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Updates: The MB-Tex Problem
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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W205
Another piece of information I just came across ...
The seats are made in Alabama by Johnson Controls. This is a very large, publicly traded corporation that has production facilities around the world. They make many interior parts for Mercedes and have had their US plant open since 2004. They have no history of quality concerns that I could find. I wonder if they're sub-contracting the MB-Tex material and just assembling the seats there.
So, the US W205 seats are not coming from a new supplier, but rather one that has a good history with the Alabama plant for over ten years. Some day, after all this has settled out, I'd love to learn how this all came about.
The seats are made in Alabama by Johnson Controls. This is a very large, publicly traded corporation that has production facilities around the world. They make many interior parts for Mercedes and have had their US plant open since 2004. They have no history of quality concerns that I could find. I wonder if they're sub-contracting the MB-Tex material and just assembling the seats there.
So, the US W205 seats are not coming from a new supplier, but rather one that has a good history with the Alabama plant for over ten years. Some day, after all this has settled out, I'd love to learn how this all came about.
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2020 C8, 2020 defender 110X, 2019 720S, 2014 GLK 350 4matic, 2015 escalade platinum, 2013 RRS HSELux
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Maybe I missed it earlier, but are there any reports of bleeding on any model other than the w205?
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
This chemical reaction occurring in the seat covers needs certain environmental conditions: sub-zero temps plus warming up and cooling down.
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Bleeding/oozing MBTex seats are occurring only in W205 built in Alabama before Jan.5, 2015. No similar reports with any German built cars with MBTex.
This chemical reaction occurring in the seat covers needs certain environmental conditions: sub-zero temps plus warming up and cooling down.
This chemical reaction occurring in the seat covers needs certain environmental conditions: sub-zero temps plus warming up and cooling down.
edit: I am sure that there are several possible explanations, but I think that the question should be asked again.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Waterloo, Ontario Canada
C300 4Matic Tenorite Grey
I have been following things so I am up to date on what is going on. It is just that now that we have heard that it is the same MBTex manufacturer that the Alabama plant has been using all along, I was wondering why would the issue be limited to the w205? They still make MLs and GLs there right?
edit: I am sure that there are several possible explanations, but I think that the question should be asked again.
edit: I am sure that there are several possible explanations, but I think that the question should be asked again.
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
So, to avoid this problem, all a buyer needs to do is look at the production date of the car (can get using door stamp or VIN I think) and make sure it's AFTER January 5, 2015? Is that safe to say?
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
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From: Midwest
2015 C 300
I'm glad many here, especially Stan, have gotten great customer service from MB due to the MB Tex issue, etc. I must say that to date, I have been very underwhelmed by their customer service. I talked to my dealer about getting a loaner 2.5 weeks ago...they said they'd look into it but never called me back. I then talked to my case manager at MBUSA for the first time two weeks ago. He said he'd coordinate with my dealer on things like getting me a loaner, updating me on when the new seat covers would be available to install, etc. But both my dealer and MBUSA have gone dark since then. Despite a couple voice mails into my case manager asking for an update, I've heard nothing back.
It's one thing to have issues with the car, but it's another thing to get non-responsive customer service from MBUSA and my dealer. From the sounds of others, I may (hopefully) just be the anomaly.
It's one thing to have issues with the car, but it's another thing to get non-responsive customer service from MBUSA and my dealer. From the sounds of others, I may (hopefully) just be the anomaly.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 161
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From: USA
W205
Another piece of information I just came across ...
The seats are made in Alabama by Johnson Controls. This is a very large, publicly traded corporation that has production facilities around the world. They make many interior parts for Mercedes and have had their US plant open since 2004. They have no history of quality concerns that I could find. I wonder if they're sub-contracting the MB-Tex material and just assembling the seats there.
So, the US W205 seats are not coming from a new supplier, but rather one that has a good history with the Alabama plant for over ten years. Some day, after all this has settled out, I'd love to learn how this all came about.
