260E - Driving position problem - MBClub UK

Bosco · 17-06-2012, 10:04 AM

I just got myself a 260E and aside from a couple of little jobs required I'm delighted with it.
However one unexpected problem has cropped up. I'm average height 5'10" and no matter how much adjusting I do with the seat I cannot see the upper half of the instrument panel. The speedo above about 60kph and the green indicator arrows are obscured by the steering wheel. I'm forever forgetting to cancel my indicators as they are so quite especially on motorways. This is driving me nuts. I would have expected a car like this to have steering wheel adjustment but if it has, it's very well hidden. Have I missed something? Is there a solution to this issue other than reclining the driver seat and driving using a periscope?

carat 3.6 amg · 17-06-2012, 10:27 AM

It's just one of the w124's little quirks.

The indicator stalk has 2 stages, 1 where you can hold it it postion for changing lanes ect (like the headlight flash), and 2 where it will lock into postion for junctions ect.

bolide · 17-06-2012, 10:49 AM

You can raise & lower the squab and also adjust the rake of it. I'd lower the seat and see if that helps

Nick Froome

Bosco · 17-06-2012, 11:32 AM

I adjusted the seat every possible way. If I lower the squab too much I lose support under my thighs which is quite uncomfortable.

I can see how I missed this detail in the excitement of buying the car but I cannot understand how such a design flaw was allowed into production. It's downright dangerous. I can't see my speed at a glance and indicators on a the wrong time could cause an acccident.

Bruno Sacco, Joseph Gallitzendrfer or Peter Pfeiffer dropped the design ball big time IMHO

Edit - Yes I was peeved enough to go and find out who the designers were.

GP801 · 17-06-2012, 12:34 PM

Do you have the smaller 390mm steering wheel? If you have then going to the 400mm might help a bit. Im not as tall as you but the 390mm on mine obscures some of the speedo and the fuel gauge.

Pringles · 17-06-2012, 02:51 PM

I have the same problem but have got used to it and I can at least see the the bottom of the speedo needle and the angle tells me if I am going to fast

GP801 · 17-06-2012, 03:32 PM

As above. You will get used to it.

Bosco · 17-06-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP801

Do you have the smaller 390mm steering wheel? If you have then going to the 400mm might help a bit. Im not as tall as you but the 390mm on mine obscures some of the speedo and the fuel gauge.

You are dead right about the wheel it is the 390mm and I'm considering getting a new one as it's pretty worn as is the gear knob.

Heads off to eBay...

17-06-2012, 10:04 AM	#1
Bosco Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2012 Location: France (Var 83) Car: 260E Auto Posts: 136	260E - Driving position problem I just got myself a 260E and aside from a couple of little jobs required I'm delighted with it. However one unexpected problem has cropped up. I'm average height 5'10" and no matter how much adjusting I do with the seat I cannot see the upper half of the instrument panel. The speedo above about 60kph and the green indicator arrows are obscured by the steering wheel. I'm forever forgetting to cancel my indicators as they are so quite especially on motorways. This is driving me nuts. I would have expected a car like this to have steering wheel adjustment but if it has, it's very well hidden. Have I missed something? Is there a solution to this issue other than reclining the driver seat and driving using a periscope? __________________ I expected better, why I did is beyond me.

17-06-2012, 11:32 AM	#4
Bosco Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: France (Var 83) Car: 260E Auto Posts: 136	I adjusted the seat every possible way. If I lower the squab too much I lose support under my thighs which is quite uncomfortable. I can see how I missed this detail in the excitement of buying the car but I cannot understand how such a design flaw was allowed into production. It's downright dangerous. I can't see my speed at a glance and indicators on a the wrong time could cause an acccident. Bruno Sacco, Joseph Gallitzendrfer or Peter Pfeiffer dropped the design ball big time IMHO Edit - Yes I was peeved enough to go and find out who the designers were. __________________ I expected better, why I did is beyond me. Last edited by Bosco; 17-06-2012 at 11:59 AM.

17-06-2012, 10:27 AM	#2
carat 3.6 amg Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2011 Location: Buckinghamshire. Car: 96 s124 e300d, 88 w124 carat 3.6s. Posts: 2,217	It's just one of the w124's little quirks. The indicator stalk has 2 stages, 1 where you can hold it it postion for changing lanes ect (like the headlight flash), and 2 where it will lock into postion for junctions ect.

17-06-2012, 10:49 AM	#3
bolide Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brighton Car: BMW E39 525 Diesel Touring Posts: 3,047	You can raise & lower the squab and also adjust the rake of it. I'd lower the seat and see if that helps Nick Froome

17-06-2012, 12:34 PM	#5
GP801 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sussex and Tuscany Car: 2003 W209 CLK, 2005 R171 SLK in UK, 1995 S124 E280 in Italy Posts: 1,906	Do you have the smaller 390mm steering wheel? If you have then going to the 400mm might help a bit. Im not as tall as you but the 390mm on mine obscures some of the speedo and the fuel gauge.

17-06-2012, 02:51 PM	#6
Pringles Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Sussex Car: Searching for another Posts: 228	I have the same problem but have got used to it and I can at least see the the bottom of the speedo needle and the angle tells me if I am going to fast

17-06-2012, 03:32 PM	#7
GP801 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sussex and Tuscany Car: 2003 W209 CLK, 2005 R171 SLK in UK, 1995 S124 E280 in Italy Posts: 1,906	As above. You will get used to it.

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