123 Seats - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Palangi · #1 08-23-2001, 08:28 PM

Anybody know if seats from a late model 123 (circa 1984) will fit into an early 123 euro (circa 1977) ?

engatwork · #2 08-23-2001, 08:40 PM

What all seats can be put into a W123? I would like to put some "better condition" seats in my 1985 300D - all manual of course.

Palangi · #3 08-23-2001, 09:25 PM

What brought this up was, I am being offered a 230E daily driver, basically free to good home. Being a euro, it has cloth upholstry which is worn out, however there is a set of newly overhauled MBTex front seats from a 300D New Jersey rust bucket available. I would imagine they will fit, but don't really know for sure. Only drawback is, the car is in Atlanta, which is 1000 miles from here. Car is very reliable, but I am imagining all sorts of things which could break on a 1000 mile trip in a 24 year old car. Might be quite an adventure.

JimSmith · #4 08-23-2001, 09:28 PM

Unless you are trying to put electric seats into a car that did not have the electric option, there should be no problem. I have had US and Euro W123's and the seats, while never removed, seemed identical in all respects. With no specific DOT opr EPA regulations affecting the seat designs back then I doubt there are any other reasons Mercedes would not keep them the same. Jim

ncarter · #5 08-23-2001, 09:37 PM

They'll fit without any problem, unless the floorpan in one or the other cars is rusting. If the donor 300D is rusting, make sure you clean everything well so as to not contaminate the 230E with oxidation.

My dad swapped a front passenger-side seat from a junker into the driver's side of his '77 240D. I hate driving it now because the replacement sseat doesn't have the armrest!

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

A. Rosich · #6 08-24-2001, 10:49 AM

As stated before, the only big problem that I know of is swapping seats with manual and electric adjustments (it is almost impossible to be done unless all anchor points and the floor plan are changed).

The only two major design modifications that the W123 seats suffered was midway through 1981: the backrest design was modify with a higher and thinner seatback (to provide better shoulder support and to give an extra +/- 1 inch of rear legroom), and the headrests were modified (the sides were trimmed down and the cushion became much softer).

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Palangi · #7 08-24-2001, 08:36 PM

Thanks guys. It looks pretty certain that the seats will fit. I don't think I ever saw a 123 with electric seats, so that shouldnt be an issue. I just hope I can get this beast home. Mileage is estimated to be about 200k. Any known weak points on old 230 engine? Timing chain ? Plastic radiator ?

JimSmith · #8 08-24-2001, 10:53 PM

The 230E engine of the mid 80's shares a lot of parts and design features with the engine that powered the 190E 2.3 here when it was introduced. I have imported a number of these cars for relatives and all have run well over 150k miles. The fuel pump relay can be a bother in hot weather but other than that I can think of no common issue we have experienced.

We lost the first one, an '82 230E to an encounter with a pick up truck recently. My sister and her son were in the car and an old pick-up lurched out of a side road from the right side, trying to turn left, right in front of her while she was on a rural highway doing around 45 mph. She hit the rear driver's side and pretty much totalled the Benz, but no one was hurt. The pick up spun around and lost a few chunks of rust but appeared no worse overall. She and her son were wearing the seat belts and the car absorbed the energy of the impact as it was designed to after 19 years. The pick-up driver was also not injured. Not badfor an old vehicle. My sister has replaced it with one of the later models (an '84) from another family member who bought an ML430 recently. Jim

Palangi · #9 08-25-2001, 08:07 AM

Thanks Jim This is a 230E from the 70's. I believe this is a 115 engine. I don't think the E version was ever sold in the US, howevr parts seem to be available.

#10 08-25-2001, 11:12 PM

The 230E (fuel injected, very simillar to the early 190E engine and was sold only in Europe) was manufactured from 7/80 to 12/84. The previous 230 (different carberated engine and simillar to the US model sold here from 1977-78) was manufactured from 1/76 to 7/80.

Take care,

Matt

'82 230E
'99 C230

Palangi · #11 09-15-2001, 10:52 AM

Well, the 230E turns out to be a 1981 model. A 123.223 with a 102.980 engine. The donor car for the seats turns out to be a 1976, so probably a 115, meaning the seats will probably not fit. Nonetheless, it's hard to beat the price (free).
From some of the other threads, I understand there are timing chain and tensioner issues (looks like about $400 to $500) on early 102 engines before driving this thing home. Also, I think it would be a good candidate for alternator brushes and a water pump. I suspect it has a radiator with a plastic top also. In reality, the value of the new tires probably exceeds the value of the car, however, I am still tempted to try to save this old gasser just for the fun of it. Could somebody recommend a shop in North Atlanta which could be depended on to do the timing chain and tensioner work correctly? Is changing a water pump on a 102 a reasonable DIY in the driveway project, say, similar to a 300D? Would appreciate any words of wisdom and advice. Thanks

BB · #12 09-19-2001, 09:34 PM

Hey there Palangi
Im in Australia and am doing up a w1123 wagon 1982 280te
The seats that i have put in are recaro's from a w126 coupe
they match up on the bolt pattern perfectly ,Then I made up switch gear for the electrics (They are fully electric and adjustable)
Got loom and switches from wrecker and made my own console looks great and all works well.

If you get seats from w126 they should fit also and be a little bit more updated also.
If you want pics please post and will send to you.

kind regards
BB
Also from 1982 much parts were interchangeable from w123 to w126 (Well thats the case here I found) speedo steering wheels seats etc etc

Palangi · #13 09-20-2001, 08:35 PM

Thanks BB. Due to my Toyota just getting totaled, I have declined this 230E. Might try something else like that later when things settle down.

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