I have a 1995 E320 Cabriolet and the drive shaft of the driver's side power seat is stripped and I need to find a replacement. I learned that the seats for this model were exclusevely made by for MBz by Ricarro and that they have a unique drive system that is shared with no other models. MBz list the part, but no longer can supply them. I have given up on trying to find one at a MBz recycler. Any ideas out there?

I have a 95 Cabriolet and a 92 Coupe W124. It looks to me that the front seats are identical. You might look into this. While the coupes were not a high production model, they produced alot more of them. With a lower value than a Cab, you might have better luck finding one in a wrecking yard. Best of luck.

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1994 E320 Cabriolet
1992 300CE (Sold)
1991 300SE (Sold)
1986 560SEL (Sold)

1995 model isn't that old (by Mercedes standards), and the parts should be available.

Try the 'Buy Parts' link on this site.

Also, have you checked out the seats for the sedan... same part numbers ?

Hmm... the sedan and the coupe/cabrio had completely different seats. The coupe and cabrio "may" share similar seat designs, but as said by Dkeister, I would bet the cabriolet seats are exclusively designed for this model (more so for safety than any other reason, taking into account the higher rollover tendencies of the cabrio).

I sincerely doubt the part would be unavailable. Try different dealers from different country locations! One might be able to get the part. What I have found out through the years is that Parts Dept. at MB dealers are light years apart in customer service and knowledge of the product.

If this doesn't work, then try to see if the part equivalent for the coupe is similar. If so, order it and then have a custom fit procedure done to it to fit the cabriolet.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Thanks for your reply. You have confirmed all that I have learned. I truley believe that the parts were made exclusevely FOR MBz and not BY MBz. I did order the part from a MBz dealer and then MBz in Germany cancelled the order from the dealer 2 weeks later stating "Part No Longer Available".

I believe that my only option now is to have a machine shop reconstruct it.

Thanks again!