Major CST Problem
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Originally posted by renncpe
100.00 over invoice, I glad for you
. They must be really stupid. 
I never thought I would see the day you could buy a Mercedes just like a Nissan Sentra @ 100.00 over. How many do they get each month 20 thats 2000.00 dollars.
100.00 over invoice, I glad for you
. They must be really stupid. I never thought I would see the day you could buy a Mercedes just like a Nissan Sentra @ 100.00 over. How many do they get each month 20 thats 2000.00 dollars.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
C230 Sports Coupe
CST leather are not approved on any MB cars. This comes from both MBUSA and CST. MBUSA claim that any dealers who have aftermarket installed over the panels are doing so alone and without backing from MBUSA. MBUSA recommend against doing this.
The fact that CTS is not approved by MBUSA can really influence my decision on getting after market leather.
I thought I've read it somewhere in this forum that someone stated CTS is an approved leather installer for MB. ???
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Well, CST has its own liability on the airbags not working, as well as a 3-year warranty on the install.
Forgive my stupidity, but where is the problem? Of course, MB is not going to be happy with you not going through them to get leather done. That's only par for the course. They also don't want you to install non-MB rims, drop the suspension, or modify the engine. You do what you want and pay the consequences.
Forgive my stupidity, but where is the problem? Of course, MB is not going to be happy with you not going through them to get leather done. That's only par for the course. They also don't want you to install non-MB rims, drop the suspension, or modify the engine. You do what you want and pay the consequences.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6
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MB C230 Coupe
Originally posted by tommy
Well, CST has its own liability on the airbags not working, as well as a 3-year warranty on the install.
Forgive my stupidity, but where is the problem? Of course, MB is not going to be happy with you not going through them to get leather done. That's only par for the course. They also don't want you to install non-MB rims, drop the suspension, or modify the engine. You do what you want and pay the consequences.
Well, CST has its own liability on the airbags not working, as well as a 3-year warranty on the install.
Forgive my stupidity, but where is the problem? Of course, MB is not going to be happy with you not going through them to get leather done. That's only par for the course. They also don't want you to install non-MB rims, drop the suspension, or modify the engine. You do what you want and pay the consequences.
Have you thought about the case where AIRBAG do not deploy? If this really happened, it would be too late to regret it.
For myself I would much rather just get factory leather and not have to worry about these issues... yes the 2 tone leather is awesome.. but doesn't justify the safety issues. When no one can take responsability when an airbag doesnt' deploy, you would have other issues. hehehe
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Originally posted by tom.com
You're absolutely correct, but if you put some thought into the issue, ...
You're absolutely correct, but if you put some thought into the issue, ...
Also, if I'm dead, I really don't think that I'll care if there is an issue with the CST leather messing up the deployment of my airbags, but my estate could sue CST anyway.
I think that the chance of CST messing up the airbags is tiny, but if you're afraid of going with it, by all means get the stock leather.
Life's all about choices.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
also, in reality, the technology is simple. as long as the stitching breaks so that the airbags deploy, it is not a problem.
i know that the stitching used is probably not the MB spec sooper dooper breakaway stitching, but i'll bet my life the CSTs will also work and break to let the airbags deploy
i know that the stitching used is probably not the MB spec sooper dooper breakaway stitching, but i'll bet my life the CSTs will also work and break to let the airbags deploy
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: North Berkeley
C230 C-Coupe
C-Coupes are available with factory leather, I personally think it is bad advice to recommend aftermarket leather to anyone, unless they especially desire two tone.
You can find your C-Coupe with factory leather and if it means dealer trading, it will take as long to arrive as a CST leather install.
For most people this is a big purchase and there seems little point in comprimising it. The car is not covered by MB, even if some dealers are prepared to sell it.
If you are thinking of trading in at some point then you will not be able to sell it back as an approved used MB.
On the matter of the airbags deploying, are you serious? (see tommys quote below)
"Also, if I'm dead, I really don't think that I'll care if there is an issue with the CST leather messing up the deployment of my airbags".
What if you still live? I bet you will care then.
By the way you have to pay even more than factory leather to get aftermarket.
Nathan
You can find your C-Coupe with factory leather and if it means dealer trading, it will take as long to arrive as a CST leather install.
