Putting in rear seats after the fact?
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Putting in rear seats after the fact?
So, I was thinking of ordering all of the replacement parts for the rear seats from an E350 wagon, then swapping them into the E63. Anyone tried it before? Any logistics reasons why this wouldn't work? Seems to me that once you've pulled all of the spare tire parts out including the well, you can simply drop in and replace all the parts as they should bolt up perfectly. Only things that might be of issue are exhaust (easy to re-route / fab) and possibly suspension (unsure).
Thoughts? Looking for answers about logistics.
Best,
--Dan
Thoughts? Looking for answers about logistics.
Best,
--Dan
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From: Australia
2012 MB E63 Wagon, 2012 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2010 Ferrari 458
So, I was thinking of ordering all of the replacement parts for the rear seats from an E350 wagon, then swapping them into the E63. Anyone tried it before? Any logistics reasons why this wouldn't work? Seems to me that once you've pulled all of the spare tire parts out including the well, you can simply drop in and replace all the parts as they should bolt up perfectly. Only things that might be of issue are exhaust (easy to re-route / fab) and possibly suspension (unsure).
Thoughts? Looking for answers about logistics.
Best,
--Dan
Thoughts? Looking for answers about logistics.
Best,
--Dan
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Any one else?
--Dan
PS: Hyperion - that is AWESOME
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Having the third row seat will increase the utility and totally increase the wagon's appeal to me, as it is more useful than the standard pano which I hate.
Well, somebody's gotta do it. It looks like it will be you. If it does work, then I wonder what's MB's rationale for making the it unavailable.
Well, somebody's gotta do it. It looks like it will be you. If it does work, then I wonder what's MB's rationale for making the it unavailable.
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Sorry but I don't recall where I read it. I left reading it with the impression the car was notched for the AMG exhaust and therefore the seats could not physically fit. I hope I am wrong on that but if I am wrong then I question Mercedes's wisdom in not allowing the third seats since to me that is a big benifit to having a wagon.
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From: Australia
2012 MB E63 Wagon, 2012 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2010 Ferrari 458
I wouldn't call that an easy fix. The only reason the exhaust routing would be a problem to the seat fitment is because it has presumably affected the rear pressing which houses the spare wheel. Having to remodel factory bodywork and fit a different exhaust system? You'd be better off choose a different car, IMO.
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I wouldn't call that an easy fix. The only reason the exhaust routing would be a problem to the seat fitment is because it has presumably affected the rear pressing which houses the spare wheel. Having to remodel factory bodywork and fit a different exhaust system? You'd be better off choose a different car, IMO.
Unfortunately, there's nothing close to a fast 6/7 seater out here. We don't even have any 'utes. As factory options go, the MB63 is the best wagon on the market. There's a factory MB wagon with the rear seats - so this seems simplest to me. A very simple project.
If you've got any suggestions on alternatives, I'm all ears.
--Dan
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Does the ML63 have a third row seating option?
I highly doubt that the E63 Wagon is going to have "superficial" reasons as to why no third "row" seating option exists in it over it's sister models(E350). But perhaps I am wrong and MBZ was just being boneheads to not go through some simple task to offer such a highly desirable thing.
I highly doubt that the E63 Wagon is going to have "superficial" reasons as to why no third "row" seating option exists in it over it's sister models(E350). But perhaps I am wrong and MBZ was just being boneheads to not go through some simple task to offer such a highly desirable thing.
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From: Toronto
1973 BMW 2002Tii, 2013 E63 wagon Cavansite P30+Premium
i would imagine the seat belt anchors are also an issue..... I wouldn't be brave enough to start cutting up/welding steel in the trunk area while the car still has a warranty!
As disappointed as we all are about the missing back seats, I'm sure no one wants to risk their kid's life by inserting seats that were cut up and made to fit, that MB took out for a reason!
As disappointed as we all are about the missing back seats, I'm sure no one wants to risk their kid's life by inserting seats that were cut up and made to fit, that MB took out for a reason!
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Isn't the "3rd row" seats on the non AMG wagon just two very small jump seats in the very back of the car that allows small children to watch cars approaching from the rear of the car? I remember looking at it on a wagon at the dealer a couple years ago but my memory could be wrong. From what I remember I could not imagine something smaller being of much use to even kids.
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Isn't the "3rd row" seats on the non AMG wagon just two very small jump seats in the very back of the car that allows small children to watch cars approaching from the rear of the car? I remember looking at it on a wagon at the dealer a couple years ago but my memory could be wrong. From what I remember I could not imagine something smaller being of much use to even kids.
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From: Australia
2012 MB E63 Wagon, 2012 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2010 Ferrari 458
We have the rear seat in our '04 E500. Our 14 year old can just squeeze in there with a friend for party pickups, but it really isn't made for it. Her taller buddies would rather walk.
