As Mr. ibeaver correctly stated, pre-95 higher end W140s came standard with the rear power bench seat. This set up included electric folding and raising headrests.

Lower end S-class W140s (S420/S320/S350) had only the regular folding rear headrests. This is the type, to save costs again, that was made standard for the whole line up post 95.

You could always order the rear power bench seat, or if you had money to give away, you could even order the rear independent powered bucket seats, which also came standard with rising and folding powered headrests.

The rear independent bucket seats could also be ordered with a convinience switch that lets you control the right front bucket seat from the back (to provide more space), a pair of wooden tables that folded into the front seat backs (a la Rolls Royce), and even a refrigerator that could accomodate a six-pack or two bottles of wine, accessible through the opening that the rear armrest leaves when in the down position.

In the W140s, the rear independent buckets could be ordered either for the short wheelbase or the long wheelbase version (enough space was available in both versions). In the W220, you can still get the rear independent buckets, but only for the long wheelbase version.

Note: the aformentioned icebox could also be installed in any car using the regular rear bench seast (powered or not), and if you are the type that really likes to entertain, you could order a bigger icebox that was factory installed in the trunk (swallowing eight bottles of wine at once), although it ate up almost 40% of trunk space). M.B. refers to both iceboxes in the Option List Catalog as convenience items to provide cool drinks to the driver and passengers, or as a safety item to keep heat-sensitive medication in the car.


A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[Edited by A. Rosich on 06-27-2001 at 12:33 AM]