I finally got around to calling the Allentown PA Mercedes dealer, Knopf Automotive. (Yes, I am a procrastinator.) They recommended Dave's Interior Resorations in Emmaus PA.
I took my car there yesterday. He looked at my seats, which are still sagging, and found four broken springs on the driver's side. He quoted me $250 per seat, or $500 for both fronts, plus tax.
I have a few questions for the experts that frequent this site. He told me that they MIG weld broken seat springs, using a sleeve then welding this on. Will this give me a stress point that will fail sooner?
Do the springs themselves get weaker, leading to a more bouncy "ride"? Would I be better off buying a new frame or two (and pads?) and letting them install them? Stevebfl mentioned upgraded seat spring frames; any idea when MB began using them?
They use a foam rather than a horsehair pad; will this be as firm as the factory pad? I don't like how the factory pad deteriorates into powder, but would a foam pad "feel" like an MB seat?
Also, he said that he would put additional foam wedges in the sides of the seat bottoms, in order to lessen the stress on the springs. Does this sound like a good thing? Advisable?
I know this isn't really very technical, but I figure lots of our older seats suffer these same problems. I guess I'm wondering if this is a good deal. Any experiences with this shop or this technique?
I pulled into the MB dealer to pick up brochures, and the salesman said I'll probably be buying a new MBZ after I get "another 200,000 miles" on mine
(his words) so...I'm looking to make those miles as comfy as possible
Thanks for any replies,
[Edited by Robert W. Roe on 02-15-2001 at 12:16 AM]