View Poll Results: Coupe Owners - Why did you buy leather?
I always prefer and buy leather.
14
25.93%
I wanted to make my Mercedes Coupe a real Mercedes.
9
16.67%
The cloth offered is ugly.
16
29.63%
I do not like or want leather and always get cloth.
15
27.78%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll
Coupe Owners - Why did you select the leather option?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Coupe Owners - Why did you select the leather option?
I opted for leather. Personally, I prefer cloth which isn't ultra hot in summer or freezing cold in winter. But the Coupe cloth seats were just soooo ugly! :p
Last edited by Mark08859; Jun 5, 2002 at 10:44 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
None of the above. For many of us early shoppers, leather wasn't even available at time of purchase. Ended up working out for me, since I don't like the colors anyway. The cloth's pattern isn't great, but I do think that the quality of the fabric is great (though pizza stains them very quickly). I couldn't imagine buying the oyster cloth - I'd be totally paranoid!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Actually a leather interior is a peculiar North American affectation. The majority of european customers prefer cloth to leather. And leather ends up looking so worn out if the driver is the predominant occupant of the car. Different strokes for different folks I guess. And what about all the different types of polished wood available for car interiors. I never did understand that. 
Last edited by viper; Jun 5, 2002 at 11:24 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Leather is today's vinyl. When I bought a mini van when the kids were younger I got leather because vinyl wasn't available. It was uncomfortble but when the kids spilled their ice cream or pizza on it you can just wipe it up. The downside is that after 2-3 years it starts getting creases that not only make it look older than it is but captures dirt in the creases that's very difficult to get clean.
For my own cars I can't even imagine getting leather, it's hot in the summer, cold in the winter, it's slippery when doing some agggresive driving, it's requires extra maintenance and makes the car look older than it is when the leather gets creases and wear marks where the dye has come off in some cars. I like the idea that the standard leather in the sedans is not on the bolsters wich show wear the most. Also I don't think the Oyster cloth I have looks worse for the wear after almost a year. I have a fabric cleaner I use if I get a stain but it's mostly scuff marks on the lower door that need attention. I'm glad MB decided to offer cloth on the coupe and that was a deciding factor.
For my own cars I can't even imagine getting leather, it's hot in the summer, cold in the winter, it's slippery when doing some agggresive driving, it's requires extra maintenance and makes the car look older than it is when the leather gets creases and wear marks where the dye has come off in some cars. I like the idea that the standard leather in the sedans is not on the bolsters wich show wear the most. Also I don't think the Oyster cloth I have looks worse for the wear after almost a year. I have a fabric cleaner I use if I get a stain but it's mostly scuff marks on the lower door that need attention. I'm glad MB decided to offer cloth on the coupe and that was a deciding factor.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 269
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From: All Around Dallas-Fort Worth
2002 C230K, 2001 Audi TT 225 Coupe
I took the C5 option
so leather was included in that option -- but in my marketplace, Dallas, people expect an MB to have leather -- Besides, an advantage to leather is that it can take some spills without staining over cloth (of course you probably have a protectant on your cloth) and cloth may wear more over a longer period of time than cloth -- it can tear and run ragged.
The only problem I have had with leather (other than charcoal leather) is that the driver's bolster will wear and clothes (belts in particular) will cause an abrasion on the leather side bolster -- one reason I may buy some type of coverage on the driver's seat in my other car - a TT w/ grey leather.
The only problem I have had with leather (other than charcoal leather) is that the driver's bolster will wear and clothes (belts in particular) will cause an abrasion on the leather side bolster -- one reason I may buy some type of coverage on the driver's seat in my other car - a TT w/ grey leather.
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Originally posted by tommy
None of the above. For many of us early shoppers, leather wasn't even available at time of purchase. Ended up working out for me, since I don't like the colors anyway. The cloth's pattern isn't great, but I do think that the quality of the fabric is great (though pizza stains them very quickly). I couldn't imagine buying the oyster cloth - I'd be totally paranoid!
None of the above. For many of us early shoppers, leather wasn't even available at time of purchase. Ended up working out for me, since I don't like the colors anyway. The cloth's pattern isn't great, but I do think that the quality of the fabric is great (though pizza stains them very quickly). I couldn't imagine buying the oyster cloth - I'd be totally paranoid!
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'01 C240/6
Re: I took the C5 option
Originally posted by Duffer
so leather was included in that option -- but in my marketplace, Dallas, people expect an MB to have leather -- .
so leather was included in that option -- but in my marketplace, Dallas, people expect an MB to have leather -- .
In the US, anything above a cheap/lower-mid level car is expected by buyers to have leather.
Even Camrys, Accords and minivans come with leather. The ones that don't are the stripper models with hubcaps.
Its hard to name many mid to upper level cars in the US that come with cloth these days.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Re: Re: I took the C5 option
Originally posted by SoCal240/6
Its not just in your marketplace, and its not just MB.
In the US, anything above a cheap/lower-mid level car is expected by buyers to have leather.
Even Camrys, Accords and minivans come with leather. The ones that don't are the stripper models with hubcaps.
Its hard to name many mid to upper level cars in the US that come with cloth these days.
Its not just in your marketplace, and its not just MB.
