Leather's in - I'm going to see it tomorrow to make sure the colors are correct.

Benzo, you said that they use nickel thread to do contrast stitching. Do you think that'll look fine with my color combo? (601 & 607) Since it's a little blueish, I'm a little concerned that it'll clash with both the blue and the silver. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again for everyone's opinions (well, most of them ), and the pic threads really helped with my decision process.

I might even take a couple pics of the leather itself and post 'em.

 

Did you pick nickel thread?? it seems a little to much on the brown side.

 

Nope, haven't picked anything yet.

Any suggestion? I guess black or charcoal thread, if no other colors look good, which would kind of be a contrasting thread anyway, with my colorscheme.

 

They should have a little card with all the thread samples on it. They should absolutely be able to offer a silver thread. I think that will look best. To bring out the panels.

Especially on the door panels and the headrests.

 

Did anyone have CST do a Oyster cloth to Oyster leather conversion.

If so what color did they use?

Has anyone got them to do a more cream than grey conversion?

Thanks

Nathan

 

How much did CST cost?

I have read 1,500 to 1,600 plus tax. How much did it cost at Hayward?

Thanks

Nathan

 

Nathan,

Mine cost $1500 plus tax through SF benz. Perforation is extra, but don't know how much

Beth

 

On 2/12, Tommy posted that CST does not charge extra for perforation, and that he was getting it done. The thread was "renncpe's leather".

 

Galaxygirl, what color did you get and did you organize via dealer or direct?

Thanks

Nathan

 

I called CST and they are wholesale only so they would not do it direct with me. Had to go through dealer. I was all set to get this beautiful color called willow, but then my sales rep said that it would have a greater than normal affect on my resale value and I wimped out and got charcoal. Actually, here is an out take of the email he sent me:

"....Please confirm the color's correct name and description. Keep in mind that you will be altering the cars original appearance enough to cause a greater than normal depreciation on the cars value. I personally do not recommend it. Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco does not recommend it. Finally, Classic Soft Touch does not recommend it. However, we have all seen this done before and generally the customers are happy with the results. You once told me that you are planning to drive this car into the ground (i.e. 200K plus miles). If this is the case the color of the interior will not make a hill of beans difference in the resale values. By then the color of the seats won't make that much difference in the value. If on the other hand, you want to upgrade the car in 2 -3 years time while the car still has some equity then please reconsider this choice. I hope that you do not find me to be too negative on this issue, I just want you to careful consider the future consequences so that there will be no disappointment later. "

I like my sales rep and trust him. He had no incentive to write me an email like this, just that he thought I was making a bad decision. For the record though, The Bemont dealer encouraged me to pick unique leather colors, so make what you will of this.

I figured I like the gray a lot, so why risk a problem if the car has major issues and I decide to sell it in 3 years. Just MHO. And I seem to be in the minority here. At the end of the day, I think people should make this decision on what will make them happy.

 

CST color for Oyster is ash. CST told me the color would be more grey than factory Oyster leather.

I personally prefer a more cream look and was suprised when I saw how grey the oyster color is. Therefore I was hoping someone else had felt the same way and got a more cream based leather from CST.

I will probably get the ash and do what is recommended.

Ba, Ba (to the sound of a sheep)

Nathan

 

Nathan,

Nice to know I have company

 

I am sorry the dealer told you that CST was wholesale only. I dealt directly with the Manager at CST Hayward and paid 1500 for two tone and Perforation. They even came to Monterey picked up the car and returned it to me.

Anyway all that matters it that you get what you want.

 

Actually, CST told me that when I called them. Go figure. It cost the same, so whatever.

Cheers,

Beth

 

Did you have to sign that MB were not responsible for the airbags?

Thanks

Nathan

 

CST is approved by MB to install leather on the c coupes with Door Bags.

They meet all the requirements.

 

R.A.B motors claim I will have to sign a document that means CST are liable for the airbags.

Nathan

 

Nathan why don't you call CST yourself. Ask for the customer service manager I can't remember her name. She was very helpful and cut out the middleman.

 

I called CST and they said that I should not have to sign anything with MB, regarding the airbags.

Has anyone ever had to sign anything from the dealer with regards to what they are no longer responsible for once this has been done?

Thanks

Nathan

 

I didn't have to sign any release when I had my seats done but I didn't go through a dealer. I wouldn't worry about it, CST has done airbag seats & doors for years, they know what they are doing, plus they carry a $25M liability policy.

 

I know that they have their own liability, but I'd be a little concerned about signing a waiver. I didn't have to sign anything either, but as you said, I dealt directly with them. Maybe there's an implied waiver on our ends because we don't have the dealer as a middleperson? Just throwing that one out, I have no idea if it's correct or not.

 

FWIW, I did not need to sign one.