Custom Leather Interior for C230
03-25-2002, 12:48 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Black C230 Kompressor Coupe
Custom Leather Interior for C230
I'm picking up my Black C230 from the dealer tomorrow. I got the C2 and C7 package w/ manual transmission. I have a question for anybody who can help me out. I'm planning to have a custom leather interior. But the guy at the dealership said that the sides of the interior (the parts where the airbags are) cannot be changed due to safety reasons. So the only thing that can be changed to leather are the seats. Does anyone have any info regarding this? Can it be done w/out damaging the airbags? And does anyone know of a good place to do that kind of work here in the Bay Area?
KompressorKoupe
KompressorKoupe
03-25-2002, 01:08 PM
#2
Out Of Control!!
Posting before Nathan does...
Your dealer is both right and wrong, but for different reasons. The only involvement that the leather has on the door panels is splitting along the seams when the airbag is deployed. So, it only involves stitching up the seams with the correct kind of tear-away thread. And Kathy Lee's 14-year-old employees could handle that. Having said that, MB might have a problem with honoring the warranty if a defect happens with the airbag. But, the aftermarket companies generally have liability against this.
The question really comes down to: are your little buddies brass or not? If you really want to keep the original warranty hassle-free, then stick with aftermarket seating only. But if you want the full effect, you should do the door panels as well. It looks a thousand times better.
As far as companies, Benzomonterey, Kwik, renncpe, and I all have had ours done at Classic Soft Trim (a chain, so there should be one near you), and I think that all of us are very happy with the results. Price was around $1600. They did the panels, and have a liability against any problems, as well as a 3-year warranty on the leather and the install.
Other companies: Brabus, Kleemann, and Katzkin. B & Klee are disgustingly expensive; Kat is similar to CST, and now has a fabric similar to alcantara that looks pretty interesting.
Search through the forum for pics. Mine look the best, of course.
The question really comes down to: are your little buddies brass or not? If you really want to keep the original warranty hassle-free, then stick with aftermarket seating only. But if you want the full effect, you should do the door panels as well. It looks a thousand times better.
As far as companies, Benzomonterey, Kwik, renncpe, and I all have had ours done at Classic Soft Trim (a chain, so there should be one near you), and I think that all of us are very happy with the results. Price was around $1600. They did the panels, and have a liability against any problems, as well as a 3-year warranty on the leather and the install.
Other companies: Brabus, Kleemann, and Katzkin. B & Klee are disgustingly expensive; Kat is similar to CST, and now has a fabric similar to alcantara that looks pretty interesting.
Search through the forum for pics. Mine look the best, of course.
03-25-2002, 01:29 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
tommy is correct...except for the part about his looking the best 
The door panel is not connected to the airbag module, so the only way MB could void the warranty would be to prove the bag didn't/won't deploy properly through the panel. In today's sue happy society, I doubt CST would change the door panels if they were not 100% sure they could do it properly.
Just do it and enjoy.
The door panel is not connected to the airbag module, so the only way MB could void the warranty would be to prove the bag didn't/won't deploy properly through the panel. In today's sue happy society, I doubt CST would change the door panels if they were not 100% sure they could do it properly.
Just do it and enjoy.
03-25-2002, 02:13 PM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03 W8 Passat Variant
I agree with all said above except of course who's looks best. I was the original trend setter here with Two tone. So of course the others just copied my work haha
Anyway I really didn't give a flying you know what, about what MB thought about this. Mine is even leased. I changed the wheels threw away the factory 16's and changed the leather. I guess it won't be a starmark.
Anyway I really didn't give a flying you know what, about what MB thought about this. Mine is even leased. I changed the wheels threw away the factory 16's and changed the leather. I guess it won't be a starmark.
03-25-2002, 02:20 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Here is my take on it since I have CST leather too. MBs warrenty ends where CST beginings. Your covered completely, so no worries there.
