2014 E-Class MB-Tex vs. "normal" vs napp leather
07-10-2013, 08:55 AM
#26
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Sounds like you've got some malware there. The board was running awfully slow a few days ago - maybe there was malicious code here that replicated on macs? I wonder what MinnB is using.
07-10-2013, 01:22 PM
#27
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I give some credit to MB-Tex. Compare it side by side with BMW's leatherette then you'll understand how fake can it be.
One plus side with MB-Tex, I can wipe down my dashboard and the seats with same 303 Aerospace Protectant for the instant new car "look"
One plus side with MB-Tex, I can wipe down my dashboard and the seats with same 303 Aerospace Protectant for the instant new car "look"
07-10-2013, 02:17 PM
#28
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2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
The way I see it is this: Leather and Nappa Leather come from the hides of cows.
MB-Tex, being a vinyl/petroleum product comes from the decomposed hides of dinosaurs. So, T-Rex made MB-Tex.
MB-Tex, being a vinyl/petroleum product comes from the decomposed hides of dinosaurs. So, T-Rex made MB-Tex.
07-10-2013, 03:10 PM
#29
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I have a question for the MB-Tex'rs. If the standard leather were a free option on your car, would you still request/prefer the MB-Tex ? just curious..
07-10-2013, 06:13 PM
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E350 4Matic 2011
I had my old MB for 14 years with real leather and never did anything much than vacuum the seats clean and they looked very good when I sold the car. I'm in Canada and kept the car in a garage at home and in a parking garage at the office so the interior was not exposed to much UV.
07-10-2013, 06:15 PM
#32
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E350 4Matic 2011
I only got MB Tex because on a quick look it was hard to tell the difference between MB Tex and the leather. The salesman told me that the former would last longer and with kids it would clean up easier. In hindsight I should have gone with leather. I miss the smell and the slightly different feel of the real stuff.
07-10-2013, 10:46 PM
#33
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
The Nappa leather and the E250CDI 4Matic (apparently the only way it comes) aren't on the online configurator in the US but the dealer can order them.
Nappa adds $1370 above the leather interior. The E250CDI 4Matic is $53,900, which is $500 LESS than an E350 4Matic. As an RWD the E250 should be great. The 4Matic loses over 10% in fuel economy on the Euro cycle and 0.4sec 0-100k/hr. It is actually over 2 sec slower to 100k/hr than the BMW 535d xDrive (US 535dx, ROW 530dx) while only adding about 3% in fuel economy.
Back to the interior. The MB Tex is very nice vinyl, and very popular. Around here it is rare to find an MB SUV in stock with real leather. It was a subject of a discussion between Mel Brooks and Albert Brooks in the 1985 movie Lost in America:
The standard leather is stiff and not that appealing. At one point it was just strips down the center of the seat.
However, if you order the ventilated seats the leather is much nicer. More supple. Quite reasonable.
Nappa is a definite step up. In is standard on the AMG models and I believe S-class, SL, etc models. Supple, smooth, rich. It was invented by "Emanuel Manasse in 1875 while working for the Sawyer Tanning Company in Napa, California".
For me, the extra $1370 is well worth it.
Nappa adds $1370 above the leather interior. The E250CDI 4Matic is $53,900, which is $500 LESS than an E350 4Matic. As an RWD the E250 should be great. The 4Matic loses over 10% in fuel economy on the Euro cycle and 0.4sec 0-100k/hr. It is actually over 2 sec slower to 100k/hr than the BMW 535d xDrive (US 535dx, ROW 530dx) while only adding about 3% in fuel economy.
Back to the interior. The MB Tex is very nice vinyl, and very popular. Around here it is rare to find an MB SUV in stock with real leather. It was a subject of a discussion between Mel Brooks and Albert Brooks in the 1985 movie Lost in America:
He is writing at his desk talking on the telephone.
He's writing down figures.
door, everything included, what
are we talking about?... Thirty-
six thousand, five hundred and
twelve. Jesus! For a car... No,
I know, a Mercedes. It's still
a car... Well, I don't care. To
me, if it has wheels, it's a car.
But that's not the point. Now,
that's everything, right? That's
it? You don't have to pay that
money and then be told that there
are options? No extras, everything
included... Come on! - For thirty-
seven thousand, leather is extra?
What kind of seats are in there?...
