LandSeaAir

Ever since I got my car it has smelt like a crayon inside. Multiple people that have ridden in my car have came up with the same description of the smell. I am used to it and actually kind of like it.

I guessing that most W204s do, and its probably the smell that the MBTex produces, and that's why I like it, unlike most vinyls that have no smell, the MBTex maintains a pleasant smell, it's just a little different from the leather smell.


I'm just wondering if other W204s with MBtex have this smell, or am I only one?

ElJayBird

Yes - in fact, I think all German cars do. I read somewhere that it was because of the type of glue used in the interior. They can't use all of the chemical glues that are commonly used due to some type of regulation. They can only use a wax-based glue...and it happens to be the same wax used in crayons. My wife's VW smells the same...

Domm

There isn't any smell when I get into my car. Are you sure it's the MBTex? After 4 years, your vinyl still has an odor?

illlojik

Actually, yes, there is that faint crayola smell.

rb23lb

yep same here- faint crayola smell..

not a bad smell whatsoever...

just definitely not that amazing leather smell of a new leather interior...

but who cares, MBtex last longer and most people cant even tell the difference when they ride in my w204

I chose MBtex because of durability not because of price or smell though

mfkl2

HAHAHA!! now I know what it is. I've always wondered what that smell was. Even with my airfreshener, it still had a faint smell which I thought was from the carpet floor mats. Since the wifey has a Bimmer with carpet floor mats, I figured it was a smell coming from the dirt and dust we walk on in Vegas since her car has a similar smell. LMAO!

Now everything makes sense and I dont have to buy all weather floor mats anymore.
THANKS GUYS!

LandSeaAir

Interestingly enough, I think the crayon smell is coming from the mats. When vacuming them one day i put my nose near them as I had already smelt the crayola smell, and the smell was very strong near the piping of the floor mats.

rb23lb

do you have stock mats?

I originally thought it was because I added the heavy rubber after market all weather mats

LandSeaAir

Yes stock carpet mats.

cal1

HAHA! I feel really bad now. A few weeks ago our grandkids were visiting. I don't drive our ML that much. I got in it the day the kids left and complained to my wife the car smelled like crayons. Sure enough, I found a partially melted crayon on the floor in the back. I complained to my wife stating "now the damn car smells like crayons." I guess I owe apologies all around.

jdwilson112

All German cars of this era have a crayon smell. I was a valet for many years so I've driven them all. BMW, VW, and if course our MB. It was something used in the manufacturing of this era. The newer ones do not have this smell.

Either that or all of Germany just smells like crayons, this is what I tell anyone who brings it up when riding in my car

djejglk

Funny description! I just bought a 2013 C250, and it doesn't smell like leather, but it has a somewhat "gently pleasant" new car smell (mb tex). I bought some Zaino leather in a bottle, and wipe down the seats with it every now and then. I guarantee every single person that gets in my car thinks it's leather, especially after a fresh application!

cal1

Haha, I have taken to placing a crayola under the mat in the back seat in order to maintain that "new car" smell.

stratman1954

I drove a 2013 C300 loaner for the past couple days and my wife commented that it had a "funny smell". Now that you mention it, it was kind of like crayons. My 2012 doesn't seem to have it though.

shotgun_banjo

I have the same smell even in my GLK and B-class.

hparth

I purchased a 2005 Mercedes clk 320 Convertible with a strong crayon smell. I finally pulled up the carpet on the driver and passenger side and found the source of the odor to be the foam pads underneath the carpet. They are molded foam that fits into the indentation on the floor. I cut off the molded foam, sprayed the remaining backing with kilz. I had to cut and put styrofoam in these indentations in the floorboards to maintain some backing under the carpet. On the passenger side. I have ordered new molded carpet for the drivers side from Benz. After removing this foam backing the smell was reduced by about90 percent and it is now tolerable. I am sure the the rear seat carpet also has this foam but I have not pulled the back seat yet

Project C

i have few friends driving various c180~200. correct me if i'm wrong...i only got that from grey and red leather , others like black and beige doesn't

acr2001

It's not the MBTex, it's not 'dirt from vegas', it's not the carpet

It's the foam insulation that MB uses. There have been TSBs in the past when the smell was much stronger / nastier. If you ever pull up one of the carpets to access the wiring underneath, you'll smell it quite specifically coming from the foam. MB has even admitted this with the past TSBs.

StrelingA

funny thing a friend jus ask me that ? last night.. now i no

LILBENZ230

My SA built W204 did not smell like this at all. My Germany built W203 did, and my Germany built W211 slightly does. It's a trait I find endearing at this point.

trikoid

hparth, or anyone else, did your fix get rid of the smell in the long run?

This smell is really bad in my car, and bothers my lungs (my friends, wife, and kids complain too). Definitely very strong from the carpets, so I believe hparth is right about the source, but I wonder if the fix is permanent and complete, or should I sell my car.

I also smell it in the trunk as well, but I don't sit in the trunk, so I'm less concerned about the trunk.

BlankProc

Two W204s in our family and no crayon smell, both MBTex. They're fairly new though, both under 15k miles.

I used to have a CLK 350 that smelled like a fresh box of crayons, however, with 50k miles on it. It was leather, so I doubt it has to do with the upholstery. I've researched it some online and found a number of possible sources but can't find a definitive answer.

One thing is for sure, even though I didn't mind it that much, it's nice to have a car that doesn't smell like crayons inside anymore.

Gashde

Not sure what crayon smells like, but my car certainly smells new like I got them recently even though its a MY11

But occasionally I get the stinky fart smell coming the diesel engine lol

Carlos.33193

Mine used to smell that way until I used 2 cans of meguiars car deodorizer bombs in there. Just smells clean now.

haigo

Hi,


You mentioned that " MB has even admitted this with the past ". Can you tell me where I can find out that they admitted it. Also is it hard to remove the carpets and do you have to replace them after removing the foam. Thanks.