220S

I've been looking at getting a new MY09 E350 and have come to realize that here in the US, the dealers seem to only have MB Tex upholstered cars and no leather optioned ones. Apparently I'll have to special order if I want the leather option.

How many people here in the US with a MY08-09 have the leather option? Did any of you find one on the lot or did you special order? The dealers are trying to convince me that MB Tex is better, but I find it to be sticky and makes me kind of sweaty in hot weather. I'd prefer leather. I think they're only trying to convince me because all they have in their allocations are MB Tex.

I did a lot of searching on MB Tex vs leather and I know the pros and cons, and that it's subjective as to preference. But I'm curious how many owners of the 350 actually have leather.

Kar don

I've seen leather on a 2007, stiff as a board. That said I'd still probably rather have the leather because I'd want the Cognac color.

Dema

Insist on leather. Check this thread

Polar Bear

You can get leather and I wouldn't settle if I were you. Too many dealers order stripped cars IMO. Insist on what you want when you are spending that kind of money.

TPAbnz

Full leather has been optional (other than 500/550) for several years. Look at the door panels to quickly spot the difference.

Untertürkheim

There are E350's with Leather (and P2!), but they are few and far between. I have yet to find one with Leather, P2 and parktronic though.

K-A

Is Leather *really* that much better than Vinyl or is it just the simple fact that with a Car this expensive, it's just blasphemy to not have real leather all around. If I had a choice I'd take Leather just because, but I'm pretty curious.

Personally, it's not much of a big deal to me, also, I'm very convinced that MB-Tex will retain its new and tight look far longer than real leather will. Also, the E's don't come with Nappa Leather do they? I will say, with the W220's, when I was looking at the S430's I though the Leather was pretty cheap feeling (kinda felt like Vinyl should), is this the Leather that comes in the W211's? On the other hand, the Nappa Leather in the S500's is amazing.

220S

That's what I'm up against. I would like leather, P2 and parktronic (I have park assist on my current car and I'm afraid I've developed a lazy habit now when parking.)

As you said, leather and P2 are impossible to find on the lots. I assume dealers are trying to keep the sticker price low so than can compete and sell. And speaking of competition, as anyone noticed that on the MBUSA website you cannot do a comparison with a MB and a BMW? They list every other car to select as a comparison, but no BMW. That implies something

Again, this isn't about MB Tex versus Leather (there are a million threads on that issue) but about the E350 even being available with leather without special order.

Dema

Interesting how leather affects resale value. My 6 old MB with leather looks much better than brand new MB-tex. I do not understand why people can purchase so expensive car with vinyl.

Long Islander

If you want an E-class with leather, P2 and a color other than silver or black, you're pretty much forced into ordering it and waiting 60-90 days.

220S

Yep, it sounds like you're right. And nothing on the lots but black, white or silver. Just got through talking with the dealer and they said there is no P2, leather, parktronic, Flint Grey, anywhere in the US.

So, I wait for 3 months.

Or get a 550

Or a BMW.

Dema

BMW selection was even worse, I couldn't get P2 (unless I take M5), so I decided to go with Benz. I still have no idea why dealers order so strange equipped cars.

Polar Bear

You mean stripped cars?

I agree. Very frustrating. I would have driven home a new E-class a long time ago if my dealer would ever get one that I liked.

I feel if they have one on the lot they can sell, they will negotiate a better price on it, but if they have to order one or transfer it, they don't care quite as much if they sell it or not so I don't bother.

My friend just bought a new E350 and really wanted a P2 car but there were none to be had at my local dealer. All P1 cars with wood steering wheels and iPod adaptors.

gnma

Crazy. I think Leather should be standard on every MB. Period.

220S

Well, there's no leather MY09 E350 at any dealership in the entire USA.

And to top it all off, MBUSA just emailed me to say that P2 is not available with the sport option. What?!? So, you can't get HID lamps and keyless go if you want the 18" AMG wheels and paddle shift/steering wheel?

That's crazy. And so I go to the website and sure enough, P2 is grayed out when you select the no cost sport option (which requires black maple trim selection.)

I think that kind of ends it with the E350 for me.

However, I spotted two E350s at a local dealer's website claiming to be sport (listed as Avantgarde sport) and with P2. One is Flint on ash MB Tex and the other is black on black. I'm going to look in person tomorrow. Is Avantgarde (the Euro sport designation) the same as the Sport AMG pkg in the US for MY09? Called the dealer and they didn't have a clue, so I'll go see them in the flesh.

Dema

Accordingly 09 brochure, all E350 have sport by default. It means you can’t buy the car without it. It is reality. So MB USA was correct, there is no sport option anymore.

To Polar Bear, yes all 535 had quite weired set of options, all incuded navigation and heated seats plus one-two other options in quite strange combinations, like sport and comfort access, or park assist and folding seats, or park assist and rear shades.

mac911

Us Vegetarians don't think so.

Maddic

For safety reason...I also think that P2 or HID package should be a standard feature in every MB. C'mon MBUSA....stopping cutting corners NOW!

IndiumGreyE63

I agree... The name Mercedes-Benz and 'stripped down' should not be synonymous.

gaazmon

Really messed up how leather isn't standard on the E350. My friend's 1995 C220 had leather standard. It's more understanding if the C doesn't have it, but the E, that's just nonsense.

gnma

Do you wear leather shoes?

gnma

+1

My '02 Maxima SE came standard with Xenons, a 3.5 litre motor, 17" rims, and a 6spd. manual transmission this was 6 yrs. ago. Leather, navi, 6 disc, heated seats/steering wheel, helical limited slip diff. were all extra, but for a base model, that car was so well equipped back then. Today, you can't even get a MB with leather and Xenons standard.....

To the owner of the iridium grey E63 who posted above - you have one gorgeous car, absolutely beautiful!!

Dema

E550 has leather as a standard. I guess you can't buy E63 with MB-tex, so I do not see a problem here.

IndiumGreyE63

Thanks!

220S

Well, I found a new MY09 E350 that might work for me. It's got leather and P2. It was no doubt a special order that somebody bailed out on.

Here's what it is:

Sienna Black Metallic
Sahara Beige/Black leather
P2
Parktronic
AMG Sport Package
Panorama Roof
Designo Burl Walnut
Illuminated door sills
Rear window shades

The color combo I'm not too keen on. Although the contrast looks okay. I'd prefer Flint or Indium. It's just that I find black to be a real pain to keep clean. And I normally prefer black interiors. But the Sienna has nice flake in it with some reddish/brown hues.

I don't care about the illuminated door sills, Designo burl walnut, or rear window shades. So, I'll have to pay for those. I'm not so excited about Panorama sunroof, either. It looks okay but I'm worried about having a glass roof (rigid/stability issues and possible breakage being expensive??)

MSRP is $62,505. Their invoice is $58,838. They've offered it at $56,941. That was their first offer, we haven't negotiated at all yet.

I'm thinking about it. I'd have to special order, wait three months, and probably get hit with the rumored price increase if I want a different color combo, and less those extras I don't really care about.

But it could be a car I can live with. The black on beige does look kinda nice.

Any comments?