PittPather94

Hi All,
I am a new member but have browsed this site for years. I just recently bought a beautiful silver over black 2013 S550 4Matic from my local MB dealer. It has about 36,000 miles on it and was dealer serviced from new. I have wanted this body s-class for years and am happy to finally have one in my favorite color combo. I have a 99 E320 (my first car that I have had for about 8 years) that I will be getting rid of soon.

We have had some warmer weather compared to when I test drove/purchased this car, so until a few weeks ago I have always worn a heavy jacket when driving. I just noticed that the seat back does not get hot like the seat cushion, and the passenger seat heats up nicely on both the cushion and the back. The dealer claims that the seat back is not heated, but I find this hard to believe. The car is immaculate otherwise, so I have a hard time believing that there would be a malfunction with the low mileage and condition of the car, but anything is possible. I have tried to research this issue to no available (I have seen many instances of seat cushion heater failure on early 221's, but nothing on the back). I would appreciate insight on this issue; it's definitely not a critical issue but I would like it to function as intended.

Thanks!

bha

Unless something changed along the way, the dealer is BSing you. The bottom and the back of the seat should both heat up.

There is a small possibliity of a broken wire not allowing the seatback to heat up but that's a small chance. More likely the seatback isn't heating up because the heating element is not working.

They are likely telling you this since the heater element isn't a separate part. You have to buy the seat back covering and it comes with the heater sewn in. You are buying a leather seatback cover, so it is very expensive. I wouldn't worry about it with your car since the seats are probably in great condition due to mileage, but with more worn out seats there is the additional issue that the new cover won't match the rest of the seat which is worn out.

I'd tell them the car came this way and you just noticed it now. See if they will pay 50% of the parts/labour to fix it. They likely won't pay the entire bill but see if you can work out a deal to at least split it. Won't be cheap.

Bobitza

Complete BS. Both the seat and the back are heated. I also have an issue with the driver seat heating ... but for me it's the seat cushion as the back part is warming up nicely.

1bad540

pretty common on the w221 for the bottom to stop wrking, I had mine replaced under warty. Also died around 35k miles. Seat back could b same issue.

Bobitza

Is that expensive work if I'm out of warranty? I have an indie shop I trust but this is a nice to have rather than a must have ...

1bad540

I dont know to be honest, Id price out the new seat cover...Im sure any good upholstery shop could handle the cover swap.

bha

Here are some approximate prices. Price depends on your exact interior color code because there were various colors and types of leather offered.

Without vented seats, without multicontour $1070 list, online approx $850-950
With vented, without multicontour $1200 list, online approx $1050
Without vented, with multicontour $1290 list, online approx $1090

Considering these prices are just for the seat back and not including labor, I'd definitely push the dealer to pay for half (if not more!)

Alternative would be to order the cover online and have a local upholstery shop fit it. I don't think the seat back is that complex to install (maybe an hour or two of labor but I'd have to check)

1bad540

ask an upholstery shop to take a look 1st, a wire can get cut and cause it not to wrk, im sure if they mend the wire itll prb wrk again.

PittPather94

Rimola

My 2008 with about 50K on the clock has driver's side bottom not working and back side working. The passenger side, its the exact opposite, bottom works, but the back does not. So between the two, I have one fully working seat lol

Jason B

Common issue, Happened to mine with $11,000 miles on it. Whole seat bottom gets replaced with new leather. It won't match the seat back perfect, it's can't, but it will be close. Also, be sure they do it tight and it's not WRINKLED when they give it back to you. If so, send it back again.

Yes, it is,. Out of warranty easily $1,500, easy.

Maybe, but mine broke in the middle and only was was to fully replace, but under warranty.

1bad540

mine was under warty too, and I dont think the dealer wants to mess around w broken heater wires.... But if i was paying out of pocket and it was 1500 compared to a upholstery fix for 3-400 Im pretty sure Id go that route.

Jason B

I agree! I did ask a local indy shop about it, and they said "We will not touch those seats, bring it to the dealer" LOL. Not sure what's involved, but I do know getting a new seat bottom on and having the leather tight and put on correctly isn't easy. Had to have mine re-done twice, but now it's perfect. They blamed it on the new seat bottom from Germany being stitched wrong and get me another. I think it was installer error personally.