Anyone good with seats ?

[350_Coupe]

What i'm looking at is replacing the front seats in a 2005 C350 Coupe.

Reason - i want heating (electric pack might be nice too)... and having looked around at the various options, i'm thinking good condition second hand leather heated seats is going to be a LOT easier than pulling them apart to fit the heating pads, and is not as costly an option as you'd think, not withstanding the gamble that there might be an issue with the second hand ones !

I've read a couple of threads regarding retro-fitting the heating elements, so understand i will probably need the wiring loom as well as the switch pack.

So, what can i fit, for example, does a 55 plate C220 have compatible seats ? would CLC one's fit, or ones from a W204 ?? I would of course have my original sliding easy access frames shoudl i need to transfer those over


any information here would be greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[Barry-p]

I dont think it would be as easy as get a seat and plug it in and all works, but then i could be wrong.

Have you spoken to the guys at d:class (01483 722923)? i know they fit heated seat and i dont think the price is all that bad

 

[350_Coupe]

ok, i'll give them a call, thanks

I know it's not as simple as plug-and-play so to speak, because the supply loom will not have been fitted into the car, or seriously unlikely to have been, same goes for the switch pack, as i know that will need changing, but other than the loom and switches, provided i get compatible seats then i dont have to go ripping them apart to try and fit the pads under the covers and should be able to get something back for mine by selling them on as they are in good nic

 

[azaman]

Its not that hard to retro-fit heated seats to be honest, many have done it before me, see my write up: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/77821-heated-seats-w203.html

Replacing the whole seat is overkill IMO, you still have to remove the seats, the only saving you are making is in removing the seat covers which is not that hard anyway.

 

[350_Coupe]

I'd read through that thread of yours already, was a very good read, thank you

how are you finding those btw now you've had them fitted for a while ?

I take it you picked up the switch pack 2nd hhand ? ... i havent had the chance yet to get a proper look at these switch packs, but usually with these things you can fully dismantle, allowing alteration of the configuration.

 

[azaman]

I'm sure the new owner is enjoying them! I sold the car a couple of months after installing the heated seats, though they worked perfectly whilst I had the car.

The switchpack is made up of modules but its not that easy to swap single functions. I picked up a used switchpack from a forum member but they do turn up on Ebay once in a while. The pack I received had a parktronic button that my car didn't have so I swapped the button only (not electronics) with a blank from my original switchpack.

It's a weekends work max, and is very satisfying when everything is put back together. The carbon pads are considered to be better quality than stock by some + they add a little more padding to the seat.

 

[350_Coupe]

lol, i should have seen that ... doh!

the switch pack interests me as i like messing with stuff like that, so when you say it's modules i think easy, but then when you say swapped the button but not the electronics makes me curious

i've only just got the car, not sure i want to go ripping it all apart myself, but i might

I like the look of those mods you had done on the comand system, were they expensive ?
Also that boot lip spoiler, think i saw one of those on fleabay the other day, although it seemed expensive for what it was, and the picture sucked !

 

[azaman]

I didn't take the whole switch pack apart as the electronics are somewhat integrated from what I could tell. It was much easier to just cover the parktronic button with a blank

The cluster mods were done by Alfie whilst he was installing my Comand unit. He's a very nice chap, worth dropping him a PM about the coding mods as they are very useful and not very expensive...

The boot lip came from taiwan via Ebay. I paid around £50 delivered if I remember correctly. It is a hard rubber material, unpainted, cut and shaped to size. Looked pants when it arrived but after I installed it and went over it with some wax it came out looking really nice IMO. OEM AMG boot lip is >£180 so it was quite a big saving.

 

[azaman]

I have my old switchpack in the garage (without heater function). If you're ever in NW London and want it as a freebie for experimenting let me know.

 

[markjay]

1. The passenger seat has the front passenger occupancy sensor built-in, which connects to a control box, so I would think you would do best by sticking to w203 or coupé facelift seats - 2005-2007. The w204 seats may have different occupancy sensor - though I don't know for sure. Can be checked on the web EPC though.

