New GLE MB-Tex interior seats "loose" upholstery?
#27
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Thread Starter
350 Please post pics....
350-Thanks for the feedback! I would like to see pics of both seats, kindly post them. I will run this up the chain at MB US Corporate. The more ammo I can fire at them the better!
#29
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At dealer now... 152 Miles on my GLE
GLE43- At dealer now... will notify group of disposition.
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hutch300 (01-26-2017)
#30
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Dealer Sympathetic & agreed with issue but recommended I go to MBUSA for resolution
Hi all- Just left the dealer & Service Manager agreed to send me an email with his observations. He suggested going to MBUSA directly. I sent them an email & have received an auto response. I took pics of a beat up 2010 GL 450 in service reception bay & they looked pristine and significantly better than mine on my 155 mile old GLE. Also looked at
These seats are from a beaten up 2010 GL 450 in the service bay! They look excellent!
other brand new GLE's on lot, they looked poor as well. I would encourage other owner to pursue this, the fit & finish quality of these seats don't even rise to Hyundai's level never mind Mercedes Benz! By the time these cars are 3YO the seats will look so bad it will impact resale value! My mfg date is 12/16 on my GLE. Please keep feedback & pics coming & I will do my part to get MB to resolve!
other brand new GLE's on lot, they looked poor as well. I would encourage other owner to pursue this, the fit & finish quality of these seats don't even rise to Hyundai's level never mind Mercedes Benz! By the time these cars are 3YO the seats will look so bad it will impact resale value! My mfg date is 12/16 on my GLE. Please keep feedback & pics coming & I will do my part to get MB to resolve!
#32
Super Member
The following are quotes from the website of the MB Alabama plant, link below.
https://www.mbusi.com/factory/assembly
"After all Quality checks are completed, there are additional quality checks for complete customer vehicle fit and finish. Each vehicle then proceeds to the 'WSA' line to prepare for Shipping where it receives its final quality checks."
From their own mouths, before they go out the door, all vehicles have to pass not one, but two final inspections. There's no way you can tell me no one noticed the poor construction of these seats. That leaves only one other conclusion. They just don't care!!!
https://www.mbusi.com/factory/assembly
"After all Quality checks are completed, there are additional quality checks for complete customer vehicle fit and finish. Each vehicle then proceeds to the 'WSA' line to prepare for Shipping where it receives its final quality checks."
From their own mouths, before they go out the door, all vehicles have to pass not one, but two final inspections. There's no way you can tell me no one noticed the poor construction of these seats. That leaves only one other conclusion. They just don't care!!!
#33
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#34
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2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (for sale)
Both cars exhibit what I would call cracking along the outside seat edge which you can easily see in the photos. Black seats are Durango and brown are ML350. So it's a rhetorical question. If MBTEX is prone to wrinkling in the seat bottom and the leather eventually cracks on the side, which do prefer? I suppose there are some leather treatments that might mitigate the cracking. BTW, the ML350 has an MBTEX dashboard.
#35
Member
I would characterize the creasing on the outside of the leather seats as normal especially after 3 years-ish of use. Those outer edges of the seats get quite a bit of use and are squeezed against the plastic base of the seat as a person enters and exits the vehicle. It is possible that being extra diligent about caring for the seats could mitigate that some, but I even see some of that normal "leather characteristics" show up in my leather furniture in the house and I know the quality of that leather was very high when I had the furniture built.
I would see the waving of the MB Tex seats in the middle as a worse issue, especially given the hardly used nature of some of these seats.
I would see the waving of the MB Tex seats in the middle as a worse issue, especially given the hardly used nature of some of these seats.
#36
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2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (for sale)
I would characterize the creasing on the outside of the leather seats as normal especially after 3 years-ish of use. Those outer edges of the seats get quite a bit of use and are squeezed against the plastic base of the seat as a person enters and exits the vehicle. It is possible that being extra diligent about caring for the seats could mitigate that some, but I even see some of that normal "leather characteristics" show up in my leather furniture in the house and I know the quality of that leather was very high when I had the furniture built.
I would see the waving of the MB Tex seats in the middle as a worse issue, especially given the hardly used nature of some of these seats.
I would see the waving of the MB Tex seats in the middle as a worse issue, especially given the hardly used nature of some of these seats.
