Front Seat Head Rest S550
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Rumson, NJ
MB S63 08 Iridium Silver, Panoramic roof, Distronic Plus
Front Seat Head Rest S550
I keep seeing 2 different type of headrests on 2007 S... How can I be sure to get "2 piece" headrest Vs. One piece (which I find ugly)? Please advise...
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From: Northern Virginia
I think it depends on the market you're in. Here in the US, it seems that the S600 and S65 get the two piece "luxury active" head restraints. And the S550 gets the normal one piece head restraints. And I don't know of an option on the S550 to get the active ones.
However, I've seen pictures of S350s in other countries with the luxury active restraints. So it definitely varies by market.
However, I've seen pictures of S350s in other countries with the luxury active restraints. So it definitely varies by market.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
It is actually a little more complex. There are three types of headrests that can be on a W221 S-Class. The first is the standard one-piece headrest. (I agree they are ugly). These can be found on early build S550s. Any S550 that is being sold now should have the two piece headrest. The purpose of the two piece is that the headrests are "active" in that in a rear collision they come forward to help protect your head from whiplash. The last type is the two piece "luxury" headrest that is standard on both the S600 and S65 AMG. These have the rear collision safety feature as well, but also there are more adjudstments for comfort. I don't know how they adjust though...maybe there are S600 or S65 owners that can comment?
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From: Northern Virginia
It is actually a little more complex. There are three types of headrests that can be on a W221 S-Class. The first is the standard one-piece headrest. (I agree they are ugly). These can be found on early build S550s. Any S550 that is being sold now should have the two piece headrest. The purpose of the two piece is that the headrests are "active" in that in a rear collision they come forward to help protect your head from whiplash. The last type is the two piece "luxury" headrest that is standard on both the S600 and S65 AMG. These have the rear collision safety feature as well, but also there are more adjudstments for comfort. I don't know how they adjust though...maybe there are S600 or S65 owners that can comment?
BTW, here is the adjustment instructions from the same, old manual I have:
Last edited by eddietr; Jul 2, 2007 at 05:24 PM.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Oh, cool. I stand corrected. All the pictures of S550s I've seen have the one-piece head restraints. Plus the US owner's manual I have (which is old) says the active feature is "S600 only". But, now I can look forward to getting the active ones then on mine.
BTW, here is the adjustment instructions from the same, old manual I have:
BTW, here is the adjustment instructions from the same, old manual I have:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Here are some pics from eBay for a visual.
Here are the standard early build S550 headrests:
The active headrests on an S550:
And finally the luxury active headrests on an S600 and S65, you can see the ripple in the leather which shows that this is the luxury one that allows you to adjust it:
Here are the standard early build S550 headrests:
The active headrests on an S550:
And finally the luxury active headrests on an S600 and S65, you can see the ripple in the leather which shows that this is the luxury one that allows you to adjust it:
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From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Yes, as other stated above, the luxury headrests on our 600 have "wings" that fold forward to keep your head in the center. The entire headrest is cushions your head and it one of the most comfortable headrests I've used.
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Senior Member
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From: Northern Virginia
Well, as pmb600 showed, there are 3 different types of headrests on the S. The original one-piece (not active, not luxury), the later two piece active (not luxury), and then finally the luxury/active. I think he's questioning the value of the last type on the front seats.
I actually do have my head lightly touching the headrest in my normal seating position, actually. But it's so light that I can't see the value of the "luxury" feature in front either. Of course, I won't know until the next car because all I have is the two-piece "active" headrests on my 550.
I actually do have my head lightly touching the headrest in my normal seating position, actually. But it's so light that I can't see the value of the "luxury" feature in front either. Of course, I won't know until the next car because all I have is the two-piece "active" headrests on my 550.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: New Jersey (Metro)
S550 / S430 / E320
It is actually a little more complex. There are three types of headrests that can be on a W221 S-Class. The first is the standard one-piece headrest. (I agree they are ugly). These can be found on early build S550s. Any S550 that is being sold now should have the two piece headrest. The purpose of the two piece is that the headrests are "active" in that in a rear collision they come forward to help protect your head from whiplash. The last type is the two piece "luxury" headrest that is standard on both the S600 and S65 AMG. These have the rear collision safety feature as well, but also there are more adjudstments for comfort. I don't know how they adjust though...maybe there are S600 or S65 owners that can comment?
Can someone verify this?
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Mercedes Benz S550
I used to never use them either because they used to be so far from my head and caused me to point my head too much to the ceiling or the sky and not on the road in front of me. However, it was a totally different/pleasant world for me when I bought my 2000 S430. The head rest wasn't too far from my head and on top of that when you pull out the flap it meets you even more and provided a comfortable easy access place to rest my head. Then when I got my BMW 750 the experience was times ten because not only was the head rest not too far it had wings that hugged my neck. Now I just got my W221 and I'm surprised that the neck pro is not standard and that the default head rest is so uncomfortable or not easy to access 
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2009 S550 4Matic
I agree with rasheed1397. I too just came from a 750 and while I find the Mercedes seats more comfortable overall, the 750 headrests with wings were amazing. Didn't use them when I was actively driving but they were terrific in traffic. Not only are the Mercedes non-luxury headrests (both non-active and active) unattractive, they are uncomfortable especially for passengers. And I cannot believe they would do well in a crash. They are so hard and slippery that I imagine your head would slide right off.
I therefore would also like to know if my 2009 S550 can be upgraded to the new luxury/active headrests. Anyone have any success with this? I suppose there are two types -- one with the standard leather and one with the upgraded Nappa leather that my car has.
I therefore would also like to know if my 2009 S550 can be upgraded to the new luxury/active headrests. Anyone have any success with this? I suppose there are two types -- one with the standard leather and one with the upgraded Nappa leather that my car has.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Tampa, FL
2018 C43 Convertible
I agree with rasheed1397. I too just came from a 750 and while I find the Mercedes seats more comfortable overall, the 750 headrests with wings were amazing. Didn't use them when I was actively driving but they were terrific in traffic. Not only are the Mercedes non-luxury headrests (both non-active and active) unattractive, they are uncomfortable especially for passengers. And I cannot believe they would do well in a crash. They are so hard and slippery that I imagine your head would slide right off.
I therefore would also like to know if my 2009 S550 can be upgraded to the new luxury/active headrests. Anyone have any success with this? I suppose there are two types -- one with the standard leather and one with the upgraded Nappa leather that my car has.
I therefore would also like to know if my 2009 S550 can be upgraded to the new luxury/active headrests. Anyone have any success with this? I suppose there are two types -- one with the standard leather and one with the upgraded Nappa leather that my car has.
How would your head slip off while it's attached to your body and you have seat belt on? Of course god forbid if someones head gets severed off they would slide but then comfortable and non-slippery headrests would be useless as well.
In motorcycling world we are always cautious about helmets. A good helmet is not one that looks the coolest, but one that would absorb the impact the best.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Tampa, FL
2018 C43 Convertible
