ahost

The plastic (I assume it's plastic, doesn't seem to be leather) on the center console armrest is peeling off on top in my C320. When I scratch it even softly, the top layer comes off lake skin on a snake. It is only on top, not on the sides, so I assume it could be due to sun exposure through the sun roof. Has anyone else experienced that? Is there something to do about it? Is it a warranty problem? Thanks.

Buellwinkle

Sounds bad. Is that one of those Brazilian C320s? I'm sure the dealer will replace it under warranttee. I've had Ford replace door panels and convertible tops because of wear problems that most people wouldn't even notice but I'm very picky about my cars.

galaxygrrl

We would have never guessed!:p

Mach430

This should be an easy warranty fix.

Steven N

It's possible the acid from your skin eats into the plastic. That happend on my last car and it was leather. When you get it replace just wipe it down from time to time.

toki999

insist u'll get a loaner~ pohahaha

Boo2

Anyone know where I can buy a leather armrest to replace the rubber/pleather stock one?

DtS

No I don't know where to buy a leather one, but why haveClassic Soft Trim or some similar place redo your current armrest? Just a suggestion that might work. Or???

Ted

I would leave it alone.... the "pleather" will hold up much better due to the wear the armrest gets

Boo2

There is much more wear on the seats than on the arm rests, tho; besides all higher end benz's have leather arm rest so i don't think wear would be a problem.

WebGuyNJ

Anyone know where you can get matching cloth for the seats?

MsMercedes

I'm pretty sure Mercedes bought that in bulk at Wal-Mart

Mark08859

Those seats are so ugly that, IMHO, the above statement is giving MB far too much credit.

Bper

I think they got the material from the craft section of K-Mart. One of the last blue light specials.

sdcaclint

i inquired about getting some benz trunk lining material, and my audio guy told me that a good parts dept guy should be able to order it in bulk from germany. he said it was very expensive. i think he said $60.00 per yard, in 60 inch width. i don't know if that sounds odd to anyone else, considering the us is one of the few countries not using the metric system. so i am guessing that if the dealer can order trunk carpet, they should also be able to order the seat fabric. let me know what you find out. i wouldn't mind having some to replace the door arm rest on my oyster interior. (darn i hate this interior color) if you breathe on it wrong it shows.

ahost

Well, my armrest began peeling off after one year; so much for the durability. It was replaced under warranty. I usually rest my elbow there while driving, but that shouldn't cause it to be worn already after one year. Too much sun?

session

while unpacking my car today i scuffed the center armrest. it has a small mark in 2 places; it's kind of white looking. anyway, does anyone know what material the armrest is made of? it feels like fake leather... i have no idea how to clean it. any suggestions?

god i hate messing up my car.

BlackC230Coupe

something happened to my armrest also. There was a small white spot where my elbow is so i used a damp cloth and wiped it and now there is a big white circle on the armrest it looks terrible. Its like a coating came off and not it feels like rubber underneath i dont think it can be fixed, so i am going to go to the dealer this week and see if they can replace it.

ahost

BlackC230Coupe, I had exactly the same problem. Also, where I rested my elbow, the armrest started to peel off. The dealer replaced it, although they hinted it was my fault. But it seems it's a common problem. That only makes me fear that my new armrest will also start to peel off. So, don't rest your arm on the armrest

tommy

Well, he did it himself, it didn't start to peel off on its own.

I'd be kind of surprised if the dealer does anything about it. I'm guessing that it's MB-Tex? Not sure though.

A place like CST would probably be able to do a pleather reskin, if the dealer doesn't do it. I'm sure that they could match it.

I use mine all of the time, and it hasn't had any issues. ahost, AFAIK, you're the only one I've ever heard of who's had that problem. Do you know of anyone else?

DtS

Well, I remember someone posted about this issue some time ago. Can't remember who though...

My armrest hasn't start peel off yet, and I hope it will remain that way. I guess the used material is similar to what is used on the rest of the center console and the lower part of the dash (some stuffed plastic)

session

my armrest isn't starting to peel; it was just scuffed. all i want to know is how to (if possible) fix it.

BlackC230Coupe

my dealer told me to bring it in and they will try to replace it.

It was only a small white dot so i decided to scrub it and then it started to peel. They could say its my fault but if u try to clean an arm rest it should not peel. Its the same material as my CLK430, and thats not peeling. i will try to go to the dealer this week to see what they do.

PoonerElRay

Use vinyl protector on it and you'll be fine.

tommy

How would vinyl protector help vinyl that's already damaged?

You would want to protect scuffs against what? Re-scuffing?