Hello, I want to buy used GLE but I am worried about the seats which looks awful after only 30k miles/50k km. Is this the same with all kind of leathers or only some of them, because the offer that I am looking at says just “leather seats” but not specifically which type? Can someone more experienced help me what should i look for or which type is more sturdy?

 

Most likely the previous owner didn't apply leather conditioner periodically. My understanding is that for any leathers, especially on high traffic area, it can develop cracks. That part of the seat is usually get "compress" when entering or exiting the car, and if the leather get dry, those crack will develop. And if you park your car outside, those high temperature is also not helping.

 

Looks like textured leather seats and someone really had poor form in entry/exit, or did a lot of short trips (lots of in and out).
I have the same mileage on mine and they look nothing like that.

 

Or, if the person is short (like me ), and the car doesn't have the running board, then that part of the seat also get wears a lot. (running board helps. but its a bit too "thin" so certain entrance/exit position can't leverage it).

 

if you decide to buy it, I have the dealer restain the leather, it will look brand new. It is relatively inexpensive and then you can put conditioner on the refinish surface too keep it soft.

 

No reason it should look like that. The "base" leather is pretty tough. I would either have the dealer re-stain as Tex suggested or even split the cost of a new bottom seat cover with the dealer. (driver's side seat cover is available as it's own separate part, I believe.)

 

Lots of complaints on 167 seats. MB got caught in their cost cutting. No leather conditioner is needed, It would have no effect in any case, because the leather is polymer coated.

The photo shows unacceptable seat wear at 50k km.

Either pay up for Designo leather or go to a real car interior like Porsche or Bentley. Or Lexus.

 

so if it is Designo leather will it be more sturdy?

 

I'm not sure what all the whining is about. It's a used car, not a particularly nice one either. The previous owner {was overweight and} didn't take care of it. If it doesn't suit you just continue the search for one that meets your needs/standards.

 

There's no whining. OP has a legitimate question in regard to leather type and durability. Many forum members are providing proper feedback.

 

I do apologize, I meant no ill will. I should have rephrased that.

 

No, it’s not normal wear. Same thing would have happened to a more expensive leather I suspect if the same driver were to have driven it. The dye appears to have been scratched off by the clothing. The driver was probably a “slider” and was wearing jeans a lot.

 

Wasn't taken in a bad way. Cheers!

 

What year is the vehicle and where is it located?
Regardless of milage, this is possible even with the best leather around if the vehicle was neglected, especially in hotter climates. Not exclusive to Mercedes-Benz.

 

By the way, taking a good look at the texture, it does NOT appear to be leather or at least "Nappa" leather which has no texture or grain at all. Looks to me li MB-Tex. I could be wrong.

 

Good question. Said differently, is Designo as low quality as base MB leather?

 

The car is 2020 year and actually I am able to see some grains.

 

"Lots of complaints on 167 seats" you say.
Make yourself credible.
Show us three.

 

Definitely look for a nicer seat!

Seats can tell a lot about cars. In this case, I'd suspect a short, heavy delivery driver wearing jeans.

With this particular car, the seat also tells me that it's probably been short-tripped a lot, which to me is kind of a "severe service" use.

The foam in Mercedes seats is legendary quality. I believe it is the only manufacturer that flows the foam around the seat innards during construction.
It's not hard as a rock like Audi, or squishy like Range Rover.

With that much compression of the foam, I'd say the leather held up pretty well.

If you like the car, get a new complete seat bottom.

 

This seat part is not made from leather. It's made from man-made leather.

 

I you would check the European Forums you will found lot of people complaining about the sits and the leder on them.
Also mine had to be replaced after 30.000 km. on the left side it was brocken, sieh pictures, and the most important Mercedes didn't accept this, I had to paid for it.


sit was brocken on the left side

you can search with google and check the pictures

mercedes gle ledersitz probleme

 

What is the best European forum?

 

[QUOTE=ACC2;8964671]What is the best European forum?[/QUOT

https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/merc...rum-b1062.html