Why does Nappa Leather require adding expensive options
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 9
From: NW PA
2020 GLE580
Why does Nappa Leather require adding expensive options
We placed our GLE 580 order 2 weeks ago and in doing so, chose the Macchiato / Magma Grey leather interior (205A) . After much reconsideration we decided to switch to the Black / Magma Grey Nappa Leather interior (958A) . I contacted our sales agent who tried to make this change and in the process said that changing to the Nappa Leather required us to select several other options which added greatly to the bottom line. We would have to choose rear side airbags and heated rear seats along with choosing between rapid heating front seats or multi comfort massage front seats or the warmth and comfort package. He did not have an explanation as to why this was necessary other than it is what comes up when attempting to make our requested change. I initially thought that the only price increase going from the standard leather in the GLE 580 to the Nappa Leather would be the $1,370 increase as stated in the Order Guide. My expected increases of $1,370 has now turned into a $4,000 increase just to add Nappa Leather to the standard leather interior in the GLE 580. Has anyone else experienced this situation. It's kind of frustrating and it leaves us with a new decision.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 330
Likes: 70
2020 GLE
We placed our GLE 580 order 2 weeks ago and in doing so, chose the Macchiato / Magma Grey leather interior (205A) . After much reconsideration we decided to switch to the Black / Magma Grey Nappa Leather interior (958A) . I contacted our sales agent who tried to make this change and in the process said that changing to the Nappa Leather required us to select several other options which added greatly to the bottom line. We would have to choose rear side airbags and heated rear seats along with choosing between rapid heating front seats or multi comfort massage front seats or the warmth and comfort package. He did not have an explanation as to why this was necessary other than it is what comes up when attempting to make our requested change. I initially thought that the only price increase going from the standard leather in the GLE 580 to the Nappa Leather would be the $1,370 increase as stated in the Order Guide. My expected increases of $1,370 has now turned into a $4,000 increase just to add Nappa Leather to the standard leather interior in the GLE 580. Has anyone else experienced this situation. It's kind of frustrating and it leaves us with a new decision.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 601
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2020 GLE 53 AMG
We placed our GLE 580 order 2 weeks ago and in doing so, chose the Macchiato / Magma Grey leather interior (205A) . After much reconsideration we decided to switch to the Black / Magma Grey Nappa Leather interior (958A) . I contacted our sales agent who tried to make this change and in the process said that changing to the Nappa Leather required us to select several other options which added greatly to the bottom line. We would have to choose rear side airbags and heated rear seats along with choosing between rapid heating front seats or multi comfort massage front seats or the warmth and comfort package. He did not have an explanation as to why this was necessary other than it is what comes up when attempting to make our requested change. I initially thought that the only price increase going from the standard leather in the GLE 580 to the Nappa Leather would be the $1,370 increase as stated in the Order Guide. My expected increases of $1,370 has now turned into a $4,000 increase just to add Nappa Leather to the standard leather interior in the GLE 580. Has anyone else experienced this situation. It's kind of frustrating and it leaves us with a new decision.
I'm actually surprised the 580 doesn't come with Nappa leather as standard considering the price premium.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 293
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From: Boston, MA
25 GLE53, 24 Macan, 15 GLK350
It would not surprise me if with a higher end option like Napa leather, Mercedes just wants to make it in one single configuration, so they other require options being bundled with it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
In addition, they want to protect themselves against configurations that would be hard to sell if the person who orders the car decides to walk away. So they figure that anyone willing to pay for napa leather would want a leather dash (one of the mandatory add-ons) and memory seats. Many of the configuration constraints are to protect the dealer against having difficult-to-sell cars if they wind up having them in stock.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 159
Likes: 31
From: Western NY
GLE 450 / E450 Cabriolet
Exactly why every car configuration document they have is useless. Oh, you want Y then no A, F, or G option for you. My wifes E450 has leather, heated seats but heck no for a heated steering wheel.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 9
From: NW PA
2020 GLE580
Thanks for all the input and commiserating. It appears as though I will be staying with the leather and not upgrading to Nappa. It's nice but not worth the total cost of the upgrade.
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2023 E-Class Coupe (C238)
Last edited by Archangel60; Aug 26, 2022 at 07:18 AM.
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From: Camas, WA
Current: 2024 GLE350W4, 2016 Audi A8L Previous: 2019 C43W4
It's an effort to reduce complexity.
By reducing the number of seating variations they make the Nappa leather upholstery available in, they don't have to maintain so many different part numbers and bills of material. This strategy was implemented under the assumption that someone who is spending money on Nappa leather will want all of the other seating options, anyway.
This is also why the multicontour massaging seats require at least leather and are not available with MB Tex. It is also why ventilated seats were only available with certain MB Tex colors in other model variants (C-class, GLC-class, A-class, GLA-class, etc)
"Yeah, but, they have so much complexity in other areas..." Welp, you have to draw the line somewhere. This is where they decided to draw the line.
By reducing the number of seating variations they make the Nappa leather upholstery available in, they don't have to maintain so many different part numbers and bills of material. This strategy was implemented under the assumption that someone who is spending money on Nappa leather will want all of the other seating options, anyway.
This is also why the multicontour massaging seats require at least leather and are not available with MB Tex. It is also why ventilated seats were only available with certain MB Tex colors in other model variants (C-class, GLC-class, A-class, GLA-class, etc)
"Yeah, but, they have so much complexity in other areas..." Welp, you have to draw the line somewhere. This is where they decided to draw the line.