The seats are made in Alabama by Johnson Controls. This is a very large, publicly traded corporation that has production facilities around the world. They make many interior parts for Mercedes and have had their US plant open since 2004. They have no history of quality concerns that I could find. I wonder if they're sub-contracting the MB-Tex material and just assembling the seats there.
So, the US W205 seats are not coming from a new supplier, but rather one that has a good history with the Alabama plant for over ten years. Some day, after all this has settled out, I'd love to learn how this all came about.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Columbus, GA
'25 MB GLE 450, w/airmatic
Just to add to this information, I noticed that my seats (leather, car production date of 1/8/15) were made by Lear Corporation, a relatively smaller (but still big) company than Johnson. If nothing else, it indicates that the leather seats and MB-Tex seats are made by separate entities.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: USA
W205
Thread Starter
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
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From: Toronto
2015 C-300 4matic,Polar White, Black MB-tex,Premium 1,Burmester,partial LED,open pore black ash
Just to add to this information, I noticed that my seats (leather, car production date of 1/8/15) were made by Lear Corporation, a relatively smaller (but still big) company than Johnson. If nothing else, it indicates that the leather seats and MB-Tex seats are made by separate entities.
Ahh someone with leather! What is the quality of leather? Is it like beautiful, soft, supple, made-in-Italy leather or a cheap looking leather that has a vinyl coating and you really can't tell the leather from the vinyl? I did not consider leather when I made my purchase and now wish I had.
Thanks
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: USA
W205
Ahh someone with leather! What is the quality of leather? Is it like beautiful, soft, supple, made-in-Italy leather or a cheap looking leather that has a vinyl coating and you really can't tell the leather from the vinyl? I did not consider leather when I made my purchase and now wish I had.
Thanks
Thanks
I would say that it's in between the two extremes you mention, but much more towards vinyl than "supple Italian leather." This is partially a compliment to how good MB Tex is at imitating real leather. I was at a car show recently and sat in many cars across all classes one after another. The difference between C Class leather and something like S Class, Audi A8, even BMW 5er is obvious and noticeable.
That said, I think it pretty much falls in line with the feel and quality of some others in the segment (3er, A4). I don't know about the current Japanese rivals in the segment, but I know that I thought the older 2nd generation Lexus IS had better-than-expected leather seats (it was about the only thing I liked about that car). I also forget how the leather feels like in the ATS so I can't comment on that.
Overall, I'm not sure if I would call it "cheap".. it certainly looks nice, feels as expected, and I've seen worse.. but it doesn't rival those above its class.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Toronto
2015 C-300 4matic,Polar White, Black MB-tex,Premium 1,Burmester,partial LED,open pore black ash
My personal opinion on it is this:
I would say that it's in between the two extremes you mention, but much more towards vinyl than "supple Italian leather." This is partially a compliment to how good MB Tex is at imitating real leather. I was at a car show recently and sat in many cars across all classes one after another. The difference between C Class leather and something like S Class, Audi A8, even BMW 5er is obvious and noticeable.
That said, I think it pretty much falls in line with the feel and quality of some others in the segment (3er, A4). I don't know about the current Japanese rivals in the segment, but I know that I thought the older 2nd generation Lexus IS had better-than-expected leather seats (it was about the only thing I liked about that car). I also forget how the leather feels like in the ATS so I can't comment on that.
Overall, I'm not sure if I would call it "cheap".. it certainly looks nice, feels as expected, and I've seen worse.. but it doesn't rival those above its class.
I would say that it's in between the two extremes you mention, but much more towards vinyl than "supple Italian leather." This is partially a compliment to how good MB Tex is at imitating real leather. I was at a car show recently and sat in many cars across all classes one after another. The difference between C Class leather and something like S Class, Audi A8, even BMW 5er is obvious and noticeable.