In the US, anything above a cheap/lower-mid level car is expected by buyers to have leather.
Even Camrys, Accords and minivans come with leather. The ones that don't are the stripper models with hubcaps.
Its hard to name many mid to upper level cars in the US that come with cloth these days.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,377
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
seat coverings
For people who prefer dried animal skin preserved with formaldehyde and other goodies to "cloth", I should point out that the fabric that M-B uses for its upholstery has a very high wool content. It is a very high quality fabric actually.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 108
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From: Cincinnati
2002 C230k
I chose the cloth for one very simple reason. I couldn't afford the leather.
I might consider CST leather when I am making more money, but I can think of a lot of things I would rather spend $1500 on than leather for my car.
I might consider CST leather when I am making more money, but I can think of a lot of things I would rather spend $1500 on than leather for my car.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Originally posted by KWiK
I had a problem, Leather wasn't available when I bought and the cloth pattern sucks, so I went with after market leather.
I had a problem, Leather wasn't available when I bought and the cloth pattern sucks, so I went with after market leather.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Mark, he went with Classic Soft Trim, just like several others, myself included. Actually, I don't think that anyone here has any other company's aftermarket leather on their cars.
Do a search! Or, if you want to see the best example of what CST can do (I may be a little biased), look at the listing of pics for this whole site, and anything that starts with "tommys" anything will be this really cool guy's pics.
Kwik's leather, if memory serves, looks exactly like stock charcoal (or a darker black), so it's like looking at a pic of a stock set-up.
Renncpe and Benzo (before he went Benedict Arnold on us) have/had some nice two-tones as well.
Do a search! Or, if you want to see the best example of what CST can do (I may be a little biased), look at the listing of pics for this whole site, and anything that starts with "tommys" anything will be this really cool guy's pics.
Kwik's leather, if memory serves, looks exactly like stock charcoal (or a darker black), so it's like looking at a pic of a stock set-up.
Renncpe and Benzo (before he went Benedict Arnold on us) have/had some nice two-tones as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Originally posted by tommy
Do a search! Or, if you want to see the best example of what CST can do (I may be a little biased), look at the listing of pics for this whole site, and anything that starts with "tommys" anything will be this really cool guy's pics.
Do a search! Or, if you want to see the best example of what CST can do (I may be a little biased), look at the listing of pics for this whole site, and anything that starts with "tommys" anything will be this really cool guy's pics.
Benzo's are really nice to.
Newbie
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13
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From: North Jersey
Silver C230K Coupe
I thought the cloth was abit like taxi-cab quality, tough, but not the best looking. I have cloth in one of my other cars and leather in the Coupe. Just persoanl preference based on the car its in.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 35
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C230
I actually had a couple reasons for picking leather. First being that the cloth seats that are offered are not nice at all, don't like the little design on it. Also, the dealer said that when he looked up on the computer and it showed cloth he could not tell if it was the dark or light cloth on the seats. Lastly leather is just so much nicer and adds a little extra to the car.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Originally posted by Greekgirl
I actually had a couple reasons for picking leather. First being that the cloth seats that are offered are not nice at all, don't like the little design on it. Also, the dealer said that when he looked up on the computer and it showed cloth he could not tell if it was the dark or light cloth on the seats. Lastly leather is just so much nicer and adds a little extra to the car.
I actually had a couple reasons for picking leather. First being that the cloth seats that are offered are not nice at all, don't like the little design on it. Also, the dealer said that when he looked up on the computer and it showed cloth he could not tell if it was the dark or light cloth on the seats. Lastly leather is just so much nicer and adds a little extra to the car.
); the dealer should know that. Geez - who trains these people? Rick, is there such a thing as a "dealermonkey"?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 497
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From: Long Island, NY
c230 Coupe
i was all set to go with cloth seats when i first optioned out the car on the website, but then i realized how ugly the pattern was. i was surprised that mercedes would put such an ugly pattern on their seats! it looks esp ugly on the doors....to me it just downgrades the whole car. i would much prefer to see the cloth in a solid color. my charcoal leather has been great, makes the whole interior. the only good thing about that pattern on the cloth seats is that if someone got sick in your car it would blend in to the seats! lol
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 867
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Originally posted by hokusbenz
i was all set to go with cloth seats when i first optioned out the car on the website, but then i realized how ugly the pattern was. i was surprised that mercedes would put such an ugly pattern on their seats! it looks esp ugly on the doors....to me it just downgrades the whole car. i would much prefer to see the cloth in a solid color.
i was all set to go with cloth seats when i first optioned out the car on the website, but then i realized how ugly the pattern was. i was surprised that mercedes would put such an ugly pattern on their seats! it looks esp ugly on the doors....to me it just downgrades the whole car. i would much prefer to see the cloth in a solid color.
If the cloth had been solid, or at least not ugly, I would've stayed with it.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 172
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From: CT
The fashion police (wife and teen daughter) summarily rejected the cloth--definately a pattern that inspires strong opinions. Althogh a fashion moron like me would have gotten along OK with cloth, in the end I like the interior look with the leather. The imperviousness of the leather to spills and stains is a big plus. However, when someone ate a sugar frosted donut in the car, the confectioners sugar lodged in the perforations of the leather, requiring some effort to clean.