Beth
Beth
03-25-2002, 02:50 PM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Black C230 Kompressor Coupe
Thanks for the info everybody! I was really dismayed when the dealership told me I couldn't changed the door panels. I'm definitely going to CST to have the interior done. I'll be sure to post photos of it once the work is done! By the way, benzofmonterey's interior is pretty dope. Can I see everyone elses? Post the photos in this thread!
KompressorKoupe
KompressorKoupe
Trending Topics
03-25-2002, 03:08 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03 W8 Passat Variant
Originally posted by kompressorkoupe
Thanks for the info everybody! I was really dismayed when the dealership told me I couldn't changed the door panels. I'm definitely going to CST to have the interior done. I'll be sure to post photos of it once the work is done! By the way, benzofmonterey's interior is pretty dope. Can I see everyone elses? Post the photos in this thread!
KompressorKoupe
Thanks for the info everybody! I was really dismayed when the dealership told me I couldn't changed the door panels. I'm definitely going to CST to have the interior done. I'll be sure to post photos of it once the work is done! By the way, benzofmonterey's interior is pretty dope. Can I see everyone elses? Post the photos in this thread!
KompressorKoupe
03-25-2002, 03:30 PM
#9
Out Of Control!!
Obviously the best one ... (you knew this was coming)
Here's the clear winner:
Benzo, Beth seems to have a problem with posting pics, both of her car's leather AND her newest leather addition. :p
Took CST one day to do leather - the car was ready at 3pm same day. Now, that's quick service!
Benzo, Beth seems to have a problem with posting pics, both of her car's leather AND her newest leather addition. :p
Took CST one day to do leather - the car was ready at 3pm same day. Now, that's quick service!
03-25-2002, 04:01 PM
#11
Out Of Control!!
That sh*t ain't funny! 
You know, you'd think that I'd be used to the brightness of the blue by now, but that doesn't seem to be happening. It almost glows at night, which is pretty cool. Wonder what would happen if I put in a blacklight.
You know, you'd think that I'd be used to the brightness of the blue by now, but that doesn't seem to be happening. It almost glows at night, which is pretty cool. Wonder what would happen if I put in a blacklight.
03-25-2002, 04:02 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Ouch, Tommy, I think I need sunglasses, so bright. I will post pictures, I just got my car back, give me a few days.
As for your comment about my new leather pants (that I bought because they match the leather in my car) I'll post my picture in them, when you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants. Think they guys will like mine picture better.
As for your comment about my new leather pants (that I bought because they match the leather in my car) I'll post my picture in them, when you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants. Think they guys will like mine picture better.
03-25-2002, 04:08 PM
#13
Out Of Control!!
Originally posted by galaxygrrl
you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants
you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants
03-25-2002, 04:10 PM
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Are you leather pants that blue too?
You raised this subject. Not me. :p
You raised this subject. Not me. :p
03-25-2002, 04:15 PM
#15
Out Of Control!!
Actually, I'm just trying to get my post count up to 500. 
Um, I don't think that you want to use "leather pants" and "raise the subject" in the same thread. There could be children here!
Um, I don't think that you want to use "leather pants" and "raise the subject" in the same thread. There could be children here!
03-25-2002, 04:16 PM
#16
Originally posted by galaxygrrl
I'll post my picture in them, when you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants. Think they guys will like mine picture better.
I'll post my picture in them, when you post yours in a pair of skin tight leather pants. Think they guys will like mine picture better.
03-25-2002, 04:30 PM
#22
Out Of Control!!
Actually, the Gucci handcuff selection is pretty slim, so I don't think that she'd need the discount.
Isn't Judy Jetson supposed to be like 12 or 13? I think I'll give Woody Allen your email addy.
Benzo, you'd better pick a good place for lunch. Pressure's on!
Isn't Judy Jetson supposed to be like 12 or 13? I think I'll give Woody Allen your email addy.
Benzo, you'd better pick a good place for lunch. Pressure's on!
