Uncomfortable leather seats
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 11
From: Hewlett, New York
2017 BMW 230ix convertible, 2018 GLC300
Espresso MB-Tex here 
. Front seats seem fine to me. No complaints.
The back seats, however, I didn't care for them. Seems you sink in a hole. The cushion depth seems shallow -- maybe a couple/few inches of padding, then hard surface. Also that's with those cup holders -- total over engineering.
. Front seats seem fine to me. No complaints.The back seats, however, I didn't care for them. Seems you sink in a hole. The cushion depth seems shallow -- maybe a couple/few inches of padding, then hard surface. Also that's with those cup holders -- total over engineering.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
2011 Mercedes GLK350 4Matic in White
??? Vinyl ???
I purposely decided on MB Tex as it has shown to be the most carefree, indestructible seat covering that lasts longer than any leather seat. I can use window cleaner on that stuff to get out stains and no harm done...leather...no such luck. When I transport my two big dogs t the kennel, using the back seat, their sharp nails cannot pierce the MB Tex at all... leather would be covered in scuff marks and shredding by now. It's not the cheap plasticky vinyl of your dad's car from the 1970's. Mercedes designed MB Tex to be heavily textured to feel like cowhide, layered with opposed base fibres in the fabric to provide extra strength and perforated to allow ventilation. I did not need to kill 6 cows either...it's certainly the better ECO choice. But the choice is yours. Just know your facts before flaming the millions of MB Tex owners out there
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 109
From: CA
2021 GLE 450, 2017 GLC 300 4Matic, 2008 FJ Cruiser
I purposely decided on MB Tex as it has shown to be the most carefree, indestructible seat covering that lasts longer than any leather seat. I can use window cleaner on that stuff to get out stains and no harm done...leather...no such luck. When I transport my two big dogs t the kennel, using the back seat, their sharp nails cannot pierce the MB Tex at all... leather would be covered in scuff marks and shredding by now. It's not the cheap plasticky vinyl of your dad's car from the 1970's. Mercedes designed MB Tex to be heavily textured to feel like cowhide, layered with opposed base fibres in the fabric to provide extra strength and perforated to allow ventilation. I did not need to kill 6 cows either...it's certainly the better ECO choice. But the choice is yours. Just know your facts before flaming the millions of MB Tex owners out there
Super Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 632
Likes: 57
From: Trumbull, CT USA
Mercedes-Ben GLC300 4Matic
agreed on the mbtex. only thing i can say i miss the leather smell, and sometimes a bit warm in the summer, but i must say it has an overall nice feel and i have read it wears like iron so that is a definite plus, i have felt leather in other vehicles that dont feel as nice as mbtex
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GLC300
Same concern with brand new 2018 GLC 300
I just leased a brand new 2018 GLC300 and the seat is bothering my upper back. I have tried different positions and seat setting adjustments but haven't found the comfort I need yet. I agree it is stiff and I am very disappointed! The seat felt ok on the test drive but by the time I got home my back was really hurting. Not sure what to do about it now. They said the seat should soften up and mold to my body but I don't know... Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 17
GLC 300
I am the original poster in this thread. It took me about 3-4 weeks to get a comfortable position. The seats do seem a bit softer over time, but not by much. I felt that the leather seats in my older 2014 GLK were much more comfortable.
Lori, a few things to try. First, adjust the position of the lumbar support. Second, play with the seat extender. A few inches more or less extended may make a difference. Third, play with the adjustments of the position of the steering column. The latter can make a big difference in comfort.
Hope this helps.
Lori, a few things to try. First, adjust the position of the lumbar support. Second, play with the seat extender. A few inches more or less extended may make a difference. Third, play with the adjustments of the position of the steering column. The latter can make a big difference in comfort.
Hope this helps.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GLC300
Thanks
Thanks!! That is encouraging to hear that it may take a little time. And the suggestions about the seats and steering wheel. I did do the extender today and it did seem to help a bit. That’s a pretty cool feature. I’m going to order a seat cushion possibly too for my upper back. Thanks much!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 68
Likes: 8
From: Sydney, Australia
GLC 250d
Hi all - second post - new owner and need your help!! I picked up my new GLC 11 days ago after getting out of my 2016 X3 lease 14 months early due to the extreme pain I was having from the seats. From day 1 I could never get comfortable and had massive left leg pain under my mid thigh on anything more than 30 minutes of driving as well as a very sore rear end from the rock hard seats. I always liked the GLC and heard it had very comfortable seats and a softer better ride. Drove it twice for 30 minutes each and was able to find comfort so I bought it. Now I am having terrible back pain and have spent hours each day trying to find the sweet spot and correct combination of positions. I have put about 700 miles on it already trying to figure this out! The good news is my butt is fine and left leg is a bit better although I feel pressure under my left thigh that feels like a cramp after I get out. But now I have pain in mid/upper back that I have never had before as well as lower back pain. Never had back issues with the X3. So I traded one set of pain for another. I am about to try and return this car and get the GLE. Maybe I just need a bigger car? Any thoughts? I am 6' and 215. I have a bit of OCD and have tried every conceivable position I can think of with the seats and the steering wheel and just can't seem to get it. Thanks for reading.
It is the first car I have gotten out of after 4 hours of driving and not felt stiff. I even drove 7 straight hours once (admittedly stiff after this!)
Admittedly the leather is quite hard but it doesn't effect overall comfort. I don't think a GLE will fix your problem, I had a ML350 for a while and the GLC seats are much better.
