Seat choices W213 E Class
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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In order of cost and stitching is MBTex:vertical, leather:horizontal, nappa leather:vertical and exclusive nappa leather:quilted. In the US not all leathers are available with all options, e.g., nappa leather requires "luxury" option.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 641
Likes: 226
From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
I can say that I am impressed with the "regular" (not Nappa and not Designo) leather in my new E300. The smell and the feel of it are far better than any domestic or Japanese import I have enountered. I sat on the Designo (diamond quilted) leather in a C300, and it was especially nice, but the "regular" leather in the E300 is plenty nice enough for me...
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2017 E300
I got the regular leather in my E and I am very happy with it. I especially like the headrests that come with the leather seats and the fact that I was able to add the air conditioned seats. My understanding is that you cant get air conditioned seats with the MB Tex.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 179
Likes: 5
From: Beverly Hills CA
2014 C63 P31 Coupe (sold); 2022 R8 Performance RWD; 2018 Stelvio Quadrifoglio; Porsche 997 C4 4L m96
The MSRP on the E300 that I purchased was high $60k's. Forgot the option of ventilated seats. 
My car has the seats in photo 2.
My car has the seats in photo 2.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 329
Likes: 44
From: Melbourne, Australia
W213 Night Edition 220d. (ML250 SLK350AMG)
MB Tex is known as Artico (artificial cow) in my country. It is bullet proof. I have had it in 2 cars: Edition 1 C Coupe, and ML - never any rub marks or anything, and held up like new even after 60,000 km. I really rate it. Some people think that a Luxury car should have animal skins however there are a lot of people that dont want animal skins (not vegetarians). In Japan, luxury is velour.
In my E Class i have the leather. It’s not bad, but i think its not that dissimilar to the MB Tex - you can feel the difference.
I also had leather in my SLK but getting in and out of that had rub marks on the seats on the side because of sliding in.
I have felt the nappa leather and its sooo beautiful but i had reservations about its longevity because it is so soft.
Remember these companies don’t use real thick leather like Volvo does or some other manufacturers.
To create a uniform leather a lot of manufacturers have the skins (because its a natural product with variation) sanded back and the grain is stamped on. I myself prefer natural variations - but that doens’t work in a lot of markets that drive visual (fake) perfection.
either way, you will be happy with the MB Tex, Leather or Nappa (or cloth that comes in Europe), or part cloth part leather in some other markets.
In my E Class i have the leather. It’s not bad, but i think its not that dissimilar to the MB Tex - you can feel the difference.
I also had leather in my SLK but getting in and out of that had rub marks on the seats on the side because of sliding in.
I have felt the nappa leather and its sooo beautiful but i had reservations about its longevity because it is so soft.
Remember these companies don’t use real thick leather like Volvo does or some other manufacturers.
To create a uniform leather a lot of manufacturers have the skins (because its a natural product with variation) sanded back and the grain is stamped on. I myself prefer natural variations - but that doens’t work in a lot of markets that drive visual (fake) perfection.
either way, you will be happy with the MB Tex, Leather or Nappa (or cloth that comes in Europe), or part cloth part leather in some other markets.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 14
Mercedes Benz E200 Avantgarde 2016 + MercedesBenz GLC250 4Matic 2016
I got the designo nappa leather interior on my E350e 2018 , and i used to have the normal leather on my previous E 200 2017. I can feel the difference, mine got 2000 km, and I can still smell the leather, while on the previous one i used to smell plastic 😂😂 and the texture is fantastic and it is soft!
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Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 620
Likes: 65
From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
I ordered just about every option available on my new E... BUT I insisted on MB Tex/Artico. As @mickhoog stated, it's damn close to bulletproof. Go find a garage-find Benz and spray a bit of glass cleaner on a cloth and give the seat a wipe, and it'll look as good as new.
Also keep in mind that the upgraded headrests pictured in the 2nd photo only come with the massaging seats. Even the designo trim won't get you the upgraded headrests. You can get massaging seats made with MB Tex. Similarly, if you want the stitched dash & doors, skip the Nappa and order an Exclusive / Luxury version of the car and you'll get the stitched dash & doors at no charge.
You can't get the ventilated seats option unless you order leather... BUT... the last time I checked, Mecerdes' implementation of ventilated seats is just a couple of fans blowing cabin air into the seat. My Infiniti had mini heat pumps in the seats which produced cold air into the seats. To be honest, even in Florida, the cooled seats were a gimmick and didn't do much, and because Infiniti used a heat pump, the heating performance was flat-out anemic.
Also keep in mind that the upgraded headrests pictured in the 2nd photo only come with the massaging seats. Even the designo trim won't get you the upgraded headrests. You can get massaging seats made with MB Tex. Similarly, if you want the stitched dash & doors, skip the Nappa and order an Exclusive / Luxury version of the car and you'll get the stitched dash & doors at no charge.
You can't get the ventilated seats option unless you order leather... BUT... the last time I checked, Mecerdes' implementation of ventilated seats is just a couple of fans blowing cabin air into the seat. My Infiniti had mini heat pumps in the seats which produced cold air into the seats. To be honest, even in Florida, the cooled seats were a gimmick and didn't do much, and because Infiniti used a heat pump, the heating performance was flat-out anemic.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 1,106
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I disagree about the ventilated seats. I can feel the cool air flowing from the seats especially when using the highest setting of the 3 speed fan. MBTex doesn't breath so they always feel a bit damp from sweat. Living in Florida, I've never used heated seats even in the coldest weather.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 620
Likes: 65
From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
Perhaps MB's improved the seat fans over the W221 S550 I'm driving now, but in that, I've tried using them a few times and it's not making much difference. I'm almost always wearing pants & long-sleeve shirts, which my account for me not noticing it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I disagree about the ventilated seats. I can feel the cool air flowing from the seats especially when using the highest setting of the 3 speed fan. MBTex doesn't breath so they always feel a bit damp from sweat. Living in Florida, I've never used heated seats even in the coldest weather.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 250
Likes: 14
From: Longueuil, QC Canada
2018 E300 4Matic.
My 2018 E300-4Matic is quite loaded, and I've decided to go for the real leather, because ... well ... it's leather, and the leather seats are nicer with the horizontal lines, in my view.
I've also taken the ventilated seats. They're really cool ... ;-)
I've also taken the ventilated seats. They're really cool ... ;-)
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
2015 C300 Sport
So, the second ones are the Active Multicontour Seats with Massage. They also require the Warmth & Comfort Package and one of the Premium Package levels.
I ended up getting them for a few reasons:
1. The contours of the seats themselves are way more comfortable for long drives
2. I'd swear they are also softer and have better adjustability
3. For the first time *ever* I think the seat massage is actually worth getting
4. The pillowed headrests are SO NICE. SERIOUSLY.
It's a pretty penny more money for sure, so it all depends on your budget. But if you're planning to knock down the miles, you can't go wrong imho.
I ended up getting them for a few reasons:
1. The contours of the seats themselves are way more comfortable for long drives
2. I'd swear they are also softer and have better adjustability
3. For the first time *ever* I think the seat massage is actually worth getting
4. The pillowed headrests are SO NICE. SERIOUSLY.
It's a pretty penny more money for sure, so it all depends on your budget. But if you're planning to knock down the miles, you can't go wrong imho.
