ChrisBrown

I've received a few comments that there is a distinct "smell" inside the car.

I also remember that ever used Mercedes I've sat in seems to have a smell. Seems like every car brand does.

I've heard it described as crayon. I also read once that the backing Mercedes uses behind the leather, and in front of the seat padding, seems to contribute to that unique smell.

What do you guys think?

advans

haha im "With You" Chris Brown. There is a distinct smell

AsianML

I noticed it too when we first got the ML. I don't notice it any more though. I think the most distinct car smell I've ever smelled was Toyota. Almost all Toyota and Lexus have that particular smell...and I kind of like it.

amdeutsch

Reminds you of HOME?

AsianML

Ooh, that's so wrong!

SlvrC230SS

Yup, it does have the MB smell.

ChrisBrown

What have people described it to you as?

So far "crayon" was the most amusing, yet peculiar to me.

costerdock

What about that really nice mildew smell you get on a hot day when you first turn on your AC?

Dealer fixed it once by replacing the heater box - now the smell is back 6 months later...

Has anyone come up with creative ways to fix that one?

ChrisBrown

I saw a post about some spray in a can that you shot up your drain holes...commence sick joke telling...

pmb600

I think the Mercedes smell is two things. Cars with real leather smell one way, and the cars with MB Tex smell another. Especially on rainy, humid days, the MB Tex smells particularly strong.

Brad460

It does have a "crayon" smell..interesting thing my Saab 9-5 had the same smell, I am thinking the higher quality of the leather and type of plastics used in these type of cars gives this smell.

moosejaw

I do not have the crayon smell
I have the nappa leather smell

easy worth the premium
I cant stand that smell

BMW and VW are worse

ChrisBrown

Yea I don't have the premium package, so I'm not blessed with the extra leather. Just the inserts.

pmb600

Unfortunately for the C-Class, the leather is never included in any kind of package but it is a standalone option for like $1,500. You and I have the same car, we are at least lucky that we have some leather. For 2006+ all C-Class (except C55s) have MB Tex everywhere.

ima55r2

Those smells are the VOCs evaporating from glues and plastics and are gone in a couple of months. Those are the same chemicals eliminated in paints for safety reasons and in large inhaled quantities can be harmful and maybe carcinogenic.

pmb600

Yeah I know there was an article a while ago about the new car smell can actually be toxic or bad for your health. But in the cars with leather, the smell is overwhemlingly leather which I don't think is bad for you.

ChrisBrown

Yea, but I've definitely noticed that used C-classes have a distinct smell. I think it is the leather/vinyl aging. I remember that a 2003 C I looked at once had a pretty similar smell to my 2005 C.

moosejaw

You are right TOM, i remember VW had the same problem in their jettas, golfs and passats. It's even worse if you live in sunny areas. But that should not be a problem in your GL? Right?

Anyways where youre wrong is they dont go away after a few months. I had the same problem in my c230 up until I sold it.

mbhackie

That smell is indeed mildew forming on your evaporator and housing due to the condensed water that has sat on it after running the a/c or defrost.

I've never had this problem because I spray frigi fresh into the air intake every 3 months or so. The stuff kills and prevents that nasty mildew from forming on your coils. Just take the cabin filter out/run the car with full heat/defrost on and spray the stuff in. The only thing you can smell in my car is rich conditioned leather.

costerdock

Great - thanks a bunch for the tip - I will definitely give this a shot.

Moviela

A company in NJ called IFF (International Flavor & Fragrance) for over 100years has made natural and artificial flavors and aromas for many leading consumer products. They manufacture the taste of McDonalds fry's, the flavor of Coke, and the aroma of many perfumes familar to everyone. They also make chemicals that are pleasing to the nose, and used to disguise the stink of products like paints, make-up, and glues and tanning products used in automobiles.

bkbenx

I'm gonna try this too. I have same problem with the Benz & the last BMW I had.

Replaced cabin filter worked for a few weeks but the smell kept coming back.

FrankW

if you have that problem, turn up the heat and let it blow on max before turning off the car. it should get rid of some of the condensation inside the a/c system during summer. doing it every time is annoying tho.

BlackLiquorish8

i dk my car always smells like a 420

pmb600

I have heard that the mildew/mold smell comes from the moisture on the compressor not the air filter. So replacing the cabin filter might not help to get rid of the smell.