Talk to me about MB-Tex
It sounds like you are deliberating two great options and I'm sure you'll pick the car that is right for you.
As for personal feedback, I'm quite happy with my E350. The car is a strong daily performer. I feel like it has become even more responsive in the last 2K miles (now at 12K). I'm quite pleased with the gas mileage, overall performance, fit, finish, etc. I think MB built exactly what they intended to, a strong, mid/full size car that feels durable, safe and strong (even with the V6) and meets is duty as a practical and capable sedan quite well. I think of the car as the thinking man's MB - not a lot of flash but a great all around car built to withstand the longhaul. I guess my summary feedback would be, would I buy another? Yes, without hesitation. And as much as I wanted leather, if faced with the same situation again (i.e., dealers still don't stock leather), I would be just fine with another car with MB-Tex. No, it isn't leather, but it serves its intended purpose well. Of course, you can't go wrong with the 550 should you decide to go that route.
As for the E350 you are considering, I like the color combo and equipment package described. I have the AMG wheels but honestly like the sport 5 spokes as much if not more. To my eye, they look just a bit bigger (but not over-sized) than their 18" diameter compared to the 18" AMG wheels, perhaps because of the blade design of the 5 spokes, which fits the car's style quite well.
The best to you in your final decision and transaction and enjoy the ride for many, many miles to come!
Last edited by golfster; Nov 30, 2011 at 11:12 PM.
Any FYI, I dare you to go into any Rolex dealer today and find a $5000 -$10,000 watch with a velcro or cloth strap.
Oh, and my HK often resides in a homemade fitted leather holster that cost well under $5 and my issue holser probably cost around that.
Throwing about bad analogies using products you know little about can be counterproductive - but I think we get your point.



My problem is that when I'm interested in a subject I tend to become very well versed in that. Automotive technology, guns, watches and chess sets are my passions and drive my wife crazy.
I'm here to learn more about modern MBs. Along the way I'll try to provide some of my experience on automotive tech in general, BMW/VW/Audi specifics and stuff on my other passions.
I tend to be quiet or just ask questions if I don't know the subject.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Leatherique is easy to use but time consuming as it needs to "sweat" into the leather for a good day or so to pull all the crap to the surface. I generally park my car where it will get plenty of sun and work Leatherique into the leather. Let it sit all day, then remove it and use the cleaner to memove the dirt.
So what can a good cleaning do? Here's an example from a top of the line detailer of a Porsche Cayenne


A 50/50 shot

And an finished overview

You can see that the creases are still there but the seats luster and feel is as new. Here is a closeup of the difference.

The photos for both cars came from the pictures from the used car section of cars.com. Both were on dealer lots. Exteriors/Interiors of both cars looked clean and ready for new owners. To be objective, the picture from the 550C was the top 550 listed (priced high to low) in that mileage range. The E350 was from page 18 to get one with significantly higher mileage for comparison purposes. Some call the wrinkles in the leather patina, others call it time to trade in. Some see MB Tex as plastic and some see easy care. It's all good either way.
I will say this, looking through the photos of the used E's, I still find the E Class to be quite attractive.




Regardless, it is a personal issue. If you want leather, pay the extra $1,200-1,500 bucks. If it doesn't matter, take the M-B. Be glad M-B gives you a choice when others don't.
MB Tex haters have to understand that M-B has it right in this area, they give the best quality Vinyl, that crushes any Leather in durability and lasting quality, and "Leather imitation" is top notch, and these qualities are PURE Mercedes Benz. Anyone who makes the comment that "Mercedes should have Leather standard" just does't understand Mercedes-Benz or what they're about. Maybe that would be to your tastes (Standard Leather in all models), but claiming that you know what "is Mercedes-Benz" is false. Case in point mrjoe tripping all over himself with falsities in every claim and analogy he makes.
Time to start paying up for the Option if you want it, and stop the crying. If Dealers aren't ordering it, figure out a a way to build up the demand for it, but I assure you that claiming that "MB Tex isn't Mercedes Benz" or that you know what Mercedes' qualities are about, won't get you there, because MB Tex is a great and longstanding part of both.
I think some of these vinyl lovers like KA are so sensitive to the issue because they either wanted leather or at least know this level of car should have it STANDARD.
And what's not to understand - virtually all competitors have leather STANDARD
I think some of these vinyl lovers like KA are so sensitive to the issue because they either wanted leather or at least know this level of car should have it STANDARD.
And what's not to understand - virtually all competitors have leather STANDARD
While I don't agree with his conclusions about MB-tex, I can't fault him for his opinions.
who knows what MB was thinking by forcing MB-tex on the non-ordering customer. Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time outside the US knows that MB-tex isn't accepted in a MB luxury car elsewhere. It is the ignorant American consumer that doesn't know any better who is to blame.
Accordingly, the rest of us have three choices
Buy MB-tex
Order a car
Buy a 550
Maybe this is MB's bait-and-switch
I think some of these vinyl lovers like KA are so sensitive to the issue because they either wanted leather or at least know this level of car should have it STANDARD.
And what's not to understand - virtually all competitors have leather STANDARD

