Center pillar fabric wear?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
that whole trim piece is about 110 at cost from your stealership. No reason to go through the whole mess of getting it re-covered.
If you can do the installation your self its no big deal.
I have seen them wear on many cars but I always thought it was from getting in and out of the car and rubbing that section with your back side.
If you can do the installation your self its no big deal.
I have seen them wear on many cars but I always thought it was from getting in and out of the car and rubbing that section with your back side.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: fla
e350
You don't need a part. The plastic piece has to be carefully removed, the old fabric stripped off, whatever new material you choose has to be cut to size and cemented on the plastic. I chose vinyl matching my leather seats. My shop had a remnant (no cost) handy and did both sides in 2 hours. I paid $250 since I have no upholstery skills or tools. I would advise the same. The trim has to be very carefully dealt with, and keep in mind the seat belts are affixed in that area. Good luck.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
You don't need a part. The plastic piece has to be carefully removed, the old fabric stripped off, whatever new material you choose has to be cut to size and cemented on the plastic. I chose vinyl matching my leather seats. My shop had a remnant (no cost) handy and did both sides in 2 hours. I paid $250 since I have no upholstery skills or tools. I would advise the same. The trim has to be very carefully dealt with, and keep in mind the seat belts are affixed in that area. Good luck.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Fat chance indeed
From all I've read in this forum, it is apparent that late model E350's have a design flaw. I have looked at several other luxury cars and their center pillars are mainly covered in durable vinyl and look good and don't wear. I've been wondering if MB has or would acknowledge that they built the cars with a design flaw and if there is any recourse such as a recall. Fat chance, huh?
Anyone out there have a suggestion. Mine get worse each I enter or exit.
Anyone out there have a suggestion. Mine get worse each I enter or exit.
I have an E320 cdi with this problem. I cannot imagine why anyone, even with just the sense God gave a sardine, would put chintzy fabric on a high wear area, but MB did it. The Germans can be really, really dumb. Forget about them admitting it let alone fixing their stupid design.
Our 92 LS400 went over 20 years before I sold it with zero noticeable wear at this point. So will your typical Corolla, but not your W211.
Nopcbs
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Height and thought quality issue
This fabric wear on the door pillar is because MB was STUPID to put a non-durable material there on a surface where abrasion is highly likely when a person gets into or out of the car. It is just incompetent/thoughtless design. Anyone with a speck of sense would use a good hard plastic or metal.
Having said that, if you are a very short person and always have the seat set well forward you may never see or understand the problem as the issue only arises if the seat is set back as for a person, say, 5' 10" or taller. I am 6'1" and the fabric was fully worn through in about 20,000 miles. Looks like hell, but it is a good reminder every time I look at it to buy no more MB cars and stick with Lexus or BMW. That and the alternator that failed at 30,000 miles and cost $1,000 to replace (rebuilt part) and the glow plug that failed at same mileage ($200).
Nice cars, but lots of evidence of someone stopping thinking way too soon.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
This fabric wear on the door pillar is because MB was STUPID to put a non-durable material there on a surface where abrasion is highly likely when a person gets into or out of the car. It is just incompetent/thoughtless design. Anyone with a speck of sense would use a good hard plastic or metal.
Having said that, if you are a very short person and always have the seat set well forward you may never see or understand the problem as the issue only arises if the seat is set back as for a person, say, 5' 10" or taller. I am 6'1" and the fabric was fully worn through in about 20,000 miles. Looks like hell, but it is a good reminder every time I look at it to buy no more MB cars and stick with Lexus or BMW. That and the alternator that failed at 30,000 miles and cost $1,000 to replace (rebuilt part) and the glow plug that failed at same mileage ($200).
Nice cars, but lots of evidence of someone stopping thinking way too soon.
Having said that, if you are a very short person and always have the seat set well forward you may never see or understand the problem as the issue only arises if the seat is set back as for a person, say, 5' 10" or taller. I am 6'1" and the fabric was fully worn through in about 20,000 miles. Looks like hell, but it is a good reminder every time I look at it to buy no more MB cars and stick with Lexus or BMW. That and the alternator that failed at 30,000 miles and cost $1,000 to replace (rebuilt part) and the glow plug that failed at same mileage ($200).
Nice cars, but lots of evidence of someone stopping thinking way too soon.
All new Mercedes-Benz have the hard plastic on that lower part now, so no worries there if you decide on a new one.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Yep, worn/frayed looks really luxurious
If they want luxurious and fabric, fine use carbon fiber or a durable leather or...how about the luxurious synthetic leather they use on seating surfaces? Looks fine and wears as well as leather.
Nope, this was just a thoughtless decision, to use fabric with poor wear qualities. Shorter people (fat or not) get a break because the b-pillar is located behind the seat back when they have the seat adjusted to fit them. Average height males of any circumference are not so lucky.
