GLE Class (W166) Produced 2015-2019

New GLE MB-Tex interior seats "loose" upholstery?

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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:25 AM
  #1  
Boston's Avatar
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GL 450 W4, GLE 350 W4
New GLE MB-Tex interior seats "loose" upholstery?

Would like to get other owners photos/input on my interior (see pics). I also have a 2013 GL 450 W4 with black MB-Tex & the seat finish is much "tighter" & looks better despite being 3 & 1/2 years older?

Poor photo but look at the waves....
Seems like extra material not properly trimmed....
See how loose & wrinkled it looks...
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 08:29 AM
  #2  
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For me, this would be unacceptable, especially the corner where the seat back meets the seat bottom. The material almost looks to be folded over. Was it like this when you took delivery and you just didn't notice, or did this develop?

For the record, I don't believe this has anything to do with the MB-Tex material itself. It likely would have been the same if this was leather. This is just sloppy workmanship in general.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 01:45 PM
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GL 450 W4, GLE 350 W4
Thanks for the feedback... Car is BRAND new not even 150 Miles on it!

Originally Posted by GLE43_Sube
For me, this would be unacceptable, especially the corner where the seat back meets the seat bottom. The material almost looks to be folded over. Was it like this when you took delivery and you just didn't notice, or did this develop?

For the record, I don't believe this has anything to do with the MB-Tex material itself. It likely would have been the same if this was leather. This is just sloppy workmanship in general.
Thanks for your feedback. Can any owners of '17 GLE Suv's with black MB-Tex post pics of their seats so I may provide to my dealership/ MB Rep. The more I think about how much was paid for this car, the more irritated I get!
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 01:52 PM
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2017 GLE 350 4matic
Mine are leather so not sure that would help your cause with the local dealer. If you think it might help, let me know and I'll take a pic of them for you.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:17 PM
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GL 450 W4, GLE 350 W4
All '17 GLE Seat pics welcome!

Originally Posted by Tbone8771
Mine are leather so not sure that would help your cause with the local dealer. If you think it might help, let me know and I'll take a pic of them for you.
If you could snap a couple of photos that would be appreciated! Do you think I am being unreasonable? They look worse than cars that cost less than 1/2 the price!
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:31 PM
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Same

My seats are the same if not worse, I tried snapping a pic but the camera was not cooperating, maybe too dark in the garage. I will try to snap a few tomorrow in the sunlight but I think this is pretty normal for whatever reason.
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Old Jan 21, 2017 | 12:23 PM
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Looks like some fat guy has owned the car for the last 10 years but it's still on its first tank of gas. This didn't bother me untile I saw your post. Now I want to know "What's up with that?" ??!!

Last edited by paulybagadonuts; Jan 21, 2017 at 12:29 PM.
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Old Jan 23, 2017 | 11:03 AM
  #8  
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2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
my seats are the same. I have MB tex and I have 7500 miles on the clock. My wife drives it and she weights 130 lbs soaking wet. Could this be normal or just bad quality control? I had Beige interior on my old GL but it didn't look like this. Now with the black I can see the looseness in the fabric.
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Old Jan 23, 2017 | 02:09 PM
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Not sure if it's just the color.... I had a 2016 GLE with black interior and it looks like the pics. Definitely more saggy looking on the passenger side.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 09:00 AM
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If the dealer is telling you this is normal, they're full of BS. All you have to do is compare the seat backs to the seat bottoms. The difference is like night and day. Anyone whose seats look like this should report it to MB Customer Service, 800-367-6372. Let them know these are not just isolated cases, but there is a problem in the production line. Make them aware of this forum, and that other customers are complaining about the quality control. If they have any sense, they'll realize prospective customers also view these forums to help in the decision making process. This is the kind of publicity I'm sure they'll want to avoid.

These seats are NOT hand sewn. Therefore, obviously their machines need to be re-calibrated. Does anybody know where the GLE350 is assembled?

