2005 C230 SS - Leather Inserts vs Leather Upholstery
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: New Orleans
2018 C43 AMG SEDAN
2005 C230 SS - Leather Inserts vs Leather Upholstery
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?
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From: Louisiana
E320
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.
![[180]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%234f9e60' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: San Diego, CA
2004 E55 AMG
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.
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.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Louisiana
E320
Originally Posted by [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.
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.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Louisiana
E320
Originally Posted by Noble C320
Oggle the 05 leather is worth the tough. its not like the avg ones in prior years.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
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.
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.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Windy City
2004 C230W
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Augusta, GA
'05 SS Brillant Silver
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 911
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by 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.
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From: TX. 78738
c230 kompressor
Originally Posted by wingless
No way! '05s rule the pre- '05s.
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?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: From Oxnard; living in Ocean View Hills, San Diego, CA
'01 C320 SS
Originally Posted by Noble C320
Oggle the 05 leather is worth the tough. its not like the avg ones in prior years.
I do have the 2001 C320 SS, so it's the premium leather option.
Last edited by CHATMANR; Aug 31, 2004 at 09:40 AM.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally Posted by 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?
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?
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.
Last edited by CitronC230K_03; Aug 31, 2004 at 01:13 PM.
