r129 rear seats

[wolfsbaneracing]

Here in New Zealand I'm finding a lot of r129s without rear seats.
I appreciate that there isn't a lot of room (OK, next to no room) in the back, but I would like rear seats (I have 3 youngish children) to make the car a bit more usable.

If I find the ideal car to buy, but without rear seats, is it possible to retro-fit them ?

I've seen that the horizontal seat section lifts out as one piece very easily and the backrests are thin panels just attached with hinges + catches.
It looks like it should be a reasonably straightforward job.
Or is that just wishful thinking ??

Any help or advice much appreciated.

[DJet Tragic]

Originally Posted by wolfsbaneracing

Here in New Zealand I'm finding a lot of r129s without rear seats.
I appreciate that there isn't a lot of room (OK, next to no room) in the back, but I would like rear seats (I have 3 youngish children) to make the car a bit more usable.

If I find the ideal car to buy, but without rear seats, is it possible to retro-fit them ?

I've seen that the horizontal seat section lifts out as one piece very easily and the backrests are thin panels just attached with hinges + catches.
It looks like it should be a reasonably straightforward job.
Or is that just wishful thinking ??

Any help or advice much appreciated.

There is presently a set of R129 back seats (black) for sale on Australian eBay. The seller has about 8 photos of the bits & pieces that are included. This should help you get a better idea of whats involved in retro fitting them. It doesnt look too hard

eBay Item: 280268471513


Regards
Peter in Melb. Au























Item 280268471513

[DanielG]

There are several companies that sell these seats. The seats usually come with two sets of lap belts and (at least in the 107 models) the anchor points for the bolts that hold the seat belts are within the well under and behind the deck in back. If you search the forum you will find several threads where members have discussed the use of the seats, the seat belts and the fact that you are adding this as an aftermarket item. How safe are these, especially for your precious cargo?

Here is one link to the seats: http://www.slaccessories.com/CatalogPage.php?Page=19

[tecqboy]

The area behind the seats in a R129 is not a safe place for passengers ( of any size). Forget it! What do you suppose will happen if the roll bar suddenly deployed?

[Pete Geither]

Originally Posted by tecqboy

The area behind the seats in a R129 is not a safe place for passengers ( of any size). Forget it! What do you suppose will happen if the roll bar suddenly deployed?

Agree, agree, agree. I think putting little kiddos in the back of an SL is a VERY bad idea.

[wolfsbaneracing]

To those who replied being helpful, many thanks indeed.


To those who believe they know better than Mercedes Benz (in their stellar cost-plus days of engineering), I didn't ask for opinions.

All R129 Mercedes have the mountings for rear seat lap-belts. Rear seats were an option in some countries, standard in others, outlawed in others.
If Mercedes Benz saw fit to design and engineer rear seats in these vehicles, I'm happy with the idea.
The pop-up roll bar is not an issue - press the button, roll-bar comes up and stays up over the heads of the shorties in the rear.

[jjrodger]

Originally Posted by tecqboy

The area behind the seats in a R129 is not a safe place for passengers ( of any size). Forget it! What do you suppose will happen if the roll bar suddenly deployed?

Mercedes-Benz state that when the rear seats are occupied you must put the roll bar up. That is what the switch on the dash board is for. With the roll bar in place, the rear of a R129 is as safe as the rear of a w124, if somewhat less comfortable. This is the most safety-conscious manufacturer in the world: they wouldn't have put the seats there if it wasn't safe.

I find the rear seats perfectly useable by children and even by an adult for short journeys.

[Carlos Serrano]

: http://www.slaccessories.com/CatalogPage.php?Page=19
A bargain at $1600.00