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but, i think there are tons of C300s that have already sold in freezing states... wouldnt we hear more reports of bleeding if ALL of them are defective?
I have a C400 with black MBtex, but I live in San Diego where it never goes freezing.
But if I were to drive to like Colorado where it does freeze, will my seats bleed?
Do ALL black MBtex seats bleed in freezing weather?
Every car with MBTex built in Alabama prior to Jan 5, 2015, was most likely built with defective MBTex. You can either have it replaced or roll the dice and hope that your seats don't develop bleeding. Even though it rarely freezes in the Bay Area, I plan to have my seat covers replaced once they do a few interiors and get good at it (I hope).
Why do you say "most likely"? I have a July 2014 Alabama built car with black MB-Tex. I have owned it since late October. My car is parked outside nearly every night, usually below freezing and sometimes in single digit temps. I put the seat heater on nearly every morning, and I park in a heated garage during the day. No bleeding.
My guess is that the MBTex manufacturer either changed or didn't control its process at some point, leading to some defective material. Maybe it is random, or maybe it isn't. It would be helpful if MB could provide a better assessment of which cars may have the defective material, but at this point I don't think any of us can say whether it is likely or unlikely to occur in a particular car made before 1/15.
What about the other MBtex in our cars? I have leather seats, so no bleeding seat worry, but I'm concerned about the dash and other trim that is MBtex. As far as I've heard so far, only MBtex seats ar affected. Does anyone know why?
What about the other MBtex in our cars? I have leather seats, so no bleeding seat worry, but I'm concerned about the dash and other trim that is MBtex. As far as I've heard so far, only MBtex seats ar affected. Does anyone know why?
My guess would be that the other components are being supplied by different manufacturers. There hasn't been a single report of any part other than the seat covers and the headrests being affected by this. It appears there is one source for the defective material, and that material was only being used for the seats and the headrests.
My brother's C400 has been fine with temperatures ranging from 30-75F, black MB tex no issues so far. I warned him of it. Car was built Nov I believe. He said he's keeping an eye on that daily, they may have changed his seats hence the delay but he's not certain.
Every car with MBTex built in Alabama prior to Jan 5, 2015, was most likely built with defective MBTex. You can either have it replaced or roll the dice and hope that your seats don't develop bleeding. Even though it rarely freezes in the Bay Area, I plan to have my seat covers replaced once they do a few interiors and get good at it (I hope).
My c300 does not have the issue (pre-January build). It am in New England where it is often below freezing.
I am in NY and I had a loaner W205 with black Mb-Tex for a couple of days last week. it was parked outside in freezing weather, build date 08/14...no bleeding.
I am near DC and temps have been prime for my seats to bleed - but nothing so far.
Based on the responses over the past few weeks about who is affected and who is not, I just don't see any real correlation other than the temperature triggering it. As I said, however, I am in a prime location for this to happen and I have not been affected. This has to be some intermittent problem at the seat fabric distributor (at least I am hoping).
I am still on the fence about even trying to get my seats replaced if nothing ever happens.
I am near DC also, July build, purchased late October. No problems until maybe now. Car was outside all weekend -- in the teen's/20's on Saturday, a bit warmer on Sunday. 30's today and rainy. Drove to work and parked in the office garage and some of the seats look shiny. Hopefully just my imagination and not bleeding.
At the end of the day, the seats looked normal, as they did this morning after a cold (20's), low humidity night outside. Note the attached pics, the first taken yesterday morning in my office garage and the second taken at the end of the day in the same spot -- same camera phone, same lighting. The bolsters went from shiny to normal-looking.
Morning
Afternoon
Last edited by djdj; 02-03-2015 at 04:57 PM.
Reason: sorry for the big pictures
At the end of the day, the seats looked normal, as they did this morning after a cold (20's), low humidity night outside. Note the attached pics, the first taken yesterday morning in my office garage and the second taken at the end of the day in the same spot -- same camera phone, same lighting. The bolsters went from shiny to normal-looking.
The appearance of the seats changes constantly and can vary from totally normal looking to horrible in very little time. Once they start bleeding though, it will always come back in some form.
01-31-2015, 03:20 AM