2. From memory the seats in the coupé are more sporty bucket seats, while the w203 sedan are more mundane comfort seats - do you really want that?

3. Here are the pictures of the connectors at the base of my w203 sedan front seats - they are basic 'part-electric' seats with no heater or memory - if this helps.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9126/frontdriverseatconnecto.jpg

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/9/frontpassengerseatconne.jpg

The passenger seat has an additional yellow connector in the middle - when compared to the driver's seat - that's due to the occupancy sensor.

 

[350_Coupe]

I didn't take the whole switch pack apart as the electronics are somewhat integrated from what I could tell. It was much easier to just cover the parktronic button with a blank

hahaha, cheat

The cluster mods were done by Alfie whilst he was installing my Comand unit. He's a very nice chap, worth dropping him a PM about the coding mods as they are very useful and not very expensive...

yeah, i might do that, i've already had a reply from them via their website email contact us section, but understand there maybe a small discount available for members here ... but i know the steering wheel is the expensive bit i need initially for the paddle shift conversion, so will try and source that first, then followup with Alfie or Richard
The Cluster mods look really useful, and i'd be interested in what was possible... i know i want the auto folding mirrors sorting, that seems like a really odd thing by MB to not have done originally,

The boot lip came from taiwan via Ebay. I paid around £50 delivered if I remember correctly. It is a hard rubber material, unpainted, cut and shaped to size. Looked pants when it arrived but after I installed it and went over it with some wax it came out looking really nice IMO. OEM AMG boot lip is >£180 so it was quite a big saving.

Yeah the OEM AMG one's aren't cheap, there's one on fleabay right now and they want far too much for it in my eyes, you got any pictures with it fitted ?

I have my old switchpack in the garage (without heater function). If you're ever in NW London and want it as a freebie for experimenting let me know.

ok, thank you, i'll remember that.... i'm not across your neck of the woods much to be honest, because i hate driving anywhere near london ... i'm pretty good at getting lost, and don't much care for the traffic there !
it intrigues me to see what they have done to make life difficult, because modular switch packs by their principle were intended to to make it both easier and cheaper to create different configurations from stock base units, if you then custom integrate electronics into the design depending on options sellected, you defeat the object of the unit being modular ...... and i've seen some cracking examples of over zealous design/engineering ...... where common sense appears to have been a foreign concept

 

[markjay]

Also...

The top part are the coupé seats, the bottom parts are typical w203 sedan seats (though some sportier model had 'sportier' seats), are you sure you want to swap them?

 

[350_Coupe]

1. The passenger seat has the front passenger occupancy sensor built-in, which connects to a control box, so I would think you would do best by sticking to w203 or coupé facelift seats - 2005-2007. The w204 seats may have different occupancy sensor - though I don't know for sure. Can be checked on the web EPC though.

2. From memory the seats in the coupé are more sporty bucket seats, while the w203 sedan are more mundane comfort seats - do you really want that?

3. Here are the pictures of the connectors at the base of my w203 sedan front seats - they are basic 'part-electric' seats with no heater or memory - if this helps.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9126/frontdriverseatconnecto.jpg

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/9/frontpassengerseatconne.jpg

The passenger seat has an additional yellow connector in the middle - when compared to the driver's seat - that's due to the occupancy sensor.

excellent info, thank you, and yes, pictures are always useful

when you say, basic 'part-electric' - i assume you mean they have the electric adjustment for everything except forwards and backwards positioning ? (which i think was only incorporated with the memory function, as was steering adjustment)

You are right about the seats, i've found a couple of differences, from what you mentioned to the way they tip forward, and if they tip forward at all !
I was hoping to see if there was a possibility ot maybe look to other ranges to expand my possibilities, whilst trying to stay within the style and design of what's fitted, so i think your right, sedans etc are out, w204 might be a different design/connection hook up, and i have no idea on any mounting location differences ..... right now there is a nice set of 2009 clk seats on fleabay, but i have no idea if they might fit, or would look right against the other interior components, and these are full electric ones with memory, so i'd need to source wiring looms, switch panels door cards and probably control modules as well ... way too much work/luck to find the right parts, seats look nice though

(and considering those come with rear seats and the rest of the leather interior by the looks of it, they're on at a good price !!)


