Just noticed this today, I've had my GLE450 just under 6 months... I've notified my dealer to have this taken care of on my next service date. The MBTex in my previous ML350 was perfect after almost 5 years of use, not sure whats happening here...
When I had my 2017 E300 with MB-Tex the drivers seat had some cracks in it and the left side of the drivers seat was fading after about 3 years. The picture above is from my E300 which shows the damage the day I turned it in with 42K miles. I would not be surprised if it had something to do with my size (I am 6'5, think linebacker). When I turned that car into the dealership they did not ding me for the cracks or fading. On my GLE I have the MB-Tex/DINAMICA seats. On the sides of the seat that are MB-Tex, I noticed they do not have the perforations like the regular MB Tex has.
I wonder if that will make a difference on how the MB-Tex portion of the seats will hold up over time in my GLE. Also I do not think MB Financial cares too much as long as the seat doesn't have a big tear in it.
On my GLE I have the MB-Tex/DINAMICA seats. On the sides of the seat that are MB-Tex, I noticed they do not have the perforations like the regular MB Tex has. I wonder if that will make a difference on how the MB-Tex portion of the seats will hold up over time in my GLE. Also I do not think MB Financial cares too much as long as the seat doesn't have a big tear in it.
Almost certainly. The perforations are weak points in the fabric and will allow cracks to start more easily. I have the Dinamica seats as well and side bolsters are perfect after 2 years and 16k miles.
Same issues here in a 2020 with 10k miles (2" or so crack/wear on drivers seat MB Tex - left wing of seat base). Called and sent pictures to the dealership - they are scheduled to replace the seating surface next week.
Hello. Just took the GLE to our new dealer in Denver, per them its normal wear and tear and not covered under warranty. They are going to escalate it and see if MB will do a "Good Will".
I told them I am not losing sleep over the crack, but when i return the car at the end of the lease it then needs to be considered normal wear and tear. The master tech who worked on our car (sun roof seal and 3 recalls) sent a video overview of the work he did, in it he says its normal wear and tear... so i saved the video just in case when we return the car we have issues. But we will see, next week they will return with their good will determination.
Cracks like those shown in the photos in post #58 are assuredly not normal wear and tear. Another one of countless examples of MB dealers' poor customer treatment. Does MB corporate encourage or incentivize dealers to treat customers this way?
@AEsco48 are you seeking compensation for the photo in your original post? The consensus from the posters here is that the photo shows user damage (scratch, cut, gouge). Likely not covered under warranty.
Cracks like those shown in the photos in post #58 are assuredly not normal wear and tear. Another one of countless examples of MB dealers' poor customer treatment. Does MB corporate encourage or incentivize dealers to treat customers this way?
@AEsco48 are you seeking compensation for the photo in your original post? The consensus from the posters here is that the photo shows user damage (scratch, cut, gouge). Likely not covered under warranty.
I dont even know what to respond... Your post was post #58, so what pictures are you referring to?
Compensation for the photo in my original post?
The consensus of the non-troll is that its a material defect
So I have exactly the same thing. Happened in less than a year. Dealer had the seat repaired and in certain light conditions it’s noticeable. I didn’t get leather because MBTex was supposed to be indestructible. So much for that. They covered the repair but wouldn’t cover a replacement.
I dont even know what to respond... Your post was post #58, so what pictures are you referring to?
Compensation for the photo in my original post?
The consensus of the non-troll is that its a material defect
Post #56. Sorry, fatfingered it. Post #56 is another poster's. The question is are you seeking compensation from another dealer for the MB-Tex damage in the original post?
I moved from Miami to Denver since the original post, the only dealer that has seen our GLE in person is the dealer in Denver. Not seeking compensation (assuming you are referring to monetary compensation), i either want it fixed or documented that its normal wear and tear and when we return the lease Aug 2022, even if it gets worse... We dont get charged.
