Driver's seat keeps ripping apart
12-03-2013, 01:49 PM
#27
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I have the exact problem on my 2011. We are 8K miles out of warranty so my dealer suggested that I contact MB consumer services directly (800-367-6372
). I stated my case (e.g. seems like poor workmanship or defect, it has been reported as an issue by others, loyal customer, car serviced regularly, etc.). The rep escalated the case to a case manager and am awaiting a response. I will post when I have an answer.
12-03-2013, 04:11 PM
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yes, it is exactly what good companies do. I have Mac book just regular from plastic, so back cover appeared some delamination, so I brought it to genius bar and back cover was replaced for free. (total cost was shown $160 covered by Apple). My Mac book is out of warranty for two years, so go figure. I always rated MB as Apple, incredible design, superb quality and outstanding service.
I will try to call the dealership and ask them about the seat.
12-03-2013, 04:15 PM
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I have the exact problem on my 2011. We are 8K miles out of warranty so my dealer suggested that I contact MB consumer services directly (800-367-6372). I stated my case (e.g. seems like poor workmanship or defect, it has been reported as an issue by others, loyal customer, car serviced regularly, etc.). The rep escalated the case to a case manager and am awaiting a response. I will post when I have an answer.
12-03-2013, 04:49 PM
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OK, here is an update. I just called several MB dealerships in my area. I have an appointment with a service manager tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. But another S-Manager told me that if you are out of warranty, it's going to be around $900 for M-tex. Third dealer told me to call the MB customer service and talk to them which I will do, too.
12-03-2013, 05:31 PM
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900 for m-tex? If thats the case I'd go to an upholsterer and consider swapping out new seats for some little more money because the seats make my butt hurt anyway...
12-03-2013, 05:35 PM
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Yeah, I double checked and he said that yes, it's around $900 to replace the bottom part (one seat) with MB tex, not leather...
12-05-2013, 08:22 PM
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Update: I was promptly contacted by an MB case manager. She said that there was not a current campaign or tech bulletin for the seat issue and was very careful to not label the problem as a defect. Nevertheless, she agreed to pursue the issue to determine if MB could provide assistance as a good will issue. She contacted the service manager at my dealership and made arrangements for an assessment of the problem. MB will then determine how to assist after reviewing the report. She did not commit to anything but I was encouraged by her follow-up. I plan to take the car in next week. I will post when I have additional information.
12-05-2013, 08:42 PM
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Thanks for the update. Hopefully, they will replace it for you. I'm surprised they don't want to call it a defect. It's clearly not supposed to be ripping apart like this.
I went to one dealership and the service manager told me that there is 98% chance they could do something because my warranty is out. I asked if he could call MB and ask for a good will from MB. He said he would call me back within 48 hours. I still haven't gotten a call from him. Tomorrow I'm going to another dealer; their service manager suggested about good will himself and to take pictures of the seat. I'm putting more hopes on this dealership. A previous guy didn't even have an idea of taking pictures of the seat.
I went to one dealership and the service manager told me that there is 98% chance they could do something because my warranty is out. I asked if he could call MB and ask for a good will from MB. He said he would call me back within 48 hours. I still haven't gotten a call from him. Tomorrow I'm going to another dealer; their service manager suggested about good will himself and to take pictures of the seat. I'm putting more hopes on this dealership. A previous guy didn't even have an idea of taking pictures of the seat.
12-16-2013, 04:38 PM
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Update: The MB service manager agreed that the rip was due to the stitching coming apart. MB offered two choices: Have the seat repaired by their upholstery subcontractor at no cost or have the seat replaced and I pay 20% of the cost. I don't want to deal with another potential rip so I chose to have the seat replaced. The seat replacement was approx. $1,100 so my final cost is $220. I am happy with the result which shows how an established relationship with a dealer is important. Way to go MB.
12-16-2013, 04:43 PM
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Update: The MB service manager agreed that the rip was due to the stitching coming apart. MB offered two choices: Have the seat repaired by their upholstery subcontractor at no cost or have the seat replaced and I pay 20% of the cost. I don't want to deal with another potential rip so I chose to have the seat replaced. The seat replacement was approx. $1,100 so my final cost is $220. I am happy with the result which shows how an established relationship with a dealer is important. Way to go MB.
Which dealer was this? I'd love to know and use them if they're in my area.
12-16-2013, 05:35 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
Either choice was a good one, at least you have a whole new seat now
12-16-2013, 07:46 PM
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04-07-2014, 04:39 PM
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My driver's seat left side has a rip in the leather. It is not from the stitching, and just a 2 inch rip and I can see white from the crack. Would this be the same situation as OP and be covered under warranty??
EDIT: Not leather.. MBtex
EDIT: Not leather.. MBtex
01-19-2019, 06:42 AM
#43
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To replace it yourself is actually a very easy thing to do. The seat bottom is literally held into place with just a couple of screws in the front. Unhook a couple of wires from underneath, the couple of screws in the front, and it lifts right out. From there, it’s just just edge clips and a couple of inside tabs. Whole thing probably takes a first-timer maybe 30 minutes to do.
i bet you could get the part here online for a couple hundred bucks.
