C class parcel shelf b****y infuriating!

[robdmarsh]

The parcel shelf (or the load bay cover as Mercedes like to call it) is a blooming nightmare and a stunning example of over-engineering. Having removed it I haven't managed to get the darned thing back in. It has a slide to lock mechanism with a latch on one side and a post thingy which you have to slide in also to lock on the other - why? Can't it be the same kind of mechanism at both ends? Then there is a rail thingie to attach it to the back seat which you can only do with the front seats folded forward. It's hard to explain but to reinstall so all three fixings work together is beyond me. I've practically had to stop myself flinging it down the drive.
Anyone else think the same as me?

 

[DITTRICH]

The parcel shelf (or the load bay cover as Mercedes like to call it) is a blooming nightmare and a stunning example of over-engineering. Having removed it I haven't managed to get the darned thing back in. It has a slide to lock mechanism with a latch on one side and a post thingy which you have to slide in also to lock on the other - why? Can't it be the same kind of mechanism at both ends? Then there is a rail thingie to attach it to the back seat which you can only do with the front seats folded forward. It's hard to explain but to reinstall so all three fixings work together is beyond me. I've practically had to stop myself flinging it down the drive.
Anyone else think the same as me?

I'm struggling to understand your explanation. I have always detached the rear load roller cover from the slots on with side so it retracts into its drum. I then folded both rear seat backs forwards before attempting to remove the load cover. The driver's side has the post thingie and the passenger side has a button which once pressed down, allows the load cover drum to be removed (from the rear of the car, passenger side first, then pull the load cover drum towards the passenger side tail light to disengage the load cover drum from the post thingie. To be honest, the s124 load cover and tail gate were completely manual, and manual was better imho - less to go wrong.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

I had similar struggles when we first got the car. However, like many things in life the more frequently you do it the more fluent it becomes. When removing/installing I don’t even have to think about it. Stick in there. You’ll master it soon enough.

 

[colinallcars]

The parcel shelf (or the load bay cover as Mercedes like to call it) is a blooming nightmare and a stunning example of over-engineering. Having removed it I haven't managed to get the darned thing back in. It has a slide to lock mechanism with a latch on one side and a post thingy which you have to slide in also to lock on the other - why? Can't it be the same kind of mechanism at both ends? Then there is a rail thingie to attach it to the back seat which you can only do with the front seats folded forward. It's hard to explain but to reinstall so all three fixings work together is beyond me. I've practically had to stop myself flinging it down the drive.
Anyone else think the same as me?

A little patience required, it’s quite easy once you work it out!

 

[Will]

The parcel shelf (or the load bay cover as Mercedes like to call it) is a blooming nightmare and a stunning example of over-engineering. Having removed it I haven't managed to get the darned thing back in. It has a slide to lock mechanism with a latch on one side and a post thingy which you have to slide in also to lock on the other - why? Can't it be the same kind of mechanism at both ends? Then there is a rail thingie to attach it to the back seat which you can only do with the front seats folded forward. It's hard to explain but to reinstall so all three fixings work together is beyond me. I've practically had to stop myself flinging it down the drive.
Anyone else think the same as me?

Why do you need to move or touch the seats to remove the load cover?

It unlatches on one side (passenger side) and swings backwards?

Not sure on what you mean about the ‘rail thingie’ off the top of my head though - pics?

 

[BTB 500]

Then there is a rail thingie to attach it to the back seat which you can only do with the front seats folded forward. It's hard to explain but to reinstall so all three fixings work together is beyond me.

Not sure on what you mean about the ‘rail thingie’ off the top of my head though - pics?

We very rarely have the luggage cover in ours as we have a full height boot liner in the back. But from memory you can optionally attach it to the rear seat backs so the luggage net can be used when they're folded down (or maybe just for transport?). I don't think you'd then be able to raise the seat backs - it's an either/or thing.

 

[Will]

We very rarely have the luggage cover in ours as we have a full height boot liner in the back. But from memory you can optionally attach it to the rear seat backs so the luggage net can be used when they're folded down. I don't think you'd then be able to raise the seat backs - it's an either/or thing.

Ahh okay that makes more sense.

Sounds as though the OP is quite frustrated with it.

The only thing I am aware of is the plastic tabs on each end are fragile (common issue!). You can buy a repair kit though - they’re not just made of plastic but contain magnets.

 

[Londonscottish]

from memory you can optionally attach it to the rear seat backs so the luggage net can be used when they're folded down (or maybe just for transport?).

I've often vaguely wondered what those clips were for on the seat backs in my 211 and 212. I presumed it was for transport but maybe there's another reason. I'll have look during the holidays and report back.

Back to the OP; fitting and removing the luggage cover is a bit fiddly but fine once you have the knack.

 

[Philc57]

The luggage cover, when attached to the rear seats in the layed down position will act as a luggage restraint when the net is pulled up and fixed to the slots by the door pillars. Stops any luggage shooting forward under hard breaking and causing injury or damage.