"Old Car" Smell
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 664
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From: Ft. Lauderdale
2015 C300, 2025 GLC300 4Matic
"Old Car" Smell
My E-Class is only four years old, but it has developed a really bad "old car" smell. My last MB was a C-Class I had for five years, and it never smelled bad. I guess it must be the leather seats, because the C-Class did not have them. No one smokes in the car. Any ideas on how to get rid of it? I really hate to carry passengers now because I am embarrassed about the stink. BTW, I had a Blazer for 19 years, and it never smelled bad.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I dunno, maybe something crawled up inside it somewhere and died (really happened to a friend of mine)??? Well, if you think it's the seats, buy some Leatherique for your seats and apply. Not only will it clean, soften, protect and over time, make your seats like new but it will take out any smells that are in them. You can try searching the Detailing forum for more info. on this. Good luck...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 299
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
I would definitely start by cleaning and conditioning the leather. I have a 1988 560SL and the leather doesn't have any bad smells at all.
I would also consider spraying something like "Fabreze" or the like into your a/c vents. Better yet, into the air intakes from the engine side so it travels throughout the a/c system. Yes, there will be a slight smell from that but it will die soon enough.
Haven't had that trouble in any of our cars, but while detailing others' we have found that the Fabreze "trick" really can make a difference.
_____________
1988 560SL
2001 E430
2004 SL500
I would also consider spraying something like "Fabreze" or the like into your a/c vents. Better yet, into the air intakes from the engine side so it travels throughout the a/c system. Yes, there will be a slight smell from that but it will die soon enough.
Haven't had that trouble in any of our cars, but while detailing others' we have found that the Fabreze "trick" really can make a difference.
_____________
1988 560SL
2001 E430
2004 SL500
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Could be something on your HVAC filter. Why not change that and the charcoal filter. At the same time you could spray some mildicide/ deodorant on the a/c coils and ducts. Have an 01 E class and never had that problem
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Originally posted by E55AMG99
Roll the windows up and smoke a big fat Cohiba in that sucker!
Roll the windows up and smoke a big fat Cohiba in that sucker!
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally posted by jimmydagreek
As much as I love cigars, I never smoke them in the car. That would make it smell like a$$ IMO, lol...
As much as I love cigars, I never smoke them in the car. That would make it smell like a$$ IMO, lol...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Columbia, SC
E300
Originally posted by E55AMG99
You haven't been around my nephew!
You haven't been around my nephew!
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 111
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From: Chicago, IL
1997 E420
Remove the floor mats and see if the smell subsides. Sometimes floormats can hold moisture and start to stink.
FYI, the distinctive smell of Mercedes leather is one of the reasons I own a Mercedes.
FYI, the distinctive smell of Mercedes leather is one of the reasons I own a Mercedes.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 664
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From: Ft. Lauderdale
2015 C300, 2025 GLC300 4Matic
Well I spent all day today cleaning it. I cleaned and conditioned all the leather, shampooed the carpet and floor mats, and sprayed disinfectant in the air intake. It smells OK right now, so I'll give it a few days and see what happens. BTW by sniffing around very carefully, I think the bad smell is coming from the plastic on the dashboard. Except for three days a week, I keep it in the garage. It sure looks great all cleaned up!
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
Go to www.griotsgarage.com and order their leather scent spray, and apply it after you have conditioned your leather with their leather conditioner. Your car will smell like new.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
Last edited by theine; Feb 20, 2004 at 06:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 664
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From: Ft. Lauderdale
2015 C300, 2025 GLC300 4Matic
Originally posted by theine
Go to www.griotsgarage.com and order their leather scent spray, and applied after you have conditioned your leather with their leather conditioner. Your car will smell like new.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
Go to www.griotsgarage.com and order their leather scent spray, and applied after you have conditioned your leather with their leather conditioner. Your car will smell like new.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally posted by theine
Go to www.griotsgarage.com and order their leather scent spray, and apply it after you have conditioned your leather with their leather conditioner. Your car will smell like new.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
Go to www.griotsgarage.com and order their leather scent spray, and apply it after you have conditioned your leather with their leather conditioner. Your car will smell like new.
I spray my cars once a week, and they smell like the day they came out of the showroom.
I'm gonna go find some of that stuff locally..........
smell
