GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Designo Leather - too much wear & tear

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Old Dec 23, 2016 | 05:26 PM
  #1  
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2003 s430 4m
Designo Leather - too much wear & tear

This 2015 diesel is equipped with the beautiful designo leather option. It looks great but there is soo much cracking happening on the seats and there is this tunneling happening on the arm rest. This ride has 41k kms (25k miles) on it. Question: is this normal or excessive? Possible that dealer will replace?

Below are photos and video review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkFu...ature=youtu.be










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Old Dec 23, 2016 | 05:45 PM
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Looks like pretty typical wear. I doubt dealer is going to replace.
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Old Dec 23, 2016 | 06:34 PM
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Ask the dealer... frankly the seat wear like that can be minimalised by having one seat memory set "lower" for getting in and out - and have 2nd seat memory set for "higher" driving position.. you have Italian Nappa grade leather - if you haven't owned a hi-line interior before - you need to adapt accordingly
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Old Dec 24, 2016 | 07:58 AM
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Looks excessive to me. Talk to your dealer. I have designo and wasnt happy with wear on side lumbar of seat (exit/entry). Wasnt anywhere near what you are experiencing. Dealer fixed without any hesitation whatsoever. Agreed that $7,800 package should not wear like that.
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Old Dec 24, 2016 | 02:38 PM
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The MBZ should make that right. Of course so much it has to do with how your service rep. presents the warranty claim to MBZ in my experience.
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Old Jan 28, 2017 | 08:46 PM
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Wow, that is unacceptable amounts of wear for only 25K miles. My 9 year old, 108k miles VW R32 has less wear than that.
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Old Jan 29, 2017 | 07:49 AM
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Hard to comment without knowing the size of the *** sitting in that seat.
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Old Jan 30, 2017 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike450
Hard to comment without knowing the size of the *** sitting in that seat.
Getting a little personal... I would think that even without seeing the person sitting in the seat, that would be a little excessive wear.
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Old Jan 31, 2017 | 01:32 PM
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I have a used 2014 that came with the drivers seat base looking just like yours, except in black. The back rest was fine though. It is the most used seat in the car and it must be taken care of using good leather products every now and then for a long-lasting seat. Leather, however high quality it may be of, can crack like that if not taken care of.
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Old Jun 4, 2017 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by danielkon
there is soo much cracking happening on the seats. Question: is this normal or excessive? Possible that dealer will replace?
I have the same issue; did you get resolution?
Originally Posted by Jpkcpa
Looks excessive to me. Talk to your dealer. Dealer fixed without any hesitation whatsoever. Agreed that $7,800 package should not wear like that.
Thanks for your input. What did you have to say to dealer to get them to replace it?
Originally Posted by 300SDLguy
The MBZ should make that right. Of course so much it has to do with how your service rep. presents the warranty claim to MBZ in my experience.
Originally Posted by GT-ER
Wow, that is unacceptable amounts of wear for only 25K miles.
I agree.

This is how mine looks, sadly:



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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 07:09 AM
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Pretty normal for the seats, but that arm rest looks bad. Make sure you're cleaning and conditioning them with Lexol every three months.
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 08:01 AM
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what arm rest?
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 08:52 AM
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MB leather just doesn't hold up all that great. However, their MBTEX is the bomb.
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 12:51 PM
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Mercedes does not stand behind their interior quality anymore...

