I have been considering swapping the front seats in my '90 190E Sportline so I did a search and this thread came up looking the most appropriate. The padding (foam) is still OK on each but being leather the driver's side shows more wear.

I have had the seats out once before when I purchased the car to thoroughly clean them and the carpets, and to repair a broken adjuster on the driver's seat (the right hand one in my car) which prevented the fore/aft adjustment from working. Beyond this I have not attempted any further disassembly of the seats.

I have a few questions since I realise there are differences between the W201 seats from different years.
1. My seats are manual (not electric) so this thread should apply in this regard.
2. My seats are Sportline so do they only differ in the shape of the cushions and backrests?
3. Mine have the knob on the outsides of the bases to allow adjustment of the support under the thighs (which I believe earlier models do not). Does this prevent swapping the bases given that each is a mirror image of the other or is this part of the seat base and independent to the cushion?
4. Mine do not have an armrest so will this allow me to also swap backrests or does the backrest adjustment (mirror imaged) prevent this?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.