos I've seen, the back of the armrest is just a flat, uncomfortable-looking expanse of carpet. I wonder why M-B doesn't design the back of the seat as a nice armrest with cupholders. My guess it would be used that way more often than as a perch for a 7th passenger.

Are there any strap-on accessories that make that flat expanse more useable? (I haven't been able to find any on the internet.)

I'm with you, its useless for an adult. If I remember right the seven seat option was part of the P1 group for 2008 only. Before and after 2008 it is and was a nearly $700 dollar option. Only downside to removing it would be taking a hit on the resale value, at this point I'm going to need every little bit to help lol.

I have a R350 2006 without the 7th seat.
We will be having a grandchild in June and
was debating pros/cons of it. I would have
to trade in and lose about 8K on my loan with
MB. Thoughts appreciated! Grandma to Be

I'm putting the 7th seat in...almost the same reason, we have a 3rd on the way, and sometimes like to transport grand parents with us...so far, I ordered all the parts, just haven't gotten around to doing it. Will probably do it in the next few weeks.

Once I do, I'll come back and post. The hardest part so far, there is a crossmember that has prewelded bolts in it so you can mount the seats on top of. I found the part numbers, and they are not orderable in the states, but in europe, they are orderable. I've sourced the parts, and now just need to take time to put it in.

So far I've ordered:

1. seat: from ebay, came with seat belt, $275
2. seat buckles: need to replace the 2 in the car now (the existing 2 in the car are too big, and smaller ones are used to fit the 7th seat, and 3rd for center seat. was about $80 total
3. there are 2 seperate cross members, each cost about 70 euros
4. all misc bolts about $30

Again, stay tuned...

I am assuming the retrofit is only possible for 2008 and up models? 2006 & 2007 models did not have the 7 seat option at all, so there must not be any mounting points for the seat.

As for retrofitting - don't you also have to remove the folding armrests from the 2 captains chairs in the 2nd row? And are the shapes of the seatbacks the same as the 7 seat?

so regarding the mounting points...there's actually bolts that stick up from the car, they are off center, and are closer to the captain chairs. The two brackets I talked about, attach to those screws that stick up, and have bolts on the brackets that hold the 7th seat down.

Yes, arm rests need to be removed, easily done, search this forum. Again, in a few weeks, I'll post up with pics. The seats match as far as shape and look. Only noticeable difference for the seats, my car has leather seating, and the 08s were 'mbtex' so the surface is slightly different and a little less shiney. I'll figure something out for that.

My car is a 2006 R500. wish me luck!

Good morning Davidbho,

A few weeks back you posted that you were working on adding the middle seat to the 2nd row along with parts.

How is that going?

My family and I went on a trip and really needed that 7th seat.
Would be very interested in and appreciate your results and guidance.

Would you mind sharing the details of your source of parts (part #'s, european source, etc.)?

Feel free to communication with me directly via email.

TIA.

Best Regards,
Cedar.

I would love to take my middle seat out and add the center cup holder/compartment option.

Dealership says no. Has anyone removed a seat & put one of those in?

I still haven't gotten around to putting it in. I'll try to do it this weekend and will post pics and all.

Honestly, I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'll get back to you.

And Ted, I don't see an issue in doing that either. Wait till i post the pictures up, then you'll see why i say what i say.

Guys, as i suspected, successfully retrofitted the 7th seat...

https://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w...ml#post4517787

Interesting how she thinks its easier then a seat flip and going through the huge side space to the 3rd row.
The space between center seats is not big like some vans.
I admit in fairness to her Im not sure which way I will go
6 with removable console or seven.
I would buy/trade for what I want never retro fit too much hassel and resale deduction may cost lots more. personally I would never buy a non standard modified unit as some safety thing maybe missing.
You know how a lawyer would see that in an accident.

The seat flip is not an option when you have car seats installed and while the space between the seats is not big, for a 3-7 year old its fine.

Resale would be an issue, but reinstalling the seat is not a big deal. Its just 5 bolts. It would be as it was from the factory. My car is a lease that will be traded in next year so I personally will not be selling it anybody.