Driver seat wear

[radunegru]

How do you explain that some cars have the driver seat worn and have 60-70k miles and others 300k and still perfect. Is the way that people are getting in and out, how often, or is the side of the seat rubbed by the seatbelt?

[hdexpert]

I have an 81 300SD with 265k and the drivers seat springs are badly worn on the left side.I beleave the PO was a portly fellow-fat even! That I am sure played a huge part in the demise of the seat springs!

[lee polowczuk]

I have owned three late 80's w124's ..... two with mb tex look next to new.

The one with leather has some slight wear and surface cracks. Leather is much more susceptible to wear... I have seen 70's mb tex cars where the seating looks next to new

[t walgamuth]

to see an eighties mb with any kind of upholstery that doesnt have a noticable scuffed or torn place there.

tom w

[A. Rosich]

The wear on the side backrest of the front seats depends on two basic factors:

1/ On how the owner gets in and out of his/her car. Most people tend to push their rear against the back of the seat, hence damaging the upholstery.

2/ The weight of the driver. Heavier fellows have less space to manouver, so they tend to press even harder on that spot when exiting or entering the car.

Why some M.B. with many miles on it look good? My guess would be a very careful owner or a brand new seatback upholstery cover.

Mercedes-Benz well knows about this particular problem and sells just the seat backcover to replace the worned original (in any type of upholstery: leather, M.B.Tex, cloth or velour).

[420 SE]

From the area you have highlighted I would suggest seat belt wear.

My W126 420 SE has significant wear in that area (anyone know where to get grey leather dye?).

Although my car came from Hong Kong, you see a lot of wear in that area here in Australia.

We have had mandatory seat belt laws since the 70's and so did Hong Kong.

Other areas of damage I would imagine are due to the portly driver.

Cheers