MB Tex Seam Tearing E350
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Joined: Apr 2018
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2013 E350 4Matic Sport
MB Tex Seam Tearing E350
2013 E350 with Beige MB Tex
My E350 driver’s seat developed the dreaded and common tear in the seam in the center of the seat cushion at 22k. My helpful dealer replaced the cover out of warranty at minimal cost to me. MB USA did not participate in the repair. Now after extremely careful use by fairly thin people, conditioning with prescribed MB conditioner, the replacement cushion is beginning to tear again 16k later.
I have read multiple posts but the best solution for this manufacturer’s defect is not clear. From everyone’s experience, what is the best long term correction for this condition?
Replace the cover with OEM MB replacement parts every 20k?
Replace the cover with an aftermarket cover? Leather?
Install a seat covering?
Have an independent upholstery shop remove cover and stitch a repair? Seems like this would stretch the material and make it more likely to tear again.
Have an independent leather/vinyl repair shop repair the seam? Seems like this would be a surface repair only and would likely fail again.
Please let me know of your experiences correcting this issue.
My E350 driver’s seat developed the dreaded and common tear in the seam in the center of the seat cushion at 22k. My helpful dealer replaced the cover out of warranty at minimal cost to me. MB USA did not participate in the repair. Now after extremely careful use by fairly thin people, conditioning with prescribed MB conditioner, the replacement cushion is beginning to tear again 16k later.
I have read multiple posts but the best solution for this manufacturer’s defect is not clear. From everyone’s experience, what is the best long term correction for this condition?
Replace the cover with OEM MB replacement parts every 20k?
Replace the cover with an aftermarket cover? Leather?
Install a seat covering?
Have an independent upholstery shop remove cover and stitch a repair? Seems like this would stretch the material and make it more likely to tear again.
Have an independent leather/vinyl repair shop repair the seam? Seems like this would be a surface repair only and would likely fail again.
Please let me know of your experiences correcting this issue.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
2013 E350 with Beige MB Tex
My E350 driver’s seat developed the dreaded and common tear in the seam in the center of the seat cushion at 22k. My helpful dealer replaced the cover out of warranty at minimal cost to me. MB USA did not participate in the repair. Now after extremely careful use by fairly thin people, conditioning with prescribed MB conditioner, the replacement cushion is beginning to tear again 16k later.
I have read multiple posts but the best solution for this manufacturer’s defect is not clear. From everyone’s experience, what is the best long term correction for this condition?
Replace the cover with OEM MB replacement parts every 20k?
Replace the cover with an aftermarket cover? Leather?
Install a seat covering?
Have an independent upholstery shop remove cover and stitch a repair? Seems like this would stretch the material and make it more likely to tear again.
Have an independent leather/vinyl repair shop repair the seam? Seems like this would be a surface repair only and would likely fail again.
Please let me know of your experiences correcting this issue.
My E350 driver’s seat developed the dreaded and common tear in the seam in the center of the seat cushion at 22k. My helpful dealer replaced the cover out of warranty at minimal cost to me. MB USA did not participate in the repair. Now after extremely careful use by fairly thin people, conditioning with prescribed MB conditioner, the replacement cushion is beginning to tear again 16k later.
I have read multiple posts but the best solution for this manufacturer’s defect is not clear. From everyone’s experience, what is the best long term correction for this condition?
Replace the cover with OEM MB replacement parts every 20k?
Replace the cover with an aftermarket cover? Leather?
Install a seat covering?
Have an independent upholstery shop remove cover and stitch a repair? Seems like this would stretch the material and make it more likely to tear again.
Have an independent leather/vinyl repair shop repair the seam? Seems like this would be a surface repair only and would likely fail again.
Please let me know of your experiences correcting this issue.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
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See if these guys have a seat cover for your car:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...at-bottom.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...at-bottom.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
If your not too fussy and don't mind the stitching and texture being slightly different, you can save money on aftermarket, if these thing would bother you, I would go OEM, it's likely your last OEM replacement was still the original part number, there is a replacement part that is supposedly better now, I got one and installed it, everything matched perfectly and it was moderately easy to do, I sent my aftermarket back because it was too small and I couldn't get it on, but that was likely a fluke,as another forum member bought one from the same place as I and it was too big. Also the perimeter stiching was off, less stitches per inch and once I saw that, I couldn't unsee it OEM was 300ish and aftermarket was 180ish so for me, 120 dollars was not with the pebble grain or stitching difference
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Jun 25, 2022 at 09:22 AM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 158
Likes: 44
From: San Francisco
2011 E350 4MATIC Estate Wagon
Inferior MBTex Split Driver’s Seat
This happened on my driver’s seat when I purchased a 2011 4Matic Wagon from local MB Dealer.
I went to best Indy local upholstery shop & ordered OEM seat cushion, had it installed & promptly covered both front seats with top quality SheepSkins from Ultimate SheepSkins.
Jack / Jaxview / San Francisco.
I went to best Indy local upholstery shop & ordered OEM seat cushion, had it installed & promptly covered both front seats with top quality SheepSkins from Ultimate SheepSkins.
Jack / Jaxview / San Francisco.
