Seat swapping W126 to W123 (I must be a masochist) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KAdams4458 · #1 07-25-2007, 10:03 AM

I've stumbled upon a complete set of fairly nice leather seats from an '86 560SEL. I know, I know, you folks love the MB-Tex, but I still like leather. These seats are a nice colour improvement over Bamboo as well, so I'm very interested in using them in my 300D.

First, let me say that I'm not terribly worried about the front seats. I know from searching that I should have no problem bolting the W126 seats to my existing W123 tracks.

Back seats are another matter. This 560SEL has a power rear seat. I don't need a power rear seat at all, but I'm curious to know if anyone has managed to install one in a W123, with or without retaining power adjustability. I really don't care if it works, so long as I can get the thing in there, and it looks fairly natural.

I should mention that I'm not afraid of fabricating brackets, or of welding. There's also the remote possibility that I could simply skin the W126 seat and use it with the existing rear seat frame, but I'm not counting on that.

Could anyone actually give me a rundown of what exactly is adjustable about the rear seats to begin with? I've only ever been inside one W126 560SEL in my life, and I was in the front passenger seat at the time.

rrgrassi · #2 07-25-2007, 02:08 PM

The width of the w126 seats can be an issue, or so I have read...

winmutt · #3 07-25-2007, 02:22 PM

Search around someone has recently done this swap. He said the rear was about 2" to wide or something but the front worked well. Of course you'll never have a matching interior. You can always find W123 seats in leather, or covers for them atleast.

Jim B. · #4 07-25-2007, 02:53 PM

Both the W123 and W126 seats have been criticized as being too wide, having been built for fat, prosperous German businessmen's butts, so thinner people could slide around on the MBTex or leather seats during hard cornering, but then, most diesel drivers don't "carve corners" either so it may be a non issue.

To stay firmly planted, though, if you are not REAL fat, a couple of really nice New Zealand sheepskins (I recommend this place www.ramsheadusa.com) are good. They really do plant you in the seat, and warm you in the winter and cool you in summer. When I bought from this place they were supposed to only last 6 years, but it has been over 10 now and they are still doing well. Just keep them clean, and vacum then once in a while...

I have driven cars with the w123 Tex seats, and they were to me, firm but bouncy.

With the W126 seats, they don't bounce at all, and are firm. A little too firm at first, but you will appreciate them after a little while in the saddle.
They were designed with the help of doctors, so they are really comfortable.
Only modern Volvo seats are better -- the best in the business.

You will like these, it is most unusual to hear of them being swapped into a W123. I don't know about the back seats though

KAdams4458 · #5 07-26-2007, 04:44 AM

I found one post in which it was stated that the rear seat is about half an inch wider. I can work with that.

As for firm seats... Well, to be honest, I prefer a firm seat. My other car has a firm seat, but it's still comfortable. The issue I am having with the W123 seats is that I have now built a very nice driver seat from parts, but my legs must be a little too long, as only my tailbone makes contact with the seat bottom with the seat all the way back and in the lowest position. It's not terribly comfortable, so I definitely need to change things a bit. W126 seats, by comparison, seem to be better, judging from the limited experience I've had with one.

JimFreeh · #6 07-26-2007, 07:34 AM

The part number for the w123 seat frame bottom and the W126 non-power seat frame bottom are the same.

Slightly different frame for the power version leads to another part number, but from what I've seen, the bolt holes line up.

Rear seat is wider. Get an uhpolstery shop to take a bit out of the side and recover your existing frames.....

Jim

KAdams4458 · #7 07-26-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

The part number for the w123 seat frame bottom and the W126 non-power seat frame bottom are the same.

Slightly different frame for the power version leads to another part number, but from what I've seen, the bolt holes line up.

Rear seat is wider. Get an uhpolstery shop to take a bit out of the side and recover your existing frames.....

Jim

That sounds like an excellent idea for the rear seat. I'll definitely be looking in to that. I do know of a great upholstery shop not too far away.

Paulc66t · #8 07-26-2007, 08:40 AM

I did just the opposite swap into my 300sd. The leather was beat and torn. I was able to find a good set of W123 MB tex seats. For the rear seat I pulled the upholstry off the W123 seat and put it on the old frame from the W126. They were slightly different( maybe 1/2 to 1" in width) I also had to stuff some foam into the top corners because of the different shape. It looks great.
The front W123 seats bolted onto the W126 bases(W/ power motors etc.) I did have to mess w/ the seat belt rails some- but it al bolted together nicely. As for the seat back/tilt motor in the old seats - I left it out and stuck with the W123 round knob. I am not sure how yours would work unless you hook up a switch to the tilt motor-or can somehow convert it to manual. Good luck

KAdams4458 · #9 07-26-2007, 09:38 AM

I think I can handle running a few wires for the seat reclining function. To be honest, power reclining will make life much simpler on my back.

Thanks for the info, guys. You're making me feel much more at ease about this idea of mine. It seems like this swap might not be too difficult.