I have a 190d and need a new driver's seat due to beaten down upholstery. My seats are powered. I have the opportunity to pick up a non-power passenger seat. How practical is it to convert this to a power dirver's seat?

Different animal in most cases ,the motorized units have gears specific for the seats control found underneath the seat .The latches,catches and springs are more for a manual seat,these are located at more of a hands on location.

Could you swap over the upholstery covers and pads from the donor seat to your electric one? The covers come off pretty easily, I'd imagine it would be a much easier task than converting the seat from manual to electric.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

I believe the motors for the bottom cushion of the seat are mounted in a subframe that is swappable. The backrest motor is in the backrest I believe so not so easy to swap.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks folks. I guess I’ll keep waiting for a good seat to turn up locally.

until you get into the w211 era i dont think the factory seats anything special. I pull off the garabage w124 seats off the frame, built some brackets and swapped some recaros onto them. Now i have powered recaros.

BMW e46 sport seats manuals work well in both my 300cd and 300d ,a few trips hunting at yards then pulled ,had to get the sem recolor to match but in all about $120 for both installed with modified brackets.

If you ck cars-parts for a local yard and the 190e some do have pics of the interiors ,you might find a match for your area.