Chris:

No room under the seat, either -- suspension is down there. The reason you can't put them behind the seat is that the gas tank is there -- immediately behind the seat back is the tank, fills the whole space, top to bottom. What looks like the back of the seat in the trunk is the cover over the tank.

Don't try to lower it, either -- the rear suspension will get real funny because of the semitrailing arms.

Swaybar kit and shocks are available on FastLane here at MercedesShop, check it out. Can make a big difference.

If you're satisfied with the performance, leave well enough alone.

Interior parts are available from several places, Adsit is the one I know of, but hold your breath -- rear seat covers (in leather) will set you back a cool grand for new. Your best bet is to poke around the salvage yards for a seat in good condition, should be lots of them out there. The MB Tex (vinyl) holds up much better than the leather, and most people can't tell them apart.

The W116's are truely pretty cool cars!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!