I realize this will be a bit of a project as I've already done a bit of leg work. The seat mounting points in the w123 are much lower at the rear so Benz used risers to level out the seat. I took a pair of these risers out of a boneyard car so all I need to do for actual mounting is bolt the w201 seat to the w123 risers.(Easier said than done, I know.) Looking at things, I think it can be done with the proper bolts rather than resorting to welding.

The biggest problem is the seat wiring. The w201 units are power operated. I can find wiring diagrams but they do not show the actual routing of the seat wires. I can manually trace and pull but I sure would like to know where to start removing interior bits to get at them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I want to use the w201 seat switches rather than wire in momentary throw units if possible.

Another issue is the seatbelts. Does anyone know a safe, secure way to mount the W123 receptacles to the w201 seats? This could be a deal breaker, of course....if there is not a reasonable solution.

I know many will ask why I intend to do this. "Just restuff the old seats and get on with life." Well, the w201 seats are superior in many ways as far as I'm concerned. Most importantly, since I'm wicked skinny, I wallow around on w123 seats like a drunk sailor. 201 seats just fit better, offer better support, and with all the power adjustments, I can put 'em where I want 'em. Plus, I've got a pristine pair in a parts car.

All opinions, suggestions, flaming, bashing, etc. will be welcomed.

Thanks,

Sam

'82 300Dt Daily Driver
'83 300Dt Parts Horse
'76 300D Toy (Built the month I was born)
'90 190E 2.6 Wife's Daily Driver
'91 190E 2.6 Parts Horse
'96 Miata BRP Supercharged
'06 Benelli Pocket Bike (Danger Fix)
'78 Honda Kick-n-Go (Restoring for Daughter)

I have several sets of W201 seats (some power, some manual). For the sake of simplicity, why not use W201 manual seats if you are not comfortable with the wiring?

If you want to use the W201 power seats, I would suggest getting the entire power seat wiring harness from a W201 and grafting it into your W123. That would give you all of the correct plugs, switches, relays, and fuses, without having to resort to butchery. I think you will have to remove the front door panels, the dash, and at least some of the underhood auxiliary fuse box/relay center to get the entire circuit without cutting any wires.

As far as the seatbelts, again it might be easier to install the entire W201 seat belt setup into the W123, with the retractors, buckles, wiring sensors intact.

My 2 cents - from one W201 "collector" to another.

SteveM

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

I sure wish I were closer to you. I'd try to snag one of your manual 201 seats. Shipping would be too steep most likely with me being down Atlanta way.

I do have one manual seat and may well start on the drivers side first with that one. It's in good shape but dark red in color. Leatherique supplied me with a quart of MB Palomino leather dye that supposedly works on MB Tex just as well.

I sure do like the adjustability of the power seats but given the apparent logistical nigntmare; the manual option is starting to look pretty good.

Thanks,
Sam

'82 300Dt Daily Driver
'83 300Dt Parts Horse
'76 300D Toy (Built the month I was born)
'90 190E 2.6 Wife's Daily Driver
'91 190E 2.6 Parts Horse
'96 Miata BRP Supercharged
'06 Benelli Pocket Bike (Danger Fix)
'78 Honda Kick-n-Go (Restoring for Daughter)

So how did it go Sam?? I'm about to start the same project, but with manual seats.. ANY info would be greatly appreciated.

anyone looking for a very good set of seats?

see my ebay link

while were on the subject of the w201, i like them and wish i could find a good 190D in my area. there was in my area but it was pretty well trashed.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)