My Only Regret with my C300 – any recommendations?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
![Cool](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif)
I really love my car, but everyday I regret not getting the leather option! I’ve had leather in both my previous cars (since 1994) and I didn’t know how much I needed it, until ... well, Oct 08 when I bought my new C300.
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? I guess if I ever wanted to upgrade to the leather seats, I could get some out of a wrecking yard huh? Any ideas out there for me?
Thanks C-Class crew! I really appreciate it! J
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? I guess if I ever wanted to upgrade to the leather seats, I could get some out of a wrecking yard huh? Any ideas out there for me?
Thanks C-Class crew! I really appreciate it! J
#3
Senior Member
I actually don't mind having MB-Tex at all. It still looks almost as new as the day that I bought it and no trouble at all. I can't say the same for my dad's SUV however...the leather was mostly alright but there was a tear from an air bubble on the driver's side.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
you can always just reupholster like I did ![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Or you can get a custom seat cover made. I've seen some at SEMA that are so well made that you couldn't even tell it was a cover.
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Or you can get a custom seat cover made. I've seen some at SEMA that are so well made that you couldn't even tell it was a cover.
Last edited by Azn_C300; 08-18-2010 at 01:10 AM.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
MB300AMG: I don't mind the look of the mb-tex, just the feel of it.
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#6
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Prices really depends on what you want done (design, stitch, pattern), quality of leather, area of coverage, and region you're in. Could be anywhere from $1-3K depending on all those factors. Capital City....that's Sac right? I have some contacts in the industry up there and can probably find some good upholstery shop there.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
][/FONT][/SIZE]
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]
I think you will find that you already have a leather steering wheel. I understood all 204"s came with one. I have MTex & a leather wheel.
Did you not feel the seats before buying ?
I think everyone should take at least 8 hours to look over a new car . Not all at once but say 3 to 4 visits to the dealers to sit in & test drive. Saves disappointments later. After all, it is a major purchase.
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]
I think you will find that you already have a leather steering wheel. I understood all 204"s came with one. I have MTex & a leather wheel.
Did you not feel the seats before buying ?
I think everyone should take at least 8 hours to look over a new car . Not all at once but say 3 to 4 visits to the dealers to sit in & test drive. Saves disappointments later. After all, it is a major purchase.
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
][/FONT][/SIZE]
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]
I think you will find that you already have a leather steering wheel. I understood all 204"s came with one. I have MTex & a leather wheel.
Did you not feel the seats before buying ?
I think everyone should take at least 8 hours to look over a new car . Not all at once but say 3 to 4 visits to the dealers to sit in & test drive. Saves disappointments later. After all, it is a major purchase.
Does anyone know of a leather steering wheel cover option that doesn’t look too lame? [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]
I think you will find that you already have a leather steering wheel. I understood all 204"s came with one. I have MTex & a leather wheel.
Did you not feel the seats before buying ?
I think everyone should take at least 8 hours to look over a new car . Not all at once but say 3 to 4 visits to the dealers to sit in & test drive. Saves disappointments later. After all, it is a major purchase.
I really love my MB Tex. It's "hand" is obviously not as nice as leather, but it requires only a minimum of care. In my last few cars, I always had to worry about bringing an extra towel every time I went to play sports, work outside, etc, etc as I didn't want to get sweat on the seats...now I really don't worry about it as long as I am not dripping into the perforations.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I agree about putting in more time inspecting and researching a car before buying. A depreciating asset is something you should at least fully enjoy as it is chewing on your wallet.
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DC Metro Area
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08 C350 Sport
I love leather on steering wheel, I think new ones look and feel too soft. I have M3 with Nappa letter, it feels good, but I also love MB-tex, it looks like brand new and feels ok, rubbery sometimes. The letter gats bad really fast and no cleaner conditioner can bring to same level as before.
#10
Hand Stictched as Well...
Yes, and when I took the MB Plant Tour in Sindelfingen, Germany as part of the EDP for my 2009 C350W they showed a film of the process for making the steering wheel cover.
It seems that the task of fitting and stitching the leather onto the steering wheel is a difficult task that can only been done by hand, and is set aside for a few very highly skilled workers who have gone through long periods of apprenticeship and journeyman level training. I really don't know why it is such a big deal, but MB spent about 3 minutes showing this process.
I can recommend the factory tour as it you will it will give you an opportunity to appreciate the, for want of a better word, "precision" and dedication to the job shown by the fabrication and assembly folks at MB.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
+1 on MB Tex for seats....
