wdougla1

My dealer has 5 C230 Sport Sedans and they all have Leather Inserts. I'm looking to buy/order a new 2005 C230 Sports Sedan and I'm not sure if paying $1500 for the Leather upholstery is worth it. What is the difference?

Guest0001

Definitely worth it. dont think twice!

oggle

It depends on your interior color. If it's light color, then I would go for the leather. If you have charcoal interior then I would recommend you skip it. Reasoning being that #1, the leather they offer isn't all that. #2, it only makes a difference in the door side panels. The non-leather version looks crappy. However if your interior is black like mine, then you won't miss it.

Guest0001

Oggle the 05 leather is worth the tough. its not like the avg ones in prior years.

[180]

The leather inserts aren't that bad, leather on the seating surfaces and MB-tex (i think that's what its called) on the sides, back, headrest, etc...

If you can afford the extra for full leather, then go for it - you won't regret it.

However IMO the extra spend isn't good value... and also remember that MB-tex will withstand abuse much better than leather, so the sides of your seats won't wear out that quickly.

oggle

That's what I mean by "not worth it". However, the non-leather side door panel area is really crappy looking if you're interior color is light.

oggle

Haven't seen it up close. I'm only referring to the 03's, which I have.

Jon200

definitely worth the money

Buellwinkle

I guess I'm the minority but I've had 3 MBs that were 100% MB Tex (vinyl) and they looked great, one with 200K miles and one with 150K miles. The difference between leather inserts and premium leather besides the $1,500 are the headrest, gathered leather on the door panel (sort of the 80's Chrylser Cordova look) and the thin strips on either side of the peforated seat panels are leather. Still in simulated leather are the sides/backs. It is not a higher grade of leather than what is standard, for that you'll need the Napa leather in the C55.

The downside to premium leather is that the side bolsters on the Sport Sedan are very deep and you'll rub against them going in and out of the car and they will wear much sooner with leather and the stitching will give out sooner. Also, KBB does not compensate you for premium leather, therefore you will likely not recoupe any of the $1,500 at resale time.

Junbug

All I know is 2004. I've seen both and it really was not worth $1,500 back when I was shopping for a C230. However, you might want to try other dealers to see if they have any leather sets that you can see. I personally would spend the extra dough on a light pack or a nav.

cracker123

Buellwinkle always giving advice with some thought.

wingless

The attached images are of the '05 Sports Coupe leather option.

For the front seats, it appears that the entire front and side surfaces are leather, except the two panels, on the lower cushion, on either side of the perforated center panel.

For the rear seats, it appears that all the surfaces are leather, except the panels on the sides, near the upper cushion, near the seat belts.

For the door panels, it appears that only the center perforated panel is leather.

CitronC230K_03

no power seats?

wingless

For '05, driver's side only.

CitronC230K_03

screw that, dual power rules

Buellwinkle

So what you are saying is that the leather option on the coupe is like the standard leather on the sedans, not like the premium leather option on the sedan.

jan ken po

Wasn't worth the $1500 to me. I have the charcoal interior. Everyone's whose ridden thinks it leather...when it I get it from sitting in the sun, it sure as hell burns like leather..lol...seriously though, I would put 1500 bucks toward something else.

CitronC230K_03

all i know is the MBTex in my C240 wagon right now feel's softer than the leather in my coupe and i condition my seat weekly.

Buellwinkle

Coupe seats are much firmer/harder than sedan seats. One reason I prefer driving my sedan.

wingless

No, the standard is leather front inserts, only.

wingless

No way! '05s rule the pre- '05s.

HITMAN

HEH

enjoy paying for your damn service, and not having your passenger door handle sensor !

Pre 05 rule the 05's all the way. :p

Does anyone know why they got rid of the gauges on the pre 05's for the normal plain one on the 05's?

CHATMANR

I have not had any problems with my 2001...I have a all black interior...77,000 miles and no rips or "dimples" to speak of.

I do have the 2001 C320 SS, so it's the premium leather option.

CitronC230K_03

i agree, i have 05 grill and taillights, free service, IR sensor on passenger door, dual power seats, Aerowipers and Citron Green. The new interior is cool but not worth the tradeoff in IMO.