Leather vs Artificial Leather
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 22
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glc coupe 350
Leather vs Artificial Leather
Planning to purchase the new GLE soon and having owned a glc coupe with real leather i cant really tell if its worth it. It seems that artificial one is more durable, cost effective and easier to maintain.
Happy to hear some more oppinions
Happy to hear some more oppinions
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 151
From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
I've heard very good things about the MB-Tex...as you stated they are durable and easy to maintain.
I didn't have a choice on my car; otherwise I might have opted for it.
- MB-Tex wears better than leather
- MB-Tex requires less maintenance
- MB-Tex is easier to clean
- MB-Tex is not animal-based
I didn't have a choice on my car; otherwise I might have opted for it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 28
2001 G500
MB-Tex is not available with multicountour seats and therefore not with the Drivers Assistance Package. That might be a deciding factor. I likely would have gone with MB-Tex if it didn't preclude getting the other options.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 9
E-Class
DMG's comment is correct. Last night I was at my local MB dealer putting together my order for a new 2020 GLE when I learned MB USA is forcing us into packages we don't want! I'm very angry. If you want to be safe and get the Drivers Assistance Package, they force you to buy leather (total unrelated option). Then you get forced into either the cold weather package or massaging seats. My simple $79K building turned into $86K. I'm reconsidering my purchase. Their greed is appalling. I know a lot of the manufactures do it, but that doesn't mean I have to fall for it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
DMG's comment is correct. Last night I was at my local MB dealer putting together my order for a new 2020 GLE when I learned MB USA is forcing us into packages we don't want! I'm very angry. If you want to be safe and get the Drivers Assistance Package, they force you to buy leather (total unrelated option). Then you get forced into either the cold weather package or massaging seats. My simple $79K building turned into $86K. I'm reconsidering my purchase. Their greed is appalling. I know a lot of the manufactures do it, but that doesn't mean I have to fall for it.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 510
Likes: 64
From: Dallas Texas USA
2023 AMG EQE 53
Aside from the package and option issue, I've had both MBTex and leather on a list of MBs and to be honest it's hard to tell the difference. If saying you have real leather impresses somebody spend the money. More than likely nobody will care. The reason you need leather for things like the vented seats is that they have to punch all those holes. The 2019 C43 I just got has leather and the other options I wanted so I took it. Think the leather was $1600 that I wish was in my pocket but I'm OK with the car. Can't go wrong with either in my opinion.
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Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Maryland (Washington DC market suburbs)
2024 GLS450W4, 2016 S550 4MATIC (W222), 1972 350SL (R107), 2012 GLK350 (X204)
I had an E350 with MB Tex and I will say that it wore incredibly well. It looked the same after 4 years as the day I bought it. You don’t need to do anything to it except wipe it with a damp cloth. However, there’s a reason you can’t get an S Class with MB Tex. There’s nothing luxurious about vinyl, even when it is made to look grained. So if you appreciate the finer things, getting leather is the way to go - but it requires the use of leather cleaner and conditioner to keep it clean and from cracking because it dries out. If you don’t want that hassle, go with MB Tex. If you have kids that make a mess or larger dogs that travel with you, MB Tex is pretty worry free. The good news is 99% of people will think it is leather. Only folks savvy about cars, especially European cars, will know the difference. I even sometimes see dealers who sell used cars wrongly advertising these cars have leather interior when they don’t. The only real way to know is to know the difference in upholstery patterns or if you know MB models well enough to know which have leather standard. I will say I garage kept a 2013 s550 with base leather and it still looked great after 8 years. I typically clean and condition leather but for whatever reason didn't with this car but it still looked new and it never dried and cracked. The quality of leather is good even if you don’t upgrade it to nappa or designo exclusive nappa. If the car had been outside in the sun a lot I’m sure the leather wouldn’t have looked as good though.
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 15
From: Southampton, UK
W167
I've had both and would go for leather every time. You can't repair Artico (which I have been told stands for ARTIficial COw).
I had a seat split and when the repairer found out it was Artico said very little could be done as it's just plastic. Leather on the other hand can be reupholstered (at a cost of course).
I had a seat split and when the repairer found out it was Artico said very little could be done as it's just plastic. Leather on the other hand can be reupholstered (at a cost of course).
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 157
Likes: 42
From: Oro Valley (Tucson Area) AZ
2021 53 AMG SUV, 2021 GMC Denali, 2015 Bentley Speed convertable
As was mentioned earlier, I believe that ventilated seats require leather and the multicolor seats are usually leather only. For me, the ventilated seats are a must!
Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 79
Likes: 28
2021 GLE 450
We have ventilated seats with MBTex. We chose MBTex because this is my wife's primary vehicle and between sweat and sunscreen after tennis, the leather on her previous vehicle did not hold up well at all.
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 157
Likes: 42
From: Oro Valley (Tucson Area) AZ
2021 53 AMG SUV, 2021 GMC Denali, 2015 Bentley Speed convertable
TE=MarkerVB;8391235]We have ventilated seats with MBTex. We chose MBTex because this is my wife's primary vehicle and between sweat and sunscreen after tennis, the leather on her previous vehicle did not hold up well at all.[/QUOTE]
You are correct- MB tex can get ventilated seats.
You are correct- MB tex can get ventilated seats.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 52
Likes: 16
2022 GLE 350 4Matic
Someone may have already mentioned this--but you can get the ventilated seats now with MB Tex. That's the way I ordered my 2022 GLE 350 AWD a few months back.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 777
Likes: 416
From: Pennsylvania
2024 GLE 450 4matic
My 2020 GLE350 has MB Tex and is surprisingly cool. My work car is a 2020 Ford Explorer with vinyl seats and they are awful! Even though both are synthetic materials, MB is doing something very right and the difference is night and day.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 15
From: Spain
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,694
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
+1 for MB-Tex. I have it on a W166 and it’s comfortable, durable and cleans up easily with water and a cotton terry towel.
Having said this, there have been complaints of cracked MB-Tex in the V167. After all it’s vinyl, and MB and the supplier seek to reduce cost with each successive vehicle platform. The chemical formulation get tweaked over time for many reasons, cost and environmental requirements are just two of many factors. It’s possible on the V167 they left out too much of the good stuff.
Having said this, there have been complaints of cracked MB-Tex in the V167. After all it’s vinyl, and MB and the supplier seek to reduce cost with each successive vehicle platform. The chemical formulation get tweaked over time for many reasons, cost and environmental requirements are just two of many factors. It’s possible on the V167 they left out too much of the good stuff.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 226
Likes: 64
bmw 535i xdrive
MB Tex cracked after nine months. Dealer tried to repair it and MB wouldn’t cover it under the warranty. Dealer told me you get one “courtesy fix” so I should wait. I do not buy their story. Not sure leather would be any better but I chose TEX because of it’s supposed durability. SA claims they have several cases and MB is aware. You’d think they’d want a happy customer.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 226
Likes: 64
bmw 535i xdrive
UPDATE - I brought my car in yesterday for a new windshield. When I went to pick it up, the SA surprised me with a new seat (bottom only). He told me that he forced MB into covering it under warranty which they should have done anyway IMO.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 282
Likes: 64
From: California
2021 GLE450
Wow, you have a great SA! I'd buy him a lunch!