Last edited by redrover22; Jul 16, 2018 at 09:25 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 162
From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
I have a GLC with Leather. The seats are extremely comfortable. I previously had a GL which had the the same seats as the GLE. The seats are significantly better on the GLC.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 3
From: Tidewater Va
GLC43
I got my interior treated with Ceramic Pro. Kind of costly (~$2500 for exterior and interior). It's worked well so far...only 2500 miles though.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Central Virginia
2017 MB GLC300 & 2020 GLE350
I too wear jeans in our GLC with beige interior. Someone suggested we wash new jeans with white vinegar and BINGO-that works to keeps the blue in jeans and off the seats. Two or three washings using a quart or two of vinegar per wash.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
glc 300
I am disappointed in the comfort of the leather seats in our 2017 GLC 300, leased earlier this month. I am wondering if anyone else in this forum has experienced the same problem. (I have read only one short thread about uncomfortable seats in the GLC)
I am comparing the current seats to the leather seats that we had in our leased 2014 GLK. The GLK leather seats were so comfortable, plenty of cushioning. Great for long rides.
In contrast, the seats in our GLC, even though also leather, are very stiff. I am not sure if it is due to poor quality leather or the lack of adequate cushioning. What is really uncomfortable is that I can feel at the outer edges of the outside seat bolsters on both sides a thin hard rim (made of metal or plastic) beneath the leather. I can feel the hard rims under my legs while riding.
Our car was assembled in Finland. They forgot to include some of the components in our Premium 2 package. I wondering if they also forgot to include all of the cushioning that they were supposed to install.
I am comparing the current seats to the leather seats that we had in our leased 2014 GLK. The GLK leather seats were so comfortable, plenty of cushioning. Great for long rides.
In contrast, the seats in our GLC, even though also leather, are very stiff. I am not sure if it is due to poor quality leather or the lack of adequate cushioning. What is really uncomfortable is that I can feel at the outer edges of the outside seat bolsters on both sides a thin hard rim (made of metal or plastic) beneath the leather. I can feel the hard rims under my legs while riding.
Our car was assembled in Finland. They forgot to include some of the components in our Premium 2 package. I wondering if they also forgot to include all of the cushioning that they were supposed to install.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
glc 300
I just got a glc300 and my upper legs and back hurt after being in the car a lot. Thinking of getting some plus seat mats or covers to see if that helps. Any suggestions. I have had 3 Lexus’s and the seats are so comfortable but these are really not up to par for Mercedes.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 4
2020 GLC 300 4 Matic
Leather seats
I don’t want to sound snooty but I prefer those rich Corinthian leather seats that Ricardo Montaban used to talk about on those Chrysler commercials. I went with the standard leather option for my 2020 GLC and I’m happy. If you’re getting a 3 year old car the previous owner could have been 2-300 pounds so it’s understandable those seats/padding has worn out.
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 240
Likes: 43
From: Wyoming
2020 GLC 300 SUV 4Matic
Silk Beige MB-Tex in my 2020 GLC 300 4Matic rocks - super comfortable, supportive and easy to maintain and keep clean. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do coming from all leather seats since around 2005.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I was having trouble with the seat adjustment too, Wife's car, not in it for long drives much.
Finally after a 600 mile drive, I fine-tuned the seats every half hour or so, then hit Memory, and I found the right settings.
Somebody mentioned Fine Corinthian Leather - wow were THOSE seats junk. No support and only a slight recline. But the ads saved Chrysler (for another decade).
Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 178
Likes: 36
2021 GLC 300
Same here. Silk Beige MB-Tex in my 2021 GLC 300. I could not tell the difference from the standard ($1620) MB leather. Still....A $58K vehicle and it does not come leather.
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 240
Likes: 43
From: Wyoming
2020 GLC 300 SUV 4Matic
I really became a fan of the MB-Tex - extremely comfortable and easily maintainable for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
In Europe, animal-friendly interiors are often preferred, and some other makes charge a premium for the MB-Tex equivalent.
In the USA, we don't have that bias against leather - in fact it's likely the interior surfaces, not the car engineering or performance, that denotes "luxury" to many American buyers.
Kind of like the old "Cupholder" debate, German cars vs. the ROW, Rest of World.
In the USA, we don't have that bias against leather - in fact it's likely the interior surfaces, not the car engineering or performance, that denotes "luxury" to many American buyers.
Kind of like the old "Cupholder" debate, German cars vs. the ROW, Rest of World.
Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 178
Likes: 36
2021 GLC 300
In Europe, animal-friendly interiors are often preferred, and some other makes charge a premium for the MB-Tex equivalent.
In the USA, we don't have that bias against leather - in fact it's likely the interior surfaces, not the car engineering or performance, that denotes "luxury" to many American buyers.
Kind of like the old "Cupholder" debate, German cars vs. the ROW, Rest of World.
In the USA, we don't have that bias against leather - in fact it's likely the interior surfaces, not the car engineering or performance, that denotes "luxury" to many American buyers.
Kind of like the old "Cupholder" debate, German cars vs. the ROW, Rest of World.
I agree.....an old sleeper car my be loaded with engineering & performance and have a ratty interior. I saw many of them in the old muscle car era.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 682
Likes: 90
19 GLC300 4M (lunar blue/black/black ash aluminum),17 GLE350 4M (selenite grey/ espresso/eucalyptus)
I agree, the seats are stiff (MB-Tex here). However, they are so supportive it doesn't matter. I like BMW's fake too, but Vernasca they sell is like a rock
