Driver seat cracking
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 9
From: Homeless
'20 Targa 4 DD, ' 18 Volvo S60 T6
Warranty.
I just had both seat bottoms / covers replaced because their was one seam splitting on both.
I have had my car to the dealer probably 25 times in 36 months to repair defects.
This is the worst quality car I have ever owned - even worse than high milers I bought in High School LOL!
I just had both seat bottoms / covers replaced because their was one seam splitting on both.
I have had my car to the dealer probably 25 times in 36 months to repair defects.
This is the worst quality car I have ever owned - even worse than high milers I bought in High School LOL!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
08-C350 black/black
I have a crack on the left bolster too about an inch long...already past 48k for warranty...I've contacted a few places to fix the vinyl and was quoted around $150.00..Just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 757
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From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
+1 left side bolster approx 1 - 1.5 inches long. I think it's from all the weight that goes on it when I get out. (Which is not much, I weigh 170 soaking wet)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Is the car in use every day & all day ?
Is it garaged or left in the sun ? Any windscreen shade?
Have you used any vinyl protector ie 303?
It is damage , brittleness or wear causing the cracking ?
Sorry to hear about it. Mine is used once or twice a week so is in perfect nick. Also covered with sheep skin !!
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C180K 2011 COMAND, AMG, Dynamic Xenon, Business Pack, H&K Audio and +
I had this in the 2008 model. There was a bolt under the chair (if you look from the back seat under the right and left side of the chair base) that needed to be tightened and the cracking sound was gone and never returned. The bolt is big and holds the chair to the floor. easily spotted.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
C300
What does a replacement bottom seat cost, anyone know?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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LOADED 08' C350 & 14' GLK-350 Diamond White (P1, MM, AMG Pkg, Ln Trkng, Htd Sts, Keylss Go)
Warranty.
I just had both seat bottoms / covers replaced because their was one seam splitting on both.
I have had my car to the dealer probably 25 times in 36 months to repair defects.
This is the worst quality car I have ever owned - even worse than high milers I bought in High School LOL!
I just had both seat bottoms / covers replaced because their was one seam splitting on both.
I have had my car to the dealer probably 25 times in 36 months to repair defects.
This is the worst quality car I have ever owned - even worse than high milers I bought in High School LOL!
tons of small defects... nothing major though
once you iron out all the crappy defects (cosmetics mainly), this is a great car
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
This is one of the MBTex weaknesses. If exposed to excessive sun all the plasticisers leach out of the vinyl & it cracks. Car care products are unlikely to help. You can't put plasticisers back. It's not like feeding leather.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 18, 2012 at 07:06 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Glyn, I agree you cannot put plasticisers back but you can prevent them from being leached out .
I use the 303 UV Protectant . I do not know whether it is BS or not as our car is rarely in the sun .Our internals after 4 years are "as new"
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...ace_protectant
I use the 303 UV Protectant . I do not know whether it is BS or not as our car is rarely in the sun .Our internals after 4 years are "as new"
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...ace_protectant
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
JC - Sunscreens can reduce fading - they would only stop plasticiser leach if they reduce temperatures. Temperature is the main cause of leaching. High SPF barriers do probably reduce temps somewhat.
BTW the sun screens are the same as used in suntan lotion. We use them in environmentally friendly crop spray oils to prevent phytotoxicity. Australia has embraced the technology heavily.
That is specifically UV screening. Many other things can act as sun screens right down to iron filings in varnish.
Best way is to cover up as you have.
MBTex can have excellent life - look at Europe's taxis. I've seen it go nearly 20 years here but some conditions of heat & stretch & very cold & stretch can cause cracking and delamination whereas leather will survive if nourished.
Best advice is to garage a car & minimise sun exposure when not being driven.
BTW the sun screens are the same as used in suntan lotion. We use them in environmentally friendly crop spray oils to prevent phytotoxicity. Australia has embraced the technology heavily.
That is specifically UV screening. Many other things can act as sun screens right down to iron filings in varnish.
Best way is to cover up as you have.
MBTex can have excellent life - look at Europe's taxis. I've seen it go nearly 20 years here but some conditions of heat & stretch & very cold & stretch can cause cracking and delamination whereas leather will survive if nourished.
Best advice is to garage a car & minimise sun exposure when not being driven.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 18, 2012 at 04:38 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
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From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
Knock on wood- I have had no issues with my MBtex. I have bad knees, back, and shoulder, weigh 290 and I am very rough on seats. I do clean my seats and treat them regularly with Duragloss. I have tinted windows (Pinnacle Formula1 Ceramic) and use a Covercraft UVS100™ Heat Shield. The only issue was with the plastic side of the seat where the controls are. The dealer cracked it when they were working on my car by kneeling on the seat and they replaced it under warranty.
Last edited by AkaSigFreak; Jan 18, 2012 at 04:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Glyn, I agree you cannot put plasticisers back but you can prevent them from being leached out .
I use the 303 UV Protectant . I do not know whether it is BS or not as our car is rarely in the sun .Our internals after 4 years are "as new"
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...ace_protectant
I use the 303 UV Protectant . I do not know whether it is BS or not as our car is rarely in the sun .Our internals after 4 years are "as new"
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...ace_protectant
They will last if protected .
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Excellent & obviously cared for. That car has not spent it's life in the sun or the dash would have failed long ago.
I should also note that black will fail first for obvious reasons.
I should also note that black will fail first for obvious reasons.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
As long as you don't smoke in your car a good read of the rate at which your vinyls & plastics are loosing plasticiser is the amount of goo you have to clean off of the inside of windows. Most of that is plasticiser.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 18, 2012 at 08:47 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
JC - meant to say that the way you & I look after cars we are unlikely to ever suffer upholstery problems. My 8 year old C240's SA leather.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I've noticed something I'm going to have to be careful with on the CLK. The Germans don't seem to use the robust thread that SA uses to stitch the leather. The stitching is already fraying slightly on the backrest side bolster that one is inclined to scuff when entering or leaving the car.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Hmm...My car is on order with the MB-Tex because I heard it holds up better than leather. After seeing your pix I'm wondering if I should swith to leather after all...
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Well it might be of interest that our local bus company in Cape Town has tested every vinyl on the market & still upholsters all it's seats in leather for longer service life.
That said MBTex was developed for taxis - taxi leder - and is pretty tough stuff.
That said MBTex was developed for taxis - taxi leder - and is pretty tough stuff.
