I am about to take a trip to look at a 500E, after much thought. I have not driven one, but I know several things to expect. Here is something that may seem stupid, but to me is very important. I have a really bad back, but for different reasons than most. I have very little curvature in my spine. The seat and everything related to it in my 300E fits me perfectly. If I find that the seat in the 500E is uncomfortable, how much trouble is it to swap out a "normal" seat, at least for the time I own it? If I can't find the right color, I could always put a sheepskin over it.
I REALLY need some help before I jump on a plane.
TIA
Tom

HI tom you be just fine with the 500E seats. I had a 300E before I hated that bucket seat it was so uncomfortable. The 500E is great,your body will contour to it. It has built in lumbar support.
You enjoy it,once you own it. I'm the 500E expert here in the hot rod forum as with many. Once you do own one. There is alot to offer on this site. Feel free to ever email any of us guys.





Guido.

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500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

Actually Tom I have a back problem too which is okay now, but I don't find the lumbar support of the 500E enough.

I bought a small lumbar pillow and just put it on my seat. As long as the pillow is narrow enough to fit between the large side bolsters, it fits fine.

It feels great with the pillow and just not enough without it. Bring your own pillow for your test!

I hope this helps.

I took a 6-hour trip in my 500E last summer. My butt was real sore at the end of it. I'm 6'2", 195 lbs. I think the seats in my wife's 300TE are more comfortable. At 110K miles, I think the 500E seats might be more comfortable if rebuilt. They sure look nice and have great lateral support. Lumbar support doesn't cause my sometimes-sensitive back any trouble - it was just the seat cushion padding that felt hard and too flat. No "pocket."

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Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

The extra lumbar support cushion sounds like an excellent idea- or even a custom internal seat support bolstering/rebuild job sounds good too- I've kicked this idea around in my head as well.

In any case, I've just recently become accustomed-to and comfortable-with the 'firm support' seats in the E500 vs. the softer more luxo-support feel of the seats in my '94 E320 Coupe.

I share Mark's observation that the bottom part of the seats in the E500 (where your fanny rests) are very flat with little Charmin-type cushioning vs. the W124 Coupe....now, I prefer the firmer E500 seating

hopefully, you'll be able to adjust the 500e seating/bolster to your taste and be good to go

good luck
-fad

Mark- hows your 500e doing?

500Es have Recaro seats...I find them sorta stiff but quite comfortable. Only way you'll know is to spend some time in the saddle!

As to a 300E seat fitting, I'd think it'd be easy...given the same seats are in 300E Sportline cars, I'd think they are compatable. Only difference mounting-wise in a 500E as relates to the seats is the fact that in a 500, the seats are farther apart to allow for the larger transmission tunnel (that's why the outer plastic trim panels covering the seat rails don't line up like in a regular W124)

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo