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New MB-Tex replaced seats starting to bleed again. AAAAARGH!
I can't even believe I'm writing this, but I just noticed that my new, just replaced, MB-Tex covers are starting to bleed.
It is only on limited areas of the rear seat so far, but it is definitely there. Both side bolsters and the small horizontal strip under the rear armrest were completely covered with the oily residue today. I have not yet seen any white evaporate, but this is exactly how it started the first time around.
Those are the only sections that have shown the problem at this point. Both front seats are clear, and the rear seats are clear except for those bolsters and the one strip.
I called my dealer's service manager, who has already gotten in touch with MB-USA about this. My dealer has been fantastic, and MB-USA has been very responsive, so let's see what happens now.
There is the possibility that this is a minor issue which will go away with time and some cleaning ... or it may progress and get worse. Right now it's wait and see, but I'm anything but pleased with this very unexpected turn of events.
I'm beginning to feel like there must be a vengeful BMW/Audi god out there trying to make my life miserable.
The irony is that, except for those lousy seats, the car is now 100% perfect. Everything works, everything fits, and it's a joy to drive. What a shame.
Are they absolutely sure of the cause of the bleeding or could something else be causing it like the foam inserts or something else?
The cause of the bleeding has been directly linked to the plasticizer used in MB-Tex. I know of nothing else that can cause this. It may be possible that some of the foam was tainted by the original covers, but if that's the case the bleeding should be more widespread.
I think that at least three pieces of the new rear seat cover have the same defect as the original ones. I have no idea how this could have happened, but I'm not the one who has to figure it out ... or fix it.
I just sent these to the service manager and she couldn't believe it. She thought MB might agree to recovering the seats in leather at this point. I thought the better option might be for me to just get a new car and have MB pay for the difference.
Will the Lemon Law kick in if they have to replace your rear seat? Isn't it 30 days out of service? Pretty sure it is here in California. I think it's 3 attempts to repair or 30 days out of service.
Whatever, it's time for MBUSA to buy back your car, and make you a sweet deal on one with leather.
If there are MBUSA saints, they should make you one with all the crap this car has put you through. Maybe that will scare away the BMW/Audi gods.
That is more than outrageous... Are you 100% sure those sections were replaced?
My apologies ... you are correct. My service manager just called back after she got my pictures. She checked with the technician who did the work and he said that the repair kit did NOT include the rear seat side bolsters or the piece under the rear armrest. Those parts are the same ones that were in the car before the repair. How could they have omitted those parts, when all of the photos of defective MB-Tex seats show those areas are subject to the bleeding?
MB-USA also just called me and we had a long discussion about MB paying for the difference in my trading for a new car. No commitment, of course, but it is something that will now be considered and discussed. This is so ridiculous, I'm just flabbergasted ... and I haven't used that word in many years.
Stan: Oh, my goodness ! I sure feel for you having to go through this nightmare experience with your new C300.
I suggest that it's time for you to demand a replacement car with LEATHER upholstery or a full refund of your purchase cost. IMO, MB does not deserve another chance to repair your car with a 3rd set of MBTex seat covers.
Will the Lemon Law kick in if they have to replace your rear seat? Isn't it 30 days out of service? Pretty sure it is here in California. I think it's 3 attempts to repair or 30 days out of service.
Whatever, it's time for MBUSA to buy back your car, and make you a sweet deal on one with leather.
If there are MBUSA saints, they should make you one with all the crap this car has put you through. Maybe that will scare away the BMW/Audi gods.
Good luck with everything.
Another visit will be 2 attempts at the fix, and I need 3 to file a claim. Total time out of service is based on business days and excludes holidays and weekends. I'm at about 21 days now, so not quite there yet.
My goal is to avoid arbitration and get a deal worked out between the dealer, myself, and MB-USA. I was quite emphatic with my dealer and my MB-USA case manager about not wanting to keep this car any longer. My goal is to order a new vehicle, trade in the bleeding C300, and have them make up most or all of the trade difference. MB really screwed this one up.
This is incompetence on the part of MBUSA. You have a problem that is pretty major, and then develop a half assed solution? How could they send out a replacement kit that didn't include all of the material. Did they not look at any cars with the issue before "developing" the repair kit?
I guess we need a repair kit for the repair kit now!
My goal is to avoid arbitration and get a deal worked out between the dealer, myself, and MB-USA. I was quite emphatic with my dealer and my MB-USA case manager about not wanting to keep this car any longer. My goal is to order a new vehicle, trade in the bleeding C300, and have them make up most or all of the trade difference. MB really screwed this one up.
Stick to your goal ! It's the only prudent course of action for your future peace of mind and sanity !!!
Sorry to hear brother. Don't let it stress you into poor health. But get a new car. Not worth a second of your time at the dealership with this one.
One way or the other, this car is gone. I would definitely get another C300, but this time with the leather interior ... I've had enough of MB-Tex to last a lifetime. I'm already working up a new build in my head ... same base configuration, Premium, Multimedia, same 18" 5 spoke wheels, leather interior, and maybe no sunroof since I'm not impressed with the flimsy fabric sun screen.
Let's see what MB comes up with to help out. I'm still shaking my head over this one ... although I did have 4 trouble free and stress free days this time around.
My guess is that you do not swap covers on those parts still bleeding. Most likely it is a whole part. I do not know if it is the case for this model, but on other cars i would guesstimate those parts can be replaced in 1-2 hours tops.
Geez. So sorry to hear this. You've been through so much grief already! The minimum requirement for me would be to have all the MB-Tex replaced with leather. Getting help with a trade to another C Class sounds even better.... Go for it!
Wow Stan. How frustrating. Let's hope MB makes it right.
I'm still waiting on my C300, with leather. But I wonder if those side bolsters on a leather equipped car are MB-Tex, or the real leather.
That's a great question. It made me go check my rear seats. No bleeding. I'd like to know for sure if the side bolsters are leather or MBTex in a car with leather seats. It looks the same as the leather seats to me.
What about MBUSA installing leather covers on your car and maybe giving you a maintenance package of extended warranty.
If you would order basically the same car but with leather this might be a way to get some added value
If MBUSA is reading this forum as they've claimed, they should know there's quite a few prospective buyers of the w205 (like me) who are looking at this debacle and having second thoughts based on how theyve handled this.
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