What is Mercedes Leather?... So,
why don't you just say vinyl?...
Okay, thick vinyl, but it's still
vinyl... Okay, these kind of
semantic argumentsare silly.
He's writing down figures.
DAVID
Oh, then tax, license, out-the-door, everything included, what
are we talking about?... Thirty-
six thousand, five hundred and
twelve. Jesus! For a car... No,
I know, a Mercedes. It's still
a car... Well, I don't care. To
me, if it has wheels, it's a car.
But that's not the point. Now,
that's everything, right? That's
it? You don't have to pay that
money and then be told that there
are options? No extras, everything
included... Come on! - For thirty-
seven thousand, leather is extra?
What kind of seats are in there?...
What is Mercedes Leather?... So,
why don't you just say vinyl?...
Okay, thick vinyl, but it's still
vinyl... Okay, these kind of
semantic arguments
However, if you order the ventilated seats the leather is much nicer. More supple. Quite reasonable.
Nappa is a definite step up. In is standard on the AMG models and I believe S-class, SL, etc models. Supple, smooth, rich. It was invented by "Emanuel Manasse in 1875 while working for the Sawyer Tanning Company in Napa, California".
For me, the extra $1370 is well worth it.
Last edited by DavidNJ; 07-10-2013 at 10:52 PM.
07-10-2013, 10:49 PM
#34
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Wow, they couldn't find an uglier stitching pattern on the seats could they. Gives off "old couch" vibes.
07-11-2013, 01:43 AM
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
not true. i have ordered the rwd version. where are you getting your "facts", and why do you keep posting in the w212 forum section, if you prefer your w211 and f10 bmw's to the w212? these sections are generally for past, current, and future w212 owners. it becomes irritating to w212 owners if you are consistently negative about, and knit picking on them. perhaps that is what you are after, as a result of boredom maybe, to annoy others and to try to convince them that they have made a mistake in their purchase. it is IMO a form of internet trolling and hopefully you will realize that and go back to the w211 section or join the bimmerfest forum.
there is really no rational reason for you to continue to post such wisdom as "the w212 redesign will be shortlived due to the lack of night vision and the use of rft's on the bluetec models" when in reality the w212 is on a set schedule to be replaced by the next chassis revision anyway.
so, normal members who have decided that the w212 is not the right car for them would either stop posting here, or just blend in and offer constructive advice. posting negative opinions for your own entertainment is a waste of the w212 community's time.
there is really no rational reason for you to continue to post such wisdom as "the w212 redesign will be shortlived due to the lack of night vision and the use of rft's on the bluetec models" when in reality the w212 is on a set schedule to be replaced by the next chassis revision anyway.
so, normal members who have decided that the w212 is not the right car for them would either stop posting here, or just blend in and offer constructive advice. posting negative opinions for your own entertainment is a waste of the w212 community's time.
Just enjoy your purple car.
07-11-2013, 01:37 PM
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14 'E550
Assuming I'm understanding what you wrote correctly.
07-11-2013, 02:15 PM
#38
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
I don't recall if he read it off an order or Netstar. I know he was flipping around among cars he had ordered. We were also covering the price of the E250CDI, that it was only 4Matic, the availability of Surroundview.
It is on the list online features, not in the US online configurator, and in the brochure. Surroundview was not in the list of online features or configurator, but it the brochure and he said he had ordered it in a car that would arrive in late August. That car also had the Driver Assistance package. He also had a discussion of the E250CDI being AWD only and the runflat tires.
Another poster in another thread here said it would be 9/2013 production. It is already available in other markets. The German site has regular leather for €2058.70 and Nappa for €2,641.80. For comparison BMW charges €2010 for their base 'Dakota' leather.
It is on the list online features, not in the US online configurator, and in the brochure. Surroundview was not in the list of online features or configurator, but it the brochure and he said he had ordered it in a car that would arrive in late August. That car also had the Driver Assistance package. He also had a discussion of the E250CDI being AWD only and the runflat tires.
Another poster in another thread here said it would be 9/2013 production. It is already available in other markets. The German site has regular leather for €2058.70 and Nappa for €2,641.80. For comparison BMW charges €2010 for their base 'Dakota' leather.