If you look up a thread i did called “seat pain”, you’ll see some photos to give you an idea of the process. Really is quite easy. Certainly NOT something a dealership needs to be involved with at their prices (unless if you can get warranty / good will coverage for it). If they suggest you chip in a few hundred bucks, then I’d say try it yourself first (they’re probably charging you for the seat cover itself and free labor which is ridiculously expensive for something like this).
i bet you could get the part here online for a couple hundred bucks.
If you look up a thread i did called “seat pain”, you’ll see some photos to give you an idea of the process. Really is quite easy. Certainly NOT something a dealership needs to be involved with at their prices (unless if you can get warranty / good will coverage for it). If they suggest you chip in a few hundred bucks, then I’d say try it yourself first (they’re probably charging you for the seat cover itself and free labor which is ridiculously expensive for something like this).
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01-19-2019, 03:22 PM
#44
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To replace it yourself is actually a very easy thing to do. The seat bottom is literally held into place with just a couple of screws in the front. Unhook a couple of wires from underneath, the couple of screws in the front, and it lifts right out. From there, it’s just just edge clips and a couple of inside tabs. Whole thing probably takes a first-timer maybe 30 minutes to do.
i bet you could get the part here online for a couple hundred bucks.
If you look up a thread i did called “seat pain”, you’ll see some photos to give you an idea of the process. Really is quite easy. Certainly NOT something a dealership needs to be involved with at their prices (unless if you can get warranty / good will coverage for it). If they suggest you chip in a few hundred bucks, then I’d say try it yourself first (they’re probably charging you for the seat cover itself and free labor which is ridiculously expensive for something like this).
i bet you could get the part here online for a couple hundred bucks.
If you look up a thread i did called “seat pain”, you’ll see some photos to give you an idea of the process. Really is quite easy. Certainly NOT something a dealership needs to be involved with at their prices (unless if you can get warranty / good will coverage for it). If they suggest you chip in a few hundred bucks, then I’d say try it yourself first (they’re probably charging you for the seat cover itself and free labor which is ridiculously expensive for something like this).
Hey Thanks a lot for this. You are right you can buy them online for about 250 bucks and hopefully its as easy to DIY as you suggest.
01-22-2019, 02:27 AM
#45
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Depends on what options your car has. If you have the dynamic seats, it's probably not that easy as there's some air lines down there.
01-23-2019, 08:11 AM
#47
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Sounds just like mine. There is a YouTube video or two out there to show you how to remove the seat (as well as my comments on that other thread). It really is quite easy for even the most novice (I’m by far NO expert, and this is my first MB in general). Once the seat bottom is out and you unplugged the heater wires from underneath, it’s as simple as just studying the seat for a few minutes to figure out the clips. Basically all 4 sides have clips to the seat pan, and the there are a couple of loop hooks underneath the cover through the pad that give it that creased look. And that’s it. Pull the old off, reattach the new to the hook connectors, wrap the clips to the seat pan edges, put back into the car, connect the heater plug, and happy motoring!
My uncle was a 747 pilot for decades. He’s that guy who can get 500,000 miles on a Chrysler. He said the one thing that always impressed him about his daughters mercedes (I think an older C280 maybe) was the intelligence of being able to service the car with ease. His specific example was the need to replace the fuel pump. Said it was literally like 5 easy access screws. Pull the rear seat bottom out (3 screws) and the pump was right there. Two screws and it was out and new one was in.
I think some of this fear with mercedes is simply just that, fear. Not all aspects, but some of the more likely needed repairs within a persons ownership period of say 200,000 miles.
My uncle was a 747 pilot for decades. He’s that guy who can get 500,000 miles on a Chrysler. He said the one thing that always impressed him about his daughters mercedes (I think an older C280 maybe) was the intelligence of being able to service the car with ease. His specific example was the need to replace the fuel pump. Said it was literally like 5 easy access screws. Pull the rear seat bottom out (3 screws) and the pump was right there. Two screws and it was out and new one was in.
I think some of this fear with mercedes is simply just that, fear. Not all aspects, but some of the more likely needed repairs within a persons ownership period of say 200,000 miles.
Last edited by nc211; 01-23-2019 at 08:14 AM.
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01-29-2019, 04:57 PM
#48
01-30-2019, 05:45 PM
#50
I went to a parts website to find out how much it costs to replace the seat cover myself. but I can't tell if this is the right one. it says "cloth" instead of leather. I guess parts people call the MB Tex material "cloth???" Can someone confirm this is the right one? https://www.mbonlineparts.com/oem-pa...MtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz
Also how hard is this to do on your own? do we need leather tools to put this on? anyone do this DiY?
Also how hard is this to do on your own? do we need leather tools to put this on? anyone do this DiY?
Last edited by mellonc; 01-31-2019 at 11:24 AM.
