Newly purchased 84 300SD. Everything in good working order. Block heater works great to keep the engine warm. One question though. I would like to adapt/retrofit heated seats with possible massage cushions.
I purchased one of those aftermarket seats that provide heat and massage. I would like to disassembly it and add these parts into the front seats. Can i safely remove the mb tex from the front seats, add the heating strip and massage coils and then reattach the mb tex?
Has anyone done this?
How about adding switches to the console?
Your thoughts are appreciated!!

I'm also thinking about the same deal... i need to repad my seats and i don't know where to start on taking the mbtext off to do so...
i'd love seatheat

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

I've seen seat heater kits advertised, and someone on this forum installed a pair last winter or the winter before, might get a hit on "aftermarket seat heater" search. Good luck.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

This project should be started in about 2 weeks as i need to fix the exhaust system. The only thing wrong with the mb was a bad pipe underneath. Will probably replace the entire exhaust system.

For the seat heater/massager project, I will take some pictures and document as i go along. I need to search the junkyards and see if i can find some matching switch's for the console or i could just mount the control unit that comes with the aftermarket unit i will be using.
we'll see as i go along.

I don't see any problem with adding the seat heating pads between the MB-tex and the horse hair. My back seat is from a 560 SEL and the seat heating is little more than a glorified electric blanket. To get the MB tex off, you will need to remove the entire front seat - word to the wise: move the seat back to get the front two bolts, then move it all the way forward to get the rear two bolts. Be sure to do this before disconnecting any power.

You will need to make sure you either wire a relay, or that you make a direct connection to the power terminal near the battery. In either case I suggest using #12 or (better) #10 wire with an in-line 20A fuse. Of course, do as the instructions say, but be mindful it won't work to add the seat heating to an existing circuit as they pull a significant amount of current. BTW, a cool thing about using a relay is you can have the power available only when the key is in ACCY or START (circuit 58), which could save considerably on the battery.

I suggest keeping the stock look, which you can do by getting a coin tray from a 500/560. Some even have the fanfare horn switch. Wiring is straightforward, with help from the FSM. If you get the switches and the tray, try also to get the female molded connectors with at least 4" of wire attached. This will make your life much easier.

Casey

__________________
Casey Cooper
"From a long line of Mercedes ownership"

'86 300SDL 250K miles (Gone, but not forgotten); best diesel I have ever driven, too bad about the Achilles heel.

'81 240D 370K miles (Sold to my brother after 9 years and 150K miles of reliable driving!)

[Five other Mercedes in family clipped for less length.]