07-11-2013, 02:39 PM
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i
per the order guide that my SA gave me, nappa is available for non-amg models as of 9/2013 production (you have to wait unitl september for the car to be built). pricing is estimated, and only listed at $1370 in addition to the $1620 for regular leather. but that is an estimation. i don't know if netstar is accepting the option yet.
per the order guide that my SA gave me, nappa is available for non-amg models as of 9/2013 production (you have to wait unitl september for the car to be built). pricing is estimated, and only listed at $1370 in addition to the $1620 for regular leather. but that is an estimation. i don't know if netstar is accepting the option yet.
I had heard end of July (give or take) for a Sept build.
07-11-2013, 05:57 PM
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2009 C300
07-11-2013, 06:16 PM
#44
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Wrong thread, but have people driven the RWD and 4Matic back to back? Which drives better, steering feel, etc.?
07-11-2013, 08:58 PM
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
Good question. I've only had the Tex 6 months and my previous MB leather for 12 years but so far I would stay with the Tex. Funny story....my car (bought used) was advertised as having leather. Since it was softer than my previous C320 leather I just assumed it was better quality leather in the E and found out later it was Tex. Made me a fan of the Tex. Napa might be a different story though.
07-12-2013, 04:00 PM
#46
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Answer
Oddly enough, MB-Tex will wear the best and look new longest as long as you don't use microfiber cloths to clean it. Next best wearing is the less expensive leather while the most expensive nappa wears the fastest.
MB-Tex is called Artico in Europe - mainly because the original MB-Tex was nicknamed "MB-Taxi."
MB-Tex is called Artico in Europe - mainly because the original MB-Tex was nicknamed "MB-Taxi."
This month I have a 35 year old MB-TEX 1978 280SE getting new seat padding, seat covers re-stitched and B-pillar covering re-glued. IMO that is impressive durability.
whunter@pelicanparts.com
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07-14-2013, 02:34 AM
#47
MBTEX is vinyl so it doesn't breathe. It cant be cooler than leather. Maybe if it has perforations.
A car at this range should not have vinyl. My E550 has regular leather and it's very cool and nice. I've sat and driven courtesy cars with MBTEX and it is uncomfortable once you're used to the leather. I felt like sticking to it.
A car at this range should not have vinyl. My E550 has regular leather and it's very cool and nice. I've sat and driven courtesy cars with MBTEX and it is uncomfortable once you're used to the leather. I felt like sticking to it.
07-14-2013, 02:40 AM
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'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
MBTEX is vinyl so it doesn't breathe. It cant be cooler than leather. Maybe if it has perforations.
A car at this range should not have vinyl. My E550 has regular leather and it's very cool and nice. I've sat and driven courtesy cars with MBTEX and it is uncomfortable once you're used to the leather. I felt like sticking to it.
A car at this range should not have vinyl. My E550 has regular leather and it's very cool and nice. I've sat and driven courtesy cars with MBTEX and it is uncomfortable once you're used to the leather. I felt like sticking to it.
Note that with the ventilated seat that wasn't an issue. And the Nappa leather option should be nice; the Nappa in AMG models has been very nice.
07-14-2013, 10:58 AM
#49
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Leather wasn't the norm until recently. Most leathers are fairly mediocre. MB vinyl is very durable (as reported above) and most people have a hard time differentiating it from standard E-class MB leather. A statement about both the vinyl and the leather. For a time the leather was only 2 strips down the center of the seat.
Note that with the ventilated seat that wasn't an issue. And the Nappa leather option should be nice; the Nappa in AMG models has been very nice.
Note that with the ventilated seat that wasn't an issue. And the Nappa leather option should be nice; the Nappa in AMG models has been very nice.
MB-Tex was never a standard for luxury in Europe or elsewhere - regardless of how good or bad the MB-Tex may be.
07-14-2013, 11:31 AM
#50
Senior Member
But to be fair, the E isn't really intended to be a standard of luxury either. It's a middle-large sized car that can be equipped as such, but not necessarily (go to Germany and see how many have cloth, and not just taxis). Leather seems to be far from the majority on W124 and 123, and most older Es.
In Europe the standard was always a nice cloth with leather on MB coming into vogue in the 70's. In the US, luxury was defined with velour or leather with velour all but going away by the '80's.
MB-Tex was never a standard for luxury in Europe or elsewhere - regardless of how good or bad the MB-Tex may be.
MB-Tex was never a standard for luxury in Europe or elsewhere - regardless of how good or bad the MB-Tex may be.