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Good points, all. Thanks Derek - that's a possibility. Would you be able to reference a standard E wagon for comparison's sake?
Frankly they won't see any use outside of drunken frat buddies on short runs when I'm on DD duty or the occasionally uncomfortable airport run (I'm 30 - I better not have any kids). I wouldn't dare put someone else's kid back there (for fear of trauma, staring at cars barreling down at you if nothing else). Frat buddies or friends from med school? Yeah, world can do with fewer of both ;-)
I guess the biggest thing is I find the stupid temp wheels to be absolutely useless (nowhere in my use-profile would it be conceivably of benefit), so if I can do some work to find something of value to replace it, why not? They seem very slim to me, we'll see.
Snipe: I have to imagine that starting with an E350 4matic (only other W212S available) and trying to make it an E63 is going to cost more than an E63 itself. Even if we went "by the book" and had to drill or potentially spot-weld and cut up / modify parts, that'll run 10-15k tops.
--Dan
Frankly they won't see any use outside of drunken frat buddies on short runs when I'm on DD duty or the occasionally uncomfortable airport run (I'm 30 - I better not have any kids). I wouldn't dare put someone else's kid back there (for fear of trauma, staring at cars barreling down at you if nothing else). Frat buddies or friends from med school? Yeah, world can do with fewer of both ;-)
I guess the biggest thing is I find the stupid temp wheels to be absolutely useless (nowhere in my use-profile would it be conceivably of benefit), so if I can do some work to find something of value to replace it, why not? They seem very slim to me, we'll see.
Snipe: I have to imagine that starting with an E350 4matic (only other W212S available) and trying to make it an E63 is going to cost more than an E63 itself. Even if we went "by the book" and had to drill or potentially spot-weld and cut up / modify parts, that'll run 10-15k tops.
--Dan
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Good points, all. Thanks Derek - that's a possibility. Would you be able to reference a standard E wagon for comparison's sake?
Frankly they won't see any use outside of drunken frat buddies on short runs when I'm on DD duty or the occasionally uncomfortable airport run (I'm 30 - I better not have any kids). I wouldn't dare put someone else's kid back there (for fear of trauma, staring at cars barreling down at you if nothing else). Frat buddies or friends from med school? Yeah, world can do with fewer of both ;-)
I guess the biggest thing is I find the stupid temp wheels to be absolutely useless (nowhere in my use-profile would it be conceivably of benefit), so if I can do some work to find something of value to replace it, why not? They seem very slim to me, we'll see.
Snipe: I have to imagine that starting with an E350 4matic (only other W212S available) and trying to make it an E63 is going to cost more than an E63 itself. Even if we went "by the book" and had to drill or potentially spot-weld and cut up / modify parts, that'll run 10-15k tops.
--Dan
Frankly they won't see any use outside of drunken frat buddies on short runs when I'm on DD duty or the occasionally uncomfortable airport run (I'm 30 - I better not have any kids). I wouldn't dare put someone else's kid back there (for fear of trauma, staring at cars barreling down at you if nothing else). Frat buddies or friends from med school? Yeah, world can do with fewer of both ;-)
I guess the biggest thing is I find the stupid temp wheels to be absolutely useless (nowhere in my use-profile would it be conceivably of benefit), so if I can do some work to find something of value to replace it, why not? They seem very slim to me, we'll see.
Snipe: I have to imagine that starting with an E350 4matic (only other W212S available) and trying to make it an E63 is going to cost more than an E63 itself. Even if we went "by the book" and had to drill or potentially spot-weld and cut up / modify parts, that'll run 10-15k tops.
--Dan
As far as seats for frat buddies, have you tried to get an adult into those rear seats in the E wagons? I could not imagine it being possible, the things are tiny.
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Get the 2013 GL63.
1 minor detail is that the quality of the leather on an E350 is different grade than the nappa leather on the E63. Assuming the third row option in the European E63 doesn't exist, then you're stuck with mismatching leather seats which to me would be kind of annoying.
If you get one of these, are you not considering the R63 anymore?
1 minor detail is that the quality of the leather on an E350 is different grade than the nappa leather on the E63. Assuming the third row option in the European E63 doesn't exist, then you're stuck with mismatching leather seats which to me would be kind of annoying.
If you get one of these, are you not considering the R63 anymore?
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99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
1. R63 was only made in 2007. So that option would be if the OP doesn't mind buying pre-owned (which he has expressed in the past is not an issue).
2. GL63 is coming out Q1 2013 after the new style X166 GL is launched at the end of this year.
3. No third row option available on the ML63 and none foreseeable in the near future.
2. GL63 is coming out Q1 2013 after the new style X166 GL is launched at the end of this year.
3. No third row option available on the ML63 and none foreseeable in the near future.