EDIT:

Also...

The top part are the coupé seats, the bottom parts are typical w203 sedan seats (though some sportier model had 'sportier' seats), are you sure you want to swap them?

you are quite right, mine are the upper style, although i think my centre panels have a slight "dimpling" affect .... and are quite firm, actually firmer than i was expecting, especially considering the car is 5 years old !

oh well, if nothing else you guys have helped me decide i want to stick with the same/correct style/design and model of seats for the car.... even if we have just narrowed down my choices/chances of finding any LOL

 

[azaman]

have a look in my album for a few pics with lip fitted, no good close-ups though.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/azaman-albums-c-class-coupe-like-no-other-picture1529-a.html

 

[350_Coupe]

Cheers.... clean looking car

not 100% convinced about that spoiler yet, guess i'd need to see one in the flesh, pictures 16, 3 and 4 were the best i could see for looking at it, it seems to break up the contour line that sweeps across the back a bit.

Those SLK arches i had been curious about them too, having seen them now i'm not so interested lol


Do want...
uk mode delete
Digital Fuel Gauge
Digital Speedo - not interested in the KM read out at all, because i'll probably never be taking it anywhere i need it !
Tyre pressure loss warning - does that require the sensors fitting to the wheels ?? if not how does it work ?
Auto folding mirrors - simply a must have

 

[Shude]

Tyre pressure loss warning - does that require the sensors fitting to the wheels ?? if not how does it work ?

Traction control computer compares steering wheel position and relative wheel rotation rates to work out when you're dragging a deflated tyre.

 

[azaman]

Cheers.... clean looking car

not 100% convinced about that spoiler yet, guess i'd need to see one in the flesh, pictures 16, 3 and 4 were the best i could see for looking at it, it seems to break up the contour line that sweeps across the back a bit.

Those SLK arches i had been curious about them too, having seen them now i'm not so interested lol


Do want...
uk mode delete
Digital Fuel Gauge
Digital Speedo - not interested in the KM read out at all, because i'll probably never be taking it anywhere i need it !
Tyre pressure loss warning - does that require the sensors fitting to the wheels ?? if not how does it work ?
Auto folding mirrors - simply a must have

The spoiler looks really good IMO, once you've seen it in the flesh the rear end looks incomplete without it.

I was never 100% sold on the SLK arch spoilers, they looked OK I guess. I ended up removing them after a few months and didn't really miss them to be honest.

The cluster mods are a must have, the digital fuel gauge, UK mode delete (lets you change the kph to outside temp) I used all the time. Auto folding mirrors are also very useful, however the wear and tear on the mirrors is much higher and my drivers side mirror started to get stuck sometimes.

 

[350_Coupe]

what sort of time period did that sticking happen over ?.... and i would wonder why only the one side. How did it cope in the frosty weather ? i've already noticed the doors like to try and freeze shut on the outer seals !!!

How did the boot lip spoiler fit ? i noticed from your previous posts that the arch ones were just stuck on !

Shude ... thank you for that information, smart-ass system isnt it !! (also means i can stop watching the siemens wheel sensors i had my beady eyes on )

 

[azaman]

The sticking started after 6 months of heavy use. May have happened anyway but I think the constant folding/unfolding on auto may have speeded things up a little.

The spoiler is mounted with 3M tape (as is the AMG one I believe). No issues with it as long you clean the surface properly. I had the spoiler on for over a year and it didn't budge.

 

[markjay]

Re seats...

You are quite right, the sedan seats don't fold forward so won't do for you anyway.

Seats from a CLC might fit though - the CLC is currently sold as the coupé version of the w204, but in fact it is still based on the old w203 - and has the w203 (facelift) interior, so seats from CLC should fit. However they are relatively new cars so not many found their way to the breakers yet...

And while no longer relevant for you, just for general info yes you are right, the 'part electric' seats have electric adjustments for everything apart from the forward/backwards movement.