These Mercedes seats look terrible especially given the premium price you pay. We have a new '17 GLE with seats that are horrible (MB Tex) & I can't get Mercedes to acknowledge the issue or rectify it. Have a friend that is considering cancelling his order on a '17 GLE 43 as Mercedes Corporate cannot guarantee him the seats will be free from defects! Crazy!!! Good luck getting them to make good on this, absolutely unacceptable! I am preparing a small claims suit myself, perhaps yoy should as well!
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Boston
These Mercedes seats look terrible especially given the premium price you pay. We have a new '17 GLE with seats that are horrible (MB Tex) & I can't get Mercedes to acknowledge the issue or rectify it. Have a friend that is considering cancelling his order on a '17 GLE 43 as Mercedes Corporate cannot guarantee him the seats will be free from defects! Crazy!!! Good luck getting them to make good on this, absolutely unacceptable! I am preparing a small claims suit myself, perhaps yoy should as well!
What's the basis of your claim?
You are not satisfied with the wear cosmetic look of the leather?
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Boston
These Mercedes seats look terrible especially given the premium price you pay. We have a new '17 GLE with seats that are horrible (MB Tex) & I can't get Mercedes to acknowledge the issue or rectify it. Have a friend that is considering cancelling his order on a '17 GLE 43 as Mercedes Corporate cannot guarantee him the seats will be free from defects! Crazy!!! Good luck getting them to make good on this, absolutely unacceptable! I am preparing a small claims suit myself, perhaps yoy should as well!
is it the seat, material, or workmanship?
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 11:24 PM
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QUOTE=tresean1;7170037]I have the same issue; did you get resolution?

Thanks for your input. What did you have to say to dealer to get them to replace it?

All I did was show my service tech and he agreed it was unacceptable
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
MB leather just doesn't hold up all that great.
Agreed
Originally Posted by Boston
These Mercedes seats look terrible especially given the premium price you pay. Good luck getting them to make good on this, absolutely unacceptable! I am preparing a small claims suit myself, perhaps yoy should as well!
Yeah, shameful when Lexus, Acura, Lincoln, and even Honda has better looking/quality leather than MERCEDES.
Originally Posted by Jpkcpa
All I did was show my service tech and he agreed it was unacceptable
Thanks, hopefully my SA will agree as well.
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Old Jun 5, 2017 | 11:57 PM
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Edgewear on the seat from someone sliding over it getting in and out of the car, is not a defect, it's an owner who doesn't care. The armrest on the other hand, looks like it's cracked inside, as the ridge extends through two pieces of the leather and the seam. I have seen them break, not on a 222 but the supporting piece is plastic, it's possible it was smashed and is cracked but that will probably be replaced under warranty without question.
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Old Jun 6, 2017 | 11:43 AM
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danielkon,

do you park your truck in the sun full time? To me it looks like it could use a good leather conditioner especially if you expose it to extreme temperatures constantly. Unfortunately, its too late to restore it back to what it used to be. I personally use Zaino Z-10 and Zaino Z-9 on all of my vehicles. If you treat leather like you treat your own skin (lotion, cleaning etc...) it should last a lot longer.
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Old Jun 6, 2017 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by snowflakeGL
To me it looks like it could use a good leather conditioner
Any advice for me, this is my seat:
Originally Posted by tresean1


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Old Jun 6, 2017 | 12:12 PM
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Lexol makes a kit for cleaning and conditioning so does Griots. I have used both. Work great. I had the leather in my GLC sealed. It looks like new. My C class has MBtex

Last edited by dieseldoc; Jun 7, 2017 at 09:30 AM.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 07:03 AM
  #23  
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tresean1,

Its difficult to see that the piping is dirty or worn. If its dirty, i highly recommend that you try the Zaino leather cleaner to see if that helps. As with any leather product test in inconspicuous area prior to applying to the entire seat. If the piping is worn, and you vehicle is still under warranty take it to the dealership to have the service manager look at it. I noticed you're in VA. I have my Mercedes vehicles serviced at MB of Alexandria and have always had excellent service.

Zanio leather care can be purchased here.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...=interiortires
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 08:11 AM
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snowflake,
The seat surfaces were kind of dirty, which I successfully cleaned with Griot's Leather Care. But the piping and edges are actually worn.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by tresean1
snowflake,
The seat surfaces were kind of dirty, which I successfully cleaned with Griot's Leather Care. But the piping and edges are actually worn.
I would see if dealer will replace under warranty. Hopefully, they will not call it wear and tear.
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