Just placed an order for a new 2017 GLE, opted for the MB-Tex interior due to its relative ease of cleaning and maintenance but I am having second thoughts right now.

Anyone has any past experience on how well they hold up with time compared to real leather?

 

In general - MB-Tex holds up better/longer than leather - frankly you should have confidence in your decision...

 

I have three kids and I had the tan interior in my old GL. The MB Tex held up extremely well . After 3 years of use it looked like new when I turned it in. I have Black MB tex in my new GLS. I will not get another MB without MB tex.

 

For durability the MB text is better. But the leather does feel better. I drove my wife's E this morning and the MB text still looks good after 30k miles but it just doesn't feel as good. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

Great, appreciate your responses.

 

I have had both over many years with Benz. I love the MB Tex. And they do a great job with their leather too. I just traded in a 2007 ML350 with beige MB Tex with 146k miles and used it heavily to transport kids and pets. We used it hard. I cleaned up that MB Tex and it was dam near new looking. No way I could have done that with leather. We have leather in our new GLE and it is very nice. But I know in 10 years it won't look as good as MB Tex would have. But we do think its a little more comfortable. I had leather in a 91 S Class that I put 200k miles on. The leather was worn looking and developed a hole where I slid into the seat. It was patched up nicely and resold well. Personally, I would take either one... both excellent.


Ken

 

My infiniti G37 has full leather but driver side can see visible streak i think thats due to the nature of leather - it does feel better than MB Tex

the MB Tex feels a little artificial but still very good - ofcuz better than any cloth

 

MB Tex all the way. I was hesitant when I got it on my c300 as I have always had leather and going forward I would get me Tex all the time if that is what was standard. Leather is more Maintanence and costs more unless it comes standard in the model you want. My c300 is almost two years old and the seats still look brand new and I have done nothing to them. On my old cars I would have to condition the real leather them all the time.

 

MB TEX ALL THE WAY...esp if you have kids or pets.

 

You cannot go wrong with either one. Tex will outlive your car.

 

MB Tex is durable but it's synthetic and doesn't belong in a luxury vehicle. They tell you how great it is yet none of the high end Mercedes come with it. Would you accept plastic wood panels?
It's a shame that Mercedes doesn't have leather as standard in the GLE class.

 

Agreed

 

Well ... MBTex or Leather is the customer's/owner's choice - and there are characteristics to each..

1) If choosing Leather - make sure you get "ventilated" option. If you have ever been in shorts and have been "scalded" by sun-hot leather - you'll always remember that moment. Leather in the sun will develop "hot spots" - while a characteristic of MBTex the backing material will "distribute" the sun heat across the seat panel.

2) In the US - MBTex in SUV's is standard option in GL450... and you can run up a good ticket with other options.

 

Have you ever had it? I have had it twice, and I have had the leather 3 times. Love them both. But I can say for sure, after many years of the Texas sun and pets and kids, the MB Tex looked like new. The leather gets hard and starts to crack a little. My new GLE has leather, but I did not order it. Its just what it had with the color my wife wanted. Picking out her SUV is more like picking out a nice purse. The leather is nice. But after 8 years of her trashing it out, it is not going to clean up like the 2007 ML350 we just traded in with 146k. Those seats were creme MB Tex and looked dam near new after a good scrubbing. I would never diss MB TEX.

Ken

 

Love The MB tex esp with Kids car seats

 

Different strokes for different folks. If you have young kids and/or pets, yes, MB-Tex is probably the more practical choice. If the aforementioned does NOT apply, leather is certainly reasonable. If you'd rather not be bothered with maintenance, MB-Tex is the preferred choice. If you take pleasure in pampering your vehicle, there's no substitute for genuine leather. Unlike all synthetics, real leather breathes. Keep in mind, leather does require cleaning and conditioning to maintain its original appearance. If you're not prepared to put in the work, don't get leather.

Proper care of leather is a "two step" process that requires three days. Never use a combo cleaner/conditioner. Leather "cleaner/conditioner" is an oxymoron. Cleaning strips the leather of its natural oils. These oils need to be replenished with a premium conditioner. My regimen:


Day 1, the cleaning:

Moisten brush bristles with warm water. Lightly coat the bristle tips with a layer of saddle soap. Then, gently scrub the leather in a circular motion. Wipe off suds with a damp sponge. Then, wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Rinse brush thoroughly and repeat. Do one section of the seat at a time. The object is to complete one section before the saddle soap has a chance to dry. Let seats dry overnight.

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Day 2, the conditioning:

Once leather is dry, follow up with the leather conditioner applied with a microfiber pad. Let the conditioner soak in overnight.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ARJB0OJ7553H5


Day 3, finishing:

Once conditioner has soaked in overnight, wipe off any excess with a different clean microfiber cloth.

Repeat the above process at least every few months, depending on exposure to the elements and use. The worse thing in the world for leather seats is exposure to sunlight. Keeping your car in a garage will do wonders for extending the life of your leather.

 

On leather - you can choose to do the "real" deal - for auto leather - Leatherque is the Bomb...

https://www.amazon.com/Leatherique-R.../dp/B0002SPCBW

 

that's why I love my MB TEX!!!