View Poll Results: Which interior supholstery do you have?
MB-Tex
45
72.58%
Optional Premium Leather
17
27.42%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll
How many people have MB-Tex vs. Premium Leather?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
How many people have MB-Tex vs. Premium Leather?
I'm just curious how rare having the premium leather upholstery is on the Sport w203's vs. the MB-Tex upholstery that comes stock.
I know its uncommon, but I've noticed it seems really uncommon, my guess is that most people who got entry level Benz's didnt have or want to spend the money on something like that
I know its uncommon, but I've noticed it seems really uncommon, my guess is that most people who got entry level Benz's didnt have or want to spend the money on something like that
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 459
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From: Minnesota
06 C230 6 Speed FTW
I just ran my vin and thats what it said. I have no idea what leather I have. I am a noob.
http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/
http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/
Last edited by omg its nate; Mar 11, 2010 at 10:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
From my understanding (and I could be completely off base) is that is the MB-Tex before '07 - it had leather inserts surrounded by MB-Tex. In '07, they went to full MB-Tex (what I have). My grandfather purchased the car as his first Mercedes (at 89 years old). He was a very frugal man, and didn't special order, or get any options. I have the sunroof package and automatic. That's it.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, Canada
2006 C280 4Matic, 2011 E92 335i
Is one way to tell apart leather and MB Tex the door?
I've seen some pics of cars with the real leather option and it seems like there's folds of the leather on the door. My car doesn't have those folds, just smooth.
I don't know if I have leather or MB-tex, which is why i'm asking.
I've seen some pics of cars with the real leather option and it seems like there's folds of the leather on the door. My car doesn't have those folds, just smooth.
I don't know if I have leather or MB-tex, which is why i'm asking.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Full wonderful leather & perfect - great smell. The double stitching gives it away & rouched door panels.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 876
Likes: 81
From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
In day to day use how much difference is there between MB-tex and full leather? I've been told that the MB-tex actually holds up better to harsh use than leather.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
When I bought my car, I ordered it and debated back and forth. Finally decided in my case it wasn't worth the $1600 up charge for leather. If you buy a used one with leather, you won't see that kind of difference. In fact, just look at all the C-Classes for sale. Most are advertised as leather, but the reality is very few do truly have leather.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 4
From: DE
2005 E55
I have the Napa leather package and it feels nice and looks good, but I have to cover the seats with a blanket anytime my dog gets in the car. The leather is quite a bit softer than the MB-Tex and my dogs nails dig right into it. So much In fact, sometimes I put down the back seats and make him deal with it. Whatever I had in my '00 C280 sport was bullet proof. I almost miss it from that standpoint. I can't be certain about this, but I think the Tex has more of a grain to it. That's how I usually spot it.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
2006 C280
I have the Napa leather package and it feels nice and looks good, but I have to cover the seats with a blanket anytime my dog gets in the car. The leather is quite a bit softer than the MB-Tex and my dogs nails dig right into it. So much In fact, sometimes I put down the back seats and make him deal with it. Whatever I had in my '00 C280 sport was bullet proof. I almost miss it from that standpoint. I can't be certain about this, but I think the Tex has more of a grain to it. That's how I usually spot it.
I have the Premium Leather, but only because it came in a package. I actually like the MB-Tex a lot better.
...and you're right, it's got a lot more grain in it.
--Mike
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 732
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2010 C300 Sport
I've had 2 of my 3 cars in Leather. My 02 Coupe and 05 C320 are leather and my C300 is MB Tex. We looked at the new shipment of C classes for 2010 and there are hardly any w/ Leather as an option. Out of 14 page, we saw 2! lol
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yep - this argument rages on & on - esp on the 204 forum. 204's look awful without leather with their plain plastic door panels.
My car has South African leather & is as new after 6 years. Different markets - you can't give away a Benz here without leather. Our leather is a lot tougher than the stuff out of Europe & I love the double stitching. I think MBTex looks low rent & reminds me of taxis (known as taxi leder in Europe) - It's certainly durable.
It's a pity they don't double stitch MBTex for the US. Americans seem to have a love affair with the stuff. In SA only farmers buying C180's order the stuff as a special order. Otherwise all cars are full leather.
My car has South African leather & is as new after 6 years. Different markets - you can't give away a Benz here without leather. Our leather is a lot tougher than the stuff out of Europe & I love the double stitching. I think MBTex looks low rent & reminds me of taxis (known as taxi leder in Europe) - It's certainly durable.
It's a pity they don't double stitch MBTex for the US. Americans seem to have a love affair with the stuff. In SA only farmers buying C180's order the stuff as a special order. Otherwise all cars are full leather.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I completely agree about the 204s. All the loaners here are dark grey/black and everything is just a sea of grey plastic.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
