an6dk

So my C230 appears to be missing a lot of the factory upgrade options, Just guessing this by all the buttons missing on the dash. Does anyone know which of these optional extras already have wiring for them and might be able to be installed used from another car without too much effort? for example the heated seats, would those be something I could just find in a scrap car and plug in and go? Just looking for stuff to add and OEM retrofits seem like the least difficult.

slammer111

The stuff attached to the switches are not the only options missing for most cars. An easy example would be powered seats, which require new modules in the door, and new seats with motors.

For the heated seats, I'd imagine the wiring is missing as well. Best way would be to check underneath the seats and see if there are any "extra" unused connectors.

There are other options that can be added without too much difficulty if you're handy. Examples include the CD changer, phone (Bluetooth) capability, and voice control (Linguatronic). These are "dealer installed options", and these cars come with all of the required wiring.

KevinH2000

I retrofitted the seat memory in my car

Based on my experience with the seat memory project, I expect that you could retrofit other options such as seat heaters. The reason I believe this is that most of the systems in the W203 are controlled through the CAN BUS. If the control for the option you want to retrofit is connected to the CAN BUS, and the component is connected to the CAN BUS, the control should be able to send a signal to the component.

I didn't need to retrofit seat heaters to my car because my car came with them installed. If I needed to add heated seats, I think that I would need to purchase a dash control from a car with seat heaters. (The control should be available on eBay, Car-Part.com or from your local Pick and Pull.) You would also need heated seats. You will likely need to connect the heated seats to the CAN BUS, and you may need to use MB Star/Xentry to activate the system in your car. The process I followed for adding seat memory shows the basic outline of the process, but there are likely to be slight variations for adding different options.

Good luck if you decide to embark on a project.

an6dk

yeah the wiring is missing for those, i might end up replacing the driver seat anyways because its super uncomfortable. I should be able to just measure the hole spacing and put in any seat that fits it right? obviously ill loose power seat stuff replacing it but thats fine because I dont move it really.

an6dk

that write up has some good info, Ill probably make an attempt to make a seat replacement work with the stock controls. there will be an abundance of fudging things together in my near future. I didnt know that about the CAN BUS controlling all that stuff. my previous car was a 2002 corolla so Im used to gorilla IQ electronics systems.

KevinH2000

When installing replacement seats, you will need to consider the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)/Airbag wiring. If you install seats from another W203 they should be plug and play. If you install seats from a later car like I did, you will need to swap the seat belt buckles and associated wiring from both of your original seats and the weight sensor module from the passenger seat. If you don't do this, you will see an SRS error in the center display. I'm not sure, but it is possible that none of the airbags will deploy in an accident if you trigger the SRS warning.

Post #26 in this thread C63 Seat swap discusses the seat weight sensor issue. I don't think I provided specific details on swapping the seat belt buckles, but it is fairly straightforward. There is one bolt that holds the buckles on the seat frame. The seat belt wiring has a yellow connector.

One other safety issue: If you buy seats with the side airbags installed in the seats (the side airbags in our cars are in the doors) be careful to avoid triggering the seat airbags while you are working on the seats. You don't want an airbag inflating near your head.

Good luck.