R 107 seat compatibility
 

I got the data card on my 380SL and it did not include info on seats and trim, instead it had a notation that the seats were "not standard order"

Well, they are worn out by now or have been replaced, because they look like blue leather standard MB seats for SLs.

That's my question: which seat frame sizes fit in the R 107 SL? Should I be looking for other R 107 seats and frames? Or should I be looking for other SL seats and frames?

The seats and material on these are in a lot worse shape than when I initially looked at them. Replacement is an option.

I talked to Eddy the parts guy at one local MB dealership that treats me well. He has noticed several 107 SLs coming in lately, all with custom seats, one with Recaro seats.

These have to have been done at the dealer, right?

Which makes me wonder about the notation on the datacard....

Opinions?

Best info I have is that for a direct bolt in, seats will need to be from a 107.

OTOH, aftermarket seats were installed by AMG back in the day, and can still be bought and installed now. Here's a link to a thread by a gentleman who just bought a set and is installing in his SL.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1484068-well-hello-recaro-have-seat.html

I'd guess the dealer would be the last place to look for aftermarket seats. I do know there are several seat suppliers out there.

When you say seats need to be from a 107, does that mean all 107 seats are compatible?

I fabbed up a set of supports and fitted some 2000 Jaguar XJ8 seats and I think on benzworld there is a link to someone who installed a set of hyundai tiburon seats. you have to be carefull to get something narrow enough and low enough
http://pictures.britautorepair.com/seats%20small1.jpg

Jaguar seats
 

I like the idea of the Jaguar seats. Do they sit higher or lower than the original. I know the clearance between the steering wheel and seat is normally quite tight.

I probably sit about an inch higher but the seat is set so that the electric motors just clear the carpet on the cross member under the seats. (the cross member is a real PITA). I pulled them from the portland LKQ yard for $60 for both - full electric movement, seat heaters and even the head rests are adjustable electrically - lots of stuff to break:D

I just welded up a 3mm x 50mm frame (the original runners on the mercedes are only a mm or so) and bolted it to the original holes using the original bolts. I also used grade 8 bolts to bolt down the seats to the new frames.

I just love them, but there again my car is not exactly a spec show car so i dont mind modifying it a bit.:P I can send you some pics if you are interested, it may take a bit of time though as I am not home a lot at the moment
cheers
Barri

They look great, but being out of a Jaguar, I'd worry about the seats breaking in half in an accident before your welding does...:)

come on strife - after listening to your avatar sing that squeaky song about the "moon and all" I could survive anything :D (I stupidly even listened to some of the others that's probably why i used Jag seats - rotted my poor little brain :) )
cheers
barri

I know that the later R107 seats from a 560SL will fit an earlier 380SL or 450SL. I'm not sure of the SLC seats will interchange, although I don't see why they would not.

These may look a little lairy for some tastes but I would consider them for my SLC given that the original seats are not really that comfortable.

http://www.streetimports.com/auction...in_leather.jpg

And at $479 for a pair in leather, it's not a bad deal at all.

Seats
 

Any pictures of the Jaguar seat fittings would be very useful. My wife has real back problems and the Jag seats are comfortable.

some pictures on how i did it. I used the existing side mount holes and mounted a frame that i could bolt the jag seats to. If you decide to do the same i have a wiring diagram for the jag seats. just need a positive and a negative all the rest is in the seat controller box, forward, reverse, up - down front - back tilt rear of seat and lumbar support pump (lumbar support is via an inflatable air bag). The seat heaters are on a separate circuit.

seat belt bolts are on the jag seat chassis just like the mercedes - same thread and bolted straight on. I attached the mercedes seat belt button / anchor to the jag seat belt anchor stalk

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%202.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%203.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%204.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%205.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%206.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...0small%208.jpg

http://pictures.britautorepair.com/s...small%2010.jpg

I would have to seriously reinforce those frames if I were to try something like that. I have what could be kindly referred to as "a lot of lead in my butt". Do you think there is enough room for some gussets and other extra reinforcing metal in there?

A couple of JunqueYahd seats for less than a Benjamin would be a lot less than getting the existing reupholstered (was quoted $2600.00 at one place). The power adjustment would be more than just an added bonus.

I would probably have to permanently eject the rugrat, even. He thinks that it's his car, but seems to have no appreciation for it. Admittedly, the interior is pretty rough and the paint is in bad shape, but there's little rust and I've got the engine running pretty nicely.

I suspect an IPO (Idiot Previous Owner) left it outside with the top down in some rather inclement conditions. My primary suspect is an Insurance agent in Georgia, from what I can gather from various pieces of paper found under the seats.

Rugrat thinks that every vehicle shoud have either a supercharger or a nitrous system, if not both. The magazines he reads have scantily clad models and modified Japanese cars on the covers, with names like Impact Tuner, Hot Ricers, and Chrome Thingys. His favorite words are "I want xxxxx" which I tend to reply with "Get a job."

you could certainly add some gussets but the frame is probably stronger than the original mild steel side rails that come on the car, a couple of gussets would not be a problem though :) (Im a 55 year old 6'2" 280lb fat ex rugby player so probably have you beat on the weight side)

I'll send you a picture of my 76 Cadillac with the 8.2L 500ci engine for the rugrat. I am just about to add an 8-54 blower with wet nitrous injection and it has been known to suck ricers up its air intakes. Of course when I run it I'm lucky to get 5 or 6 mpg although I have had her up to 11 when cruising on the freeway :D

If you really wanted custom made seats for about half of what you were quoted, I know a guy who does them, by referral only. Because you are on this forum, I would consider referring you. Yes, I'm in Mich and you're in Arizona, but the cash you save would make it worth it.

Send the two seats as four parts and then the next thing is reviewing samples and providing a down payment.

My friend Jim is finishing the leather job on his packard which should be done by January 10.

Let me know if you are serious.

Good people do good work, and they don't make mistakes.

Could you post the link to order the seats? Will they fit on a '85 380SL? Thanks in advance.

Click on the pic.

unless you retrofit, you are stuck with 107 seat set up from any year 72-87.
Why not just strip yours down, restuff , respring ,recover worked for me, pretty easy job

Will seats from a 300e fit into a 107? Maybe just the skins from a 300e to replace the worn ones on a 107. Looking for new seats/skins for our 560.

Mick

the 560 seats, particularly the backs, are very different than earlier 107's.

My $0.02, if you are not restoring a show car, you will be satisfied with the $400 vinyl ('MB-TEX') seat skins as opposed to the $700+ leather seat skins. I put them in my 560SL and I have no regrets. SMALL amounts of foam deterioration can be patched with foam if you are on a budget. Again, IMO, absolutely nothing short of an engine that bangs while running, devalues a car for the driver as well as for observers than shabby upholstery will. I know it's a lot of money but it CAN be DIY'd (I've done both my cars) and there are very good instructions around. It's definitely doable "sweat equity" and is one of the rare things you can do to a car that will probably get you more money than you put into it when you sell it.

Seats from a 300E
 

Does anyone know if the skins from the seats of a 300E would replace those in a 560SL?
Mick