DaCeptak0n

I am wondering what is the difference between the leather upholstery and the leather inserts. More so, does anyone on this board even have leather inserts instead of full leather in their E-class? I have yet to see one with leather inserts frankly

pfphipps

I have a 2003 E320 with leather inserts. I almost did not buy it because of them but they made me an offer I could not refuse. I guess I will still complain about the leather inserts instead of full leather but on the other hand, I would have a hard time pointing out which parts are leather and which are not leather. I honestly do not know and at this point, I guess I do not care. It would not surprise me if you have seen one with leather inserts and did not know it.

It seems there should be some cost savings for MB to make all cars the same instead of some this way and some that way. Just put full leather in all USA cars and be done with it.

jester2ll2

The oringinal CDI that I took delivery on had "leather inserts", when I realized it, I took it back and demanded that they find me one with leather. I had ordered the full leather interior, the salesman said it was the leather interior.

Took them awhile but they found me one.

Easiest way, I think, to tell the difference between an interior with full leather and just leather inserts is too look at the door panels. Full Leather panels have what looks like wrinkled leather on it, while the M-B Tex panels are smooth.

Now I'm not 100% this is 100% accurate, but I'm 98% sure that it is.

Look at these:
Leather Interior 1
Leather Interior 2
M-B Tex Interior

Fastbuck

I agree.

jim256

I believe I've read here that the '05 CDI now has inserts only on the front seats, and full MB-Tex in the back. (98% sure, too). I don't know if that applies to all 05's but expect so. Someone here prefers the inserts because he wants the added elbow room provided by the MB-Tex door inserts. That's true. Personally, I've had MB's with both and it would not be a deal breaker, either way, IMHO.

jester2ll2

Personally, I think that Mercedes should come standard with leather, and have the option for the vinyl (M-B Tex).

Cars in the category of Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, etc... should come standard with leather.

But, thats just my opinion.

DWP

Not that it has anything to do with anything, but W211s sold in India don't seem to have even leather inserts on the seats - the only leather mentioned is on the steering wheel and gearshift knob. Probably climate and/or cultural reasons at work. Wonder if the leather on the steering wheel and gearshift knob in India is from animals other than cattle or swine ...

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.in/carconfig_frset.htm

DaCeptak0n

Leather in India is pointless. It'll get so dirty there that it'll be imnpossible to maintain. My cousin's E500 has leather and the black is basically now a purple becuase of sweat and dirt. Disgusting actually

Barry45RPM

Leather choices are located in the car configuration under "paint & Upholstery" 3 different colors. Gee whiz, talk about decontenting, though.

Incendiary

Going with leather inserts. Generally don't feel leather is worth the extra cost unless it's high quality leather. Sat in an E500 and the full leather wasn't very nice. I agree that decontenting has probably led to this, as both the current 5-series and E-class leather is nothing to be proud of, especially at a $1550 (or whatever it is) surcharge.

Cal

Aside from looking at the door panel leather, you won't be able to tell leather inserts from full leather. The seats should feel the same for both leather inserts and full leather. In that respect, getting a car with leather inserts is fine if you want to save the $1700 or so they charge for full leather. You won't feel a difference while driving or sitting in either car.

TPAbnz

The MB Tex looks great but leather and vinyl age and discolor differently. As UV exposure continues over time, the color difference may become evident.

DavidNJ

First, from what I've seen in Germany, 90+% of W211s have cloth interior. Most don't have a power adjusted steering column or passenger front seat. The biggest engine on most is a 270 CDI, however the 200 Kompressor and 200 CDI are also popular. Many don't have model designations on the back.

That said, in the US, I think you can easily tell the difference between leather/vinyl, leather, leather with ventilated seats, and nappa in designo. They get more suble along that list. MB vinyl is very nice, thick vinyl. It is still vinyl. To the best of my knowledge I don't have any seating surface covered in vinyl in my house.

I would spring for the leather. We got the leather and ventilated seats. If the complete designo package with color selections and leather dash/doors had been available, we probably would have gone for that.