Side bolster wear and tear
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Toronto
2012 C63 w/APX
Side bolster wear and tear
So I've had my 2012 for about 4 months (daily driver) and the drivers side left bolster looks like I've had my car for about 2 years. What do you guys use to treat your leather? I really want to maintain the matte look, so pls don't suggest anything that would leave a shiny finish.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Spain
Porsche 911
So I've had my 2012 for about 4 months (daily driver) and the drivers side left bolster looks like I've had my car for about 2 years. What do you guys use to treat your leather? I really want to maintain the matte look, so pls don't suggest anything that would leave a shiny finish.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 366
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From: Australia
E63S
I have a 2010 model with the same issue. It is very common I believe. Like you I noticed it fairly early on - definitely less than a year old. Not helped by the large side bolsters getting in the way when you get in/out of the seat, plus I think the lap sash part of the seat belt rubbing over the bolster when you first put it on. I have been careful since then how I get in and out of the seat - use that Easy Entry setting or whatever it is that lifts the steering column up - and try to keep the lap sash under the bolster as you do up the seat belt.
If it helps in the almost 2 years since I first noticed it not sure it has got any worse by being careful as above and using leather care stuff fairly regularly.
I mentioned it at first service - got the old we will have a look sir - and then "normal wear and tear, if it gets any worse we will have another look"
If it helps in the almost 2 years since I first noticed it not sure it has got any worse by being careful as above and using leather care stuff fairly regularly.
I mentioned it at first service - got the old we will have a look sir - and then "normal wear and tear, if it gets any worse we will have another look"
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From: Sydney.
2003-E55 2011-C63 2016-C63S
I had the same problem with a bolster on a 500SL which was scuffed by a waist belt. I had the bolster rubbed back and repainted and it looked like new again. I asked the guy who did the work the same question about cleaning leather and was told the only way to do it properly was with a slightly damp cloth. If requiring stain removal use lightly soaped water. I have used expensive leather cleaners in the past and like you suggest the leather took on a shine, so I now wipe my seats over with a wrung out chamois which works very well.
I find the leather in the C63 is a lot softer than my prior owned Mercedes’. My C63 has only done low miles and signs of wear are already evident. When the leather is shot to hell I will get a good upholster to replace it like new again. At the end of the day it’s not an expensive exercise.
I find the leather in the C63 is a lot softer than my prior owned Mercedes’. My C63 has only done low miles and signs of wear are already evident. When the leather is shot to hell I will get a good upholster to replace it like new again. At the end of the day it’s not an expensive exercise.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Melbourne
(a)'12 C63 P/P, LSD, 19" m/spoke,comfort pack. (b)Astra SRI.
Wear on seat bolsters is a problem with many cars.
Careful entry & exit can do a lot to diminish the issue...by that I mean that I do not let any of my body touch the bolsters getting in & out.
Some people just don't give a stuff though....they'll actually SIT on the bolsters, really RUB them getting in & out etc etc.....a bit of extra care will go a long way.
Cheers, Pickles.
Careful entry & exit can do a lot to diminish the issue...by that I mean that I do not let any of my body touch the bolsters getting in & out.
Some people just don't give a stuff though....they'll actually SIT on the bolsters, really RUB them getting in & out etc etc.....a bit of extra care will go a long way.
Cheers, Pickles.
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From: Sydney.
2003-E55 2011-C63 2016-C63S
The easy entry steering wheel function only moves the wheel up about an inch in my C63. Can this be programmed to move more? In my E55 it was more like 2 to 3 inches and this makes entry a lot easier.
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From: SF Bay Area
2009 C63, 2000 ML 430, 1994 Del Sol Vtec
I told them I thought the wear was excessive. The dealer has a 3rd party they use for leather work and had him quote the job at ~$150. The SA brought out the service manager, explained the situation and the service manager decided to cover it. Great guys here at Walnut Creek MB!
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
You seem to have confirmed my suspicions, tdogjag and JimmyR. Nappa leather, by nature, is a much more thin and fine grained leather than the standard kind used in the C63. I've got it on my 01 CLK55 and the 07 R63 and they do have some signs of wear but I don't think it's too bad (50,000 miles on each). Some areas are shiny on my CLK from the most touched areas (butt of driver's chair) and there's some small creases on my R's side bolster on the driver's side butt and seat back. I try to minimize the issues with leather care but it seems inevitable with this leather. I personally find the tradeoff worth it for having a very soft leather and it's very nice to touch. More leather conditioner?
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From: SF Bay Area
2009 C63, 2000 ML 430, 1994 Del Sol Vtec
