MB-JIM

I still have a problem with the interior on the W204's. I might like one if I could see one with the leather option. My dealer said he hasn't had one with leather and has no plans to ever order one for stock.
If you have seen one, how much does it improve the appearance?

ptronus31

IMHO, MB Tex is the best auto upholstery on the planet. Comfortable and rugged like kevlar.

Why would you want leather?

MB-JIM

If I had MBTex like in my 87 300TD wagon I would take it in a second but todays so called MB Tex doesn't even come close.
I like leather for its looks and the comfort in the Arizona compared to vinyl.

RLE

I plant my rear end on the leather seats in my C300 every day. Cashmere Beige.

Last week my service loaner was an '09 C300 Sport, white with black Tex. The interior was awful. Very low rent looking and not what I expect in a Mercedes.

The dealers don't know what to order for stock. My dealer has a least a dozen C Classes they have had for months. I've seen them so often they are becoming like old friends. White/silver/darker silver/greyish something/white.......and all with black interiors. Boooring.

The current leather stays clean longer and is easy to clean when the time comes. The door panels are different and don't look like one big piece of plastic like the stockers do.

However, if animals or little kids are in the picture, leather might not be the best choice.

BTW, my sister lives in Paradise Valley.

justthinking

I love MB-Tex for the upholstery..but loath the plastic door handle & panel..
Really wish MB had stepped up and offer leather handle/panel across all model..
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post2744486
Here are some nice pictures of the beige leather trim..

Savage c-300

damn that's sick. Love it! When i bought my car I didn't even know it was an option! lol

dalazernet

...and I knew it was an option but no dealers had anything with leather inside that wasn't a sport model... (ok, or Beige)...

I wanted gray or black leather and it simply wasn't available and I still rarely ever see or hear of one of these on a lot... I wish MB would up their product a bit and offer the leather doors/armrests even with MB-Tex... It would really enhance the overall product.

- Eric

Glyn M Ruck

Our 204 has full leather - two tone black/grey & it's fabulous. 99.9% of Mercs sold in SA are full leather. The market demands it. Remember in most markets MBTex is known as "Taxi Leder" - as a direct translation "Taxi Leather" & was really produced for the Taxi industry & farmers. It's hard wearing but does not look good.

Leather with double stitching & nice door panels looks great. The lady of the house drives the 204 I drive my old & much loved 203 which is also light grey full leather. If you clean & feed leather it will outlast MBTex - it requires a little more care but not to a rediculous level. Clean every 6 months & feed every 2 years with something like Mequiar's Leather cleaner/conditioner & it remains as new - my seats are as new after 5 years

C300Kid

actually, those are typically the most popular combos....kinda defeats your point.

C300Kid

not sure i agree with this. ive seen mb taxis with straight up cheap vinyl seats in other markets. the mbtex, at least the stuff we get here, is MUCH different. i think it looks pretty good, and it doesnt age..at all. i love it.

the door panels do look bad though..i bet thats something mb will fix shortly.

MB-JIM

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like all dealers aren't like mine who seldom even orders E Class cars with leather. My 06 C350 with leather was special ordered on Tourist Delivery and it looks like new today. I have wanted to buy a W204 Luxury Model to go along with my beautiful W203 but get so turned off every time I get a vinyl interior loaner that I simply can't do it.
They recently had the showing of the new W212 models and of the six cars on display, only one had leather. I sat in several of the coupes and sedans that had MB Tex and was really turned off. Fortunately, they had one car with leather and it was great. I finally felt I was in a Mercedes.

Glyn M Ruck

Go check the options. There is only 1 MBTex - MBTex is vinyl - It's made in 1 plant & goes in most taxi's - Some taxis are done in cloth if ordered that way.

C300Kid

i know its vinyl..but its not the same quality of vinyl typical in taxis..at least not from my experience.

Glyn M Ruck

How often do you ride in taxis in Europe? I've been doing it monthly for years.

Edit - MBTex has had different grains & patterns stamped into it over the years. It even had MBTex stamped into it in a pattern at one time.

joshg1001

i dont understand why they couldnt use hte mbtex material on the door panels like leather...

itcrashed

MB-JIM, here is some pics of my leather interior...hopefully this helps.

https://mbworld.org/forums/2744486-post5.html

Like you, I thought the MB Tex interior looked a bit plain. I went with leather just because of the stitching - it looks light years better than the non-stitched look of MB Tex.

Everyone has their own opinion on why they like MB Tex over Leather and vice-versa. Nobody's opinion is ever is wrong - the only wrong answer is getting the interior that YOU don't like

Glyn M Ruck

+1 - American buyers have to understand that they get their W204s at the lowest price in the world, probably with the exception of Saudi Arabia where they attract zero tax.

You can't expect all the premium finish & extras thrown in at your sticker price. Leather is offered & if you like it you should order it.

Where I disagree with MBUSA is that many of the great options fitted in markets like SA are not made available to the US buyers if you are prepared to pay for them.

Our cars here come far better specified than the US but man we pay for them. Here the competition like BMW, Audi & Lexus fully spec their cars so there is no price war going on.

whiteongrey

I wanted leather but the perforated look (a must have for me) not available in leather so went with Grey MB Tex.

It's also got more friction so don't slide on the seat as much in corners. After a year I'm very happy.

Leather door panels clearly blow away the MB Tex spec though - I should try a find some from a recycler.

Grey E63 seats are absolutely stunning.

PolePosition

Same here! I like my MB Tex seats, but once I get a chance to replace my door panels with leather ones I will.

justthinking

let's have a group buy for the leather door handle & panel... lol
I was interested at change out the cheap plastic feel but was quickly discouraged once I heard the total price...

whiteongrey

car-part.com recyclers have some leather door panels - sadly none in grey yet. Look like have to call many of them that don't list type.

Also have complete black leather for $2500.

MB_AMG

MB offers the best man made leather in the auto industry. Personally I dont see any differences any interior appearance improvement with real leather. Most of our clients here prefers artico leather instead of real leather, and the reason behind it is
1. No charge
2. More durable
3. Less maintainance
4. Easy to clean
5. Hardly any differences between real and artico leather.

Real leather I find them a bit softer and smoother. Other than that, I think they are the same. If you have a artico leather interior, almost everyone will think it is leather anyways because of the high quality.

Also, if you really like leather, I dont see why any MB dealership cannot order one for you.

Azn_C300

Just get it reupholstered. That's what I plan on doing with the doors. quilted leather or alcantara to give it a more distinct look.

MB_AMG

+1 for uniqueness!! Make sure you post some pictures when you get it done!

Glyn M Ruck

With America's apparent love of Artico Leather (vinyl - MBtex - Taxi Leder) by whatever name, I don't know why Benz don't offer the sweaty stuff double stitched so it looks even more like leather and double stitched door panels & arm rests. Then everybody would be happy over there - All you might miss is the smell

And as MB AMG mentions - it's cheap which seems the driving force. You will always know it's the cheap alternative but it would stop the complaints about cheap & nasty looking interiors & fool some. In a hot country I would rather have ventilated leather thanks.