Leather vs MBTex.. no contest
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
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2010 W212 E550 Grey CPO
Leather vs MBTex.. no contest
So I have a loaner 2012 E350 w/ MBtex today... immediately I notice the difference. I stick to the seat a little bit more than I sensed when driving my E550 w/ leather seats.
I dunno about you guys but it was very noticeable and I immediately missed my leather seats.
Definitely feels a little stickier and less smooth than leather.
Opinions?
I dunno about you guys but it was very noticeable and I immediately missed my leather seats.
Definitely feels a little stickier and less smooth than leather.
Opinions?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 3
2014 W212 E350 4M
MBTex is stiffer, less comfortable, holds up better than leather in the long haul. Leather is classier in my opinion but shows it age disproportionately on the driver's seating surfaces if you travel solo.
I can't comment on sticky as I drive my vehicle fully clothed. LOL
I can't comment on sticky as I drive my vehicle fully clothed. LOL
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2010 W212 E550 Grey CPO
I was wearing shorts and my shirt kept sticking to the back of the seat... lol!!
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Joined: Dec 2011
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W212 FL
I like Artico / MB Tex . I smelt it when my car was a few days old lol
Well, I can't compare MB stuffs mb Tex vs Leather but can compare MB Tex vs other leathers .
This artico makes me feel that it will last longer than genuine leather products and it's not soft but don't take it wrongly it feels a durable product as well
Above dashboard and door trims are also very hard (U09) , I expected somewhat softer such as Jaguar and Cadillac but may be being MB Tex these must have been like that
I am not complaining ,just my a few cents about this trim onto the door panels and dashboard . May be in long term usage, this trim proves to be as much durable as the seats
Well, I can't compare MB stuffs mb Tex vs Leather but can compare MB Tex vs other leathers .
This artico makes me feel that it will last longer than genuine leather products and it's not soft but don't take it wrongly it feels a durable product as well
Above dashboard and door trims are also very hard (U09) , I expected somewhat softer such as Jaguar and Cadillac but may be being MB Tex these must have been like that
I am not complaining ,just my a few cents about this trim onto the door panels and dashboard . May be in long term usage, this trim proves to be as much durable as the seats
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E350 Coupe
Let's make this easy and save a lot of time...everything you've always wanted to know about leather vs MBTex!! Talk to me about MB-Tex
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2010 E350
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e350
So I have a loaner 2012 E350 w/ MBtex today... immediately I notice the difference. I stick to the seat a little bit more than I sensed when driving my E550 w/ leather seats.
I dunno about you guys but it was very noticeable and I immediately missed my leather seats.
Definitely feels a little stickier and less smooth than leather.
Opinions?
I dunno about you guys but it was very noticeable and I immediately missed my leather seats.
Definitely feels a little stickier and less smooth than leather.
Opinions?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Oh boy, here we go. Where is K-A? I vote leather.
Anyway, you're probably feeling that stickiness due to the fact it's a loaner. For whatever reason people treat them like junk and I find the surfaces from the steering wheel to the seats to the cup holders to constantly be just nasty in Mercedes loaners.
Anyway, you're probably feeling that stickiness due to the fact it's a loaner. For whatever reason people treat them like junk and I find the surfaces from the steering wheel to the seats to the cup holders to constantly be just nasty in Mercedes loaners.
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
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Joined: Sep 2010
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E350
Spoken like a true mbtex owner. All things being equal the material of the stock would have no affect on accuracy of the rifle, but the beauty and quality of the materials is what make it a fine high quality firearm.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I always LOL at the prejudice Leather owners have against vinyl seats. It's similar to the reaction many narrow minded carnivores have when someone says they're a vegetarian.... it's like they get offended that you don't indulge in dead animal fun with them.
Realistically, I'll happily take either. As long as it's high quality vinyl, like MB-Tex, or what I've seen in Porsche (even the 911 doesn't have standard leather from what I understand, but their vinyl is top notch).
M-B Tex will look good and wrinkle free forever. Leather ages a car quickly if not extensively cared for, as when you open the door, you get a whiff of stale leather and nice creases to show the cars age. I'd even say that MB Tex cars will have better resale, as everybody thinks MB Tex is leather anyways, and they'll just notice how much newer it looks.
No doubt Leather is a little more comfy and more refined, but each have their perks. I'm happy with the ease of care and lasting quality of MB Tex/Good vinyl, but I also appreciate luxurious leather.
If you look up ads for even 2-3 year old M-B's with leather, such as the S550, you'll see how gross even M-B leather can look if not cared for after a short time, while M-B tex will always show well.
