Uncomfortable E-class 211 seats

[glojo]

On the S & M thread it was mentioned there was an article in Autocar about the seats on the new E-class being uncomfortable after journeys over one hour.

I conducted a poll on a different site and kept the questions quite simple. After a minimum of one hours driving are you still pleased with how comfortable your seats are?

 

[PJH]

Autocar mag 7th Dec '04

The current Autocar mag has a long term report on the E320 CDi estate.
They state that the problem is the driving position as a whole, not just the seats.
The steering wheel is slightly twisted - it's closes to the driver on one side than the other.
The wide transmission tunnel pushes the left leg to the right.

Edit:- "..trips of around 100 miles were as much as I could tolerate."

 

[OGiii]

The current Autocar mag has a long term report on the E320 CDi estate.
They state that the problem is the driving position as a whole, not just the seats.
The steering wheel is slightly twisted - it's closes to the driver on one side than the other.
The wide transmission tunnel pushes the left leg to the right.

Edit:- "..trips of around 100 miles were as much as I could tolerate."

What a load of b******s!

 

[marcos]

The cars are very comfortable, drove mine to Spain and it felt like a trip to the shops after 1100miles.
This may offend some people but the reason they find the car uncomfortable is bacause they are fat. My freind who is just plain fat finds my seats uncomfortable, one of my wifes freinds finds the seats uncomfortable because she is fat. Simple really , it was not designed for very fat people which is surprising considering the market for the W211 in North America

 

[glojo]

The cars are very comfortable, drove mine to Spain and it felt like a trip to the shops after 1100miles.
This may offend some people but the reason they find the car uncomfortable is bacause they are fat. My freind who is just plain fat finds my seats uncomfortable, one of my wifes freinds finds the seats uncomfortable because she is fat. Simple really , it was not designed for very fat people which is surprising considering the market for the W211 in North America

I just typed my response and it made my computer crash!!!!

Hi Marcos,
In a previous life I was renowned for my 'Tact' and 'Diplomacy'. Why knock on a door when you can kick it open with a size 13 boot??? I like your style, now tell me what you really think about overly proportioned people

In all fairness to this persecuted minority of our population they are in this particular case innocent.

Having now read the full article (thanks to my good lady wife) I understand what the author is trying to say. It is actually NOT the seat that is the problem in regard to its comfort. He is actually blaming the width of the tunnel and the consequence of the left foot having to be forced across to the right??? I wonder if he is being hyper critical and not positioning himself correctly?

This does highlight though the problem of not being able to have the 4Matic because the 'bulge' is even more pronounced, I am still not convinced though that this was a fair criticism. Anyone can conduct a poll and influence the answer. I tried my hardest to be fair when I conducted mine, one person asked how to vote because they only got uncomfortable on the very odd occassion. I suggested they state the seat was uncomfortable.

Anyway I digress once again. The one in five of the population are in this particular example innocent of any of your 'allegations'

Originally Posted by PJH
The current Autocar mag has a long term report on the E320 CDi estate.
They state that the problem is the driving position as a whole, not just the seats.
The steering wheel is slightly twisted - it's closes to the driver on one side than the other.
The wide transmission tunnel pushes the left leg to the right.

Edit:- "..trips of around 100 miles were as much as I could tolerate."



What a load of b******s!

Hi OGii
Unfortunately that might be misunderstood and you are referring to PJH. I am sure though that is not the case and like you, I think the author has gone a bit OTT.

Still it certainly passes the time of day.

Regards,
John

 

[PJH]

What a load of b******s!

That's what Autocar printed in their report. You are free to disagree with them.

Edit: I do not know wether the Autocar tester is slim or stocky build and I don't know how tall he is. The article didn't say.

 

[fuzzer]

im not small and i find the seats very comfortable ......

 

[marcos]

When I say fat I mean really fat. I'm 6'2" and 17 stone " solid muscle of course" and I find the seats great, when I say fat I mean size 48" waist fat.

 

[glojo]

When I say fat I mean really fat. I'm 6'2" and 17 stone " solid muscle of course" and I find the seats great, when I say fat I mean size 48" waist fat.

Morning Marcos,
I'm a lean mean 18.5 stone and 6' 7" (and a bit)
When you said size 48" I thought you meant chest measurement? I very nearly took the bait.

Nope you insulted one in five of the population and they will be leaving their Kentucky fried, or McDonalds containers outside your front door, and each day you will have to climb over the mountain of non degradeable rubbish, just to go on your morning 'constitutional' run

Don't forget the 'dog' of a wife insult!

You get my vote,

Regards,
John

 

[Goldfish11]

Autocar talk rubbish

This is rubbish, I drive 1 hour each way to work as standard and drove non-stop to the south of France (about 10hours) and was as fresh as fresh could be

In fact all the family was the same including Wifey and 2 kids in the back. It was like flying Business Class.

 

[guydewdney]

ah - but Goldfish, are you fat? LOL



ill get my coat. sorry..

