Sometime ago, I mentioned to someone here or the other place, that my seat frame was broken. I mentioned I would post pics, and the other party seem interested; thing is, I can't figure out where I did that... Anyways; proof that it can happen. Frame is busted at the front edge of the frame, and I've recently found a break at the LR of the back (no pic)... I've rebuilt this thing best I can, but it is truly uncomfortable on long trips... Searching for GenII seats eventually.

The bar and clamps came with Bergsma's kit, it helped but I really need a new seat.

That discussion was on here, and it might even have been me that wanted to see the pic.

Interesting how it breaks, I would have expected the rear to break not the front (or am I looking at the pic wrong?).

I wonder if it has anything to do with how one sits down in the seat. I am a big guy and when I was younger, would just plop myself down BANG in one sideways/down motion.

Later it hit me I was not doing my back any favours by doing this (at 6ft 4ins it's along way down into most car seats). So now I back in, butt down gently onto the left bottom seat bolster, then twist in, head hunched to get through the doorway. Not exactly elegant.

Coincidentally or not, my seat pads no longer seem to wear out.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Yes, I think it Was you, Zach... Glad you saw it...

Yeah, weird break. I wouldn't be surprised if it had to do with how they sat. They too probably sat hard, And were larger... I'm 6'3" (or I used to be), 230 or so, so I am sure I am Really wearing this sucker out now...

I wish I could find some decent-shape palomino leather front seats, I need some support, Damn It.

I'll try to take pics of the break in the back. I'm sure I'll have it out for another repair soon. :-(

First time I have seen a picture of or heard of a seat breaking like that.
That is metal fatigue.

So that is a M Source fix. Hmmmm what did they charge for that?

Grab a seat bottom from a W126 passenger side, and swap it over to your drivers side.
Might be 86 - 91 that had the improved seat, that would be gen II, I got mine from a 90 SEL as I remember.
The Seat Spring Box is the same as a W123, but has a up grade spring and the rubber round pieces in the corner springs.

Iam 5ft 9" and 140 lbs. so not hard on the seats, but Iam careful getting in that I don`t rub hard on the seat Bolster. Iam amazed at how many I see in the yards that are all ripped up.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

It came with the spring repair kit, $70. I repaired the seat 24 hours before I went for a 14hr move from OK to CO; all I did was make the seat harder, but butt was bruised! This kit did not work for me, but it Does stop me from flopping about some... I hate these seats, so unsupportive.


Yes, I have seen some discussion on this seat, even sat in a well-worn one and was impressed. I'd love to find a pair for my car, I'd take the whole seat and figure out a way to wire-in the electric adjustments.

$70 you could have bought a whole seat assy out of a W126 for about $50.

Using a W126 seat Spring Box, you just swap over your seat tracks from your W123. Then use your seat covers. The seat back from your W123 also bolts on.

The seat back frame has the holes on both sides for the Arm Rest, so the seat can be used on either side. Think right or left hand drive. MB uses one part, cuts cost.

I guess you could work out a way to wire in the seat to your 123.
If I used the 126 seat, I would have the bottom manual and maybe a Rocker switch for the electric portion of the seat back.

Remember, the Pass side is usually in the better shape as it doesn`t get used as much.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Mercedes parts on the Western Slope are few and far between; may end up shipping something in. Denver is another matter, but that is 5 hours away.

AHHH SOO!

Yeah here in Nevada, MB`s are not so plentiful either, And the one`s in the 2 yards
have Been picked over pretty good, plus they keep them sometimes 6 months.

In Kali in the San Jose area, I had 4 yards close by, and the turn over is faster
than you can remove parts.
The SJ yards (2) were about 38 miles. Now Iam 5 hrs from them too.
There was one 25 miles south. then Newark 50 miles, and if I went to
Sacramento, 153 miles.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I used to live in Monterey, CA; Rancho Cordova was Not far, SO MANY YARDS there...

Since then, I lived in OKC, OK, and we had two pretty good PAP yards. If I was diligent, I could find what I wanted.

If not a purist, you could probably mount a seat from a newish car. I used Sebring seats in my 65 Dart ($150/pair) and Mustang Cobra seats ($50/pair) in my 64 Valiant. New vinyl seat covers for the factory seats would have cost $500, plus I wanted a head restraint and shoulder belt. That also gives you a power driver's seat. Many people do this w/ classic cars. You have to fab seat brackets to fit the floor, but Ace Hardware and a little creativity works. I rebuilt the seats in my two 300D's, but didn't find their design very elegant or functional.

I have an older pair of aftermarket Recaros, but they don't/won't look right in there IMO. GenII seats function right, and update the appearance a bit... I guess then that I am a purist? Not tooo much of one though, I have an aftermarket radio... :-)