All the ones on the two local lots here in NC are from Germany.

 

[QUOTE=Glyn M Ruck;4880632]
The surface of SA leather is less pebbled/grained than European leather - the easiest visual differentiator. Benz & BMW love it for premium models but we get it in all but the "Classic" C Classes built here. It wears far better than European leather. Does not develop creases all over the place & is treated for hot countries & a lot of sun exposure - it's not softer. There is no way in the Benz system to order it. MBTex or "taxi leder" as it is known in Germany is considered low rent here & only bought/specified by farmers. No one in SA really wants other than a full leather Benz. The double stitching on leather looks so much better than MBTex & rouched door panels etc. SA cars are generally better appointed than US ones but we pay a lot more for them than you do. US delivered cars are built to a sticker price & you have packages. We just tick the box & get what we want - and pay!

Here is an 8 year old SA seat in my W203.



My W203's leather seats were not perforated. In the US it's the Tex that is perforated. My W204's are not perforated either.

Speaking of leather, I see that MB has done it again. If you want a beige leather interior in a 2012, all you get is the seats and a little bit on the doors while everything else is black. Carpets, headliner, steering wheel.. everything. But they have raised the price.

Looks like my next one will have Tex since that's the only way to get a one-color interior and black is out.

 

Actually, you get everything color coordinated (gray or beige) on the luxury models. Also, with Ash leather you get the bottom of the front panel in Ash (gray) even on the sport models.

Have you seen how dirty seat belts become in a light color? It totally ruins the look of "luxury".

 

Just as dirty as they become in black. You just don't see it. I've cleaned my drivers belt once in 8 years. They clean very easily - good as new. One is either disciplined with the interior of a car or not. If clothing, shoes & hands are dirty the interior will become dirty. If the interior is like a parrots cage then black also looks crap.

Black is too hot for countries like SA.

 

Glyn, what do you use to clean the belts and how do you do it? Also, do you have any tips on cleaning leather seats and carpet? What solutions do you use? Your interior looks brand new after 8 years.

 

I use a fairly powerful liquid detergent/surfactant (not thick stuff like dishwashing liquid) neat on a damp cloth that foams slightly on application to clean everything in the interior. It even cleans a leather steering wheel back to as new & takes off that dirty shine that develops. It has no adverse effects on leather dyes/pigments. I get it from my dealer's detailing department. It is an SA product that is only sold in bulk & not to the public/retail. I'm sure there are 100's of similar products in the US - unbranded & cheap. Every car gets cleaned with it after service at my dealer. Realy good on Benz polyester covered door jam beadings etc. that get kicked leaving dirt & shoe polish behind.

I treat my leather with Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather cleaner/conditioner cream (not spray). I like it because it keeps the leather nice and pliable in our hot sun. It does not make the leather shine which I hate. Keeps it looking original - slight sheen/matt. I stay away from products containing silicones in the interior & exterior for fear of the engine ingesting the stuff & poisoning O2 sensors. I don't like them anyway.

I always have Auto Armor applied to my car's paintwork new. I never polish the car. The paintwork is as new with zero microscratching/polishing swirls & water still pebbles on it after 8 years. I wash the car once a week with compatible Auto Armor car wash liquid. I generally have it pressure washed & then hand soaped, then pressure washed again & dried with a Chamois only. I do interior vacuuming to prevent inevitable scratching of wood trim etc. by clowns.

I do not spend my weekends pampering & detailing cars. I just do the basics & look after them well. Don't park where people can bash me & try to garage the car out of our hot sun when possible & always over night at the coast.

 

Good advice. Thank you Sir!

 

I guess, if someone wanted Germany and it was not in the allocation, he could still do EDP. All EDP cars are made in Germany, right?

One other question. Germany has an option number to specify in the order, something like 07P. Is there a similar number for SA or other places?