#37
Super Member
That's kind of like comparing apples and oranges. One is normal wear. The other is a manufacturing defect. Leather develops creases. It's part of the natural process of wear. Remember, it's animal hide. It develops wrinkles from dryness and normal usage, much like human skin. You can delay the effects of age by regularly using a good leather conditioner, in much the same way as using a moisturizer on human skin.
The leather in the older seats is nice and taut. This is how it should appear, whether leather or MB-Tex.
The leather in the older seats is nice and taut. This is how it should appear, whether leather or MB-Tex.
Last edited by GLE43_Sube; 01-26-2017 at 02:15 PM.
#38
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2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (for sale)
That's kind of like comparing apples and oranges. One is normal wear. The other is a manufacturing defect. Leather develops creases. It's part of the natural process of wear. Remember, it's animal hide. It develops wrinkles from dryness and normal usage, much like human skin. You can delay the effects of age by regularly using a good leather conditioner, in much the same way as using a moisturizer on human skin.
#39
Super Member
I don't think this is a problem that "develops". It's either there from the start or it isn't. Reason being, I've seen it in a family car. It was there from day one and never got any worse.
#40
Super Member
Response from MB USA
All I can say is, "Wow"! I contacted MB USA and informed them of this problem. I even included a link to this specific forum thread. Below is their response. So basically, because you guys are reporting this on the Internet, your complaints have no validity. Either you're all liars, or this is a figment of your imagination. They completely dismissed the problem and have the audacity to even try to sell me a car. It doesn't sound like they even bothered to read this forum. My recommendation? Make a warranty claim.
Subject: Quality Control RE: GLE Seats
Thanks for your email to MBUSA.
We appreciate your understanding that we are unable to speak to the validity of information found on the Internet or online forums.
At MBUSA, we make every effort to avoid the occurrence of a vehicle concern, however, it simply isn't possible to predict when issues will arise. It is for this reason we offer a comprehensive warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Please find the Service and Warranty manual for Model Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
It may also be helpful to visit a local dealership to see a new GLE on their showroom floor and take the car out for a test drive.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to us. Best wishes for future safe and pleasant driving.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
Subject: Quality Control RE: GLE Seats
Thanks for your email to MBUSA.
We appreciate your understanding that we are unable to speak to the validity of information found on the Internet or online forums.
At MBUSA, we make every effort to avoid the occurrence of a vehicle concern, however, it simply isn't possible to predict when issues will arise. It is for this reason we offer a comprehensive warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Please find the Service and Warranty manual for Model Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
It may also be helpful to visit a local dealership to see a new GLE on their showroom floor and take the car out for a test drive.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to us. Best wishes for future safe and pleasant driving.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
#41
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2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (for sale)
http://www.mercedesbenzhoustonnorth....1419aa97a7.htm
#42
Senior Member
Just to be clear the pics I put up here are from a Brand New GLE. As I stated in my post I have yet to fill the tank. The car has less than 500 miles on it. In short, it came this way right out of the dealer's stock!
#46
Super Member
I had a similar seat upholstery problem with my Corvette. Aware the dealer outsourced their upholstery work, I inquired as to the shop they used. It turned out to be a mom and pop, four bay shop. Since that initial visit, anytime I've had an upholstery problem this little shop has in every instance effected a perfect fix.
My M-B dealer uses this same shop.
My M-B dealer uses this same shop.
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wow OP, how lame, looks wide a widespread issue, I think it sux the MB manager passed the buck and told you to contact MB USA, good luck with this.
#48
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Thread Starter
GLE Owners- Return your vehicle to dealership & demand a regional rep get involved!
Thanks for the pics Diabel. Please include production date on inside of driver's door. I am in conversation with MBUSA & will let everyone know the results. Right now my suggestion to owners is to bring to your dealer & have them write up a service invoice saying there is nothing they can do. Then ask for them to get their MB rep there to look at it & provide you with a loaner in the interim. By inconveniencing them & costing the dealers $ loaners / unbillable service time , etc. this may force MB to act. I also have a friend who is not buying a '17 GLS until he sees how MB will handle our seat issue. If we each tell two people.....
#49
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I have a GLE400 with the real leather and the driver side also exhibit this type of uneven surface. There's no issue on the passenger side though, as the seat is rarely used so I am not sure if it is wear and tear.
#50
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Thread Starter
Dave- Thanks for your input. Is your GLE 400 a '16 or a '17, how many miles? If you could post pictures of both seats and include your build date that would be helpful! Wear & tear should not take place so quickly on a luxury vehicle!