jh87

just got my new GL450, the leather seat is way too hot to my taste, especially after sitting on it for a while. Although the past few days were kind of hot here in LA, I never notice any problem with my previous GL450's MB-tex seat. I am so regret that I did not get the ventilated leather seats option! Does anyone know if I can replace it with perforated leather cover? or just recommend a reputable custom upholstery shop in LA area so that I can check with them to see if I have any options? Thanks.

PurpleHaze

I have black leather in my 07 GL450, and its been over 100 degrees here in Texas and I dont think mine are to hot, actually I was concerned about getting the black for that very reason but its been fine

dbtk

Under direct sunlight I think that the MB-Tex/Artico gets hotter, faster.

StevethePilot

MB Tex here in Scottsdale. Just drove from Yuma to Scottsdale (~3.5 hours) in a heat warning on Sunday. My back and butt were pretty wet by the middle of the second hour, despite the A/C blasting the whole way. I don't have the IR glass (or third row A/C), nor the ventilated seats. I have heard that the ventilation really makes little difference in MBs?

43221B

Don't you think this might be a function of how the seats are contoured? I notice the same on long trips and I have the MB Tex. Other cars with snug fitting seats ie Porsches, you're probably not going to be doing too many long drives in. Really, a properly ventilated or cloth seat is the only thing that will solve this issue in highly contoured seats.

lkchris

I think it's because the seats are too narrow, a full 2 inches narrower than the W211 E-class seats.

My solution (http://www.autosportcatalog.com/lumb...at-cushion.cfm):

43221B

I'm driving the 2010 E Class right now and the seats are definitely a little wider. I like the GL's snug lateral support but there is probably a downside to that fit on longer trips. Overall, I like the fit of the GL seat better but I'm a little biased.

By the way, I'm in San Diego right now and the roads are rougher, believe it or not, than what we have in the Midwest. I'm missing the ride of my GL in a big way. I put the E-Class in sport mode and switched it back almost immediately. There is no way I would want a SUV with a stiffer suspension unless I lived in a location with better roads. It is hard to beat the GL's combination of soft ride, tight steering, and lack of body roll.

newyorktoLA

The ventilated seats on my S Class don't do anything unless you click the button, wait a few minutes, and then sit on the seat. Thats when the seat is cool. If you are driving and then click the ventilated seat button, the seat won't cool down. My S class has premium leather, but I don't think it makes a difference

nynd

So is the ventilated seat option a waste of money? And extending that even further, does it makes sense going leather or just stick with the lower cost MB Tex?

StevethePilot

I can't do the accent well enough to have one of these.

jh87

I switched to leather from MB Tex mainly because the MB tex is very sticky. Other people also have the same complaint. It is very uncomfortable so that I have to spray wax tx quite often to make it "slippery". I don't remember the MB tex is that hot while compare to leather, but since I already returned the previous GL450, I can not make the comparison head to head.

jh87

there is really no other thing better than that?

StevethePilot

-10

43221B

I have black MB Tex and it is the absolute easiest vehicle I have ever owned to clean. I use the MB interior cleaner and the seats and door panels look like new after I'm done and it takes almost no effort to get stuff off. I have an infant and two toddlers so other than having a dog, we couldn't be much harder on the interior. Echoing what others have said though, I would get leather if I didn't have kids. Sometimes though it comes down to what is on the lot.

lkchris

Only thing I could think of would be the ventilated seats, discussed above.

It's a VERY POOR seat design, as this is the first Mercedes I've owned that presents this problem.

Another solution could be ...

dbtk

If I had a second chance I would have purchased my GL with active ventilated seats. The ones on my CL600 work great and they can be contoured in almost every way.

Another option would be to get the sheep skin overlay available as an OEM MB accessory. They are cooler in the Summer and warmer to the touch in the Winter.

jh87

link? please

BJ021

I'm with you on that one Steve!! It's probably the wax causing the issue! I have no issues with my MB TEX. They do tend to get warm on a longer drive, but not horribly.

USMC_C55

Your leather seats get too hot after theyve been sitting in direct sunlight?Try having it sit all day in the desert in 29 palms 130+ weather.

dbtk

Photo of sheepskin overlays for the GL. But I can not find the appropriate model in the catalogue. http://www.mercedespartspeople.com/m...eat_cover.html

dbtk

I also found these for the R-class on Ebay. I wonder if they would fit the GL since they are both based on the ML platform?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories

dbtk

Ok, so the eBay seller said that the R-class seat covers will not fit. I did find the part number that does: BQ-6-91-0229 BQ-6-91-0230 BQ-6-91-0231, and they can be purchased from http://mercedes.dealerfit.com/store/...at909_1935.php for $259.

jh87

You did not read my post clearly! The only issue with the MB tex is that they are too "dry" and "sticky" to your clothes, that why I have to use leather treatment to moist them often. The MB tex is not hot as I recalled.

jh87

They are no longer available. I called and confirmed with several dealers.

dbtk

Bummer. I was going to order a set for my GL. I guess I will have to prowl eBay for leftover.