Realistically, I'll happily take either. As long as it's high quality vinyl, like MB-Tex, or what I've seen in Porsche (even the 911 doesn't have standard leather from what I understand, but their vinyl is top notch).
M-B Tex will look good and wrinkle free forever. Leather ages a car quickly if not extensively cared for, as when you open the door, you get a whiff of stale leather and nice creases to show the cars age. I'd even say that MB Tex cars will have better resale, as everybody thinks MB Tex is leather anyways, and they'll just notice how much newer it looks.
No doubt Leather is a little more comfy and more refined, but each have their perks. I'm happy with the ease of care and lasting quality of MB Tex/Good vinyl, but I also appreciate luxurious leather.
If you look up ads for even 2-3 year old M-B's with leather, such as the S550, you'll see how gross even M-B leather can look if not cared for after a short time, while M-B tex will always show well.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 345
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From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
leather vs
My last two MB's had leather and I loved it.
Never thought I'd go with MB Tex but did on my 2013 order.
The ML's with leather had a really nice perforated leather.
The $1600 leather on the E's is not perforated and IMO
MB has gone backwards in their quality of leather as it is
more like "football leather" --harder and lower quality.
So those that say, would you rather have a high quality XXX or
plastic, well I wouldn't call the $1600 leather high quality.
Now if you move up to ventilated seats with perf leather or
their top grade leather, well that might be "better" than Tex
but then they really r#pe you on the price.
I'll report back after I have the MBTex for a while.
P.S. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't all but their highest level of leather
PLASTIC COATED so you're sitting on plastic anyhow?
Just my opinion
Never thought I'd go with MB Tex but did on my 2013 order.
The ML's with leather had a really nice perforated leather.
The $1600 leather on the E's is not perforated and IMO
MB has gone backwards in their quality of leather as it is
more like "football leather" --harder and lower quality.
So those that say, would you rather have a high quality XXX or
plastic, well I wouldn't call the $1600 leather high quality.
Now if you move up to ventilated seats with perf leather or
their top grade leather, well that might be "better" than Tex
but then they really r#pe you on the price.
I'll report back after I have the MBTex for a while.
P.S. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't all but their highest level of leather
PLASTIC COATED so you're sitting on plastic anyhow?
Just my opinion
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
My last two MB's had leather and I loved it.
Never thought I'd go with MB Tex but did on my 2013 order.
The ML's with leather had a really nice perforated leather.
The $1600 leather on the E's is not perforated and IMO
MB has gone backwards in their quality of leather as it is
more like "football leather" --harder and lower quality.
So those that say, would you rather have a high quality XXX or
plastic, well I wouldn't call the $1600 leather high quality.
Now if you move up to ventilated seats with perf leather or
their top grade leather, well that might be "better" than Tex
but then they really r#pe you on the price.
I'll report back after I have the MBTex for a while.
P.S. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't all but their highest level of leather
PLASTIC COATED so you're sitting on plastic anyhow?
Just my opinion
Never thought I'd go with MB Tex but did on my 2013 order.
The ML's with leather had a really nice perforated leather.
The $1600 leather on the E's is not perforated and IMO
MB has gone backwards in their quality of leather as it is
more like "football leather" --harder and lower quality.
So those that say, would you rather have a high quality XXX or
plastic, well I wouldn't call the $1600 leather high quality.
Now if you move up to ventilated seats with perf leather or
their top grade leather, well that might be "better" than Tex
but then they really r#pe you on the price.
I'll report back after I have the MBTex for a while.
P.S. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't all but their highest level of leather
PLASTIC COATED so you're sitting on plastic anyhow?
Just my opinion
Also, the E's leather option is really "unrefined" leather indeed, it didn't feel THAT much better or "more leather-y" than Tex to me either. It's not like Nappa or anything. On the flip side, maybe that rough/harder texture of their leather means it'll be durable for a leather. Kind of like a middle ground between MB Tex and high quality "nice" leather.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 326
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From: USA
Multiple
All the quotations in this newsletter are from the article entitled "Caring for Leather Upholstery" in the trade publication, "Professional Carwashing & Detailing." Dr. Herndon Jenkins, an industry authority and Technical Director of the Lexol Division of Summit Industries, is the author.
“A Plastic Coating"
"Most of the leather upholstery in domestic cars of recent vintage is plastic coated. The upper surface of such leather is ‘vinyl’.”
“Leather upholstery in most European cars is 'naked' leather which has no protective finish. The surface is that of the original hide. This leather 'breathes' and accepts conditioners applied to its surface.”
Dr. Jenkins explains how to tell the difference between “coated” and “naked" leather. Referring to coated leather he states, “Such leather can be identified by the failure of a drop of water applied to its surface to be absorbed into the leather after a few minutes.”