If you don't care for the leather on the steering wheel, covers can feel better but the look is never quite what was desired....
Consider this:
http://www.performanceproducts4benz....4-chassis.html
It allows you to simply swap your air bag hub, so its about half the cost of a C63 wheel where you also need a new smaller air bag hub.
If you don't care for the leather on the steering wheel, covers can feel better but the look is never quite what was desired....
Consider this:
http://www.performanceproducts4benz....4-chassis.html
It allows you to simply swap your air bag hub, so its about half the cost of a C63 wheel where you also need a new smaller air bag hub.
#12
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2009 C300 Sport 4matic
I have both the leather and wood trim options (2009 C300 Sport 4matic). I love the look and feel of both of them. Sadly, I wish both BMW and MB (Audi?) included leather seats as standard equipment. Any car costing more than $40,000 should not have vinyl as standard seat material. It seems cheap to me...
#13
The MB-Tex in our car has been very durable in withstanding against the wrath of our 3 year old
he has done everything a 3 year old would do in the rear seat of a car but by keeping it clean weekly it has held up very well. Most of our passengers couldn't even tell that it wasn't " real " leather
You're best bet is probably taking AZN C300's advice and to take your car to one of the many nice mod shops there in Cali. Good luck !!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#14
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nassau County, NY
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C300 4MATIC Sport
IDK if you know this or not but the leather will look horrible down the road while the fake leather will still look good. It is more durable and wears a lot less.
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DC Metro Area
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08 C350 Sport
Leather smells better and feels better, but in a year or so it will show wear. Cloth and fake texture stays almost forever.
I remember old beat up MB taxis in Middle East so old, but their MB tex stayed like new. I was always thinking why luxury
and expensive car like MB uses vinyl on seats, but now I understand. It is durable and nowadays looks great too.
As far as steering wheel letter on our cars, it is perfect in my opinion. I like it more than newer sooth leather covers, it will be more durable in the long run.
I remember old beat up MB taxis in Middle East so old, but their MB tex stayed like new. I was always thinking why luxury
and expensive car like MB uses vinyl on seats, but now I understand. It is durable and nowadays looks great too.
As far as steering wheel letter on our cars, it is perfect in my opinion. I like it more than newer sooth leather covers, it will be more durable in the long run.
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I swear my steering wheel in NOT leather, my car was bottom of the line.
It's full on rough feeling rubber. But thank you all for your insights! I've been ruminating over all of your posts. I agree I should have test drove it much more, but going in, I really didn't think I wanted Leather, I was only concerned with having the Leather 'look'. Only after driving it 15Kmiles, do I miss the Leather 'feel'.
But I will take all of your great feedback and feel good that my mb-tex will look good forever!! Thanks for the suggestions, comments, opinions and moral support, what an awesome C-Class Crew!
Angel
![Frown](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
But I will take all of your great feedback and feel good that my mb-tex will look good forever!! Thanks for the suggestions, comments, opinions and moral support, what an awesome C-Class Crew!
Angel
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#18
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 C300 Sport, 2007 335i Sedan
I think the MB-Tex is the best feeling synthetic on the market! It feels better than BMW's Dakota Leather option in my opinion. BMW is not known for having soft leather though anyway.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
Seriously though, it is one of, if not the very best vinyl seating materials out there and really isn't anywhere close to garbage...in my common man's opinion I suppose...
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
S550
I thought the steering wheel & shift knob are genuine leather even if you have mb tex?
I have the fake aluminum knob and would love the black leather knob to match.
I have the fake aluminum knob and would love the black leather knob to match.
#21
Super Member
Via car-part.com you can source complete W204 in leather.
Prices vary but I'm sure anyone of those recyclers would love to sell all leather seats and panels at reasonable price.
Prices vary but I'm sure anyone of those recyclers would love to sell all leather seats and panels at reasonable price.
#22
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pacific Northwest, USA
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 C300 4MATIC/P2, 2002 Volvo V70XC, 1993 Volvo 850 GLT
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
If you do decide to buy the complete leather seat and it's not the 2008 seat, be sure that there won't be a coding problems for the airbag and other electronics.
At one time I was going to get a later year seat as I found my MB seats fairly uncomfortable. After 2008, the other models were more comfortable. One of the issues was that of coding the replacement seat. I decided to not bother.
At one time I was going to get a later year seat as I found my MB seats fairly uncomfortable. After 2008, the other models were more comfortable. One of the issues was that of coding the replacement seat. I decided to not bother.