Replacement Seat Covers or fix
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
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95 e320 Wagon, 98 s320 LWB
Replacement Seat Covers or fix
I have a 2011 E350 with MB Tex black upholstery.The drivers seat is showing some cracking (surprised to see that with vinyl). My 95 e320 wagon also had MB Tex but it is a much higher quality than the newer cars and never had any issues. Looking for suggestions for repair or replacement that is not expensive. I have a part number for the MB original covers but thinking the replacement is not going to be any better wearing than what is in the car. Any thought or suggestions would be appreciated. I could take it to an automotive trim shop but i suspect that would be pricey too.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Harvey
Thanks in advance for any help.
Harvey
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
This has been well covered in many threads. Basically the seat cover with MB-tex ends up ripping. The consensus seems to be to buy a new seat cover and hope it lasts longer than the original. Those also have a 2 year warranty. If you get it fixed, there's so little material to stitch together, it ends up ripping again later so you're better off with a new seat cushion.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 62
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95 e320 Wagon, 98 s320 LWB
I would hope Mercedes will have made a "Mercedes Quality" cover as a replacement by now, Not a Chrysler Cheapened product like so many of the Mercedes products were while they were together.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I would hope Mercedes will have made a "Mercedes Quality" cover as a replacement by now, Not a Chrysler Cheapened product like so many of the Mercedes products were while they were together.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
I would hope Mercedes will have made a "Mercedes Quality" cover as a replacement by now, Not a Chrysler Cheapened product like so many of the Mercedes products were while they were together.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
As for repairing, I was thinking about having a good trim shop remake the cushion covers out of some matching higher quality material if they can.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Apr 8, 2019 at 06:51 PM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You'll have to search the old threads. The replacement seats also use to rip initially in the first few years, but lately they've been holding up and it seems to only affect the first few years. I think it's actually the same part number up to 2016 and people in the later years haven't reported ripped seats like the early 2010-2014. Same with the wood, first replacements sets also faded but I think the latest set seem to be lasting longer or they haven't had time to fade yet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
You'll have to search the old threads. The replacement seats also use to rip initially in the first few years, but lately they've been holding up and it seems to only affect the first few years. I think it's actually the same part number up to 2016 and people in the later years haven't reported ripped seats like the early 2010-2014. Same with the wood, first replacements sets also faded but I think the latest set seem to be lasting longer or they haven't had time to fade yet.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Apr 8, 2019 at 09:06 PM.
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A neighbor used these guys for her MB, she was very satisfied, they sewed in a new bolster panel for the driver's seat. https://www.fibrenew.com
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E350
When I had my seat fixed on my 2014 E350, the upholstery guy said that MB-Tex for the past few years has a different composition that makes it more biodegradable (good) yet less durable (bad). While this doesn't fix your problem, it may explain why it's happening.
Some pretty solid suggestions above on how to fix.
For me the price difference between getting a new cover and just getting a panel replaced was about $300 all in.
Some pretty solid suggestions above on how to fix.
For me the price difference between getting a new cover and just getting a panel replaced was about $300 all in.
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 144
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From: Calverton MD 20705
2013 W212 E350 RWD
When I had my seat fixed on my 2014 E350, the upholstery guy said that MB-Tex for the past few years has a different composition that makes it more biodegradable (good) yet less durable (bad). While this doesn't fix your problem, it may explain why it's happening.
Some pretty solid suggestions above on how to fix.
For me the price difference between getting a new cover and just getting a panel replaced was about $300 all in.
Some pretty solid suggestions above on how to fix.
For me the price difference between getting a new cover and just getting a panel replaced was about $300 all in.
Remember the biodegradeable wiring harnesses?
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 89
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Three MB's: GLK, ML & E - Class with Panam Grill
I can't find anywhere the terms and conditions of the initial 1 year CPO warranty that starts right after the factory 4 year warranty. My understanding it is different that the CPO "Extended" additional 1 and 2 year warranties. Where can they be found?
Also; are seat cover cracks and splits considered wearables and in that case they are not covered for 2018 CPO models? Thanks
Also; are seat cover cracks and splits considered wearables and in that case they are not covered for 2018 CPO models? Thanks
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 89
Likes: 18
Three MB's: GLK, ML & E - Class with Panam Grill
SA always choose the easy way out....he said it is part of the wearable items and NOT covered. However; I can't find it anywhere to be excluded. I see the obvious brakes, rotors, tires, and damaged from the environment such as hail, wind, flood, etc....not to be covered of course.
My issue is the MB-Tex seat cover cracked in the middle of a solid piece not the famous rip at the middle of the seat at the stitch.
My issue is the MB-Tex seat cover cracked in the middle of a solid piece not the famous rip at the middle of the seat at the stitch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
SA always choose the easy way out....he said it is part of the wearable items and NOT covered. However; I can't find it anywhere to be excluded. I see the obvious brakes, rotors, tires, and damaged from the environment such as hail, wind, flood, etc....not to be covered of course.
My issue is the MB-Tex seat cover cracked in the middle of a solid piece not the famous rip at the middle of the seat at the stitch.
My issue is the MB-Tex seat cover cracked in the middle of a solid piece not the famous rip at the middle of the seat at the stitch.
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2014 E350, 1964 220s, 192014 E350 & 1964 220s
My 2014 front seats started to rip at the pleats. I took the car to a local upholsterer that did many antique and costume car seats.
He told me that he has done many of these years Mercedes seats. The problem is that the pleats are too tight and when you sit it
stresses the pleats and eventually rips at the stitching .
His solution was to give me larger pleats so the material gives more and no stress...
Problem solved! He charged me $300.00 per seat. It's been 5 years now and seats still look like new.
He replaced the bottoms only, He takes the old one apart, gets the same exact material, replicates old one, adds what he needs,
stitches it together copying the original perfectly...
He told me that he has done many of these years Mercedes seats. The problem is that the pleats are too tight and when you sit it
stresses the pleats and eventually rips at the stitching .
His solution was to give me larger pleats so the material gives more and no stress...
Problem solved! He charged me $300.00 per seat. It's been 5 years now and seats still look like new.
He replaced the bottoms only, He takes the old one apart, gets the same exact material, replicates old one, adds what he needs,
stitches it together copying the original perfectly...
Last edited by Road Racer X; Nov 7, 2022 at 04:17 AM. Reason: add more info
