W111 Seat Interchange

[gcw206]

Will a rear seat from a 1963 220SE W111 Cabriolet (111.023) interchange with a 1969 W111 280SE Coupe (111.024)?
Thank you,
GCW

[wwheeler]

I tried to look it up on the Mercedes parts site and it became confusing. It looks like for a 220SE W111, the cab and coupe rear seats are separate part numbers. Therefore the likely hood of the rear seats interchanging between a coupe and cab is not promising. Not surprising because the package tray and forward trunk area are the areas with the most changes between a coupe and a cab. 

Hard to find the numbers for a 280SE car. I would think early coupe to late coupe seats would interchange though.

[gcw206]

Hello,
I have a MBZ Parts Manual for the 250, 280, and 280 3.5, but it does not go back to the 220 models.
What I managed to find: The Coupe and the Cabriolet 280SE W111 do have different part numbers, so they probably do not interchange.
I suspect that the 220SE W111 Cabriolet and the 280SE W111 Coupe will not interchange as well.
Coupe to Coupe, then good chance; Cabriolet to Coupe, probably not.
Thanks for your help.
AND, also, thanks for the PM help installing the chrome heater levers (in place of the plastic); they look/work great, and will never break!
GCW

[Pawel66]

When I put into the EPC 111023 and go for the US market, the system shows 220SEB/250SE/C (is it correct?) and shows:

A 111 920 53 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION Replaced with A 111 920 56 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION

Cushion frame: A 111 920 50 22 replaced with A 115 920 00 22.

For 111024 for the US and Canada market, I get 111024, 280 SE/C, PASSENGER CAR, COUPE TWO-DOOR, USA 250/280 SE/C (is it correct?) and shows:

A 111 920 52 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION, UP TO CHASSIS 000939, Replaced by A 111 920 54 20 +2 A 000 990 06 62
and
A 111 920 53 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION, UP TO CHASSIS 000939, Replaced by A 111 920 54 20 +2 A 000 990 06 62 (A 000 990 06 62 is a wingnut)

A 111 920 54 20 Replaced by A 111 920 55 20

A 111 920 55 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION As of ident. no.: 000940-004029

and
   
A 111 920 57 20 REAR SEAT CUSHION As of ident. no.: 004030

Cushion frame A 115 920 00 22

There are some overlaps but I do not know these cars enough to picture how these seats looked like...

What you would need to check:
1. Are your cars the US or Canada cars? Because this is what I checked - when I go to world, there are many more choices that I was not able to go through.
2. Check both exact VINs if you have a part number match.

Frames look ok - same part number, replaced inone case by another part number, but without chassis number statement - means can be substituted.

Part number differences for cushions - may mean a different shape, design or e.g. presence of arm rest or totally different shape of the part. If they are replaced one for another - without chassis number condition - they will fit, but they may look different or perhaps, like above, the way of anchoring to frame changed to wingnut. If there is chassis number given - the difference may be more significant.

So to give you a precise answer: they may or they may not fit (kind of what you get from a lawyer when you ask for opinion).

[wwheeler]

I am glad the levers worked out. They are a marvelous upgrade from the plastic. The Mercedes part numbering system can either make things very clear or make things very confusing. In the case of the seats and many interior items, I think confusing.

The problem with a seat is, unless the one you are looking at is local, shipping is a big deal. You don’t want to just guess. Good luck!

[perry113]

Hi.
Having both W111 220seb coupe and 280se low grille coupe and studied several W111 Cabriolets both in person and in photos I am pretty sure the seatback in rear is not compatible. The seatbottoms might be another story.

Based on the above responses reflecting the different part numbers it may further validate differences between the 2.

Is your a a 1963 220seb cabriolet?
If so we could compare the back seats in my 63 220seb coupe.

Cheers
Peter

peterperry911113@gmail.com

[PeterPortugal]

GCW - let me know if you have solved this. It just so happens that I have 63 220SE Cabrio and a 68 280SE Coupe parked in my garage.

I am fairly certain all cabrio seats are different to coupe but I can confirm 100% if you like.

[gcw206]

Hello,

I have a 1969 280SE Coupe W111, and as near as I can figure the coupe will not interchange with the cab.
Apparently, the cab has a different rear seat to accommodate for the top frame, and the extra body reinforcement(s).
The MBZ Part Book also lists separate part numbers for cab and coupe rear seats.
That being said, IF you could lay eyeballs on both and see if I am 100% accurate, I would much appreciate.
The used seats are a bit pricey, and the freight is very costly, so I want to be right the first time.

Thanks,
GCW

[PeterPortugal]

OK, I can confirm the seat backs are absolutely not interchangeable. It is the width which differs. I apologise for the state of my 280SE....now that it has "dried out" it looks considerably worse than when it was stored badly and damp !!

[gcw206]

Hello,
Kind of what I thought; looks like the cab frame takes up the reduced seat width?
Ok, I will keep looking.
GCW

[wwheeler]

This is the same on the Ponton c\cab arrangement. Makes sense.

[Desertpagoda]

yes, it was the rear seat/number of upholstery pleats that used to be the first tell of a cut coupe/cabrio, caused u to check the chassis number