Talk to me about MB-Tex
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
I'm considering a 2010 E350 with these much-discussed MB-Tex vinyl seats. I haven't owned vinyl car seats in more than 20 years. I would prefer leather since the vinyl seats I remember from way back then would grill you alive whenever you slid into your drivers seat on a 95-degree mid-July day if the car had been parked in the sun for just a couple of hours....
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 113
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From: Stamford, CT
2012 E350 RWD, 2003 Aprilia RSV1000 Tuono
I use Lexol Leather/Vinyl spray cleaner then Lexol Leather/Vinyl spray conditioner. If you sometimes wear blue jeans, make sure you clean the driver's seat at least twice a year to keep the "blues" away.
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BMW 5er
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
I use the Lexol Vinylex on my MB Tex and vinyl/plastic on other vehicles. Works great.
I prefer the MB Tex to the three cars I had with leather. Leather will crack, split and wear worse than vinyl. Some leather seats actually have a "vinyl" coating.
Last three MB vehicles that Consumer Reports has evaluated came with MB Tex and they recommended it over the leather.
I prefer the MB Tex to the three cars I had with leather. Leather will crack, split and wear worse than vinyl. Some leather seats actually have a "vinyl" coating.
Last three MB vehicles that Consumer Reports has evaluated came with MB Tex and they recommended it over the leather.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
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650i
Sure MB-Tex is just a fancy vinyl at the end of the day. So sure it holds up like iron - that's why Consumer reports likes it. Has nothing to do with the the superior look, feel, softness and smell and luxury of a fine leather like Nappa.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Not just durability
IMO, quality cloth seats are softer and more comfortable than leather- or vinyl.
Everybody who has been in my car assumes it is vinyl. Other manufacturers are starting to use vinyl in high end cars as well.
All comes down to what owner wants.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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650i
CR also likes it because it looks like expensive leather and feels like expensive leather. After all, vinyl seats were first used on luxury cars because they were better than leather!
IMO, quality cloth seats are softer and more comfortable than leather- or vinyl.
Everybody who has been in my car assumes it is vinyl. Other manufacturers are starting to use vinyl in high end cars as well.
All comes down to what owner wants.
IMO, quality cloth seats are softer and more comfortable than leather- or vinyl.
Everybody who has been in my car assumes it is vinyl. Other manufacturers are starting to use vinyl in high end cars as well.
All comes down to what owner wants.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
Sorry, vinyl does not look or feel like top grade leather. I tested many cars before ordering my 650i and neither BMW or Benz vinyl is in the same universe at Nappa leather. Also, you will not find vinyl in any top end car - including Mercedes. Let's face it as durable as vinyl is, it is not in the same league as leather at the top end of the market.Who wants vinyl seats in a Bentley, Ferrari, ect. It would be like putting laminate countertops in a million dollar house.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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650i
Absolutely true, I looked at a E550 coupe which has leather as standard equip and I was very disappointed. Did not feel or look much different than MB-Tex. Did not have much in the way of leather aroma either. One reason I scratched the e550 off my list. ( Also don't get putting a column mounted shifter in a sports coupe)
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 355
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
Sorry, vinyl does not look or feel like top grade leather. I tested many cars before ordering my 650i and neither BMW or Benz vinyl is in the same universe at Nappa leather. Also, you will not find vinyl in any top end car - including Mercedes. Let's face it as durable as vinyl is, it is not in the same league as leather at the top end of the market.Who wants vinyl seats in a Bentley, Ferrari, ect. It would be like putting laminate countertops in a million dollar house.
In a time when 60% of luxury cars start as leases, using vinyl preserves resale value. My amg has leather, it has a nice patina, my two other MB's have been MB-tex and all seating surfaces looked and felt as good on the day I sold those cars as the day I bought them. worn leather seats look great in antique cars, not so great in a 36mo old b'mer or MB.
