Return from touring France and Spain

[bibamus]

Just got back to Blighty after a fortnight driving through France and Spain in our C180 Elegance. As expected, the car performed perfectly throughout the 2500 mile trip with 4 in, fully loaded and a full roofbox.
Even with the 1.8 engine it pulled well, only changing down into 4th on the long steep hills between Rouen and Calais.

But.... the seats were voted by all four of us as possibly the most uncomfortable for a long journey! They are just too firm and give the impression of sitting on top of the seat instead of being cossetted by them.
I drove over 700 miles on Sunday, taking 12 hours in all. We had 4 stops and by the time we got to Calais, I thought I was developing bed sores! It was a pleasure to get into the VW Golf and sink into the nice "soft" seats for a trip to Tesco`s.

Is this a feature of late 90`s C Class cars, or am I being too `sensitive`?

Allan

 

[jeremytaylor]

Is your C180 a W202? Because I found the seats on my old W203 C270 very comfortable. The longest I did in 1 day was Surrey to Falmouth and back - 9 hours - and the seats were perfect. I'm 6' 1" if size makes any difference.

 

[PJH]

Wifey's W202 seats are hard compared to my W124.

 

[bibamus]

Yes, its a W202, dont really plan on another long drive like that, the seats are firm, but seem comfortable for an hour or two, its just that they get uncomfortable after that and necessitate a stop or a cushion!

Allan

 

[Martin]

I also got back last weekend (Saturday) from a similar 2500 mile round trip to Spains Costa Blanca in my 1993 C220 Sport (140K) we broke the journey at Millau near the new bridge but having done several long continental trips before in my W202 we now always sit on cushions in the front to combat the hard seats which sorts the problem! My previous car had Recaro seats which were fine on similar long journeys. Perhaps Merc seats are designed to support large German business executives?

On Saturday we had torrential wind & rain all through Northern France, a long hold up at the Eurotunnel due to security checks on all cars & passports plus the M20 down to one lane in Kent before finally getting back to Surrey. (Also the new Eurotunnel self check in machines seemed to confuse most people and cause long queues!)

 

[MangoMan]

To be honest, I find modern Mercedes seats hard, with that 'perched' on top feeling..................
.............well, compared to a w124, (or w126) seats anyway......

 

[bibamus]

On Saturday we had torrential wind & rain all through Northern France, a long hold up at the Eurotunnel due to security checks on all cars & passports plus the M20 down to one lane in Kent before finally getting back to Surrey. (Also the new Eurotunnel self check in machines seemed to confuse most people and cause long queues!)

We were lucky, we missed the rain because we were still in Southern France ( Carcassonne 31 degrees C ) on Saturday. Ran through it on Sunday between Orleans ond Rouen though. And yes, the self check in machines seem to cause long holdups, lots of confused looking people gazing at them! We managed to get straight through as they opened up a new lane as we arrived.

Anyway, must look around for some cushions for the next trip

Allan

 

[jeremytaylor]

(Also the new Eurotunnel self check in machines seemed to confuse most people and cause long queues!)

I think this subject is almost worth its own thread! They are ridiculous machines, that seem to need an operative to explain how they work, therefore negating any savings Eurotunnel have by having the machines.

When we last travelled in convoy with friends in another car, immediately behind us in the queue (who didn't know the way in France), they were put on a crossing 1 hour before ours ?? We spoke to a 'friendly' operative who refused any changes to the bookings once the machine had made them.

It's enough to make me use the ferries from now on and risk a bit of sea-sickness!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Drove to Florensac and back, plus touring arround. 3000 miles in all and I found my seats very comfortable. On a negative side in the South of France leather seats are not exactly thigh friendly (hot weather). I wonder if I passed any other forum members while there?

 

[Dieselman]

Not done any really long trips recently, but did Fort William to home in one go (7 hours) and found the W210 seats to be very comfortable. Had a slipped disk at the time and preferred the extra support.
In fact I would go so far as to say the seats are one thing that has made me hang onto the car so long, having said that a Citroen XM is the only car I've slept in and felt (very) comfortable.

 

[lamboman]

Just got back from a 2300 mile drive around Reims and Normandy myself. All I can say is buy an S class, beautiful quiet ride, and soft aircooled leather seats. Only downside was all the parking slots in France seemed to be designed to fit a smart car.

 

[Tiff]

I found exactly the same with my C200, On a run from Fife-Kings Lynn and back,I found that at just about bang on 100 miles,my A**e and legs were so numb I had to fall out of the car and walk around a bit to get the circulation going again..Never had this on my W124..