For most people this is a big purchase and there seems little point in comprimising it. The car is not covered by MB, even if some dealers are prepared to sell it.
If you are thinking of trading in at some point then you will not be able to sell it back as an approved used MB.
On the matter of the airbags deploying, are you serious? (see tommys quote below)
"Also, if I'm dead, I really don't think that I'll care if there is an issue with the CST leather messing up the deployment of my airbags".
What if you still live? I bet you will care then.
By the way you have to pay even more than factory leather to get aftermarket.
Nathan
Last edited by nboyd; Mar 2, 2002 at 06:04 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6
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MB C230 Coupe
Originally posted by nboyd
On the matter of the airbags deploying, are you serious? (see tommys quote below)
"Also, if I'm dead, I really don't think that I'll care if there is an issue with the CST leather messing up the deployment of my airbags".
What if you still live? I bet you will care then.
By the way you have to pay even more than factory leather to get aftermarket.
Nathan
On the matter of the airbags deploying, are you serious? (see tommys quote below)
"Also, if I'm dead, I really don't think that I'll care if there is an issue with the CST leather messing up the deployment of my airbags".
What if you still live? I bet you will care then.
By the way you have to pay even more than factory leather to get aftermarket.
Nathan
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Originally posted by tom.com
My thoughts exactly.. I just don't think it's worth the trouble especially when it becomes apparent that neither company will take responsability for covering up the side panels... Just my opinion
My thoughts exactly.. I just don't think it's worth the trouble especially when it becomes apparent that neither company will take responsability for covering up the side panels... Just my opinion
I ordered my car in July - there were no options. Should I have sat on the floor until MB leather was available?
Of course, my "I'll be dead - I won't care" comment was tongue-in-cheek! Sheesh. I really think that you two are making too much out of this. Doing anything to your stock car is dicey - that's why smart people usually keep them stock. The CST option is about $200-300 over stock (ignoring overall discount on C5 pkg) - not really a big deal on a $30k car.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 579
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From: bucks county
black on black 2k2-230k auto/c1/c5/c7/k2c/COMAND/TELEAID/Stage II HIDS
no offense people, do you realize the force that airbags deploy at??? its gigantic.
people have had their arms broken because they were depressing the horn when the airbag discharged. the force can actually push your arms to the side away from the steering wheel with enough power to BREAK your thumbs if they are wrapped around the wheel.
i really dont think the concept of breakaway thread is so revolutionary that CST cant master it.
lets make the ultimate sacrifice, someone smash tommys car in the side, and see if his bags deploy. if they do we are alright!
j/k
greg
people have had their arms broken because they were depressing the horn when the airbag discharged. the force can actually push your arms to the side away from the steering wheel with enough power to BREAK your thumbs if they are wrapped around the wheel.
i really dont think the concept of breakaway thread is so revolutionary that CST cant master it.
lets make the ultimate sacrifice, someone smash tommys car in the side, and see if his bags deploy. if they do we are alright!
j/k
greg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,607
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
I had a long discussion with CST and MB. Between both of them there is plenty of insurance coverage for the worst case scenario. One warranty ends where the next one begins.
My CST leather was only $90 more. My friend has the factory leather and I have CST. We actually compared our seats and decided her leather was a little tighter (but not much) fitting to the chair, the CST is much more softer and a bit more sumptuous as a result. I like the soft leather better but it's personal preference.
My dealership did say they could take my car back as a Starmark, but I'll be trading it in for a Saab 9-3 ragtop. Can't believe I'm thinking about the next one already.
My CST leather was only $90 more. My friend has the factory leather and I have CST. We actually compared our seats and decided her leather was a little tighter (but not much) fitting to the chair, the CST is much more softer and a bit more sumptuous as a result. I like the soft leather better but it's personal preference.
My dealership did say they could take my car back as a Starmark, but I'll be trading it in for a Saab 9-3 ragtop. Can't believe I'm thinking about the next one already.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 254
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From: SF Bay Area
Ooooh... 9-3 ragtop. I was mighty tempted by one. I've had a 900 turbo, a 9000 turbo, and I got real anxious yesterday waiting for my C230 to come in so I swung by the Saab dealership and test drove a Viggen. The convertible was *really* tempting...