 

[glojo]

This is rubbish, I drive 1 hour each way to work as standard and drove non-stop to the south of France (about 10hours) and was as fresh as fresh could be

In fact all the family was the same including Wifey and 2 kids in the back. It was like flying Business Class.

Well said Goldfish,
I am trying to work up the enthusiasm to write to the editor and put him 'right'!

Unfortunately the poll I conducted never mentioned the leg issue. I have now asked either RHD drivers or LHD front seat passengers to contact me if they are experiencing any discomfort in their left leg because of the alledged construction of the transmission tunnel. So far there have been NO adverse comments.

Granted the poll numbers are not in the 100's, but for a forum poll the figures are quite high.

Regards,
John

 

[Ady]

Well said Goldfish,
Unfortunately the poll I conducted never mentioned the leg issue. I have now asked either RHD drivers or LHD front seat passengers to contact me if they are experiencing any discomfort in their left leg because of the alledged construction of the transmission tunnel. So far there have been NO adverse comments.

Regards,
John

I must admit that when I first got my 211 the initial comfortable seat position that I chose did cause my left knee to rest on the tunnel so it got sore / ached after a while. The solution for me was to move the seat and steering back another inch so my legs where a little straighter. Although this did not feel comfortable immediately I soon got used to it and no longer have a problem with my knee. The only down side is the easy access feature on the seat no longer works as it is passed it’s limit, which is stupid because it is not as far back as the easy access moves it when the seat starts an inch further forward.
(I guess I must admit to only being 5’8” so I can imagine that taller people might have more problems)

 

[glojo]

I must admit that when I first got my 211 the initial comfortable seat position that I chose did cause my left knee to rest on the tunnel so it got sore / ached after a while. The solution for me was to move the seat and steering back another inch so my legs where a little straighter.

Hi Ady,
Thank you very much indeed for your post. It is nice to hear negative reports, because it gives a much better picture and points out items that perspective buyers should be aware of.

5' 8" is certainly not a height that could be described as tall, I dread to think what Marcos would say 'runt' comes to mind (he does lack that diplomatic skill that tends to be required!) (this is meant solely as a humorous remark)

With the Easy\Exit feature you can have it altered by anyone who has access to the Star Diagnostic Equipment. The seat will move further back for those of us who are more vertically endowed. There is a little proviso note on the computer screen asking the technician to get the owners signature before carrying out the modification.

Good luck with the car, and please accept my tongue in cheek remarks with the humour that they are meant to portray.

John

 

[Goldfish11]

ah - but Goldfish, are you fat? LOL



ill get my coat. sorry..

No not fat, just slightly plump (I dont have a 6 pack of beer more a 6 pint poly milk container ). One thought is are we talking about Manual transmissions here or Auto?. A manual may have different feel to it. I have no problems with the transmission tunnel infact I have no problems at all. I really can't understand it, there are so many adjustments on the seats you should be able to get it right.

I remember reading a survey that 7 out of 10 people (I think) had there car seats set incorrectly, this had nothing to do with the seats but just people don't know what a proper driving position is.

 

[RichardM]

I'm amazed anyone finds the seats uncomfortable, its the most comfortable car I've driven and jouneys of any length.

 

[Shude]

...it was not designed for very fat people which is surprising considering the market for the W211 in North America

Don't forget the Germans aren't small either!

 

[Brian WH]

Giving the opposite end of the scale comments.

Being classed as "Small" at 5ft 7in I can say that the seats are just as comfortable for us little people as it is for you long legged b*ggers.

 

[Shude]

Giving the opposite end of the scale comments.

Being classed as "Small" at 5ft 7in I can say that the seats are just as comfortable for us little people as it is for you long legged b*ggers.

Apparently MBs are designed with tall people in mind because statistically the taller you are, the more successful you will be. I always said that Brian was rebellious!

It always feels great getting into my W202 after being in any other car because the seats are just perfect (had the great pleasure of driving my parent's Seat Arosa back from the garage a few weeks ago *urgh*). I don't know how people with lesser-brands cope!

 

[Ady]

Hi Ady,
Thank you very much indeed for your post. It is nice to hear negative reports, because it gives a much better picture and points out items that perspective buyers should be aware of.

5' 8" is certainly not a height that could be described as tall, I dread to think what Marcos would say 'runt' comes to mind (he does lack that diplomatic skill that tends to be required!) (this is meant solely as a humorous remark)

With the Easy\Exit feature you can have it altered by anyone who has access to the Star Diagnostic Equipment. The seat will move further back for those of us who are more vertically endowed. There is a little proviso note on the computer screen asking the technician to get the owners signature before carrying out the modification.

Good luck with the car, and please accept my tongue in cheek remarks with the humour that they are meant to portray.

John

Cheers John, I'll ask them to move the limit back when it goes in for the service (does that mean I am well endowed ). It would be nice to have that feature working again and be comfortable.