Hi guys,

Not sure whether this has been discussed here (or maybe in another forum) but just wondering whether anyone's cabin in their C63 has a strong (I guess "leathery") smell?

I've owned the car for over 4 years now and i've tried changing a/c filters, steam cleaning the interior etc but the smell just doesn't go away. In fact, I would say it's getting stronger and it's nothing like the new car smell. I don't believe it's coming from the air vents as I haven't turned on the a/c over the past few months but the smell remains throughout the cabin. I actually believe it's the leather seats because my clothes are soaked in the smell after driving the car (though the steam clean didn't solve the problem).

It's actually quite overwhelming when you get in the car and actually gets quite annoying. To the point, I am contemplating selling the car solely because of this (love everything else about the car ).

I mean, the smell is so strong that my wife will actually know which car I drove out that day .

Really desperate for solution to this so appreciate any help on this.

Thanks.

 

Try this, worked for me.

 

I had a similar smell in my car ( I purchased a Certified 2010)

I used a little trick I learned from my detailer here. Try leaving the car out in the sun for a day or 2. With a glass of water / baking soda.

Let it evaporate a bit and see how the smell is after.

You can try "masking" the smell. But it may not go away.

 

OP, I think you are referring to the "Mercedes Benz" smell. benzes develop a very distinctive car smell as they age. I believe it's the interior materials such as dash board, etc.

 

You need the evaporator cleaned. There is some really good stuff called contracept that benz sells. Pull out the evap temp sensor and spray it down and the smell will go away. There are also plenty of other aftermarket solutions.

 

I have had two c63s and three other MB's and I notice an odor in both c63s. I seldom use ac in the c but it's always on in the other MB's. I tried most everything noted above and no luck. I had never cleaned and conditioned the seats but I never thought this smell was from the seats. I used leatherique products two weeks ago and the smell has improved significantly. If you have not cleaned your leather, I strongly think it is the source. Either have it done professionally ( and not with junky cleaners ) or spend a good half a day with some good quality leather cleaning system. Let me know if you succeed. Don't sell the damn car.

 

I have a 2009 and the car smells great! Wish it smelled new still, but oh well...only 30K miles though...check under the car to make sure you don't have roadkill stuck somwhere...it would explain why it's getting worse as time goes on.... who knows...

 

try this stuff http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-...freshener.html
then change cabin filter
I do it every spring

 

If you want to remove all odors i suggest you do the following:
1. dust the whole car
2. clean dash, doors, plastics with armorall
3. vacuum mats and carpets
4. wash the mats and carpets
5. spray febreez on the roof liner
6. clean seats with leather cleaner
7. change cabin air filter
Worked great for me.

 

Every time I hear someone using Armorall on their car I die a little bit inside. Use something a bit better, like meguiars or griotts. ANYTHING but Armorall!

 

that was just an example, but i found armorall to be good. been using it for 3 years, no issues.

 

I use maguires. I like that it's not "oily shiny", and also has a nice coconutty scent.

 

Have you had any skanks in the car lately

 

Lmaooo

 

what do you have against skanks? lol.

 

for vinyl and plastic I like this http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einzett-cockpit-premium.html
leaves no residue and a matte finish, a slight 'lemon' smell
just spray on a rag or sponge and wipe everything down
works well on the steering wheel, leaves it matte and removes all the oil from your hands, but does not dry the leather out

 

i have the same exact thing in my 2010 c63 its terrible did everything but its still there

 

if the smell is indeed from the vents, I found that leaving the AC on all the time when running the climate control helps.

 

its mold and bacteria build up on the evaporator. If you turned off the a/c and put the heat on to dry it off before you get out of the car it wouldnt happen. Some of the later cars do this automatically its called dry-blow.

 

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions..... Will definitely be trying these out. The leather seats are the major concern for me, hate the smell that permeates onto my clothes after sitting on it. Smells like I just threw up. Bloody weird....

 

Turn the heater on to max heat and max fan setting, let car idle for about 10 mins. This helps.

Replace filter under cubby.

 

As an update to this, I have tried spraying the disinfectant sprays within the car on a continuous basis (i.e. after every time I drove the car). It worked well on a temporary basis. The smell definitely was gone, or at least unnoticeable, but if you don't spray it for a few times, it comes back!

Anyway, fed up with it and sold the car …. i know, bit rash but it was really getting annoying. Took me 4 years of ownership to get to this point.

So now, AMG-less, only a W124 to keep me in the MB community.

 

Common problem with all cars
They don 't make the products for a specific marque or model lol
My RS4 and M3's all did it

 

This is pretty extreme but if you would have done what I posted in the second post of this thread it would have solved your issue. Just saying.

 

you sold a car because it smelled? Kinda weird and a bit extreme? What did it smell like? Lol...i mean my cats stink like **** after I beat on it but, it is kind of a race car so it won't be smelling like roses after you beat on it..you should have taken it to mercedes ..they would have fixed it. Maybe a dead animal was some where in the system and was rotting..idk ...I have yet to meet a human being that "smells" nice all the time..most smell like *** but that doesn't mean I just pawn them off