I'm having the same issue after 15K miles. This isn't something scratching the seat. I don't even sit on my wallet when driving. This is definitely a defect in the craftsmanship of the seats.
I'm having the same issue after 15K miles. This isn't something scratching the seat. I don't even sit on my wallet when driving. This is definitely a defect in the craftsmanship of the seats.
They take perfectly good material and punch a bunch of holes in it - go figure!
The dealer should replace under warranty. Both front and passenger of mine are being replaced next month. MB Tex is junk IMO. I have had many cars with either pleather or real leather, none were a fancy Mercedes that cost big $$$…. none of those seats cracked after thousands of miles. My MB started cracking at 25k miles.
Had mine replaced under warranty as well. I think it’s this particular fabric design that is the problem. I’ve an several MB Tex cars in the past that never showed any wear.
Had mine replaced under warranty as well. I think it’s this particular fabric design that is the problem. I’ve an several MB Tex cars in the past that never showed any wear.
I think this is kind of crazy, even if they replace the seats with same materials it’s going to have the same issue down the line unless they’ve changed how they make this MBtex stuff. If I had leased maybe I wouldn’t care but we purchased. And I like to take care of my cars, and of course these cars are expensive. Pretty disappointing. Ugh.
Anyone have a invoice for the warranty work? Have to take mine in to replace as well. I feel like the dealership by me will just say normal wear and tear.
I would just explain to them that rips aren’t ““normal” wear and tear for seating surfaces. Fading and creasing is, but not tears, especially if the overall condition of the seat still looks brand new.
I think this is kind of crazy, even if they replace the seats with same materials it’s going to have the same issue down the line unless they’ve changed how they make this MBtex stuff. If I had leased maybe I wouldn’t care but we purchased. And I like to take care of my cars, and of course these cars are expensive. Pretty disappointing. Ugh.
Agreed. MB-Tex is new technology, right? It's not. MB is failing on the basics of their business, cracked MB-Tex is simply one example.
Product problems like this, combined with the "experience" at MB dealers can be easily found at bottom-of-the-industry brands.
While I’m not giving MB a break on this, one thing I noticed on my new car were stickers on the seat backs from Lear. I looked it up and I guess they made our seats. Now I’m not sure if Lear is also making the Vinyl or sourcing it from another third party, simply put it’s not a quality product, whoever made it. However, it’s still MB’s responsibility to ensure it is and they’re either not monitoring the quality enough and/or not calling out their suppliers. Ultimately, though, some warranty claims will get kicked back down to the suppliers in regards to monetary compensation. It can’t be cheap anyway you slice it and it shines a negative light on MB even if they don’t have to pay for repairs.
This is really not a good thing that I've seen in this thread. MB should not compromise in it's quality, we guys are paying our hard-earned money to buy such luxuries.
We are going to buy our GLE at the end of the lease, so I went back to the dealer last week. What I heard back: "Turns out that a bulletin was updated today about this. It said parts are available and can be replaced." Parts were ordered and are already waiting.
We are going to buy our GLE at the end of the lease, so I went back to the dealer last week. What I heard back: "Turns out that a bulletin was updated today about this. It said parts are available and can be replaced." Parts were ordered and are already waiting.
Once you have the paperwork you might want to post a the section where the bulletin info is listed.
I'm having the same issue after 15K miles. This isn't something scratching the seat. I don't even sit on my wallet when driving. This is definitely a defect in the craftsmanship of the seats.
We have similar cracks and stopped by the dealer who is ordering a new seat cover.
Mentioned there might be a bulletin out for this which he was not aware of but he mentioned that he already replaced 3 covers this week.
I remember that in late 2019/early 20 there were a lot of GLE’s and GLS’s that had poorly made seat covers in their cars.
Showroom models with seats that were even off-color on some panels and looked patchy overall.
Our dealer was just happy to get any cars coming in and said they would be replacing the covers as the cars sold and/or customers complained.
Ours was a Feb.20 build and it looked all good. All except durability. Still looking at this as early model vendor issue…
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