Fortunately M-B doesn't skimp out on their outstanding vinyl material and gives you the OPTION to get that, or pay the price worth for Leather.
MB Tex is a big part of M-B's lasting durability standards, so yes, some things should change, but M-B providing industry standard materials in comfort and durability (like MB Tex) shouldn't. What should change is M-B's poor choice of Leather material in the E-Class. IMO, if they gave a richer Leather type, with a true soft Leather feel and aroma, maybe buyers would opt for that Option more. Most who know there's a difference are probably like me; put a Leather E and a Tex E side by side, and you'd be hard pressed to feel, or smell a difference, they're that close. The biggest difference between the E's leather and the Tex is the stitch pattern.
I think some of these vinyl lovers like KA are so sensitive to the issue because they either wanted leather or at least know this level of car should have it STANDARD.
And what's not to understand - virtually all competitors have leather STANDARD
Perhaps you should convince MB that you need to consult them on option and design advice rather than their customers.
Obviously MB knows something about designing and building cars. They have been doing it for a while. Successfully.
The original poster was interested in advise and thoughts about the two options. Other than your view points, there were interesting insights as to why MB buyers made the decisions they made. Not what a lousy company MB is for offering vinyl and leather. What is especially annoying is your opinion about the people who choose what they choose. Buy what you want but don't criticise me or others for buying leather or Tex, or MB because they offer a car with vinyl seats. This has to be the most ridiculous complaint I have ever seen any one make.

Fortunately M-B doesn't skimp out on their outstanding vinyl material and gives you the OPTION to get that, or pay the price worth for Leather.
MB Tex is a big part of M-B's lasting durability standards, so yes, some things should change, but M-B providing industry standard materials in comfort and durability (like MB Tex) shouldn't. What should change is M-B's poor choice of Leather material in the E-Class. IMO, if they gave a richer Leather type, with a true soft Leather feel and aroma, maybe buyers would opt for that Option more. Most who know there's a difference are probably like me; put a Leather E and a Tex E side by side, and you'd be hard pressed to feel, or smell a difference, they're that close. The biggest difference between the E's leather and the Tex is the stitch pattern.
What has come out of this discussion is that MB-tex appears to be durable and is easier to maintain than leather; thereby retaining its appearance better that uncared-for leather.
BTW, Mercedes just had their best November ever in the NA market. While their product strategies may not work for all, it works for them.
https://mbworld.org/features/mercede..._mbdec11_1.php
You are clearly the most over-sensitive person to the issue in this thread. I think the thread started off as a pretty healthy informative thread explaining different facts and opinions on the two seating surfaces. I'd also like to point out that to the normal person, and even to most of us who are very aware and technical, the difference between MB-Tex and leather is minimal. I'll say it again so it can sink in for everyone who is arguing - the difference between leather and MB-Tex is minimal. The arguments have gotten so out of hand in this thread that it is becoming a bit absurd. The leather has its plusses, the MB-Tex has its plusses. They are very similar. Some prefer one, some prefer the other. Neither preference is "wrong". It's time to grow up. You prefer leather seats and there is NO reason to fault you for that. Some prefer MB-Tex, and again there is no reason to fault that. Both have their pros and cons.
Now lets all just agree to stop being so silly about it. Deal? Awesome!
Last edited by acr2001; Dec 3, 2011 at 12:18 AM.
I'm just putting in my .02 (because I have extra money left over from NOT getting leather).
Perhaps you should convince MB that you need to consult them on option and design advice rather than their customers.
Obviously MB knows something about designing and building cars. They have been doing it for a while. Successfully.
The original poster was interested in advise and thoughts about the two options. Other than your view points, there were interesting insights as to why MB buyers made the decisions they made. Not what a lousy company MB is for offering vinyl and leather. What is especially annoying is your opinion about the people who choose what they choose. Buy what you want but don't criticise me or others for buying leather or Tex, or MB because they offer a car with vinyl seats. This has to be the most ridiculous complaint I have ever seen any one make.
BTW, Mercedes just had their best November ever in the NA market. While their product strategies may not work for all, it works for them.
https://mbworld.org/features/mercede..._mbdec11_1.php
Let's not mention to the guy that the armrests, door inserts, et al, are all MT Tex and not Leather, even on Leather equipped cars!

What's funny is I'll bet most people consider M-B's to have interiors that are about impervious to abuse and wear, while BMW's are NOTORIOUS to look decades old prematurely (taking people who take good care of and detail their interiors out of the equation). A lot of this is indeed due to the credit of M-B's high quality Vinyl seats.
Also, sales wise, M-B just not only crushed BMW last month in them, but the E has about shut-out the new 5-Series with much larger Sales month after month.... During the F10's FIRST year (traditionally a cars highest selling year). The 5's Sales fell to 3,500 last month, while the E is over 5,000, and Sedan to Sedan the E-Class is outselling the 5-Series in the U.S. Mind you, this is a car (E-Class) with lower HP, and worse MPG, priced the same, outselling a newer car.... Which in fact actually outsold the Mercedes E-Class in the previous generation (W211 VS E60, E60 had much higher Sales).
SO, only reason why Sales are a good argument here, is because it shows that either M-B buyers prefer their most high-volume products with MB Tex (gasp!), or becuase MB Tex is so good, you just can't tell a difference (or of course, maybe the W212 is just that damn good that it can reverse the sales roles and defy tradition).
Now, what are we arguing about again? Doesn't M-B give us the Option of both great choices!
(I know, Dealers don't supply them, but again, this is more a consumers issue than a manufacturers I'd think).
Last edited by K-A; Dec 3, 2011 at 12:35 AM.
show I attended in Orlando last year. The car won best of class. The owner was applauded for his restoration, down to his use of the red MB-Tex for the interior. When asked about the restoration, he said he wanted to restore the car to the way it rolled out of the show room. Like the material or not, it has been on US bound MB's for many, many years.





