Does anyone here find the S class seats uncomfortable?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
While I have no objections to my W222 seats, the seats in our old Volvo S90 were more comfortable. Volvo likely has the most comfortable seats. Period.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
50,000 miles in the seats in my S Class are still the most comfortable seats I have ever had...better than the seats in the W223 IMO, from the limited seat time I have had in therm.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Have been driving my 2018 S560 since I bought it on order - never a problem with seating. Absolutely and completely comfortable. I'm a bit over 6", weight 225. I use two auto settings - one with seat all the way down and back, steering wheel as high and in for knee clearance as possible.Have two canes sitting between me and the door. Once driving, I have lowered the steering to where I can still see the green turn signal flashing.
I do use an auxiliary door handle that fits into the square u-shaped door frame edge for leverage in getting out. Getting in is easy. Back in and collapse, then turn body.
I do use an auxiliary door handle that fits into the square u-shaped door frame edge for leverage in getting out. Getting in is easy. Back in and collapse, then turn body.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I can second that notion in regards to Volvo. I had a 2001 S40 (entry level) and the seats were the most comfortable I've ever had in a car.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
I think the S550 has the best seats I have ever had. Believe it or not my 2nd favorite are my 84' 300ZX which still feel great. My mom came to visit last year and as we drove home form airport on a chilly day as she was enjoying a hot massage she asked if I could bring the seat into my house!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 342
From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,162
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I think the S550 has the best seats I have ever had. Believe it or not my 2nd favorite are my 84' 300ZX which still feel great. My mom came to visit last year and as we drove home form airport on a chilly day as she was enjoying a hot massage she asked if I could bring the seat into my house!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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W212 FL
Exclusive Nappa seats must have to me in any S Class . I have not tried those in the W223s though . Speaking of the most comfortable seats, I recommend you Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham seats , not to mention those didn't come with the massing option but somehow delivers an ultimate comfort to me .
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 57
Likes: 28
S500 / Db9 / F360 / Range Sport V8
Thank you. May I ask how you have your lumbar set? Is it in any position that perhaps may not be in the norm? E.g. I found that yesterday one of my pain points with the seat is the pretty pronounced S shape in the seatback. This is good for a lot of folks as it promotes a natural lumbar shape but near where my lower back meets my bum, that S shape caused my back to bend when it otherwise preferred to be | (flat). I solved this by extending the lumbar setting on the seat to the max outward position, but as low as possible.
One other thing I have noticed is that with the seat bottom as low as possible that it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on my lower back. It almost feels like a bucket seat whereby instead of _ it's like this \ (legs high, bum low). I could sort of help by tilting the back of the seat up, but then my head is too high and while it doesn't hit the roof, it's damn close.
I am really trying to get myself to like the S more here, I guess it just doesn't like me.
One other thing I have noticed is that with the seat bottom as low as possible that it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on my lower back. It almost feels like a bucket seat whereby instead of _ it's like this \ (legs high, bum low). I could sort of help by tilting the back of the seat up, but then my head is too high and while it doesn't hit the roof, it's damn close.
I am really trying to get myself to like the S more here, I guess it just doesn't like me.
i know this post is old but just wanted to comment. I owned a 2017 S550 for a year.... it destroyed my lower back .... im 45 yrs old and never had lower lumbar problems ..... the S class seats force you to sit in the worst posture possible with NO lower back support ... creating pressure directly on the bottom disks in your back. I got rid of it and bought another range rover .... i could tell the difference in 1 4-hour trip my back was fine. The same trip in my S class I will constantly be trying to push myself up to relieve the lower back pressure. THE S-Class SEATS SUCK. i herniated a disk because of them, now i probably need surgery :/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I believe that every human body is different. The automakers try to please as many folks as possible but at the end of the day, there will be some that just find a particular vehicle uncomfortable. To me, the W221 & W222 sedans have the most comfortable seats I have ever experienced. I found the least comfort—at least in a semi-contemporary car—in a 1997 Jaguar XK8 I bought used. For me, it was actually painful to drive more than like 30 minutes.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
I also fund that the lumbar support is extremely bad for me on my S500 (but I have similar problems in other cars, except by db9 and aventador), and I indeed find that this creates some lumbar pains after driving…. normally I have a small cushion, and it become so necessary that yesterday I decided to replace it with a towel since I forgot it. This is one of the few weaknesses of this car…
I have owned and driven, as have many of you, multiple makes of cars from four top level MBs, to Fiat to Bentleys, most GM brands, a Ford, etc., etc.,and have never had a back problem driving or sitting in any of them. And that includes driving for two years around a sales territory that included all or parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Manitoba, short drives and 2 1/2 day drives.
My wife, on the other hand, whose neck, shoulders and back are extremely sensitive, always drives her Lexus or our S class using a thin cushion.
Peace!
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
Exclusive Nappa seats must have to me in any S Class . I have not tried those in the W223s though . Speaking of the most comfortable seats, I recommend you Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham seats , not to mention those didn't come with the massing option but somehow delivers an ultimate comfort to me .
