Sore back
 

Just got back from a 3 hour drive in my "new" 83 300TD. My lower back is killing me. Any suggestions on making the seats more comfortable or preventing the pain? I am hesitant to add a seat cover because the seats look great. The left side feels like it probably has a broken spring, but I don't think that is causing it.

Thanks.

Hmm, I don't know. When I got my current car (not a Mercedes) I had the same problem but after a while it stopped happening. Perhaps you just need to adjust to it?

Fix your seat springs. You would be supprised how having one cheek sitting low will tweak your back. ;)

So, it could be a cheek alignment issue? I was gonna fix that after the a/c anyway. Hopefully that works. Thanks.

Actually in your type of car if the seat is in good condition it is pretty good as seats go. Other than no side support for sharp corners. Some drivers seats are worn so bad there is not much left under the cover.

Quite a few of those examples appear on ebay. I love the ads 200k and the seat is collapsed or ripped to shreds. At 200k the drivers seat can and should be almost as good as new.

My 240D has the collapsed/shredded seat. I was expecting to experience some back pain when I drove it all the way to LA and back, but luckily it didn't happen. The seat on my 300D is in good shape and I drove it to Atlanta and back without pain. I think it helps that I have the seat back adjusted as close to vertical as it will go.

mabye u wanna try this seat improvement: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/225957-most-comfortable-seats-ever.html?highlight=comfortable+seats

Ok, I will adjust the seat to vertical, then I will repair the springs. If those don't work, then I will carefully try the memory foam, it is from NASA after all.

I second what someone said about the seatback. No leaning back and lounging, that will hurt your back because it puts more pressure on your lower vertibrae. It will happen in any car, but these cars have especially ****ty seats after 20 years that it can be pretty bad.

I'd bet its a spring, I've lived out of my car for a few days once in a while, and my back feels better than when I fall asleep on the sofa...

springs and padding are probably shot, after all things deteriorate over the course of 25 years. MB seats are as comfortable as it gets. I noticed my butt would ache after the drive from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale (3-3.5hrs) in my Lexus, but in my MB, I feel as if I could go for another 3.5hours. . .

I had the same problem many years ago in my W123. The springs & upholstery were fine, so I removed the upholstery - very easy to do on MBZs - and added extra, dense padding to the seat bottoms and to the lumbar area. Of course the seats had to be removed - another easy MBZ task - but it was well worth it. FYI: Sitting on a wallet behind one butt-cheek doesn't help either.

i take mine out EVERY time i get into my benz, its amazing how much a 1 inch peice of leather hurts your butt.

you guys must have much more in your wallets than I do...
of course after a while of collecting recipts for purchases... it do get kinda thick...

Butt cheek alignment is so very important!