Thanks for that. I have seen that there are fastener area's, and plastic
covers on the internal plastic mouldings that I assumed would be for this
purpose so I hoped I may have been able to.
Another quickie if you please, you mention to check with the dealer before I
'buy from any source', do people other than MB sell the third row seats, or
do you mean just to check with my dealer that my ML is okay fora third row
to be fitted?
Cheers again.
Chris
> You should be able to install it yourself...all the fastener points are
> there... check with dealer to confirm you can add a third row seat before
> you buy from any source who got the third row seat kit.
Tiger - 08 Jun 2005 21:02 GMT
When MB doesn't sell enough 3rd row seats... they sometime liquidate their
supply to third party reseller... so sometime you can buy new old stock or
used one.
Rodney T. Grill - 09 Jun 2005 17:20 GMT
> Thanks for that. I have seen that there are fastener area's, and
> plastic covers on the internal plastic mouldings that I assumed would
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> third row seats, or do you mean just to check with my dealer that my
> ML is okay fora third row to be fitted?
First of all, you say your ML350 is the "newer body style". Currently in
the ML-class there are only two body styles: the W163 manufactured from
model years 1998 through 2005, and the new W164, manufactured beginning as a
2006 model year. There were some "facelift" style changes made to the W163
that included different bumper and headlight styling, but it was the same
body. I am assuming that is what you have. I this case, you can retrofit
the 3rd row seat.
For a while, many US dealers were offering a package deal to retrofit the
3rd row seats, but MBUSA stopped them from doing so. The official line was
that it was unsafe, but the rumor is that the real reason was a shortage of
3rd row seat components from the supplier was causing the prices to be
driven up for the factory.
At any rate, if you can get the parts, it is not a difficult job. You will
need the seats themselves and the seatbelts. If you remove the rectangular
covers on the wheel well trim, you will find either a mount point bracket
already installed or not. If you do not have the brackets, you will need
them. Once they are installed, the seats simply clip onto them and also
clip onto the brackets already in the center of the cargo floor. The
seatbelts install behind the D-pillar trim and you will have to make a cut
in that trim for the belt to exit. My understanding is one of the hardest
parts to get are the wheel well brackets. Otherwise, the seats themselves
seem fairly easy to locate as they often appear on eBay.

Signature
- RODNEY
charles blassberg - 14 Jun 2005 10:18 GMT
> Thanks for that. I have seen that there are fastener area's, and plastic
> covers on the internal plastic mouldings that I assumed would be for this
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Chris
If you have the brackets and want to try some seats then give me shout.
I have the ML270 + family + luxury and the seats are detachable.
I'm in Warwickshire but car goes back to lease company second half July.