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Final decision to be made for my C350e order is in regards to Artico v Leather but one thing I can't find is if the leather seats have a different look/design e.g more stitched horizontal lines across the seating area etc?
I've to 2 dealerships now and all the cats have Artico so I've not been able to confirm, if any one has pictures that would be great!
The real leather seats have more horizontal stitching strips on the base and backrest than the MB Tex.
To be honest, I was undecided for ages and settled for the MB Tex and you just cannot tell the difference (other than the stitching) and no one would ever know (regardless of people's opinions on here)
This was my first C300 with the MB-Tex seats: (with some of the infamous "bleeding")
This is my current C300 with the leather seats:
MB-Tex is fine, but it does not have the smell or feel of real leather. It may not be a dramatic difference, but there is a difference. I personally prefer the styling on the leather seating areas, as well as the added stitching.
I disagree with the above post. You can tell the difference. Go sit in
its not a case of telling the difference between MB tex and leather . The post asked:
"I can't find if the leather seats have a different look/design e.g more stitched horizontal lines across the seating area etc?"
I stated you can't tell the difference other than the obvious additional stitching in terms of design.
I've also owned 4 Mercedes over the last 12 years. 2 with MB tex (or artico leather as its called in the UK) and 2 with real leather and the only difference is the smell. The real leather sags after 12 months and looks cheap which is a joke for an option that carrries additional ££$$££. MB tex doesn't stretch and looks showroom fresh after 3 years of ownership.
its not a case of telling the difference between MB tex and leather . The post asked...
We were both commenting on your silly statement...
"To be honest, I was undecided for ages and settled for the MB Tex and you just cannot tell the difference (other than the stitching) and no one would ever know (regardless of people's opinions on here)."
Only an idiot can't tell the difference between the cheap MB-Tex and real leather...
its not a case of telling the difference between MB tex and leather . The post asked:
"I can't find if the leather seats have a different look/design e.g more stitched horizontal lines across the seating area etc?"
I stated you can't tell the difference other than the obvious additional stitching in terms of design.
I've also owned 4 Mercedes over the last 12 years. 2 with MB tex (or artico leather as its called in the UK) and 2 with real leather and the only difference is the smell. The real leather sags after 12 months and looks cheap which is a joke for an option that carrries additional ££$$££. MB tex doesn't stretch and looks showroom fresh after 3 years of ownership.
so each to their own.
The leather seats in my 4 year old E350 Coupe, I just traded for my C never sagged, or looked cheap in any way after all that time. The leather in fact, held up remarkably well. I wouldn't make such a bold claim that this will be the case if someone pays extra for leather.
Only an idiot can't tell the difference between the cheap MB-Tex and real leather...
It's retards like you that ruin this forum.
no-one looking at a car with MB-Tex (who didn't know it was fake leather) would notice the difference. Only if you had 2 cars side by side and could inspect the differences (and had been told that 1 was fake), would you be able to notice. Unless you drive around with a car with MB-Tex next to you, just so you can point out you've got real leather?????
That's the point I was making.
However you're obviously right (as no-one else is allowed an opinion without being "an idiot").
I wouldn't make such a bold claim that this will be the case if someone pays extra for leather.
its not a bold claim. I've owned two W204's that both had real leather. both sagged after around 20k miles. its a fact. I weigh 190 pounds. so neither had fat asses in them either.
its not a bold claim. I've owned two W204's that both had real leather. both sagged after around 20k miles. its a fact. I weigh 190 pounds. so neither had fat asses in them either.
who knows, maybe I was just unlucky!
Maybe you were unlucky. Maybe you didn't properly care for the leather in your car. The leather in my MB cars have had leather treatment every six months to keep the leather in pristine condition and I've never had any of the issues you described.
That doesn't mean I don't like MB-Tex. We just picked up a new GLC300 with MB-Tex. It looks great and feels fine in a SUV, which will be more utilitarian in use.
MB-Tex versus real leather shouldn't be a debate, since both have their pros and cons. The synthetic is theoretically much more durable than leather, but I have read many reports of it becoming worn or even cracking over time. That is not at all typical, but MB-Tex can show wear. Mercedes does a good job with their vinyl, and it does feel soft to the touch and has a leather like texture to it. Generally, I think, it probably is more durable than the leather option.
Leather does require periodic maintenance to keep it both clean and soft. Annual or semi-annual treatments of leather conditioner are always recommended. I've owned cars with leather seats for many, many years, and have had no issues with them at all. Leather does have its own unique smell and feel to it. Most people, just looking at the seats in a Mercedes, would not be able to tell if the seat was real leather or artico. As an owner of the car, and having owned both, I can tell the difference. As I stated earlier, for me the more extensive stitching offered with the leather interior made that option literally more attractive. And .... I do love the smell of real leather.