The used e350 I just picked up has mbtex, seats are pristine. my wife probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't mentioned it
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
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Fj cruiser 2014 GLK250
Sorry, vinyl does not look or feel like top grade leather. I tested many cars before ordering my 650i and neither BMW or Benz vinyl is in the same universe at Nappa leather. Also, you will not find vinyl in any top end car - including Mercedes. Let's face it as durable as vinyl is, it is not in the same league as leather at the top end of the market.Who wants vinyl seats in a Bentley, Ferrari, ect. It would be like putting laminate countertops in a million dollar house.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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650i
Wow that is amazing. For a house in that range, I would expect the highest end granite or I'm on to the next listing. What's next in this screwed up world -maybe a a Rolex with a plastic watchband?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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650i
unfortunately, leather begins to wear almost immediately. leather is not in any way "stable" and what is referred to as breathing is absorbtion and release of sweat. no matter what kind of leather you have, it begins to wear at the needle holes, and the bolsters start to stretch and break down, especially the drivers thigh bolsters.
In a time when 60% of luxury cars start as leases, using vinyl preserves resale value. My amg has leather, it has a nice patina, my two other MB's have been MB-tex and all seating surfaces looked and felt as good on the day I sold those cars as the day I bought them. worn leather seats look great in antique cars, not so great in a 36mo old b'mer or MB.
The used e350 I just picked up has mbtex, seats are pristine. my wife probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't mentioned it
In a time when 60% of luxury cars start as leases, using vinyl preserves resale value. My amg has leather, it has a nice patina, my two other MB's have been MB-tex and all seating surfaces looked and felt as good on the day I sold those cars as the day I bought them. worn leather seats look great in antique cars, not so great in a 36mo old b'mer or MB.
The used e350 I just picked up has mbtex, seats are pristine. my wife probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't mentioned it
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
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From: Boston
2010 E550
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 216
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
Not in my experience. My MBTex seats have already ripped on a two year old car. My previous MB had leather and no issues after 12+ years. A close look at the MBTex where it ripped showed me that it is very thin. I'm never getting MBTex again.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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650i
Wow, sorry to hear that. Hope is was covered by the warranty. Blows the theory of some that vinyl seats are indestructible. I will only buy cars with real leather. The car company CEO's can make big profit selling $50,000 cars with plastic seats to somebody else.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 355
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
Anecdotal information does NOT blow a theory that vinyl seats are more durable. and again, you're missing the point that vinyl seats will look very close to new after two years while leather will be "breaking in". The CEO's are making big profits selling $40k cars coming off of lease that still have new looking interiors.
Yeah, you're really sticking it to them by buying leather from them!
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
When I traded in my E500, the leather seats looked like brand new. There was virtually no wear on them. The bolsters, edge of the seat and all of the normal wear areas were as new. 10 year old car driven 100,000 miles. I think MB has the leather thing down pat. My E550 is 3.5 years old and there is no wear on this leather either at this point in its life. I will stick with the leather as it should be in a $70,000 car. I do not like plastic seats.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
When I traded in my E500, the leather seats looked like brand new. There was virtually no wear on them. The bolsters, edge of the seat and all of the normal wear areas were as new. 10 year old car driven 100,000 miles. I think MB has the leather thing down pat. My E550 is 3.5 years old and there is no wear on this leather either at this point in its life. I will stick with the leather as it should be in a $70,000 car. I do not like plastic seats.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
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650i
Anecdotal information does NOT blow a theory that vinyl seats are more durable. and again, you're missing the point that vinyl seats will look very close to new after two years while leather will be "breaking in". The CEO's are making big profits selling $40k cars coming off of lease that still have new looking interiors.
Yeah, you're really sticking it to them by buying leather from them!
Yeah, you're really sticking it to them by buying leather from them!
with plastic seats. I simply find vinyl seats offensive. What's next back to steel wheels with plastic covers? Leave that stuff to bottom feeders Kia & Chrysler.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 355
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
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650i