By the way, please NEVER defend stupid design decisions by a car manufacturer. When the do a good job they deserve applause and lots of sales (and they get them), when they make bone-head decisions that cause headaches for their customers they deserve scathing criticism. They earned it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
30,000 miles
Odd, 30k miles you should still have warranty. Good luck with BMW being any different. You will not only wear out your fabric, but the rubber door seal as well. I see it all the time.
All new Mercedes-Benz have the hard plastic on that lower part now, so no worries there if you decide on a new one.
All new Mercedes-Benz have the hard plastic on that lower part now, so no worries there if you decide on a new one.
The car in question, a 2006 E320 CDI, was purchased as a certified from a MB dealer with 17,700 on it. It only gets driven in winter (E46 M3 vert = summer car) and it only gets driven a few thousand miles a year, so it went out of warranty on time long before it did on miles. Still has less than 40,000 miles on it. Good car to drive and solid, but dumb things like the b-pillar wear, the really useless gps that a 10-year old Garmin beats in every way, and the alternator/glow plugs failure issues leave a bad taste in one's mouth.
We had a 92 LS400 that we bought as a 2-year old certified and kept until last year (2014) selling with 108,000 miles. Now there was a great car! Essentially bullet-proof, but not really a sports sedan and we really did not need 4 cars, so we sold it. Still miss it. Probably the best car we will ever own.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
The car in question, a 2006 E320 CDI, was purchased as a certified from a MB dealer with 17,700 on it. It only gets driven in winter (E46 M3 vert = summer car) and it only gets driven a few thousand miles a year, so it went out of warranty on time long before it did on miles. Still has less than 40,000 miles on it. Good car to drive and solid, but dumb things like the b-pillar wear, the really useless gps that a 10-year old Garmin beats in every way, and the alternator/glow plugs failure issues leave a bad taste in one's mouth.
We had a 92 LS400 that we bought as a 2-year old certified and kept until last year (2014) selling with 108,000 miles. Now there was a great car! Essentially bullet-proof, but not really a sports sedan and we really did not need 4 cars, so we sold it. Still miss it. Probably the best car we will ever own.
We had a 92 LS400 that we bought as a 2-year old certified and kept until last year (2014) selling with 108,000 miles. Now there was a great car! Essentially bullet-proof, but not really a sports sedan and we really did not need 4 cars, so we sold it. Still miss it. Probably the best car we will ever own.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
If they sold a diesel in the US I would have and would have had a far more reliable car than the E320 has been.
By the way, the Mercedes fake leather is cracking. The real leather in the '92 LS400 did not crack in over 20 years.
Don't defend bad design and use of non-durable materials in pricey cars.
In a Yugo or Fiat 500, OK, but in a Mercedes????
By the way, the Mercedes fake leather is cracking. The real leather in the '92 LS400 did not crack in over 20 years.
Don't defend bad design and use of non-durable materials in pricey cars.
In a Yugo or Fiat 500, OK, but in a Mercedes????
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Does anyone have the part number for this piece in order to price it with the dealer? I read $110.00 above, but that quote was made quite a while back.
Thanks in advance.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
About $145
Starting this up again, as I as well would like to see a picture of anyone's fix with covering this center pillar piece?
Does anyone have the part number for this piece in order to price it with the dealer? I read $110.00 above, but that quote was made quite a while back.
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have the part number for this piece in order to price it with the dealer? I read $110.00 above, but that quote was made quite a while back.
Thanks in advance.
Nopcbs
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
2006 E320 CDI
Wow!
If you have an '03 and your fabric has just worn, you are a lucky fellow indeed.
The fabric on my 2006 E320 cdi wore through to the plastic below in under 5 years...and the car is only driven 6 months a year.
- nopcbs
The fabric on my 2006 E320 cdi wore through to the plastic below in under 5 years...and the car is only driven 6 months a year.
- nopcbs
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
190,000+ miles and not cracks or wear on the pillar. Again, I'm a bit more cautions when getting in and out. I also take a bit of care of it, about three times a year it gets cleaned and conditioned.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
- You are a very short person and the seat is moved very much forward all the time, rather than in the aft position.
- You drive 600 plus miles in one stretch without ever getting in or out of the car.
That would be the only logical explanation for your pillar not wearing.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
GREAT, that is very good news for you, but must mean one of the following:
- You are a very short person and the seat is moved very much forward all the time, rather than in the aft position. wrong
- You drive 600 plus miles in one stretch without ever getting in or out of the car. wrong again
That would be the only logical explanation for your pillar not wearing.
- You are a very short person and the seat is moved very much forward all the time, rather than in the aft position. wrong
- You drive 600 plus miles in one stretch without ever getting in or out of the car. wrong again
That would be the only logical explanation for your pillar not wearing.
