Eric:

The smell is ROTTEN horsehair pads -- none of ours smell anymore.

First, you need to fix the water leaks so the car isn't wet all the time (I know what you mean about the smell -- my brothers was terrible), then replace the pads.

Remove seats and seat covers, then the pads. new pads are available, although not cheap, and good ones can be obtained at any "recyler" with the appropriate body style. Don't bother with attempting a replacement with anything else, they are molded and form most of the seat shape.

Or you can just get the seats complete and swap them out.

Get the leaks fixed, though, or the new ones will start to rot, too!

Peter

__________________
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!