Last edited by GLE43_Sube; Jan 24, 2017 at 09:03 AM.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 09:03 AM
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2017 GLE 350 4matic
I believe they are assembled in Alabama.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Tbone8771
I believe they are assembled in Alabama.
I knew the GLE Coupe was assembled in Alabama, but I wasn't sure if that applied to the rest of the GLEs. I just confirmed it at the link below. Thanks!

https://www.mbusi.com/
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 09:46 AM
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I have the 2016 with beige interior, my seats look the same as the pics (black) above.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 10:00 AM
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Mine are real leather multicontour seats, the driver's seat is not that bad, but is not tight enough, I wonder what it is gonna be after 1 or 2 years of use. Until now the passenger seat is ok, but the car is one week old still
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 02:40 PM
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Mine are loose like this too. It looks terrible and like a mistake. I had a 13,15, and now a 17 and next time will probably buy something else. Not a happy customer, exhaust resonates, seats suck, hate the black plastic interior trim. If the redesign isn't better I will give the ever unreliable RR Sport a go.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 03:33 PM
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it feels good to complain on this forum. It's therapeutic. You get the support of others who can empathize with you. But it doesn't accomplish anything. Has anyone actually complained to MB or at least the dealer? If so, what was their response?
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 07:05 PM
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Its a waste of time, my dealer is Auto Nation now aka we don't care about the customer just selling cars. Its how all 2017 MB Tex seats are. I am sure in a year or two it will be corrected. I get a new car every two years, its not a going to kill me, just annoy me.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by hutch300
Its a waste of time, my dealer is Auto Nation now aka we don't care about the customer just selling cars.
Agreed. Dealers don't care. They just want to move inventory. That's why I suggested going straight to the top. I've had to do this with a few different car companies over the years. I always got action. Automakers don't like it when customers have to come to them directly because they're not getting satisfaction from the dealer. They look at that as an embarrassment. That's what gets the ball rolling. Have you heard the expression, "S**t flows downhill"?
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by GLE43_Sube
Agreed. Dealers don't care. They just want to move inventory. That's why I suggested going straight to the top. I've had to do this with a few different car companies over the years. I always got action. Automakers don't like it when customers have to come to them directly because they're not getting satisfaction from the dealer. They look at that as an embarrassment. That's what gets the ball rolling. Have you heard the expression, "S**t flows downhill"?
Do you use a local MB dealer for your purchases or service ?
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 10:49 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Tbone8771
Do you use a local MB dealer for your purchases or service ?
I plan to. However, my vehicle is still on order. The expected delivery date is 3/1/17.
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 10:55 AM
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Did you order it through a local dealer? The MB of South Charlotte is the closest dealership to my house but I didn't purchase through them and haven't needed a service yet. I did talk to a salesman there a couple times while I was shopping around.
I was going to ask a few friends if they have used that dealership for service and see what their experience with them has been.
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 12:58 PM
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Tbone8771,

PM for you.
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 11:06 PM
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Hey Boston! You with us son? What is this? Hit and Run?
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 11:27 PM
  #24  
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Thanks "Pauly" ... looks like the guys in Alabama were munching on a bag of donuts

Originally Posted by paulybagadonuts




Looks like some fat guy has owned the car for the last 10 years but it's still on its first tank of gas. This didn't bother me untile I saw your post. Now I want to know "What's up with that?" ??!!
Pauly- Thanks for the pics! Looks like we are in the same boat... these GLE seats are completely unacceptable! I have an appointment in the morning with my dealer's service manager. I will advise as to the outcome ASAP!
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Old Jan 25, 2017 | 11:31 PM
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GL 450 W4, GLE 350 W4
Beige Seats look the same... please post pics

Originally Posted by Diabel
I have the 2016 with beige interior, my seats look the same as the pics (black) above.
Diabel- Thanks for the feedback- can you post pics along with the build date on your GLE? I am trying to identify if this is isolated to a particular time or on all GLE's.
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