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Will W126 series 1 front seats fit?

Started by 13B, 20 January 2016, 10:43 PM

13B

My front drivers seat is worn out.  Someone wrecking a W126 1982 series 1 280SE with bamboo coloured MB-Tex seats, same as my 6.9 has in it (I think).  Will they fit in my car, if I change over the seat rails?

Thanks in advance,

Ian.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

UTn_boy

It's really confusing.  A 6.9 could have had one of three different seat spring frames.  As of now, and many part number changes later, there are two possible seat spring frames that will work in your 6.9.  Part numbers 123-910-01-22 and 126-910-11-22, both of which show to be valid part numbers for both a 126.022 and a 116.036 chassis.  Here is where it gets even more confusing.   EPC says that the 6.9 seat spring frame subs out to a 126-910-12-22, which is only valid for a W126 chassis.  Makes no sense, huh?  Well, EPC can't always be trusted. 

A 6.9 should not have MB-Tex.  I think they were usually offered with leather or velour.  My point here is that depending on what type of material you have for seat coverings, there were different excelsior pads for leather, MB-Tex, and velour.  So you'll have to keep your original excelsior pad or buy a new one.  The one out of the W126 will physically fit onto the frame, but won't allow your current seat covering to fit correctly.  In addition, the W126 seat covering won't match the rest of your interior as far as the design of the cover goes.....and color, too.  Early W126 cars didn't have a bamboo color option for their interiors.  "date" was the closest thing to W116 bamboo, but it still quite a ways off on being an actual color match. 

In short, the only thing you'll be able to use is the seat spring frame.  yes, the whole W126 assembly will physically fit; covering, excelsior pad and all, but it won't match the rest of your interior.    Both in color and design. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

gavin116

From other members input, the front seat is almost a direct swap (w126 generation I at any rate) .  Here are examples, where W126 seats have been fitted including the rears!
1979 450SE "Mrs White"
2022 Touareg-R 3.0TSi Hybrid
[url="http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/"]http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/[/url]
[url="http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613"]http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613[/url]

13B

Thanks for the comments from both of you, done properly (with matching front passenger and rear seat) it looks like a decent upgrade.

Still unsure what the orangy-brown colour my interior is but the more I search it seems to be Palomino which was a common combination with the thistle green my car is. 

Right now I just hate my car but that may improve in the coming years.  I hate the buggered MB-Tex and ripped side bolster:



I figure when I'm sitting on the seat no passengers will notice it doesn't match the other seat.

I.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

rumb

Are you sure that's MB-tex?   anyway a good upholstery  shop can sew in a new piece and dye to match and fix any other issue you have. You can buy new seat pad, or you can easily get a good one from someone here.  (like me).

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

Squiggle Dog

Looks like bamboo leather. Palomino is a pale tan which turns pink (pinkomino).
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

UTn_boy

You have orange bamboo leather, Ian.  Not MB tex.  Again, MB Tex wasn't offered for 6.9 cars. 

And guys...palomino was NOT a color option for the W116 6.9 cars.  There were only 6 colors available:  Black, Blue, Tobacco, Bamboo, Parchment, and Moss (Green).  See the following picture from a 6.9 sales brochure.    These color options also apply to both MB-Tex and Velours.  The one exception was that the black velour was called anthracite instead of black. 

1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

13B

Thanks for the confirmation UT, well it's the most un-leather like leather I've ever seen.. :-) 

I guess I should pay more attention to the wrecking yards to see if anyone has some more of these seats.

Cheers,

I.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

UTn_boy

How so?  Because it's thick, hard, and shiny, and somewhat rotting away now?  Well, that's what happens to leather.   Also, MB-Tex won't rub through like your bolster is.  It'll tear before anything.   W116 leather was certainly of a lesser quality than was used in earlier models.  It just didn't last as long and faded/rotted away quickly. 

On a side note, I mentioned earlier that there were only 6 colors available.  While that's true ONLY for cars made after 7/75, I wanted to also make mention of the color that were available up until 7/75.   Those would include:

Black  9000
Blue   5020
Mahogany  8100
Beige  8103
Parchment  8014
Olive (green)  6028
Bamboo  8011
Red  3030

This doesn't apply to European market cars such as the 280 models and 350se/sel models.  They were typically only offered velour and cloth, and in fewer colors.  Though, leather and MB Tex could be requested at additional cost upon ordering a car. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

rumb

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

floyd111

just add Pink Floyd and you're good to go! 8)

robparker

Has anyone tried these seat covers? Supposedly very good quality and in a variety of colours.. I was thinking about buying some for mine..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381334798810?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
6.9, 300SL, C43 + dog car

UTn_boy

And you're 6.9 having mushroom colored leather is also exactly why some 6.9 and 300SD's have a column shift automatic.  At that time, people could pretty much get anything they wanted if they knew what to ask for, and if they were willing to pay the inflated price of said option(s).

My comment was directed at at the standard models with standard interior colors that were offered at that time.  I wasn't talking about oddly optioned cars with weird colors on/in them. 

Rob, I've never heard of this company, and   I can't tell if it's leather or vinyl.  And is that bulk material in the foreground that's perforated supposed to be the headliner, or are they just showing that they can emboss the leather or vinyl?   I'd be very suspect at first given that it's advertised on the ground.  Then again, it all may fit like a glove and look fantastic. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo