W126 seats in W123? Really?

[joeywarren]

I was told this is a straight swap, but with slightly more to do if I wanted powered, heated W126 seats in there.

Anyone DONE this swap?

thx!

>Joe

[A. Rosich]

I sincerily doubt it it is a straight swap. M-B NEVER EVER makes anything simple or standard (much less at the W123/W126 times).

One time I owned a 300TE (S124) without electric seats and asked the local dealer if I could do a simple swap for electric seats. The answer: the whole floor plan has to be cut and re-welded with new mountings as the bases for the manual W124 seats are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT for the power seats. Hence: very expensive and almost impossible to do without weakening the structural integrity of the chassis. Same thing is true for manual/electric seat bases fow W126s and W140s.

Then, I doubt it would be easier to install electric W126 seats on standard (manual) operated W123 seat bases.

[CzarFC]

The bar/driveshaft that connects the lateral hinges for the seat back recliner is interchangeable between the 123 and 126. I know this becuase the passengers seat in my 560SEL broke and was stuck in a semi-reclining position and only the right side would lift/lower. I took apart an old 123 driveshaft I had (which has a square profile) and it fit perfectly and now my 126 seat works great. Now, does this translate into the rails/mount points being the same as the 123, I'm afraid I dunno, but physically the seat should fit in the same space.

I say give 'er a shot

[rbmercedes]

I have replaced two seatspring/pads and the spring/base assembly are 126 part numbers. As far as mounting points on the floor, I have no idea.

[joeywarren]

Well it seems all I have to do is check out the mountings, as I am now failr confident the W126 are in fact the same units as the W126. Space for motors, heaters, wiring & switches will all be investigated!

Can anyone point me in the direction of a W126 EPC CD set which will give the part codes I need to effect this? PM if needed ;-)

thanks!