That said, I think it pretty much falls in line with the feel and quality of some others in the segment (3er, A4). I don't know about the current Japanese rivals in the segment, but I know that I thought the older 2nd generation Lexus IS had better-than-expected leather seats (it was about the only thing I liked about that car). I also forget how the leather feels like in the ATS so I can't comment on that.
Overall, I'm not sure if I would call it "cheap".. it certainly looks nice, feels as expected, and I've seen worse.. but it doesn't rival those above its class.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Sydney Australia
C250 W205 in Polar White
Geez, I hope they didn't mess up the repair job and that is why its taking that long to fix.
Best of luck Stan.
Let us know how this goes.
Best of luck Stan.
Let us know how this goes.
Thread Starter
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
They also have to figure out how to tighten up the loose sunroof screen, fix the door handle light, do the emissions campaign, and see if they can align the rear bumper cover. I think they have their hands full.
I'm driving their C300 Luxury loaner, so I'm okay with that. Only problem is the lack of snow tires on the loaner, especially with all the snow we've gotten lately. Huge difference in braking and traction compared to my C300 with snow tires.
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
If you prefer to keep this thread on point since this is off topic feel free to reply here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...pressions.html
Last edited by ddeliber; Jan 29, 2015 at 08:50 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
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From: Midwest
2015 C 300
Well after 2+ weeks I finally heard back from MBUSA and my dealer (after repeated calls). My dealer said all but four parts are in (2 head rests, 2 side bolsters) and those aren't available until February 20. I was first told I could not have a loaner because of the length of time is was needed, but after pushing back the service manager said I could get one. So looks like I'll be without my brand new car for the next month while we wait for parts to come in. If that timeline holds, then it'll be almost two months from first detecting the issue until it gets fixed. On the plus side, I can put miles on someone else's car (small consolation).
MBUSA also told me an independent lab had run tests on the substance and determined there was no health risk, but he still didn't know exactly what the substance was.
MBUSA also told me an independent lab had run tests on the substance and determined there was no health risk, but he still didn't know exactly what the substance was.
Thread Starter
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
Just out of curiosity what do you think of the luxury suspension as compared to yours? I had a lux as a loaner for this past weekend and I found it to be quite responsive and of course comfortable. Much better than I expected. I mentioned this in another thread in a bit more detail and I was hoping for an opinion from someone that owns a base or sport suspension as I only had a couple relatively short test drives.
After a few days in the C300 Luxury, it may seem a bit more muted over road imperfections, but it's a difference I really have to look for. There is certainly no dramatic change in going from the base into the Luxury model. Handling is about the same too, so I guess I'm just missing the point of the whole Comfort tuned thing. The other changes ... stitched interior trim and the classic grill ... are obvious, but the changes in suspension tuning must be very subtle.
The Sport, based on my lone test drive, can be a bit harsh over bad pavement ... which is why I didn't get it ... since bad pavement, frost heaves, and pot holes are the norm up here. My base suspension is not really a soft setup at all, and seems to keep the car well controlled through tight curves. It can also feel harsh over bad roads, but is more compliant than the Sport I drove. Again, the Luxury I'm driving feels essentially the same as my base suspension car.
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2017 GLC300 4MATIC; 2015 c400
Well after 2+ weeks I finally heard back from MBUSA and my dealer (after repeated calls). My dealer said all but four parts are in (2 head rests, 2 side bolsters) and those aren't available until February 20. I was first told I could not have a loaner because of the length of time is was needed, but after pushing back the service manager said I could get one. So looks like I'll be without my brand new car for the next month while we wait for parts to come in. If that timeline holds, then it'll be almost two months from first detecting the issue until it gets fixed. On the plus side, I can put miles on someone else's car (small consolation).
MBUSA also told me an independent lab had run tests on the substance and determined there was no health risk, but he still didn't know exactly what the substance was.
MBUSA also told me an independent lab had run tests on the substance and determined there was no health risk, but he still didn't know exactly what the substance was.
Interesting MBUSA had an independant lab test it, but still can't/won't say what the substance actually is?