There is no right or wrong in the selection of an interior material; just as there is no right or wrong color, wheel style, or sunroof option. Nobody here is paying for your car, so your own opinion is all that counts. If you're okay with the MB-Tex, it's a great choice. If you don't mind spending more for leather, and you think it's worth the extra money, the option is there for you.
MB-Tex versus real leather shouldn't be a debate, since both have their pros and cons. The synthetic is theoretically much more durable than leather, but I have read many reports of it becoming worn or even cracking over time. That is not at all typical, but MB-Tex can show wear. Mercedes does a good job with their vinyl, and it does feel soft to the touch and has a leather like texture to it. Generally, I think, it probably is more durable than the leather option.
Leather does require periodic maintenance to keep it both clean and soft. Annual or semi-annual treatments of leather conditioner are always recommended. I've owned cars with leather seats for many, many years, and have had no issues with them at all. Leather does have its own unique smell and feel to it. Most people, just looking at the seats in a Mercedes, would not be able to tell if the seat was real leather or artico. As an owner of the car, and having owned both, I can tell the difference. As I stated earlier, for me the more extensive stitching offered with the leather interior made that option literally more attractive. And .... I do love the smell of real leather.
There is no right or wrong in the selection of an interior material; just as there is no right or wrong color, wheel style, or sunroof option. Nobody here is paying for your car, so your own opinion is all that counts. If you're okay with the MB-Tex, it's a great choice. If you don't mind spending more for leather, and you think it's worth the extra money, the option is there for you.
+1
There you go gettin' all logical on an emotional subject! LOL But I agree with everything you said. Yes I do.
You can 100% tell the difference between vinyl and leather. Every time I get into another MB I can tell if it's leather or vinyl. If you don't care you're fortunate as it's a lot cheaper, but to say there's no difference is not accurate.
MB-Tex versus real leather shouldn't be a debate, since both have their pros and cons. The synthetic is theoretically much more durable than leather, but I have read many reports of it becoming worn or even cracking over time. That is not at all typical, but MB-Tex can show wear. Mercedes does a good job with their vinyl, and it does feel soft to the touch and has a leather like texture to it. Generally, I think, it probably is more durable than the leather option.
Leather does require periodic maintenance to keep it both clean and soft. Annual or semi-annual treatments of leather conditioner are always recommended. I've owned cars with leather seats for many, many years, and have had no issues with them at all. Leather does have its own unique smell and feel to it. Most people, just looking at the seats in a Mercedes, would not be able to tell if the seat was real leather or artico. As an owner of the car, and having owned both, I can tell the difference. As I stated earlier, for me the more extensive stitching offered with the leather interior made that option literally more attractive. And .... I do love the smell of real leather.
There is no right or wrong in the selection of an interior material; just as there is no right or wrong color, wheel style, or sunroof option. Nobody here is paying for your car, so your own opinion is all that counts. If you're okay with the MB-Tex, it's a great choice. If you don't mind spending more for leather, and you think it's worth the extra money, the option is there for you.
+1
couldn't agree more. Thanks for your adult response.
My last Mercedes had almost 30k miles on it with leather seats, didn't experience any sagging with the seats and I'm literally in the car 5+ hours daily. I think you can tell the difference, not just between Mercedes 2 choices, but if any car had faux leather I'm pretty sure it's easy to tell as far as I'm concerned.
We were both commenting on your silly statement...
"To be honest, I was undecided for ages and settled for the MB Tex and you just cannot tell the difference (other than the stitching) and no one would ever know (regardless of people's opinions on here)."
Only an idiot can't tell the difference between the cheap MB-Tex and real leather...
But according to JimKing, you shouldn't have been able to tell the difference between the MB-Tex and real leather...aside from the stitching...
Kidding aside, IMO it's a damn travesty to pay $50K plus for a new luxury vehicle and not get leather seats.
Good luck ordering your new Mercedes Darren !
I agree on that one. I was (and still am) shocked to learn from the dealers that they sell way more artico cars and that MB only sends them a relatively small number in leather. I really don't understand it given the brand positioning of the car and when you look at what the competition is doing (it is tough to get a bmw in anything but the base model with fake leather.
Would love to look at their marketing research on that one, but they seem to know what they are doing, even though I don't understand it.
Having said that, at least in Canada for the 450 the choice didn't seem to be between leather or vinyl, but between leather and a vinyl/fake suede combo. I don't understand that one either for a whole host of reasons, but some people seem to love it.
And let's not forget that with leather comes Ventilated Seats. A Godsend for anyone who lives in a warm climate.
Not in every market unfortunately (e.g. Australia). The difference here is that the MB-Tex is a perforated finish (I guess in an effort to keep you posterior cooler) and the leather is a solid finish. Left was a C200 I had on loan (with MB-tex) and the right is my C250D with they AMG grey leather.
No sure where the OP is based but make sure you check with your dealer as to the country specific options and finishes.
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. The post asked:
